Before evryone starts to think this is a Glen Rice sux thread, I'm not even going to mention his name and not bash him. I'm just going to speak my peace and let the rain fall. I just got threw watching my share of nba on league pass, even though I'm keeping my eye on the two late games and see a couple of constants . 1: The Penny is back 2: Has anyone noticed the 3 spot? Since this is our Houston forum, I won't comment on the first on, but the second one refers to us. I sit and watch these players ranging from Dirk to Pierce, Hill to Marion, Rose to Jordan. This is not what I've just noticed, but out of those small forwards, all are multi dimensional players. Not only can they get their own shot from long range to mid range, but they can pass,defend, and run, flat out run. I always wonder how we would do if we someone, anyone like Francis only 6'7 or 6'8. These guys I'm talking about are the prototypical anti zone players. Its hard to guard them because of size, quickness and strength. I also wonder if they were on our team, would Rudy just have them chillin at the 3 pt line waiting for the dribble show to be over with. Which brings me to this: I hope Glen proves me wrong and show he still have something left. I hope he shows that the downward spiral that he started a few yrs ago will level off and he becomes and 17pt man from us. What I really hope happens though is Morris steps up and becomes that all around big player we so desperatly need and want. He doesn't have to Robinson, Mashburn, Hill, Rose, Dirk or Marion, but it would be nice to see him at least become a stat filling type of 3. 15pts, 6 rebs, 4 asst type of player. I think with his possible development in the near future, then the Rockets will become a better defensive and transition team. I never read anywhere where you have to have 3 pt shooters on the court at anytime. Players find ways to score, plain and simple.
lee, I agree with you 100% I actually think Rice was a good pickup for the Rockets, he's a better starter than Walt will ever be and a threat opponents have to respect more than any other player we could have started at that spot. As for the future, I'd love to see Morris step into that role. I think he will develop into that style of a player as his carrear moves on. He has the majority of those skills right now, he is a very good defender, is quick up and down the court, and has very good vision. The rest he has the rudiments of but it will take some time for him to develop. More specifically, he needs someone to work with him on his shooting. Technically speaking he doesn't have the most sound shot and would benefit from some coaching, possibly from a guy like Glen Rice. The only other area which requires development is his play off the dribble. I don't know if he's capable of reliably using his ball handling skills to beat his man. I've only seen one rockets game so far, so the majority of my opinions come from having watched Terence for 4 years at Maryland. He's always been the stat filling type of player, never trying to do to much on the offensive end of the floor. That's part of the reason I'd like to see him get more PT. He's got a familiarity with Steve that even Rice doesn't have and any minutes Rudy can fit in for Morris now will only help down the line.
I admire Rudy a lot as a person and coach, but I feel he just needs to snap out of it. He needs to forget his rather old classic basketball and learn the trend that's going on. Teams all around the league are filling their teams with young, athletic, and all-around talents at every position. The plays aren't as predictable, you've got five fast guys swarming around on D and every single guy can shoot it, rebound it, or fast break it. Many people complain about throwing rookies too quickly into the fire, but these guys we got are mature enough and talented enough. Forge them into players already Rudy and give them major minutes! It's only been around 8 games into the season and already we've got Shane Battier, Pau Gasol, Jason Richardson, Tony Parker, Jamaal Tinsley, Jumaine Jones, and so many more getting in the damn game and getting 35 min. Why not Morris and Griffin... be more aggressive with em some time.
I'm just ready to see a multi skilled player like Francis playing the 3 like other teams have now days. If Rice gets back to form, you won't hear me complain, but walt williams shouldn't be in the rotation.
