Jeff, I like your post, and I'm glad for this thread. Given Les Alexander's recent remarks regarding the luxury tax, and the near-impossibility of moving Steve anyway (and the more I think about it, the more I realize it ain't gowanns ta happen), I would guess that Cuttino Mobley is definitely the odd man out. Sorry to say that the best solution for us might be convincing Steve Francis that he's a better-shooting version of Allen Iverson. If we can just get the tall point guard we need. But who?!?! People might not be nuts for this idea, and I have been falling back too much into what-if? trade speculation, but since the Bulls also need to make changes, I wouldn't be adverse to sending the Bulls Cuttino and getting Jamal Crawford (6'5"). An even swap? Maybe not, but Jamal is correct when he says the ball moves better with him in the lineup. Jay Williams might need more time to develop, but Jalen Rose runs that team from the 3-spot anyway. I might even package Eddie with Cuttino and send the Philly boys to Chicago for Jamal and the other guy they've been showcasing for a move, Marcus Fizer. Yeah, yeah, we just played them and you think I'm giving him more credit than he's worth, but he's big and strong and gives you quality minutes. I live in Iowa, I get to see the Bulls more often than I'd like. He's definitely underappreciated in Chicago. I'm not as enamored of Eddie as many here are. He's too passive and can't dribble AT ALL. The coaching staff can't admit they traded three #1s for another Robert Horry, but that's what you might have. If he turns into the next Jermaine O'Neal, then I'm wrong, and I'll be the first to say so. Still, I think we need a bruiser next to Yao, not a string bean. And I think you could probably re-sign Fizer for a less-than-exorbitant amount (since we won't bring in a third max-salary player anyway). And Rudy T. won't be fired mid-season. No way no-how. It's possible to interpret Les' "confident that we'll make the playoffs" remark as a "we'd BETTER make the playoffs" comment to Rudy. But Rudy's firing would be the biggest stunner of all.
I say start Hawkins at SG and Kelvin Cato at power forward. Hawkins is a great role player, doesn't need to score yet creates shots for other guys on the team and he plays great defense. Cato is a hellified offensive rebounder and the Rox need his energy, he also plays his role great. Sit Eddie Griffin right now, he can help the second squad. Trade MoTaylor and Cuttino for a semi-star. Stevie needs to cut the turnovers and Yao needs the ball more, but with that Yao needs to take it to the hoop when he does get the ball. Steve and Yao are the cornerstones for the future, we all know that, so Rudy and the Rox should prepare, transact and deal like they are. STuart
We need a shooter on the court at all times. Let me amend that. . . we need a shooter that IS NOT STEVE FRANCIS From 18 and beyond NO ONE but steve is hitting consistantly Cat's step back jumper is sucking this year Mo, Griff, Moochi, Tmo, Posey . .. no one is doing it consistantly hard to get an assist when you take it to the rack hit someone in the corner that throws the d*mn ball to the cheap seats I think Nachbar is ready or Rice is back .. .we will be a better team I think the lack of outside shooting is killing us Teams are packing in on us. . . Hacking SF to hell and WE AIN'T GETTING *all* those calls Rocket River
1) I doubt Payton in his 4th season was the same age Francis is in his 4th season. Also, I sincerely doubt that, at that specific point in their careers, they had played equal amounts of basketball, specifically as the PG. Payton always was a PG, and played tons fo basketball. Came into the league (not sure) probably older than Francis did. Besides, Payton goes to the hoop A LOT. A very small percentage of that 50% shooting was on jumpers. 2) Jeff, I agree SO much with your points. What I think is that we need to send a message to these players. For ONE game, go with Posey at the 2, so that Mobley thinks "Damn, I lost my spot. Maybe I should re-tool?". Start Cato, and get Mo and Griff thinking about their production. Not so they compete, but so that they KNOW that they're the worst PF position in the entire NBA. 3) I think we need to trade Mobley so that the message is clear: If youre not Steve Francis or Yao Ming, then you work harder than everyone and you MESH with Steve and Yao. This team is suffering from an identity crisis. Mobley still doesn't realize that he's a role player now. He's no longer a part of our core. In fact, only Ming, Griff and Francis are. The other players must realize their roles, and Mobley ( I fear) will never understand what's going on.
Rocket River, Piatkowski of the Clippers is excellent from beyond the arc and would make a great option to back up the 2 on the Rocks. Perhaps we should look at him if we want to further tweak the roster without the major (and unlikely ) chance of getting him with Brand for Cat, EG and picks. This is assuming we're (CD & RT) looking at San Diego and a trade.
Everyone seems to forget that Rudy is the same coach who took us to two championships and one WCF before we lost all our good veteran players. The only years we did well were the years that Hakeem and the other vets stayed healthy for continued stretches of time. The coach depends on the players to execute. In my opinion, Rudy has proven that he knows how to coach. During the two championship years, he coached against some of the best in the business at that time, and beat them all. But, he had the players to do it. Now, one thing I would like to see is Rudy step back on the personnel front, and bring in a seasoned GM to make personnel decisions -- not a Carroll Dawson, but a guy who has a track record of success building solid teams. Rudy's problem in my opinion is not that he can't coach, it's that he's spread too thin. As far as everything else goes, we are just going to have to be patient until both Francis and Ming have more experience under their belts before we can expect consistent winning.
Sorry but I would never trade SF unless we get a dominant perimeter player (i.e. Kidd, Kobe, T-Mac etc) in return. Let's see thing long term. To win championship, you need at least 2 dominant players preferably 1 inside 1 outside. YM has the potential to be one. SF can be one. The likes of Brand, Miller and SAR as good as they are, are not or don't have the potential to be dominant players IMO. They might make us an instant playoffs team but not to the ultimate goal.
This has been a great thread to read because most of the posts have been thought out and less emotionally charged then some recent ones, although I understand people need to vent their frustrations when the Rockets are sucking. Let me add my thoughts. I believe that Cuttino and SF together is just too much selfishness for one team, and as much as I like him when his game is top notch, I think the Cat has got to go. I would like to see different assistant coaches with playing experience, but since Rudy is so loyal to his peeps, I don't think this will ever happen. I think this is a flaw of Rudy's. Winning should override any personal relationship considerations. The Rockets game needs to revolve around Yao and SF, and everybody else needs to figure out how to fit in around these two rather than trying to upstage them or compete with them. I believe we need to get rid of anybody else that is not down with that. And we desperately need some veterans with solid playoff experience, guys that can teach the younger ones consistent effort night in and night out, because winning an NBA championship is extremely difficult and requires way more drive than this current team has. We have a group of talented players, but too many of them have similar skills and do not complement one another. There is no way they are going to be very successful unless they get rid of a few players and get some different ones, IMHO. I'm new to this board and have not read that many threads, so pardon me if this has all been said before. GO ROCKETS
Well anyways, if we can play like today every single game, VICTORIOUS. I think we need more time...say 3 years...and we will be like the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings! Imagine...Yao and Steve and Cuttino scoring 20+ per night. Posey adding 15 along with 20 points from Mo Taylor and Eddie Griffin. Our team has the potential...
