All right, this is the last case I will make for Tmo. But here's why I think there's a decent chance he'll play 10+ mpg next season, even if there aren't significant new injuries or trades: 1) rice is permanently injured (35-year olds very rarely come back from season-ending injuries except as hobbling, slow-motion shadows of their former selves); 2) nachbar may not be nba-ready (despite his age); 3) Tmo's contract (unlike nachbar's) is up after the season, and I don't think the rockets are decided yet as to whether they want to keep him; 4) kt may not be part of the rockets long-term plans; 5) tmo can guard perimeter 3s better than rice, griffin, kt, and (probably) nachbar; and 5) after the season, francis called terence the rockets' 'swingman of the future'; I doubt whether 15th pick in the draft significantly changes that, at least in his mind. Jason Collier was picked in the same slot as Nachbar, and I don't hear anyone is using that as justification for giving him extra playing time. All these things may fall through and T may simply be cut. But I suspect it may be otherwise.
Yeah, but that was a sorry draft class. Not to mention we got it in a trade that landed Griffin. This year was a better draft class, especially with all the foreign players. Besides, the Creampuff man could still avg 30ppg, right? Nobody gave on him, right?
DC/TMo, Man, u guys are down on ol' dawgs. Well as an ol' dawg, I'll tell u that Rice has a lot of pride in his game and will make a valiant comeback. However, you're both right the probability that he'll get injured again are higher than younger guys (ala Jordan). Plantar Faciatis (sp) can comeback, but it really depends on the individual and the way they take care of it. Ideally Rice is healthly early and gives Boki a chance to practice, watch and learn. Rudy has a habit of bringing young guys on slowly and this would be his preference (I bet). TMo, Nice try man! Its good to see that kind of fan loyalty. I agree that TMo can probably out defend those guys on the perimeter better than guys u mentioned. However, with the zone option that skill is not as critical as in the past--ESPECIALLY if the player can't contribute in other ways. I kept waiting for TMo to show me some "O" last yr and I just didn't see it. Maybe he's improved over the summer, but I don't remember him tearing up the summer league. You can't really compare draft positions. RC was right, this last draft was very deep and talented as compared to the Yr of Collier. If we trade Rice and don't pick-up Shard or another talented SF, then TMo will realize some of your wish list. Not impossible, but not looking probable at this stage. Keep the faith brother. I hope TMo busts loose too!
1 - Francis (32), Norris (16) 2 - Mobley (40), Francis (8) 3 - Griffin (25), Nachbar (15), Thomas (8) 4 - Cato (10), Taylor (20), Griffin (5), Thomas (13) 5 - Ming (30), Cato (18) Rudy will never use this lineup, but I think that the starting frontcourt is monsterous defensively, and the backcourt gets a lot of minutes. If Norris, Nachbar, and Torres/Brown/Maddox can earn a few more minutes to cut down on the wear and tear to Francis and Mobley, all the better. Rice can cut into Griffin's and Kenny's time at SF and some of Thomas' and Taylor's time at PF can go to Griffin.
I think by the fifth game: Starting lineup: pg-francis sg-mobley sf-rice pf-taylor c-cato first round of subs: sf-kenny thomas pf-griffin c-ming pg-norris sg-boki (in that order) minute breakdown: 1-francis(30) norris(18) 2-mobley(36) francis (6) boki(6) 3-rice(20) kenny(16) boki(8) griffin(4) 4-taylor(19) griffin(21) kenny(8) 5-cato(20) ming(20) taylor(8)
dg, I don't think you are far off with that lineup if there is no trade to change it up. Man, that's 10 deep w/o Oscar and TMo cracking the lineup. Tell me you couldn't run the pants off a lot of teams with that lineup. Rice is the oldest guy in the lineup and he is the shooter. if we don't see a lot of 5-on-whoever-else-can make-it-up-the-court breaks, then we need to trash it and start all over.
Der R, Maybe. Depends on how well Yao can plug the middle w/o getting into foul trouble. If EG starts, that would change it significantly. Hydra, Monster line-up! However, I can't see Cato lasting long at PF. He wouldn't give us any "O" and would get in foul trouble. I would definitely be interested in seeing EG get extended minutes at SF to see how he handles position. However, I'd probably start KT with EG. In that line-up both are hybrids and could switch depending on the opponent. That would be a strong rebounding and defensive duo. Plus with EG elevating his offensive game that may be our best combo. I do like the Ming/Cato min distribution.
