Chron previews the results of summer moves.

man i hope kt slims down and gets a jumper. then he will have a spot on the team, and he can play sf from now on. Man that would be awsome.

I'm starting to like KT.

 

This is probably the most noteworthy part of the article. I've been an advocate of trying KT at the 3 for some time... he definitely has good speed, decent ballhandling, and can do a lot of the things that Donyell Marshall does, for example.

I still think he'll play some 4, but if KT can get in about 10 mpg at the 3 spot, he can still have a role on this team long-term, even with Eddie and Mo.

 

I remember hearing about Watson, supposedly has potential. Interesting, considering the relations with Kermit Washington. Still, challenges Collier for spot on IR at best, IMO.

Mickeal is potentially a solid roleplayer. The guy is amazing on defense, question is if he has developed a shot. Still, 600K for him is a lot better than 6 mill for Shandn. The athletic 2/3 defender is not hard to find at all. Mickeal could be the guy.

Goodrich seems like training camp fodder. The guy got next to nothing in terms of minutes on the Bulls.

I think we're guaranteed of seeing Griffin-KT-MoT playing together. Interesting about KT playing the 3 in training camp-is Griffin now more or less the starter for the first 5 games at PF (with Mo suspended)? Will KT start from the get-go over a vteran like Rice?

 

KT = Corliss. If he just can see that...

 

Thomas, who is even slimmer than last years trimmed-down version, will start training camp at small forward, Dawson said, and could benefit financially by not signing if he could reproduce last years numbers on a healthy team.

hmmmm....very interesting to say the least. I like Kennys game but the Rockets coaches should try to make it clear to Kenny that being a team player that has a positive effect on the outcome of the game will get him his new contract, and not necessarily an improved personal scoring average. Kenny was a hoss last year....but i dont like the idea of the Rockets giving a player personal incentive to be selfish or pad his stats at the expense of the teams success because he's out there playing for a new contract.

 

On Walt Williams: "We're talking to a bunch of teams," Bartelstein said. "He's probably the premium guy out there now. But it's an ongoing process."


Walt? The "premium guy"??

You gotta love agents.


os

 

If he slims down, he can be quick enough. It really depends on his decisions and desire. He will have to improve his ball handling skills and learn to make shots from 18-20 feet, but he can do that.

If he does make the transition, it would be tremendously beneficial to the team. It would mean a permanent, quality back up for Nachbar once he assumes that role and another multi-position player.

My biggest concern with Thomas was that he was undersized at his position and he didn't play really more than one position. The Rockets are loaded with guys who can play 1, 2 or 3 spots on the floor at any given time. That is a tremendous advantage. If Thomas can do that as well, it is a big step forward for the Rockets because it means they will very likely be solid in the frontcourt for years and we already know about the backcourt.

 

You've gotta love Goldberg. In Feb. 2005, he's going to be mentioning how he sees no obstacles in getting Yao's clearance to the NBA.

 

I like the Pete Mickeal invite.

 

I imagine that if Kenny has slimmed down even more this summer then he's probably been preparing to compete at the 3 spot all along. Hopefully, that means he's been working on his shot, his outside shooting was his biggest weakness last year. Unlike some of you, I think Kenny has some pretty good handles, can definitely take it to the rack, and his defense is underrated as well.

 

Wo are we kidding, Kenny has PF handles for the SF position. I don't think they are talking the starting SF spot when refering to Kenny. It has to be for a backup role at SF because that is who he can match well against.

and if he loses weight for that spot then he will be less able to handle the PF spot.

 

The fact that they're continuing to experiment with Kenny's role on the team is a further indicator to me Kenny may be the odd man out of our three PFs. But if significant minutes (say, 25+) can be found for all three PFs and Kenny can still produce, then I'd love to see him stay with the Rocks longterm. I'm looking forward to seeing how the experiment pans out. Then again, I'm just looking forward to Rockets basketball period.

 

What's going to happen to Glen Rice then if Thomas is going to be moved down to the 3? And will it limit Nachbar's playing time?

 

Honestly, my guess is Glen Rice is not going to play too much this season...he's just too old. It seems like he's been having injury problems the past three seasons, and he's just played through some of them. Nachbar is probably not going to contribute a whole lot because of his lack of experience, so I don't think the Rockets have any choice but to play KT at small forward...it's their most suspect position. I actually believe Kenny could handle the position defensively, his feet and hands are lightning quick, and he's got a lot of strength. However, I don't see Kenny doing so well on the offensive end...he still hasn't proven he can hit at outside shot consistently and he doesn't have the ball-handling skills to drive to the basket like he could against slower PF's last season. Still, I don't think the Rockets have a choice.

 

I think the idea that Rudy even considered starting KT at SF really tells you that he wants to win this year. Hopefuly we will see less of our usual "3 point shooting brigade." and maybe some more of our improved post play. If Steve can get used to the idea of sharing the ball with our post players (last year any ball that was thrown into the post would have to have been a ally-oop, or a failed attempt) maybe we can get into a more "team" orriented play; which of course would be the oppisite of how we played last year.

Also, does anyone else think this might have something to do with Rice. Do the Rockets think that Rice will not be able to put out enough energy or minutes to be serviceable as a starter let alone a back up?

 

i think this year he will pass more to the post, when Taylor was playing two years ago steve passed, but last year who should he have passed to? cato than he just as wel give the ball to the opponents, now with ming an offensive force in the post he will pas, he wants to win, and begins to see he can win.

and with Thomas as SF we can Nachbar play some minutes as SG after mobley, so we don't need a nack up SG. Nachbar can play both SF and SG s he will play both. i'm really looking forward to next year.

 

I don't think it has so much to do with Rice. I think KT and the Rockets knew at the end of the season that Walt and DL were not coming back, and MT and EG are their primary PF's. I think they planned on KT spending the summer moving towards SF.

It makes sense, KT and Rice with Nachbar progressing like EG did last year. It really solidifies both forward positions and offers many options. The team is really taking shape now.

 

Thomas, who is even slimmer than last season's trimmed-down version, will start training camp at small forward, - JONATHAN FEIGEN



Opening day starters?

Yao Ming
Eddie Griffin
Kenny Thomas
Cat
Steve

If Kenny can really handle the sf position then this has got to be our opening day roster. It sounds like Kenny may be in the Rockets long term plans after all. There has not been any legitimate rumors about the Rockets looking to move MoT. Maybe HeyPee had it right when he said the Rockets should keep all three (Eddie, MoT and KT). The best thing out of that article was that the Rockets are through making any big time changes. From now on this group will be allowed to grow together and future adjustments to the team will be limited to tinkering. I love the direction the team is taking and I can’t wait for training camp!