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Rockets Season Preview Authored by Jason Linnard - October 10, 2005 - 8:59 pm
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ADDITIONS
G Rafer Alston (Toronto)
G Derek Anderson (Portland)
F-C Stromile Swift (Memphis)
F Lonny Baxter (Panathinaikos, Greek-A1)
G Luther Head (Illinois)
G-F Dion Glover (San Antonio)
G-F Chuck Hayes (Kentucky)
G Keith Langford (Kansas)
SUBTRACTIONS
G Mike James (Toronto)
F Scott Padgett (New Jersey)
G Charlie Ward (Retired)
F-C Vin Baker (Waived)
F Clarence Weatherspoon (Waived, amnesty)
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
PG Rafer Alston
SG Derek Anderson
SF Tracy McGrady
PF Stromile Swift
C Yao Ming
PLAYER-BY-PLAYER OUTLOOK
G-F TRACY McGRADY
After last year’s blockbuster acquisition, Yao and McGrady were expected to take the league by storm. It got off to a slow start, but once Van Gundy realized that it wasn’t working running the offense through Yao, McGrady got the team going. McGrady was forced to take over the majority of the ball-handling duties last year, as the Rockets had no true point guard. But recent guard acquisitions might help that to change.
C YAO MING
It’s been 3 years since being drafted. He’s been awarded a max extension. He’s had a summer free of obligations to his homeland. So what’s in store for his 4th season?
Well, last year, his only other block-mate was Juwan Howard, who didn’t rebound or play much defense. With Swift, he has another player that can rebound, block shots…..basically take pressure off of Yao. This is expected to decrease the number of stupid fouls, increase open looks down low, and hopefully increase his rebounding numbers as well, possibly pushing his average into double digits.
F-C STROMILE SWIFT
After being stuck behind Pau Gasol and Lorenzen Wright for most of his career, Swift finally has an opportunity to shine. His athleticism, shot-blocking, and rebounding are something that were not seen last year at the power forward spot. Expect Swift to take full advantage of his second chance.
G - RAFER ALSTON
The Rockets took a risk, acquiring Rafer Alston from Toronto in exchange for Mike James. Alston had a good year on the court, but had a number of confrontations with Toronto coach Sam Mitchell. But Alston gives them the pass-first PG they’ve needed. So Houston personnel decided it was worth the risk.
G-F DEREK ANDERSON
After Derek Anderson was cut by the Blazers with the amnesty clause, the Rockets jumped at the chance to add the versatile guard. Anderson, who has the ability to play both guard positions and some small forward, is expected to team up with Alston to provide Houston with an athletic backcourt.
G BOB SURA
After playing through injury most of last year, it’s finally catching up with him. Sura had knee surgery to repair a lingering ailment. The outcome of the surgery is going to determine if Sura will ever suit up for the Rockets again.
G DAVID WESLEY
After being acquired from the Hornets last season, Wesley kept the starting shooting guard spot for the rest of the season. With new guards coming in, expect Wesley to come off the bench and see fewer minutes.
G LUTHER HEAD
Head could be a darkhorse for acquiring playing time this season. He can play both guard spots, and depending on how training camp goes, he could see quite a few minutes or be sent down to the Rocket’s D-League Affiliate in Austin.
G JON BARRY
A key mid-season acquisition, Barry saw plenty of time coming off the bench, in some situations being the 3rd guard in a 3-guard lineup. Playing for the Rockets made such an impression on him, he decided to postpone his retirement for one last go-around.
G MOOCHIE NORRIS
Norris is reportedly in great shape, but is not expected to see much time behind the Rocket’s deep guard rotation, except in emergency situations.
F JUWAN HOWARD
After missing the end of the season with a heart ailment, Howard is back and cleared to play. This season his role is expected to be reduced with the addition of Swift. Look to see Howard used as an offensive spark off the bench.
F LONNY BAXTER
After bouncing around the NBA and overseas, he had a standout showing on the Rockets summer league. He made enough of an impression to garner a guaranteed contract offer from Houston, which he gladly accepted. At 6’8” and 265 lbs, Baxter can play all frontcourt positions. He’ll probably see few minutes at first, but expect him to be worked into special situations, utilizing his wide frame and tenacious rebounding.
F RYAN BOWEN
A player that’s not spectacular at anything, Bowen earned a spot in the rotation by showing off his defense and hard work ethic. He won’t see much time at PF, but he could find some minutes backing up McGrady.
C DIKEMBE MUTOMBO
Mutombo was possibly the Rocket’s most important reserve last year. With Yao constantly getting into foul trouble, Mutombo came in and kept the game going with his great defense and shot-blocking. Even though he’s getting up in age, he signed a 2-year contract this summer, and should continue to anchor the 2nd string.
There are 14 guaranteed contracts now on the Rocket’s roster, leaving one spot to be earned by a training camp invitee. Chuck Hayes and Keith Langford have a decent shot, but Dion Glover, the Rocket’s other summer league standout, has the best chance to earn the last roster spot.
Houston has added plenty of talent to an already deep talent pool. But the same thing that caused their slow start last year has a chance to hinder their start this year: chemistry. If Van Gundy can get a chemistry going like he did last year, expect the Rockets to challenge the Spurs for the Western Conference’s top seed. |
