This is the best team the Rockets can put on the court this next year. C--Ming PF-Taylor SF-Thomas SG-Mobley PG-Francis and the backups are c--Cato pf-Griffin sf-Rice sg-Nachbar pg-Norris The all purpose forward is Terrence Morris. This team is deep. That's why ESPN is ranking the Rockets as the number 6 team in the West. And if this team comes together like we all know it should, this team will break into the quartet of the Kings, Lakers, Mavs, and Spurs. And then we could start draming championships once again.
Why am I the only one that thinks Griffin is the starter and that Taylor will only be so if he flat out outplays Eddie and earns the starting spot?
Griffin still needs to muscle up some more. Let's not be over anxious to make Griffin the starter. He will be our starter for 15 years starting next year. This year Griffin will help this team a lot if he can make the bench the best in the league.
Its not that I am anxious to make Griff the starter. But he started last year and played well. Hell start the first 5 games this year for sure. I dont see Rudy handing a player thats coming off a one year layoff cause of injury the starting job come game 6 especially if Griff opens the season strong.
There is also the issue of how much he is being paid. I believe the team loves his game and his experience level and the kid can wait. They need to get MoT back to being a major asset to this team.
To start the season I think that our lineup will be C-Cato(Ming WILL NOT start after missing almost all of training camp) PF-Taylor(First 5 games KT) SF-Rice SG-Mobley PG-Francis Thomas will be the first player of the bench, probably for Rice depending on matchup situations. Nachbar will see very little pt in the first half I'm affraid.
I dont think salary has anything to do with who starts. If that was the case, Cato would start over Ming. Well have to wait and see. I still feel Griffin will be the starter whether he deserves to be for not. I dont see a player coming in after 1 year off and having a starting spot handed to him unless he proves hes better than what we had last year.
the reason Taylor should start....remember two seasons ago when he was killing everyone in the first quater by scoring like double digits in one quater...his explosiveness coming right off is just outstanding
Two seasons ago, Mo averaged 13 pts and 5 rbs. To me, those numbers to say "automatic starter". Its hard to win titles with a 4 that averages 13 and 5. Unless you are the Lakers of course. =)
PG- Francis SG- Mobley SF- Rice PF- Taylor (not the first 5 games) C- Cato (since Ming isn't arriving in Houston till the 22nd.)
Nachbar does not, and cannot play the 2. He will not be a back-up shooting guard primarily b/c he cant guard a 2.
My starting Five: PG - Francis SG - Mobley SF - Rice PF - Griffin C - Ming Taylor doesn't appear to be out of the woods yet, as far as recoving from his injury. I think they should bring him along slow, and if he can prove he's capable, he should be the starter. I think the Rockets need at least one experienced veteran in the starting lineup, and that it Glen Rice. I'm just hoping he stays healthy. As far as distributing the minutes...this is the best I could come up with. C : Ming (26), Cato (22) PF: Griffin (22), Taylor (22), Thomas (4) SF: Rice (20), Thomas (18), Nachbar/Morris (10) SG: Mobley (39), Francis (9) PG: Francis (30), Norris (18)
I tend to agree with those who think we should try to establish Mo Taylor again so we can figure out what to do with Kenny Thomas.
Starting 5 will be: C - Ming (even after missing preseason) PF - Mo SF - Rice SG - Mobley PG - Francis People are in a big hurry to start Griffin and are knocking Mo's numbers, but it's not who starts the games it's who finishes them. Griffin could be our PF answer to Sam Cassell. Mo will set the stage and Griffin will close the show.
DC Kid I think you are expecting Mobley and Franchise to play too many minutes . If we are going all out for post season the guards must watch the wear in such a prolonged season, it also will reduce the chances of injury.
IMO, I think DCKid's minutes were ideal. Yetti, you can't be cutting down Cat and Wink's minutes from playing to avoid injury, they need to be on the floor as much as possible in order for us to win. I can see what you're saying about them needing to be fresh for the duration of the season, but these are not lazy players, they prepare for the "grind" non-stop in the offseason. I think if Steve and Cat had to play 2 games a night in order for us to win, they'd try do it, and be semi-successful at it because of their unbeliveable conditioning.
Why does everyone say we are in a hurry to start Griffin? He was a starter last year! He started 3/4 of the season last year and played well. Mo's 13pts and 5 rbs doesnt guarantee you a starting spot in my eyes. Griffin averaged 9 pts, 6 rbs and 2 blocks as a starter and in theory, will only improve this year. Unless Mo flat out out plays Griffin after his suspension is over, there is no way Rudy is going to pull Griffin out of the lineup. Francis at only 30 mins a game? No way.
