Which Rockets will surprise us the most with either their improved performance or a disappointing season? My thinking is K. Cato will rise to the challenge and have his best season (disregard my sig.) --- he'll earn his money this year. Glen Rice will also surprise us with his rejuvenated game. I'm worried about Mo Taylor coming back from popping his Achilles Tendon. Tough injury for a big guy- i'm not writing him of until I see him play--just concerned for now.
Since we already have high expectations for Ming and Nachbar, I think the player that is going to surprise us the most is Tito if he is given playing time. 2nd round jewel?
Glen Rice can surprise us all if he gets his shooting touch back, and returns to his 1997 form. This guy is a pure scorer, and can be the 3rd option this team desperately needs.
i think the player that will most surpise us is cato aswell. he has no pressure on him to do well. we all think he is going to play poorly already. if he plays well that would be the biggest surprise.
I don't care what anybody else says but I'm gonna have to go with MoT on this one. C'mon now---having to sit on the bench all last season and dress up all spiffy every game, wishing he was on the court throwing some people around.....I think he'll surprise us! Whoa is that Mo T??
I agree on Cato, I expect much better defense and rebounding. Offensively you wont notice to much of a improvement. Also I expect Steve Francis to put up MVP type numbers, that wouldnt surprise most people. But reading this bored it would shock a good number of people.
i think yao will surprise on both sides of the coin. no matter what he does some will be disappointed while others will be excited.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say Glen Rice. My justification for that is because I am anticipating him to contribution NOTHING. Therefore if he scores 2 points a game, that will be a huge surprise. The guy is finished. He was finished 2 years ago in New York. To think that he can come back after a season of inactivity at his age could be a stretch. We'll see, I'm almost in favor of just giving Nachbar/TMo his minutes.
Everyone is real high on Nachbar here including myself. I think he has all the tools but he just won't contribute immediatly in a large way. I think he's gonna get about 8 or 9 a game but in 2-3 years we're gonna have a real star. I just don't expect him to come out and do as well as everyone says he will.
I just have a gut feeling that Glen Rice is going to shine this year. After watching him on the sidelines last year talking to the young players I feel that he feels the pressure to perform and show the younger players that he is a player. He should be able to have some good shots opening up for him, he won't even have to create is on shot as much as he did when playing for the Lakers.
THis is a very good question. I think MoT should be managed properly. If it is left to him he would probably overdo it. I would start him but limit his minutes and watch the matchup. Even more so if we up the tempo. I am hoping that Tmo does not end up on the outside like Langhi, this year.
Most of everyone it seems is down on Rice and Taylor so I think if their stock is so low they have the best chance to surprise people. Seems like most of everyone is not expecting much from those two but I have a feeling at least one of them will have a surprisingly good year. Remember, Rice and Taylor are most likely going to be are STARTING forwards. Now, will they FINISH the game there? Who knows. But they will get their chance to shine from the get-go. I also think we should be cautious with Nachbar and Ming. They will be rookies so we should not expect TOO much from them. Griffin was a pleasant surprise last year I thought and I hope our rookies will be the same. Morris on the other hand did not play so well and some are down on him but everyone should remember it was his rookie year last year as well. Patience is important with the rookies/new players. But back to ths subject at hand...I think Rice or Taylor will have a surprisingly good year. At least I hope so! Chris
Won't Kenny T start the season at 4?---Also with Doc Rockets post that he will not be traded i'm looking for KT to hold on to the starting job -- he's the toughest guy on the floor and the Rockets need that (dirty work-D/Boards) mentality from at least one player.
I should note, Taylor will not start off the season as the starter as he has to server the 5 game suspension first. So, likely that KT starts the first 5 games. But I see Taylor as the starter. He basically lost his starting job to injury and we know how loyal Rudy is. Plus Taylor got the huge contract and that will give him the leg up. Of course I am assuming that Taylor and KT play both the same in the summer leagues/preseason. If KT lights it up and Taylor looks slow to coming around then more than likely KT would get the nod because of the better play. But if all things are equal then I see Taylor getting the nod because of seniority and contract. Chris
IMHO I think Stevie Francis will surprise us the most!! He leads the League in Assists and Steals and again is an All Star starting for the West! The big change is he starts playing like a Point Guard and makes everyone arround him better. (15pts 10asts 2 rbs 3.75 steals ).
I'm going to go out on a limb and say Jason Collier will surprise us if he gets the minutes. He's suited for an offense with a big man in the high post.
How is his shoulder coming along-- also I never heard exactly how he messed it up in the first place--sounded like part of it was hitting the weights to hard (speculation).
Well, I'm going to go out on a twig that would snap if a hummingbird landed on my shoulder and say Rice. If he's healthy, a big if, I know. So I'll agree with No Chance and say "there's a chance" Rice will be cooking this season. I'm still baffled as to why we got him, but he really hasn't had 2 good legs under him in years.
