It just strikes me how ironic the comparison is between the current ‘02 Rockets roster and the one back in the glory days, the ’94 Rockets. The current roster and style of play are almost totally opposite wherein we are now trying to combine some remnants of the old with the current talents. Current Offense: Struggling in a mainly perimeter oriented offense to adjust back to a inside-out offense with a very skilled albeit finesse center who can really pass the ball. The guards can really attack the basket and shoot the ball, but need to learn how to cut to the basket and play tough perimeter defense. Old Offense: Sometimes struggled since there was a tendency to just stand around and watch Olajuwon do his thing and hope that he makes a good pass out of the double team. While sometimes inconsistent, the guards could definitely shoot the three and play tough perimeter defense. Current Guards: All Star PG and a good shooting guard who play with a lot of heart albeit they take a lot of ill-advised shots and have questionable decision makings at times. Very fast players that do not run the break efficiently or consistently. Have enough skills to put tremendous defensive pressure on opposing opponents but they do not do so with regularity. The backup point guard is a young, inconsistent player who could is known to play well in clutch situations. Old Guards: A Point guard whose main asset was his three point shooting and a shooting guard whose main asset was defense and high energy basketball. Good players but not All Stars and could be shut down by opposing defenses. The backup point guard was a brash rookie who played well in clutch situations. The fast break was ran efficiently. However, they knew their roles within the offense and did it well. Current Forwards: The Rockets have 2 kinds of power forwards (1) an inexperienced, skinny forward with great potential who can shoot the three, (2) a great offensive power forward who does not rebound or defend much, All have their moments but cannot yet play a 48 minute game with consistency everyday. The small forward position is composed of an old veteran who cannot defend much nor shoot the 3 pointer with consistency anymore and a young, athletic guy who can defend but cannot shoot. Old Forwards: The power forward position was played by a one time All Star, a tough rebounder who was not afraid to get down and dirty. Played good defense with a few post moves, set really good picks, throw outlet passes and ran the break. He could not shoot much from beyond 8 ft from the basket but knew his role well. He was a great compliment to Olajuwon. The small forward was a young, athletic defender and clutch player who also ran the break and could get the ball inbound to the center with efficiency. He could shoot the three pointer and rebound when needed but was inconsistent in his effort. Old Center: All-Universe center and one of the best all time greats. Had a variety of post moves (power & finesse) that could not be stopped except by his being sometimes foul prone. Learned to pass out of the double team which led to helping his teammates improve their game. Greta defender, rebounder and shot-blocker. Actually was in the top ten in steals for some years. New Center: Rookie center from a foreign land with much potential just like his predecessor. May not be as great athletically as Olajuwon but compensates with sheer will and height; also, advanced in development in certain “skill” aspects like passing, shooting, and reading defenses at this stage of his career. Does not demand the ball although he has a good basketball IQ. Needs to get physically stronger without losing his lateral quickness. Good backup center who can rebound and block shots although overpaid -- moody and inconsistent at times. If I had my way this would be my MIXED roster of the combined eras: Starting Five: Center: Olajuwon Power Forward: Yao Ming Small Forward: Robert Horry Shooting Guard: Steve Francis Point Guard: Sam Cassell Backups: Center: Yao Ming Power Forward: Otis Thorpe(enforcer)/Robert Horry (quick defender) Small Forward: Glenn Rice(?) Shooting Guard: Vernon Maxwell (6th Man Instant Offense/Defense) Point Guard: Kenny Smith (3 Pt specialist) I think that everyone else will first defer to Olajuwon then use a motion offense with Yao Ming on the high post. Then run, run, run with guards. I think that Thope’s rebound & picks, Ming’s passing & blocked shots, Horry’s all-around game…..a guy can only imagine what kind of team that would be. How owuld you assemble them and remember this is the pre-Clyde days.
