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| | Tuesday, August 8 Team is playoff-bound, and Hakeem will help | |||||||||||||
| ESPN.com Houston Rockets fans talk a lot about Hakeem Olajuwon, and why shouldn't they? The Dream led the Rockets to a pair of world championships, and even in his current state, with injuries and age catching up to him, he still is capable of contributing to the team. That seemed to be the main sentiment from ESPN.com users who chimed in our Rockets Team Offseason Spotlight.
I completely agree with everything you wrote about the Rockets. The big question is how will the Rockets play together? So far so good. What will happen after Hakeem leaves? There will be a lack of leadership. Who is going to fill Hakeem's shoes? The rest of the players are on a par with experience, and in age. What will happen? Also, any good team can get to the playoffs, but I have yet to see a team win a championship without some veteran leadership. The Rockets are going to have to develop this over the next few years. We will have to wait a while, but I think that when this Rockets team gets older and more mature, look out, because they can do it. Mark Singleton San Marcos, Texas As a native Houstonian I just want to say that even though the Rockets experienced one of their worst seasons in recent history, they were very entertaining and played with a lot of energy. At the beginning of the season they couldn't win in the fourth quarter but later in the season they won six games in a row. Not to mention beating the Lakers twice and the Blazers and the Heat. They will be a lot better and a lot more consistent this season. Hey, the Clippers have been in a rebuilding process since they entered the league, but for the Rockets, their rebuilding has taken only one season. Jonathan McCall Houston, Texas Steve, Cuttino and Shandon come to play. Every night. The key to the Rockets' success is Cato. He has got to bring it, aggressively, every night. Last year he showed glimpses of what could be. He has to be more consistent. Now the question is, why Collier? Yes, he can shoot, but could he pull down 10 boards plus if he was the only one on the court? That I don't know. They needed a defensive presence who could board and block. Meanwhile, Langhi looks to be more of an impact player. They need another piece. Defense? Rebounds? Is the Dream gonna pick up the slack or is his health still a concern? It would be a nice way to finish. If healthy, look to see them back in the mix in the postseason. How far can they go? With a healthy Hakeem, how high can Francis jump? We'll see soon enough... Ryan Weatherly Houston, Texas You claim Houston is a playoff team, but I think they will be hard pressed to have a better record than anyone other than the horrible Clips out West. Let's be honest: the top six playoff teams are unreachable, and Sacramento and Seattle are young and should improve. Of the lotto teams, Dallas and Denver also should improve or at least hold steady -- and both had better records than Houston last year. Even Golden State and Vancouver look as if they may turn the corner, the latter particularly if Stromile Swift threatens for Rookie of the Year. Houston has a lot of guys who don't play defense, Steve Francis foremost among them. If Hakeem could flash back to six years ago, his defensive presence could cover a multitude of sins -- but it won't merely be fasting during Ramadan that makes him look haggard and creaking this year. Bad defensive teams that shoot a low percentage don't threaten for the playoffs. Houston now looks like a weaker version of the Nuggets. I'll be shocked if they win 30 games. Keith Abney San Luis Obispo, Calif. A new year, a new team. Houston looks pretty good on paper. Who knows what'll show up on the floor though. Which Shandon will we see? The big sparkplug from Utah, or the starting lineup drain of part of last year? Which Hakeem is coming back? The injured one, or the one who made Houston great not so long ago? There are a few certainties this year, despite the questions. Stevie Franchise will score. Cuttino Mobley will energize the team. Walt will shoot the three, and Rudy T. will add to his coaching legacy. This team has the talent to be a No. 8 seed, if the injury bug can be avoided. I love this team, personally. They should have the firepower to compete with most Western teams. The real question is: Will they have the defense? I can't say I understood the Collier for Pryzbilla deal they made on draft day. Pryzbilla already had the defensive tools, he just needed polish to the offense. Then again, with "The Dream" mentoring Collier, he may actually turn out to be better anyway. Josh Portland, Ore. Just a note to say that while the situation with regard to the Rockets leaving Houston was bleak a few months ago, voters will get their chance once again this November. SaveOurRockets.com was the grassroots effort that helped to lead the way to a successful negotiation between the team and the city. Now, it is up to the voters one more time and Houston will step up. By the way, was it really necessary to include that little dig about Jordan being gone during the championship years? Last time I checked, the trophies and rings don't have asterisks on them, or am I mistaken? Jeff Balke Houston, Texas In my opinion, the Rockets had their chance for greatness during the lockout season. The frontcourt of Barkley, Olajuwon and Pippen had the potential of being even more powerful than the Bird, Parish and McHale frontcourt of the 80's. But according to Pippen, the Rockets coaching staff was the reason that he had the worst season of his career and the Lakers beat them in the first round of the 1999 playoffs. It makes you wonder how a team could fail like that with three future Hall-of-Famers in the starting lineup. Now with Pippen enjoying success in Portland and Sir Charles gone, the Rockets won't be making the playoffs again for a long time. Jamie Killian Batavia, Ill.
You hit pay dirt with your expert analysis of the Houston Rockets. The only things I have to disagree with are the LVP Shandon Anderson & Kenny Thomas nominations. Shandon was just getting used to the Rockets offense (not like the old pick and roll from Utah) & Kenny played way better than anyone ever expected. They will win this year. However, Hakeem needs to reinforce the middle for at least 20 points a game. If he can stay healthy, the Rockets' chances of winning are great. William Houston, Texas I am a lifelong Rockets fan and I agree that this is probably a playoff team. But, as I see it, this team does not have a realistic shot at a title, at least not this year. In my opinion the Rockets need to concentrate on developing the young talent they have amassed. I have the greatest respect for Hakeem for how he played the game and the class he has always displayed on and off the court, but I think his time has passed. He is suffering more and more injuries and it is taking more time for him to heal. I say this because I don't want the last memories of this great player to be one of him being carried off the court in pain (like Charles Barkley) or as a shadow of his prime. I think they need to just bite the bullet, have a couple of terrible years (had one already) and stock up on high draft picks and build for the future. That's how they ended up with Hakeem in the first place. Let's face it, there are a lot of teams stuck in mediocrity and I don't want my team to fall into that trap. As far as signing free agents go, I don't see that being necessary until the development of the young players is further along, because they will only take up minutes from some of those young players. But, no matter what they do, I'm behind them 200 percent. Brian Lindsey Jefferson City, Mo. Francis and Mobley will both be consistent scorers, but the success of the Houston Rockets will depend upon the play of Hakeem Olajuwon. If he doesn't score 20 per game and grab 10 rebounds, then the Rockets will not make the playoffs. At his age, and after the disappointing last few seasons (due to injuries), I don't think that we can expect too much from the Dream. The Rockets will miss the playoffs because even though they are set at the guard position, their forwards just aren't good enough to contend. I think that the Rockets will contend after Olajuwon retires because they will then have $16 million to bulk up their frontcourt, and as Eric Karabell mentioned, Francis and Mobley have only just begun to shine. Chris Shwaluke Winnipeg, Manitoba Well, I'm a big Vancouver Grizzlies fan and I must admit I am not very impressed by what Francis did to Vancouver. But I have to say, he's a darn good player. He can take any guard one on one and break him down and go by him. He can pass and he can shoot. He's a very, very rare point guard and I wished he was in Vancouver, although Bibby is just as good. Anyway, the Rockets are going to be an up-and-coming team. Once the older and less stable teams in the West (Utah, Sacramento) begin to lose their status, the Rockets will be taking their place in the playoffs. The only suggestion I have with the Rockets is to play Cuttino Mobley. He is an excellent player and deserves more minutes. Walt Williams will not be able to produce as well as Mobley. They also need to replace Hakeem. I hate to say it but he's too old for their own good. Try to trade him while it's still possible before he becomes injured again. Well, that's about it, hope to see more of those intense Vancouver vs. Rockets games. Vancouver will improve and show Steve Francis what he has missed. Grizzlie Joe Vancouver, B.C. The key to the Rockets' success in the upcoming season would be a combination of Hakeem and Kelvin Cato. Yes, Kelvin Cato needs to be a major factor in the in the Rockets offense and defensive strategies. A healthy Hakeem coming off the bench would make the Rockets serious contenders for the title. The team that won it all, the Lakers, with all due respect, would not have made it to the Finals if strong play in the paint was absent. The reason for making that statement is simply this: a healthy Hakeem playing limited minutes combined with the young, athletic and powerful Cato will be a dominating force in the paint. Rudy will continue with the fast-paced style of offense led by the co-Rookie of the Year Steve Francis. Francis will need Hakeem to be in excellent physical condition to execute the offense. Without Hakeem being healthy the offensive scheme would change and, honestly speaking I don't believe Cato could handle that area all by himself. Therefore, the team would not be as strong and it would be another season at the sports bar ready to throw my drink at the big screen. Elton Crawford Houston, Texas
I agree with all the comments made in this article. I'm a big Rockets fan, and sure last year was disappointing, but you can't win all the time. Utah, New York, and others will fall this year or the next. I think Francis and Mobley will have great years again. Anderson must step up even more. He did have many good games, but we need more from him. Cato and Williams must have great years, too. Hakeem will finish his career this year with style. I don't think he will score as much like the past, but I think he'll contribute by taking the young players and showing them what it takes to be a Hall of Famer. The Rockets will play and stay in Houston for the years to come. No worries there, unless people in Houston totally go nuts! I agree that the Rockets will not lose more than last season, and I think they have a great chance of making the playoffs. Jimmy Lee Pasadena, Calif. I was born and raised in Houston, therefore I am a lifelong Rockets fan. Next season will be their last link to their glory days unless Hakeem decides not to retire. Because of this, they will have to get used to not playing with any dominant Hall of Famers and relying entirely on their young talent. The young centers on the Rockets will also have to try and learn what they can from Hakeem so they can take over in the 2001-02 season. Overall, I think with talent like Francis, Mobley, Thomas, Cato, etc., the Rockets definitely have a strong team with a bright future. Kunal Tipton, Ind. I think it's necessary for the fans to endure one more average season, and to see increasing playing time & development of this promising core of young players, especially Kelvin Cato. After the next season, it's more than likely that the Dream will retire, then the organization can free up $16 million to go out and shop for a top-rated free agent like Chris Webber. With one more year of good execution and investment, I'm sure that we'll see a young and talented contender in the Houston Rockets. Joon Park Annandale, Va. I feel Rudy T. should trade Olajuwon for some more good players. He is getting old and now is the time to capitalize. But then again, he may want to keep the old guy and have him retire in Houston. I don't blame him. He has done a lot for the Rockets. They need some force on the inside. Rudy did well by adjusting his game plan. It seemed to work because the Rockets were sizzling in the latter part of the season. I always believed he should have reconstructed his offense when he had Pippen. They may have won it all that year. Barkley and Hakeem were playing solid that year. Anyway, I think the Rockets will be back in the playoffs this year. Louie Verdin Corpus Christi, Texas I have been following the Rockets for more than 15 years. Without question, this is the youngest overall team they have fielded in recent times. They have a great nucleus of young talented guards for once, unfortunately it comes at a time when their frontcourt is at its most suspect. I feel the Rockets must somehow acquire a bruising, physical power forward to push this team to playoff contention once again, and to take pressure off the aging, yet still dominant, Hakeem. Rob B Okinawa, Japan This is actually one of the better "Spotlights" I've read thus far. Good enough that I am inclined to comment. Let's get some things straight: the Rockets are very deserving of their titles and MJ should not be thanked for his hiatus. This team in 1994 and '95 dominated all over the league, and you should never disregard or down play the memorable performances by Hakeem vs. O'Neal and Robinson. They won't. Currently, the Rockets are perhaps one of the more exciting teams to watch develop. Hats off to Rudy! Unlike some other coaches, Rudy stays with a team through development and does not go looking for easy title runs. The Rockets will not leave that humid town of Houston. There are fans that have a lot of unconditional love for their basketball team. Josh Los Angeles, Calif. | ALSO SEE ESPN.com's Offseason Spotlight Index Offseason spotlight: Houston Rockets | |||||||||||||
