I am sure that there are many people thinking about this, but if the team continues to lose to sub par competition, I believe that there will be a trade before the all-star break for sure. There are too many players fighting for minutes on this squad and it appears that it is hurting the continuity of the team. Prime example is the distribution of time between Griff, Mo, and KT. One of those guys is going to have to go for sure. In my opinion it would be Mo or KT. Despite having a lack luster last few games I believe Griff fits into the long term plans of the Rockets. Another reason I believe that we may see a trade sooner that we think, is that the pressure is on Rudy to make the playoffs, and if he cannot get this deep and talented team there, he will be GONE. There are ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSES THIS YEAR. Does anyone else see the pressure building to make a trade before the All Star Break? And if so for whom?
Yep, The chemistry is just not there, and it is very hard to develop it on the floor when too many people are playing a few minutes. We need a solid 8-9 man rotation, with a few spare minutes here and there. Who should be in... Francis Cat Ming Griffin Mo T Kenny T Rice Hawkins Cato Who should be out.... Moochie Tmo Boki I would trade KT or Cato.....or both and move Tmo up....depending on whom you get. Great teams do not play 10 guys, they play 7-8 on a consistent basis. Rudy needs to define who those guys are, and let them gell. DaDakota
how can we make judgment like this after so few games??? the chemistry isn't there??? so what, we just quit? chemistry develops over time...you don't trade players and then expect instant chemistry. these guys haven't all played together, and they're adapting to finally having a post presence...a post presence who is still largely an unknown. why don't we be patient and see what this team can become? seems to me they have some pretty good pieces in place for development.
My God. Two road losses and we need to make a trade? Mobley did n't play. If he played we probably would've won.
Max, I agree that we have some good pieces. I am saying you need to identify your KEY pieces and then get rid of any problems. You can not keep shuffling guys in and out and hope that somehow they instantly jell on the court. Rudy has not come up with a CONCRETE rotation, and it is killing chemistry. Yes, they are adapting to Ming being in the game, but more then that....they have FAILED to adjust to the zone defense that teams are playing. Little guards like Steve can not penetrate against a 5 man zone when all 5 men are a lot taller then Steve. The Zone is a bad, bad thing for penetrating guards like ours. DaDakota
I agree with DD. I would add that even if we develop some sort of solid rotation with the players we have (and we won't), we will probably not add up to the Kings and the Mavericks of the league. Even in a couple years. "Let them play together awhile," you say. KT. Contract situation. Trying too hard as a result. Needs the ball to be effective. Cuttino. 28 years old; not likely to start passing more often, even with a 7'5" target. T-Mo. Will he continue his pre-season strong all-around game? Or not? (I'm rooting for him, though.) EG. Can't dribble, can't pass, can barely shoot (and won't take the last shot), is a classic tweener...but he could become the next Jermaine O'Neal, so he's a Rocket. Period. Boki. Who? Didn't I see his picture on a milk carton? Rice. In the twilight of his career anyway. Moochie. Dribble dribble (Yao's open! Pass it!) dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble (2 seconds left! Shoot it, Mooch!) dribble dribble (heave; clank; defensive rebound; fast break-layup/dunk by opposing team) Cato. Will the real Kelvin Cato please step forward? New arena, three years out of the playoffs, dwindling fan base. Young, often clueless players who learned their passing skills from old gametapes of Yinka Dare. How long is "awhile" gonna be? Rudy can fumble around with the lineups forever. 'T'ain't guwanns to do much good. We do have to tighten up this rotation. If we could just land a player with a good basketball IQ, something we don't have in abundance now.
For Ming's sake, I think KT would be the one I would trade. I agree that we have to many people trying to get time at the four. Kenny has one thing on his mind this year ... it's all about putting up numbers so he can get a big contract next season. Ming seems most comfortable with Mo T on the floor. Eddie is just too good to give up. Outside of Francis and Ming (Mobley to a lesser extent), the rest of the team is going to have to figure out their place on the TEAM. I just don't think KT will be able to handle that.
KT has skills, but much moreso in a man defense than against a zone. If there were to be a trade, Mooch and Rice for Spree -- Spree playing 1, 2, and 3. Perfect for him. Perfect for us. And it frees minutes for EG, MoT and maybe even Boki?
HonestAbe, you hit it right on the nail!!! KT has got to go....he's a good player but he's undersized for his position and has to work to hard to get his shot off. MoT needs more minutes to get a better feel for the game.....his shot is a lot better than KT and as far as passing skills, I don't remember that last time KT has passed the ball. I say package KT, Collier and Moochie for anything!
If Elton Brand says that he likely will not come back next year before the trade deadline and the Clipps still suck then the Clippers will want to unload him. I would send Kenny Thomas and Eddie Griffin for him if the Rockets can get a wink wink deal that we could sign him in the offseason.
