Well the discussions have been a little slow, since it is the summer, so I just wanted to start a thread about my predictions and preview of the Rockets. HOUSTON ROCKETS Rebuilding has been anything but rebuilding in the Rockets organization. Only three season ago the Rockets were preparing to make the finals with a hall of fame lineup that included Charles Barkey, Scottie Pippen and Hakeem Olajuwon. Having only been out of the playoffs in two season since and missing the playoffs by just one game last season the Rockets are right back ready to contend for a playoff spot. Realistically the Rockets are still a couple of seasons away from serious contention in the top heavy powerhouse western conference. The obtainable goal for the rockets this year is to make the playoffs after a brief flirtation of contending to make the playoffs last season. Last year the Rockets main issues of weakness was the SF position and our rebounding woes. The Rockets have address those issues by filling those needs over the summer with the addition of Eddie Griffin and Glen Rice to the team. If nothing else no can accuse the rockets of not trying to improve this off season to contend as other western counterparts have also. The Rockets look to have a championship-caliber team by the time it moves into the projected new arena in downtown Houston in a few seasons. POINT GUARDS - the Rocket’s most solid position. Francis has proven to be one of the top five at this position in the league and might one day be on top. There is little doubt that he isn’t ready to assume the team leader role and take over the team this season. If Moochie re-ups with the club he will be backing up Francis again this season. Grade - A+ Steve Francis (6‘3” / 195lbs) - Francis is a very special player as he can do it all and figures to improve in most categories this season as he has the last. Not many at this position in the league can keep up with “Wink’s” speed and quickness. Look for Francis to assume more of the offensive load this year. Highlight - 27pts, 17rebs and 14asts triple double against the Dallas Mavericks Strength - dribbling, passing, outside shooting, rebounding, creating, speed, quickness, driving(with ball), cutting(without ball), ballhandling, 3pt shooting Average - defense Weakness - Turnovers Shooting Range - Good: Dunks, lay-ups, 5-10ft, 10-15ft, 15-20ft, 3pts Last season - 19pts, 6rebs, 6asts, 40mins Prediction - 21pts, 7rebs, 7asts, 40mins Moochie Norris (6’1 / 180lbs) - Just what the doctor order. He’s the perfect complement to Francis and was exactly what Rudy T was looking for last season. Has all the herky jerky moves to get inside or to create shots outside. The Rockets will probably use Moochie at the two as well. Highlight - single handedly won the game in 3 overtimes against the Pacers scoring 28pts Strength - Ballhandling, speed, quickness Average - outside shooting, defense Weakness - non-aerodynamic hairstyle Shooting Range - Good: lay-ups Average: 5-10ft,10-15ft,15-20ft,3pts Last season - 6pts, 3asts, 20mins Prediction - 5pts, 3asts, 20mins SHOOTING GUARDS - The shooting guard position this season will have Mobley start just like last season. The big question is who will back him up as he stands as the only true shooting guard on the team. During the summer the Rockets had prepared themselves for this occasion by playing Dan Langhi and Terence Morris at the shooting guard position in the summer league games. But with little success in the trials of Langhi and Morris at the position during that process look for Francis and Norris to likely split what remains of the backup minutes. Grade - B Cuttino Mobley (6‘4“ / 190lbs) - is more of a scorer than a shooter. After having pretty much established himself as the Rockets go-to scorer he is capable of putting together monster games. He brings high energy and motivation to the team and plays with a lot of fire and heart. He sometimes plays out of control to the coaches liking but he is also the only one that take a tough shot in necessary conditions. His shot can go ice cold in a quarter or a half and be burning hot in the next. “Cat” is scrappy, aggressive and energetic and can be explosive at times in scoring making basket after basket. Highlight - scored 41pts in a game against the Golden State Warrior last season Strengths - possesses great one on one offensive skills, quick first step, creating, outside shooting, quickness Average - passing Weaknesses - decision making Shooting Range - Good: Dunks, lay-ups Average: 5-10ft, 10-15ft, 15-20ft, 3pts Last season - 19pts, 5rebs,2asts,38mins Prediction - 20pts,5rebs,2asts,40mins SMALL FORWARDS - Over the summer the SF position has dramatically had an overhaul. The Rockets completely retooled this position from last season when shooting guard 6’6 Shandon Anderson was the starter along with on and off the rotation Walt Williams and Matt Bullard as the backups to and to having Cuttino Mobley play the position as well. This was the weakest link of the five positions on the team. Over the summer once the Rockets decided that they could not provide Shandon Anderson with the playing time or the free-agent money that he was seeking the Rockets sign and traded him for veteran Small forward Glen Rice who’s resume consist of three all-star appearances. Rice should bring much need outside shooting to this position. The Rockets have also added though the draft rookies Eddie Griffin and Terence Morris as well as bring back Williams and second year man Dan Langhi. Although it was originally assumed that Griffin was drafted to start this position this year look for recently acquired Rice to start at the beginning of the season. If Williams is not traded by then he will be the 1st SF to come of the bench for relief. If Williams is gone or his shot leaves Griffin should get some playing time here along with Langhi. It appears now as though this position is finally settled. Grade - B Glen Rice (6‘8“ / 225lbs) - “G Money” is not the defender most teams would want from this position but he does have a consistent shot which is a skill that seems in desperately short supply this season. If nothing else Rice will also bring playoff veteran knowledge as a former NBA champion, an aspect that the young Rockets lack. Highlight - averaged 27 points per game with the Hornets in the 97 season. Strengths - outside shooting, 3pt shooting Average - passing Weaknesses - Defense, rebounding Shooting Range - Good: lay-ups, 5-10ft, 10-15ft, 15-20ft, 3pts Last season - 12pts, 3rebs, 29mins Prediction - 14pts, 4rebs, 27-32mins Walt Williams (6‘8“ / 235lbs) - After a good first season showing promise with the rockets two years ago Williams was a disappointment last year going from starting to being put in Rudy T’s dog house. If the “Wizard” isn’t involved in the offense he can become easily lost in plays. Williams is a team favorite and is a great positive influence in the lockeroom. Highlight - scored 37pts as a rookie with the Sacramento Kings while averaging 17 that season Strengths - 3pt shooting Average - outside shooting, rebounding Weaknesses - decision making, defense Shooting Range - Good: lay-ups, 3pts Average: 5-10ft,10-15ft,15-20ft Last season - 8pts, 3rebs, 22mins Prediction - 5pts, 2rebs, 12-15mins Dan Langhi (6‘11“ / 220lbs) - bless with a beautiful stroke Langhi can hit the outside shot with ease. He has great mobility and speed for a man his size and drives hard to the basket for the strong jam. At 6’11” Langhi is not small and uses his height advantage to get a shot off over shorter players very well and has the ability to create shots for himself. Though Langhi didn’t get to play much last season look for Rudy to keep his word that Langhi will get more playing time this season, he definitely has game and should play. Highlight - scored 27pts in a summer game Strengths - outside shooting, driving Average - ballhandling Weaknesses - getting by screens, defense, making lay-ups in traffic Shooting Range - Good: 10-15ft,15-20ft Average: Dunks, Lay-ups, 3pts Last season - 2pts, 1reb, 7mins Prediction - 5pts, 2rebs, 15-17mins Terence Morris (6‘9“ / 220lbs) - Morris is the guy that does all the little things that don‘t show up in the stat column such as his hustling play and his constant help on defense. “TRock’s” always on the move and ready for the fast break. Strengths - dribbling, cutting(without ball), rebounding, blocking Average - driving(with ball), 3pt shooting, defense, outside shooting Weaknesses - turnovers Shooting Range - Good: Dunks, lay-ups Average: 5-10ft,10-15ft,15-20ft Prediction - 3pts, 5-7mins
POWER FORWARDS - Re-signing 6-9 Maurice Taylor was the teams number one free agent priority after the Dream Trade. After sign a six year contract look for Taylor to maneuver this position by being the starter for years to come. With the addition of 6’10” Eddie Griffin to the frontcourt, the Rockets probably will plan to use him by flip-flopping him between the forward spots on the offensive and defensive ends off the bench, depending on certain matchups. Hardworking rebounder Kenny Thomas will likely get the most of the remaining minutes here at the start of the season. Grade - B+ Maurice Taylor (6‘9“ / 260lbs) - “Big Mo” performed admirably last season while averaging 13 points and 5 rebounds. Taylor enjoyed his greatest success over the second half of the season posting 16.5 points in those games. Despite his size Taylor is less of an low post player and more of an outside shooter. Because Taylor plays away from the basket he is less likely to rebound as well. Some have questioned Taylor’s ability to defense and rebound. Will he ever crash the boards? probably not but he does goes out and plays hard every night. Highlight - Scored 34 points against the Orlando Magic Strengths - dribbling, outside shooting, driving Average - Defense Weaknesses - Rebounding Shooting Range - Good: Dunks, Lay-ups, 5-10ft, 10-15ft Average: 15-20ft Last season - 13pts, 5rebs, 29mins Prediction - 15pts, 6rebs, 32mins Kenny Thomas (6‘7“ / 260lbs) - though he possesses better than average footwork along with an impressive array of moves Thomas rarely gets a play called for him. He works hard to get position down low for rebounds and that is what the Rockets mostly expected from him. Though shorter than most of his foes Thomas has a effective drop step to score over bigger players. He should be ready come the start of the season after recovering from being bit by a dog. Highlight - pulled down 22rebs against the Atlanta Hawks Strengths - Rebounding, post moves Average - defending, outside shooting Weaknesses - at times gets too comfortable outside and settles for outside shots Shooting Range - Good: dunks, lay-ups Average: 5-10ft, 10-15ft Last season - 7pts, 5rebs, 24mins Prediction - 6pts, 6rebs, 22-25mins Eddie Griffin (6‘10“ / 230lbs) - Whatever Griffin contributes this season it is sure to come off the bench. The line between SF and PF is thin for Griffin. Whether or not Griffin is going to play small forward or power forward or even center, Griffin has the potential and skills to be a star regardless of where or what position he will play. Griffin could be explosive, he has the ability to change a game’s course in a quarter by racking up points, blocks and rebounds on consecutive plays. The Rockets most likely will use him at the SF and PF positions as a low post scorer, rebounder and blocker. Highlight - Blocked six shots in a summer game. Blocked S. Battier and Jason Richardson on dunk attempts in summer games. Strengths - Rebounding, Blocking, post moves Average - outside shooting, passing Weaknesses - one on one defense, ballhandling, driving, foul prone, relies on his outside shot too much Shooting Range - Good: Dunks, lay-ups, 5-10ft Average: 10-15ft, 15-20ft Prediction - 7pts, 5rebs, 1.5blks, 18-22mins CENTERS - Gone, apparently, are the days the Rocket’s opposition feared this position. With the subtraction of Hakeem “the Dream” Olajuwon this is now the rockets nightmarish weakest position. It is now the biggest question mark the Rockets have and it’s now or never for Kevin Cato to prove he’s worth the money the Rockets invested in him by starting at the center. Jason Collier will back him up. Believe it or not it gets worse as both players are recovering from serious injuries. If Cato can go back and produce the same numbers before his injury to his first season with the rockets of 8pts and 6rebs a game and if Collier is fully recovered then they both should provide decent play here and the Rockets would be adequate at the center position. If they are not the Rockets will like use undersized PF Kenny Thomas and Maurice Taylor here as well. Grade - D Kevin Cato (6‘11“260) - After promises of expectation Cato has yet to deliver and has done nothing but disappoint. He didn’t play much until close to the end of the season after recovering from injuries. Though many question his play Cato is still very much a necessity this season. He is the only true center on the team and the only one the Rockets have at the center position that can hold his ground here. Without Cato the Rockets might as well set up runway lights cause the opposition will probably come flying in for dunks. Cato should still have value as a defender and get some rebounds and at the very least a space eater with his size. Highlights - Blocked Shaq twice in two minutes in a game. Scored 20pts against Michael Olowokhandi. Strength - Blocking Average - Rebounding Weakness - Attitude and desire to play, lack of an offensive, passing Shooting Range - Good: Dunks Last season - 4pts, 4rebs, 1blk, 17mins Prediction - 7pts, 6rebs, 2blks, 25mins Jason Collier (6‘11“ / 260lbs) - Played well before his injury slowed him down. Collier had little chance to show what he could do because of it last season. Collier will be used by the rockets mostly to drag the opponent’s center away from the basket with is outside game. The main issue presently is weather or not Collier has recovered enough from his foot injury to play. Highlight - scored 10pts against Shaq in limited minutes in a game. Strengths - outside shooting Average - rebounding, passing Weaknesses - Blocking, speed Shooting Range - Good: lay-ups Average: 5-10ft, 10-15ft Last season - 3pts, 1reb, 9mins Prediction - 4pts, 3rebs, 12-15mins COACHING - Rudy Tomjanovich is a well-respected coach that has also been a player and scout for the Rockets in the last 3 decades. His coaching has adjusted to about every style of play in his time with the Rockets as he is constantly looking to utilize the most out of his player’s skills. No coach has dedicated his career to an organization as Rudy T has shown as he looks to bring another Championship to the city of Houston with an entirely new cast of stars. Grade - A TEAM CHEMISTRY The core of the players on the Rockets have been together long enough to know each others moves and comfortable spots that they don’t have to adjust their game too much coming the start of the season. With Francis and Mobley leading the way as well as Taylor expressing their positive attitudes towards being comfortable with each other the Rockets should be steady and ready to play. As well as the Rockets get along on the court, off the court they get along just as well. Many of the players get together during the week just to hangout, some have dinner together often. This season the rockets will probable use more of a run and gun offense then a half court set. Francis and Mobley will likely continue be the 1 2 offensive punch as they were last season. With the addition of Rice the Rockets will probably use more pick and rolls and guard penetration to setup the outside shot. Don’t look for the Rockets to get more rebounds this season even with the addition of Griffin. Last season - 45-37, 9th in west Prediction - 49-33, 7th in west Notes: Attitude - Desire to play Ballhandling - dribbling the ball up court, dribbling the ball moving to the left and right of the court Blocking - Ability to defect an opponents shot Cutting - Ability to move from the 3pt line to the basket without the ball for a pass Dribbling - Bouncing the ball up and down in one place Driving - Ability to dribble the ball pass defenders to the basket Outside shooting - Ability to make shots outside of the ft line Passing - Ability to pass the ball to teammates Quickness - Ability to get by a defender Rebounding - Ability to get the ball after a miss Speed - Rate to get down court measured in time Three point shooting - Ability to make shoots outside the 3pt line Again these are just my thoughts and opinions on the team. I’m just waiting to buy the preview magazines for the real professional analysis that should come out soon, I when to a bookstore yesterday but I couldn’t find any yet so I though I’d do my own just for entertainment. And I know, I got too much free time.
gettin all "street and smith" on us!! guess this is what the summer's for didn't kt get 20 boards once last year? you could use that as his highlight...
Really excellent analysis - thanks for a good read. For TMo, you could add shotblocking as a strength.
Actually it was 25 Pts, 17 rebs, and 14 asts against The Warriors HOW COULD YOU?!?!!? Wow! a summer game Just kidding man! great work
Red - LOL you only read the first two lines Det The Threat - You're right, I totally forgot to include that, I'll do it right now. buffalospeedway - Yup your right he did do that, I just missed that I didn't highlight him. R0ckets03 - LOL I actually wrote more than this but it wouldn't fit so I cut it down. CompaqC - Oh man, my bad I was just going with that I remembered in my head. Thanks for pointing it out Thanks guys for the complements.
Nice Job! I would have a little different grades--I am grading tough, e.g., "C" = middle of pack in the Western conference. PG A SG B+ SF C PF B- C D- Even though we have more depth at the 4 than 2, Mobley is a significantly better starter than Mo. Also, Stevie can play the 2 some as well. Not that Mo is bad, but Mobley is in the top quater of SGs in the West where Mo faces wicked opposition, give SG an overall edge though our PF depth saves us from having an average score. Also, though I like the move for Rice, we don't know what we will get from him. Until we know otherwise, I give us an average score at SF, could move to a C+ or B- if Rice is healthy, or Eddie (defense) or even Langhi (offense) contribute right away playing minutes at this position. Finally, our center spot. I think even Minnesota is in a better position at the 5 right now than us, leaving perhaps only the Gizzards perhaps worse at this position in the west. If we move Walt for Jahidi, we take vitually no hit to our 3 spot score but move a D- to at worst a D+ and maybe a C- at the 5 spot. That is why we should do that trade, besides the fact Jahidi is 290 lbs of muscle, is young, and knows how to fill a role.
Good analysis, and I liked how u gave realistic predictions for their stats next season for each player. Most would put, crazy numbers, but u did GReat!! One more thing, i don't know if Rudy T should be gettin an A.....personally I aint a big Rudy fan because I think Dream was the person behind his success. I would say B-. Without Dream i don't think he would have been considered a good coach!! But anyways, one thing to note.....Rudy T is the exact opposite of Pat Riley: Pat Riley- Stocks up with defenders Rudy T- Stocks up with shooters
I thought you were right on, except that Mobes alone should rate a B+ or A- and Kenny is NOT good at making lay-ups.
Nice job! The game I saw TMo he looked lost except for a couple of nice defensive plays. I think that Mo might get his rebs into the 7-7.5 range this year and that would be decent. Also think he'll take more of a scoring role from Gs and avg around 17/gm. With Mo and Rice playing greater scoring roles, I think Stevie could avg 8-9 assists/gm also. Good analysis and excellent work LA.
Which coach can then be considered good? Riley is considered great because of Kareem, Magic and Worthy? Jackass is considered great because of MJ (well that is true!) Sloan cause of Failman and Flopper? Brown because of Iverson?
That just shows how good the West is. Gone are the days when 41-41 teams or even below .500 teams make the playoffs. I mean nowadays, 49 wins only gets you about 7th seed!
LA1 RF: Excellent work. This sounds like something The Sporting News would write, but much more detailed (a good thing). You could probably submit this to a couple of places, write a few more, and steal someone's job... And actually give a decent and fair analysis of the NBA (or at least a single team) - something I can't seem to find anywhere. Thanks for using your free time to help us lazy bastards. Much appreciated.
Desert Scar - I hear you man and totally agree that our Center position has got to be the worse in the western conference and that's even if our centers stay healthy for the the full 82 games season, but most likely they won't play even close to that. They both are average backups but not even close to being considered starters on any playoff team. I hope we get another big man soon, but to be honest I'd like to keep Williams at least for this coming season even if he isn't consistent. Williams could be good insurance for us if rice get's injured and if Langhi and Morris aren't ready to start. But I'd part with him if it was for a big man. StupidMoniker - Poor Kenny, I always wondered why his FG percentage is so low for a power forward. harumph - Cato will probably miss a few games due to laziness. I'm with you, where's Axel Dench GotGame15 - I never though of it before but I guess your right, Rudy T and Pat Riley are opposite. Shark44 - Your probably right Fancis will probably average closer to 8-9 than 7 assist per game. Manny Ramirez - Thanks my friend. LiLStevie3 - How did it ever come to this, doesn't the east have money to sign some of these overpacked, better than average players. I totally agree the west is just too strong. treeman - Much Thanks, I'm very flattered that you compared my work to the professionals Thanks again for the compliment guys.
LA-good analysis. Though I know he was off at times in summer leagues, I do think tmo's mid range jumper is better than you give him credit for. Behind the three-point line is where he needs to regain his touch.
