3. Houston LAST YEAR: 43-39 (.524), fifth place PROBABLE STARTING FIVE (by the end of the season): Steve Francis, Cat Mobley, Adrian Griffin, Eddie Griffin, Yao Ming Jeff Van Grumpy has returned, and he's been sipping on that fire water. He's already started berating Francis and Mobley about giving the ball to the Yao more often, which makes me think that Mobley could get fast-tracked out of town if he keeps up his normal shooting ways. I'm figuring Griffin will play his way into the starting five because he's so good at doing the little things -- rebounding, boxing out, setting picks -- that Van Grumpy loves. The Rockets bench will definitely be stronger this year, with Boki Nachbar reportedly ready to bust loose. Yao Ming is bigger, stronger and will be less exhausted this season, if only because Van Gundy isn't going to put up with all the media hurdles they made Yao jump through last season. And Patrick Ewing will teach Yao how to preserve himself through Pat's patented postgame formaldehyde drip. http://www.slamonline.com/links/
At least he took the time to explain why he felt that A. Griffin was projected to be in the starting lineup... But this doesn't really tell us anything we don't know. Thanks for posting it, though.
After I get my basketball news and info from Slam Mag, I usually like to browse the Weekly World Sun to keep up on current events, then the National Enquirer for entertainment updates. For hard nosed, insightful editorials, nothing beats Nickelodeon Magazine...
Obviously, Slam is not exactly at the pinnacle of analytic writing, but with all previews I've read so far, I get the feeling these guys don't know what they are talking about and are writing mostly from stereotypes and so-called popular wisdom. I'm not sure whether they are all just cranks or if I'm in some serious denial about the state of the Rockets.
That's actually one guy from Slam's opinion (Lang). Yeah you get news and info from newspapers and ESPN, but I don't see any difference looking at some guy giving his opinion from Slam, SI, TSN, ESPN or anywhere else. Their opinions are better than a casual fan, but against most real fans they don't necessarily know any more.
Then on to FOX News for a fair and balanced look at the world: "Clinton sneezes....is the world now at risk for STD's? Coming up next on HANNITY and Colmes." (borrowing from Al Franken there)
Hate on? Anyone who thinks Boki is ready to 'bust out' doesn't have a clue about the rockets or their team. Its clear he was just trying to put out some BS mixed in with some ESPN articles he read to make it seem like he's in the know. Anyways, no one's talking about his Mom or anything...sheesh. Sensitive.
plus he kind of completely and totally ignored JJ in there too didn't he? would have thought JJ would merit at least a mention
Hey guys, this is Lang from SLAM. Like the message boards on here. (And tried to pick a screenname with a little Rockets history.) For what it's worth, none of you guys hurt my feelings -- I disagree with 3/4s of what's out there. But I didn't read any of the ESPN/CNNSI/FOXCRAP profiles before writing my preview. I just wrote what I've heard. Didn't mention Jim Jackson because I think he's overrated: a solid bench player but not a star; great role player with the Kings, but couldn't do jack with the Hawks as a starter. On Houston he'll be a plus if he just dumps the ball to Yao every time down the court and doesn't make dumb turnovers. As for Boki...I know a few people in the Rockets organization and a few of the players fairly well (talked to Franchise a few weeks ago here in New York at the Wheelchair Classic Charity game) and to a man, everyone raves about Nachbar. I watched a ton of Rockets games last year and never saw him get any action, and when I was in Houston last year doing the Yao/Franchise cover story we did, I went to a bunch of practices and never saw him do anything. So I was sort of dubious about him, but everyone else swears by him, so I thought I'd throw it in there. I'll try to post more on this site. Can we start (or is there) a Calvin Murphy thread? That guy kills me on League Pass. --lang
