Walt Williams or Shandon Anderson? Francis, Taylor, and Mobley are your top 3 scorers! I think that Walt Williams may surprise and could possibly surpass Mobley as the 3rd scorer on this team. I don't find it too far fetched for Williams to score 17 point a game in this offense! Williams will be wide open a lot this season with Taylor, Francis, and Mobley all commanding double teaming. And Walt does have some moves to drive the ball other than shooting 3's. They don't call him the Wizard for nothing! Williams can put the ball on the floor as good as any small forward in this league. If the ball goes into the basket WATCH OUT. I just can't say Anderson will improve his scoring any more than just role player status such as 12 to 13 points a game. Sure his defense is stellar. But that's what role players do for you; don't forget that whne shandon scores goose eggs when guarding top players in the league. ------------------ The guns are cocked and the soldiers are in place, it's time to march and let the battles decide the war.
Vince, Good post. There is alot of negative talk on this site about Walt. I'm not buying it. I agree with you that 17 ppg (15 to 17) is not unrealstic for the Wiz. At one time, I went back and looked at Walt's last 20 games and his numbers were *very* impressive. As you said, he is gonna be open due to double teams and if he gets into a comfort level early in the season it will be a big boost. Caught your post on the Jamison trade. I agree it's probably history but one thing that was overlooked - Walt's 3pt% was far better than ANYONE on the GS roster. I agree that AJ may have clogged up the lanes in contrast to Walt. (Sorry, I know it's the wrong thread). Regarding Shandon - his productivity has increased every year in the league but it is reflective of his playing time which has also increased. I think he may be realistically topped out except in one area. Shandon gets his points in the flow of the game and the Rocks look like they are going to be even more full-throttle this season than last. So I guess my vote is for Walt as Offensive Anchor 4 and Shandon for Defensive Anchor 4. ------------------ GATER
I think 17 points is quite unrealistic for the Wizard. Even in April, when he was shooting 57 % and playing 30 minutes per game, he only had 16 points. Don't expect him to get more minutes or shoot a better percentage. Also, there will be more scoring options this season with a healthy Hakeem and with Mo and Langhi on the team. Expect the Wizard to average about 11-14 points (if he stays). By the way, I don't care if you put one or three question marks in the title, you raised a good question.
RocketExpert I totally disagree to trade Walt unless there is a better player or opportunity ahead. If you can prove me that by trading Walt for a younger player will be beneficial to the Rockets, Fans, & Organization, then, I will consent with your opinion. Best Regards, GoT ------------------
GoT, I erased the post that you refer to because I rambled off topic. I agree with you 100%. We must get something for Walt, or we should not trade him. I think Walt is a valuable player who does not fit into the Rocket's long term plans. I also think we CAN get a good player in return for Walt and Bryce. To stay on topic, I believe that Shandon Anderson is an anchor for the Rockets. The guy plays big when we need him, and he is unselfish enough to defer to Francis, Mobley, or anyone else who has the "hot hand". SA is great for this team. ------------------ -The expert has spoken, so shut up and try to comprehend the truth. [This message has been edited by RocketExpert (edited September 03, 2000).]
Agreed!!! Having $4-5M veteran on the bench in a rebuilding team!?!? I love Walt as a person but for the team sake I think Walt has to go IF the good offer comes along. If not, then we should just keep him and make sure that he makes positive influences on the young players, e.g. Dan Langhi, Steve. ------------------ Hack a Shaq you'll be winning Hack-him you'll be dreaming.
Who are Defensive Anchors #1, #2, & #3? I'd be inclined to make Walt the fourth offensive anchor on the team rather than Shandon, for the sole reason that Walt is more of a scorer whereas Anderson is more of an all-around player. But 15-17 PPG for Walt seems a bit over-optimistic. Last season Walt averaged 24.5 MPG (from March 16 until season's end while he was sizzling he averaged 31.6 MPG). But now with Langhi in the mix I don't think Walt will get enough MPG to average 15-17 PPG...especially if Langhi plays well in his limited playing time. 12-14 PPG sounds more feasible. However, I also don't see Walt factoring into Houston's long-term plans. If a trade offer involving Walt surfaces which will improve the team and somewhat relieve the team of Walt's sizable contract then pull the trigger, otherwise keep Walt. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Cold Hard (edited September 03, 2000).]
You know why I said that Walt is the 4th anchor to this team? Here is why, like you when Walt was struggling during most of last year my first reaction was to trade this guy. Get anything for this guy just to get rid of him. I looked at this guy and all he would do was handle the ball once in a while, shoot nothing but 3's, and miss a $h!t load of them. But, then; I repeat then he started putting the ball on the floor near the end of the season and Walt scored sooooooo easily. I could not believe my eyes! I went from hoping Walt would pick up his trade value to penciling this guy in my rockets line up 5 years into the future. Walt has some game. A lot of people are saying that the SF is the second to first weakness of this team. I don't disagree simply for the fact that the Rockets have perennial all stars at the other positions. But Walt is comprable to other SF in this league. And Walt gives this team veteran leadership. Don't forget that at the end of the season the Rockets went as Walt went! Francis and Mobley improved even more when Walt was on. Walt gives the Rockets the option to become point forward, Francis to play the sg, and Mobley to play the SF without sacrificing size!!! Walt will stack up on assist and wide open looks. ------------------ The guns are cocked and the soldiers are in place, it's time to march and let the battles decide the war.
To be honest I couldn'''t care less who the 4th scoring option on the team is!!! If Francis and Taylor are our two main scorers then we have a combination of Mobley/Williams/Olajuwon/Anderson/Cato/Langhi(???) who can all score and can all provide big nights on any given occasion... Heck even KT can throw the ball in the hoop every now and then!!! I'm presuming that Mobley will be our 3rd highest scorer,,, but I also won't be surprised if he only averages around 12-14ppg,,, simply due to the fact that we have more scoring options!!! (((triple punctuation included to annoy heypartner and to fit with the topic title))) ------------------
DrNuegebauer, I say this because injuries are not abnormal. And a 4th option would settle down any uncertainties. It's always that player who is not quite the star but obviously the next best player that gives other teams fits. Having a 4th anchor to any team is a settling feeling. Taking away pressure from the stars on any given night. That's why I care about the 4th anchor to this team. And that 4th guy is either Williams and/or Anderson. ------------------ The guns are cocked and the soldiers are in place, it's time to march and let the battles decide the war.
I agree vince,,, but Anderson/Williams/Olajuwon are all VERY capable of averaging 10+ppg... All I was saying is that it doesn'''t really matter WHO the """4th anchor""" is!!! ------------------
With all these ANCHORS the rockets won't be going anywhere, we will be stuck to the Dock. ------------------ Discombobulation Imminent
ON WALT WILLAIMS ... the truth is this guy shows more skills on the court than francis or mobley ... i'm not talking about pure athleticism but pure basketball skills. He has been traded alot throughout his career, he has been an off the bench scorer, and it seems his worth has been criticised ever since he landed in htown. Tell me why, I watched the games last year only to see Walt on the bench at the early part of the season, Walt on the bench at the end of games, tell me why. Is he so much more a defensive liability compared to Steve or Cuttino ... I don't think so. Steve hasn't showed me anything more than a whole lot of potential, at the point position if you are not getting the team involved then you are not doing your job. Steve is young and will become a great point but he dribbled way to much last year ... looking to create for himself not his team. Cat is a left handed Steve ... pushed to the 2spot he is undersized on the defensive end, a liability in the 4th quarter when other 6'7" guards are posting him or shooting over the top. Francis rarely played good defense on other points, lets hope that changes also. As for Walt he did his job, played an avg. of 25min/game, thats not much. He didn't get the touches and he won't if we keep up the iso plays. When we do this it stagnates the other 4 guys on the floor, plus the defense doesn't have to move ... not the best bball. When charles was playing and the team was in motion we got good looks at the basket, I hope Mo will give us that inside out scorer that might allow more movement in the offense. If we can get Walt involved early in the shot clock we will have a better chance. Please no more dribbling for 22 seconds then drive then pass out to an unopen shooter. Mo and Walt should be the first option, Shanndon and Cat should look to be the second, Steve should be our safety net ... and if the play breaks down then he can use his abilities to get his shot and Cato should clean up the misses. Look for Langhi to take Bullards spot behind Walt and do a solid job of it. If Hakeem is healthy look for him to be a make an impact in the post. Collier will be effective but only on the left block, Moochie will be solid behind Steve and Kenny will back up MO, Grey gone, Pig gone, Los & Bullard on IL, Drew traded or a pick. This is what I predict or hope for barring any possible multi player trades. ------------------
4th anchor is of minimal concern. Francis and Mobes will bring their game. Mo better freaking bring his. Whoever else will step up depending on favorable match-ups and hot/cold streaks. One night it could be Walt, the next Hakeem, on another the Bull(remember that 20 point 1st quarter he had, lol). ------------------ I am so exasperated that I could expectorate.
