The best owners don't view their team as a money making enterprise but as a hobby or even a toy (e.g., Paul Allen). Titles, not money, needs to tbe the bottom line or I don't want you to be the owner of teams I am behind. Barzila, in your second post you identified absolutely the critical issue. Make the team better now for a legitimate shot for rings the next year or at most two, or go full throttle toward rebuilding like Orlando. This tiptoeing we have done the last few years (good enough to make the playoffs, not good enough to win in them) might fill the seats and be good for keeping the dough rolling in, but it is not acceptable to me. [This message has been edited by sir scarvajal (edited November 18, 1999).]
Barzilla: You are right about the Sonics having had better talent cohesively, I was speaking overall, on paper - as you noted. Unfortunately, as we have all seen, that does not mean much. Regardless, if the ability is there, so is the potential. Given time, I think Rogers could develop into that rangy 3, but not anytime soon. By the way, notice that same system being utilized successfully again in Milwauke, without a strong 4 or 5, but they play well defensively. Doctor Robert: I do not necessarily think that the team should be run ragged, but I certainly think the coaching staff should be ruthless about keeping the style as it was in the first 3 quarters - fast break and motion with a complimentary (and secondary) post up. Every team must slow down at some point. If Rudy needs to sit down and number crunch to determine minutes, he should reconsider Shandon Anderson. When he is in the game, he makes things happen and he is lightning quick. I fear that all Rudy sees is three point ability (or lack thereof). So perhaps we are getting somewhere.
Rimbaud, If we're talking about the George Karl system we have to remember that traditional posts do not fit in that running system. Defense, rebounding, and quickness is much more important in the Karl system than the old Rockets system. That's when you see an Ervin Johnson at center because of his ability to block shots and run the floor. Cato fits that mold, but Hakeem and Charles do not. What we know now is that this system doesn't work as well in the playoffs because the games tend to be more half court oriented, but we can work around that. What we also know is that the kind of defense the Sonics and Bucks play takes much more work and practice than a conventional defense (is that why the Bucks are playing so much better this season?) Therefore, if we want to be competitive in 2000-2001 it is best that we adapt to that now if we want to do it successfully next year. I think that would require playing Hakeem and Cato more together and playing Rogers more at the three. This would give Francis, Anderson, Rogers and Cato a year to know their positions in the defense while we utilize the draft to find more parts to fit the puzzle. ------------------ Rockets When? Rockets When?
I remember Visionaries. That cartoon sucked. And the name sounds like a glorified chess club or something. 1. get into theplayoffs. 2. strategy - win games 3. must make more baskets than the other team. Everything else is irrelevant. Uh Huh.
Crisco, I don't know if it makes you feel any better, but we (the visionaries) have never claimed to be anymore intelligent than anyone else (unlike some people on these boards). All we are doing is developing a different process for solving the problem. Our simple goal is championships just like everyone else. All we're asking is how do you get there? That's a simple enough question and one everyone is trying to answer. We have a different way of answering it. Here are some basic assumptions. 1. The Rockets will not win the NBA Championship this season. 2. The Rockets will not win the NBA Championship with their current system. Therefore, for me and other visionaries the questions like "why isn't this guy playing more or why aren't we running these plays for this guy?" don't have a lot of weight. Why? We aren't going to win the title anyway. So therefore, we have to ask ourselves what style of team we need to be to win after Hakeem and Charles retire and go ahead with that system now. Period. ------------------ Rockets When? Rockets When?
I wuz just playin around wit ya'll. Uhm ... if i wuz Rudy i would try to get the Rocks to implement the system of the team we are facin tonite .... the KINGS! At least offensively. If our old players get tired of running and gunning - Just sub for a little while. *Sigh* Sure would be exciting.
Well, let's take a look at our roster and see how they fit in the running and gunning system. Guards 1. Steve Francis- Tonight's performance is an indication of two things. First, Steve Francis is the Rockets best player. Secondly, he is still going to make a lot of mistakes. That being said, he has shown so far this year that he has done far more good than bad. This is especially true in the running game. 2. Shandon Anderson- Shandon is finding his niche and it lies in slashing to the basket and playing tough defense. He isn't the all-star some people projected him to be, but he is beginning to justify the Rockets decision to make him their two guard. 3. Cattino Mobley- He is obviously better cutting to the basket and running the break than shooting from beyond the arc. 4. Bryce Drew- For those who say Maloney would be better than Drew: you definetely aren't a visionary. Can anyone honestly picture Maloney running and gunning? Drew has enough athleticism and versatility to give Francis spot rest. Forwards 1. Walt Williams- Don't know where to go on Walt. On the one hand, he shows flashes of defense. On the other hand, he disappears for longer stretches. You would have to think he would be better in the running game. 2. Charles Barkley- Backing it in, backing it in, backing it in, backing it in, backing it in, backing it in, backing it in............ 3. Carlos Rogers- This guy has been putting up some impressive numbers in small minutes. The polish isn't quite there, but he's a high energy guy you love to have in a running offense. 4. Matt Bullard- Let's see, a slow, white shooting specialist in a running offense. See Maloney. 5. Tony Massenburg- This is another questionable player. You have to like his work ethic when he's in there, but would a more athletic player with younger legs fit here? 6. Kenny Thomas- Clutch? Anyone who saw this guy in camp? What can he do? He's played what? 10 minutes total? Centers 1. Hakeem Olajuwon- Still a quality defender even at his advanced age. Can he still run the floor and finish on the break? Can he still be productive with less looks? 2. Kelvin Cato- Constant motor can get him in foul trouble. Has shown more offense than expected. Minutes are way too low. Where are we with this running experiment? Well lets look at the fits, maybes, and don't fits Fits Steve Francis Shandon Anderson Cattino Mobley Carlos Rogers Kelvin Cato Maybes Bryce Drew Walt Williams Tony Massenburg Kenny Thomas Hakeem Olajuwon Don't Fits Matt Bullard Charles Barkley This is a pretty significant breakdown. We know Bullard and Barkley's futures are limited. We also know that Olajuwon's future is limited. Therefore, the thing you are compelled to do is run and gun to see where the maybes fit into your longterm future. The trading deadline is in Feb. That gives you over two months to run and gun and evaluate where each player fits. ------------------ Rockets When? Rockets When?
Barzilla: Last post was good analysis, however, I will add: Massenburg - not that old, can run and finish well, good D. He provides good energy and can be happy with getting the ball off of his own hustle - not set post ups. Remember he played well with the Grizzlies with a young team. Williams - played an up-tempo style in Portland and was a solid role player - nothing more. With a running offense, he would be about the same. Scoring more points somewhat covers up his poor defense. These two are fits. Olajuwon - could be great in a running game if he accepted his role - I guess that is why he should stay in the "maybe" category. If he were to accept - he would definitely fit. I still would vote for the old Sonics system (over the Kings) because of the defense and deeper offensive system.
Barzilla, good comments I would like to know more about Kenny Thomas as well. We just haven't seen him play, yet we were told that he had a lot of potential. I would say from the little I know that he is a "maybe" and could be used in a trade to a western conferance foe in need of competant PF's. As long as Hakeem is doing so well in steals in addition to his steady blocking and rebounding I would give him a promotion.
Doctor Robert and Rimbaud, As I said before, will Hakeem be willing to accept less looks in the post? This team seems to be evolving ever so slowly into that running team. I haven't seen the full court or even half court pressure yet, but we are using the post less. Of course brutal honesty and dedication to a vision requires us to drop the security blanket and go full board. Also, I know we need another shooter, but what is the purpose of activating Bullard? That just gives Rudy another excuse to take minutes away from the maybes. Just a thought...... ------------------ Rockets When? Rockets When?
Drew played well tonight, but I don't believe that he showed anything that would remove him from the maybe list. He hit his three pointers tonight, but as usual, he didn't show much defense or ability to run the break. The great combination performance that we saw tonight from Anderson/Francis shows us the skills that we should value in our guards. Being able to make a few steals and cut to the basket seems to be paying better dividends than a pure shooter - even when he is doing his thing effectively. Is there any way that we could trade Drew and ? for Antonio Daniels. San Antonio might like Drew's shooting?
Doctor Robert: No way. The Spurs are still hoping Daniels will turn into the point guard of the future. Besides, they already have Drew, he just goes by Kerr in San Antonio.
I think that Daniels would be much better than Drew on any team, but the reason I brought it up was because he is only getting 7 minutes a game. He might as well not even play. There are a couple people that the "?" could be.
