So what you are saying is that Mo or Glen is hurt for an extended period of time? And starting with tomorrow's game at home against Boston we will see more of Bostjan? Woohoo, Bostjan vs. Boston... I can't wait.
I think it would be "Ahh...my cryptical writing" Now we have to figure out what the hell that means. Maybe Cato at the 4?
Doc, Congrats on the "we will trade a PF before January." Quite impressive. Now, was that pessimistic opening post your true feelings as a Rockets fan. Do you really believe that Francis as a 2 is the only answer, or is this sound-and-fury merely the cathartic cry of impatience, combined with being deprived of seeing them live. I got to tell ya: It is fan-frustration threads like this that make me feel extremely fortunate to have a visceral fanaticism for the sport -- beyond wins or losses -- as long as the players show equal love for the game, too. The way I look at it is that we are watching Rudy, Francis, Mobley and Yao create a team for themselves -- a fate, a destiny -- and go for it. There is simple pleasure in just watching professional BBall players try to figure out what works best for them, to continuously strive to take their best shot. Part of the process is failure, but it is their process -- they are the players; it is their game to play; it is their game plan to develop; it is their career. I enjoy watching hardworkers like Paul Pierce and Cuttino Mobley shape their careers, but do I like that Celtics team better than Bird's? (As an aside, do you realize Paul Pierce has been blocked 51 times this year? Does he have 'it'?) Loving to enjoy what you got is like being witness to the growth of Lauren Anderson in Ballet over the years. I just watch and enjoy the career, never saying, "Time to break it down...We need a new Principal Dancer in Houston Ballet." <b>Time to break it down...</b> Move Francis to 2 and Cat to the bench. Really??? I don't think there is one player on that team who wants that. You're the insider; you tell me who on that team wants that. Sounds to me like they all want time to develop their chemistry. So, the wishes for trades and chemistry changes from fans who know better (or who secretly suffer from Jazz-fan envy like pasox2, hehe) breaks down to a feeling of ownership over the Rockets -- a feeling that the GM should make changes upon our demand, as if the failure to play at highest potential all the time is reason to demand changes, like Portland fans who are sick of their cry-babies and criminals. "Trade Barkley or Hakeem, NOW!" "We have to land Pippen from the Bulls, dammit." Maybe what matters to Rockets brass is to be a classy organization that develops from within, and let's the best players of any given era determine their own fate, and in the process give the players and city a reason to feel an unshakeable bond over the years. Breaking it down...have the Rockets ever traded away the player or players to whom they committed a system? Arguably the Barkley trade, but some fans loved that trade as a last run at another title with Hakeem and a chance to watch Barkley, while other fans felt an immediate disconnect with their beloved Rockets -- a management betrayal. Do fans really want to be a Phoenix or New Jersey of the league who constantly trade and tinker hoping to finally find the right mix? Or do fans really want to see a team that loves each other -- sticks with each other -- and watch them stay with the same team for their whole career and learn to love them for giving us their best to the point the team and fans share the same fate, the fate shared by a one-high school, small town in Illinois who lives and dies with the team of the same name. Breaking it down...do you need a trade to be happy! Or is it an addiction that slowly deteriorates fan fiber. Breaking it down...I loved Vernon Maxwell. It hurt to see Rudy have to orphan him. Rudy clearly loves Francis and Mobley, and it would hurt to see him have to orphan them. I certainly do not want to demand it. <blockquote><hr> The Rockets are bigger than Yao, Steve, and Dream. That is why you state your insight regarding the TEAM. If you're not looking for answers on how to better yourself, you're regressing.<hr></blockquote>So be it. I want to root for one team, with what stars we got, for their whole career, to share a bond. Endless trades for fear of regression deteriorates my fan bond rooting for career Rockets.
I agree with your comments about Francis and Mobley RIET. As painful as it sounds I don't think these two players will change their style either. I still don't think Francis would be a good SG despite all his shortcomings at the PG spot but if the Rockets move him to the 2 and if he succeeds I'm all for it provided if we can improve at the 1 spot.
Well of course, Sampson was not the same player; otherwise, he never would have been traded. And Elvin Hayes went on to 3 Finals and a Title, and we forever regretted that trade. Remember when fans were calling for the Rockets to trade Hakeem?
HeyP, I understand what you're saying. However, I'd much rather have the GM and owner who's willing to continually go for the jugular than have a nice no-championship team with a Karl Malone/John Stockton type chemistry/bond.
You think this team is a second place type team? They're not even the second best team in the state. The Rockets are still young and they aren't as talented (at least realized talent) as many of us would like to believe. I would be shocked if they finished higher than 6th in the west. Oh, and even the good teams lose to the Nuggets every now and then. It happens.
HEYP..I agree with what you're saying. "I" feel that moving Steve to the 2 and Cat to the 6th man is best for the team. It's just my gut feeling. I feel that with Steve designated to be the scorer and Cat given the role of 'Microwave' that we'd be better. We, in fact, may not be but I feel that we would. Impatience may be part of it but I don't think the majority of it. I enjoy watching Yao, Eddie, Posey, etc..making progress. Eddie, IMHO, is really starting to 'get it' and that's exciting to me. However, a lack of progress is frustrating. I feel that Cat IS making progress. He is getting to be a better defender, he is taking better shots and he is getting rid of the ball better. I don't think that being a '6th man' or a role player is a bad thing. I think Cat would be better as a 6th man - that's not necessarily a slight. I think Steve would be better as a 2 and I don't think that's a dig at him to not be the '#1 goto leader' at all times. I do NOT want any major trades. I like the guys we have here now. I'd like to see some other options explored. I'd like to see a point guard brought in next year. I'd like to see Boki play and hit that mid-range all day. (That rhymed - Chance, are you listening?) We need guys like TMO, Posey, Cato (GULP*!*!), and Rice. We can be better...it starts with focus and discipline and these things are more important than the crossover and the high leg kick showboat! Running the football and defense wins games...oops, that was for my Texans board!
RIET, You don't get too many chances to be right per era. Changes can regress you, as well, see the Clipper, Knicks, Dallas of the 80s/90s, Portland, Philly (Ratliff), Houston's Barkley trade to some, etc. For every success story achieved via trade, there is a disaster. And who says Les doesn't go for the jugular; some organizations just rarely trade their stars. Doc, btw: now that the trade is over. Last summer you said, "the Rockets will not trade Kenny this summer, afterall, for reason I can't say." I've been dying to know those reasons.
oh, another thing, as far as bringing in another point guard. Man, get a load of Mike Wilks in Atlanta, the player from Rice. Seeing a guy like that come out of the CBA and immediately produce better than Moochie, really makes me envious and impatient with Mooch. Wilks honestly looked as good as Parker and Darrel Armstrong. PG acquisitions from nowhere like Wilks, Parker, Armstrong, Avery Johnson remind us that you do not need to make a trade to get a "true" point guard. You just have to have enough stars where a mediocre shooting PG can work. btw: I don't see how moving Francis to 2 and making Mobley a 6th man works together. Francis is a 40mpg player come playoff time. That implies a trade.
The ideal way to to make everyone happy is to have a point foward like Odom. However, there is no way in hell we will get him without giving up Mobley, Francis, Griffin or Yao, so I just have to keep liking the team we have now.
That involves either moving Francis back to PG or going with a 3 guard lineup. You are back to square one. In the playoffs, Detroit used 3 guards, and Dumars could run that team as a point guard.
Although I still want to see what Maddox can do once he learns the system, we might think about acquiring Steve Logan (still unsigned) from Golden State or by trading Moochie to Atlanta for Dan Dickau (hair for hair).
Happy New Year HeyP! I haven't seen one of your posts in ages. Be assured your "visceral fanatacism" is majestic. This thread has been a good read. I'm inclined to agree with Hey Partner on all accounts. The only slight difference I have probably because I've been listening to Gene Peterson for the last month. Though I love the guy, I've never been able to listen to him while watching a game, so I know to filter his zealousness. But Geno's been flat-out disgusted by our guard play. Extremely strong, caustic remarks in ever game I've listened to. Perhaps (and most likely) he's getting more cantankerous, but still stinging criticism coming from a Rockets employee. I know Peterson may have less direct contact with the team than say... Murph, but I have to believe he's getting some feedback from the organization regarding current evaluations/attitudes. We all know Rudy's never going to knock a player, and very rarely even attempts to defend himself, and I honestly think we as Rocket's fans get a lot less information than the fans of other organizations. That's probably a very good thing. But while I agree Steve could easily win big with the improvement of Yao and Eddie and I just don't see this team being altered any furthur this year, I'm sensing something. I know Steve's not going anywhere, not even to the 2, and he has shown improvement this year while not being "consistently improved". His decision-making must continue to improve and most people are frustrated with this slow process. In the off-season I posted concerns regarding the Steve/Cat axis and for the most part I'm convinced those fears were unfounded. But I can see a possibility that the organization at the end of the season could feel Steve needs to be shaken up a bit. I don't want to see that happen either. But if attendance remains poor and we end up as the 7th seed and possibly get swept in the first round, I could see this organization saying "we go forward with Steve, Yao and Eddie and otherwise try to improve this team". It might disappoint some here to say that it's unrealistic for this team to win the West next year, but the goal might be realistic the year after that. Following that premise, the team is likely to be more scutinized than usual this off-season. The Miller/Brand talk I don't see happening, but I wouldn't be shocked if something else did. Cato (ah, the state of the NBA) and Cat have serious value, and the free agent group next year almost insures a couple of teams radically reshaping their rosters. I know a lot of people are here are really unhappy with the state of this team. I'm not, though I do get extremely frustrated. But I do think CD and Rudy expected more at this point. I'm not sure from where. Maybe the new arena and attendance issues are putting added pressure on Les' employees regarding this season. If we make the playoffs, which I expect, that should be enough for this team. Continued growth and improvement should be acceptable. Listening to Gene Peterson spout "ridiculous" and "inexcusable" directed at Rockets players for about a month now has really made me think there's areason he's comfortable saying it.
For you Doc crypticism is a real word So who has the long term injury that they haven't released info on yet, Mo, Rice, Ming, or maybe Cat or Steve??? is Mo achilles gone again or does Rice's shoulder need a reconstruction???
