Im going to have to go with Eddie Griffin, he might not be all to improved offensively, but on defense he should get up there with the likes of Ben Wallace. Lets not forget he was almost the first Rookie to ever get 100 blocks and 100 3 pointers in one season. Only other 2 players to do that in a season were Robert Horry and Dirk Nowitski. Oh and wasn't Eddie the first Rookie to lead the Rockets in blocked shots since Hakeem? Let's hope he is working on his game this offseason, and hopefully he's hitting the weights. I woul'dnt be surprised to see his body physically compareable to that of Kevin Garnett's. Great Expectations for Fast Eddie.
Mobley averages more than 24 ppg and makes allstar team. He solidifies himself as one of the best two SGs in the West.
I really want to say that EG will have the most suprising year.......actually, this is what I hope to happen!!! I can't wait to see how good this kid will get and it all starts this summer, on the court, practicing his low post offense, and IN THE WEIGHT ROOM. I have very high expectations for him, and I hope he begins to live up to his initial hype this coming season or next. But again, he needs to pull a Jared Jeffries and beef up 10 to 15 lbs. and then we'll be in business. I can't wait until he takes the starting PF position from Mo-T and KT this year....but of course, that's mainly wishful thinking. Rudy needs to get EG some actual minutes this year so he can start blossoming and hoaning in on his great athleticism, skills, and potential (which is why he was regarded as one of the best prospects last year) Overall, however, I think this whole team will suprise EVERYONE. We had no confidence last year and it showed....plus we tanked the 2nd half of the season (which worked out fine, by the way). This year, our players will finally gel as a team, and realize ea. player's respective role. Our players will also realize that this team is actually going somewhere in the right direction, from our outstanding draft and begin gaining that winning attitude that every top team possesses. None of this is anything we all haven't heard or thought about before, let's just pray it happens. It is amazing how 3 1/2 stud rooks will change the overall quality, presence, talent, and glamour (for lack of a better word) of this team. FROM: Francis / Mooch Mobley / Torres Rice / T-Mo / Langhi Thomas / Griffin / Taylor Cato / Collier TO: Francis / Mattox Mobley / Mooch Rice / Nachbar / T-Mo (no longer a rookie) Griffin (also not a rookie anymore) / healthy Taylor / KT Cato (who will hussle his ass competing for the starting C job) / Ming (nuff said!!!)
If Tito Maddox gets playing time this year ("if" is the longest two-letter word in the dictionary), then he'll surprise us. Pleasantly so. But Glen Rice has the best chance here, because Nachbar and T-Mo can back him up (meaning: we won't have to overextend his minutes). Plus the summer-league news from Clutch about Glen tearing it up in Miami.
I'm gonna go on a limb and predict T-Mo be the surprise player this coming year. I have a bad feeling about Glen Rice's health and how long he'll last for us this year. I also think that Nachbar could prove to be a defensive liability and will take him at least half a year to get involved on offense. When T-Mo was traded for at last year's draft, I really wasn't too excited... However, seeing him play last year, I see that he has some tools that can make him successful in the league. He is already our best defensive option at the 3. If he develops his shot a bit more, and learn to crash the board a bit, Morris could become the starter this year. However, even if he develops, he'll fall into the same boat as KT, since he doesn't have the same potential as Nachbar.
I have to go with Tito on this one. Dont be suprised if you see him take Moochies place. He is a true Point Guard and his team mates will love playing with him because of the creativity he will show and getting them the ball. All he needs is to have the same rookie confidence like what Sam Cassell had when he was here....
I would have to say Rice also. He really has not had a chance yet. I gave Cato his chance last year and the year before that, and he was a bust. He even got me excite(yeah right) when he told the public that he could be the rebounding champion. Rice is getting my support this year. Yao and Griffin are probably going to be my favorite players this year.
I think a little succes could lead to everyone on the team doing well. I could see Steve have a breakout year. I think Cato is progressing. Tmo showed me something and I think will surprise by how much pt he will get. But my choice is Rice. I am hopeing that his last three years were poor because he was basically injured the entire time. I am thinking he did not disclose his injury, and tried to play through it. Then he tried to rest it, but kept on playing at half speed. My hope is that the surgery followed by appropriate time off, and he will return to fading superstar status. Good in short spurts, excellent in the right circumstances. I could live with that.
Can someone give me a very very detailed description of Titto Maddox's weaknesses and strengths as a PG? Height and weight too plz, THX!
Everything I have heard about Tito is that he is a solid PG. Some sources have him as the best overall PG at the Chicago pre-draft camps. I don't know if that is saying a lot or not...He is 6'4" and about 190-195 lbs. He is extremely quick and has great handles. His only season of college ball, he averaged 8 assists/game. I think he scored around 8 or 10... If he makes it on the team, he should backup the point and the 2. I don't know about his jumpshot, haven't seen or heard anything yet. I think he is a good alternative to Moochie since all Mooch like to do is dribble the clock down to 4 seconds and then try and get something off...I have heard people on ESPN say that Mooch could start for some teams, I say let's trade him and try and pick up a future pick or something.
I think Griffin is going to shine at the 4 and show why he should be one,if not the best of the PF's in a few years.In fact,in a few years ,it's quite possible,Griff could be one of the top 5 players in the NBA. As stated above,I believe Tito will augment Moochie,and eventually make him expendable.Tito has that bigtime ablity to get in the lane and make the dish..also plays choking defense.One thing we really need. Glen Rice is in a contract year(right?) and if he's healthy,I say we see the old Glen without the first step and not quite the hops...but ever the shooting,and post up ability.
The one thing I hope Eddie works on this summer is shooting over defenders. He seemed timid when trying to make a fake and pull up for the quick J or the turnaround J. If he gets that part of his game, and I see NO reason why he won't, I agree with that assesment. His upside is huge!! I'm not sure if this is Rice's contract year or not. He has played injured his last 3 years, so I think all the time off last year will really help him. If he can play his little high post moves, and step back to hit the 3, he will be just fine. We don't need much more from him other than some veteran leadership. He is the only guy on the team with a ring...
Griffin is about a year away, but he will have so much more confidence starting this year with a season under his belt that he'll probable be challenging for the start by seasons end. ---unlimited potential. Not a whole lot of negatives going into this year, the Rockets are going to be explosive--
bigboymumu: I vote for the one that you guys don't. Hence the surprise. ----------------------------------------------------------- You will pick Langhi, right?
