| Rockets Have That Same Old Uncertain Feeling Authored by Dennis L. Silva II - October 9, 2006 - 9:25 pm
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The organization had experienced a successful offseason last year, acquiring the talents of guard Derek Anderson and forward Stromile Swift for, relatively, bargain prices. They had also re-signed some of their key free agents such as guard Jon Barry and center Dikembe Mutombo.
They were said to be amongst the top four teams in the Western Conference. And on paper, yes, they were. While injuries were responsible for a grotesque 34-48 season, that aspect could not be to blame for the whole situation.
Anderson and Swift never acclimated themselves to coach Jeff Van Gundy’s offense. Both are athletic players who thrive in the open floor and can be efficient offensive and defensive players when put in the right system. Both certainly have their faults – Anderson’s jump shot is inconsistent and Swift often falls asleep on the court – but to say they could not have made greater, more significant contributions to the team would be wrong.
This offseason, the Rockets brought in – you guessed it – more athletic talent. Guard Kirk Snyder is, in many ways, a smaller version of Swift. He’s extremely athletic, does not have an exact position, and can often enter his own fantasy world while on the court. Just as Swift had failed under Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello, Snyder had been outcast by Jerry Sloan and Byron Scott.
Bonzi Wells is a solid offensive player who needs the ball to be effective. His character issues have been documented very well in the past, but he’s a veteran who, hopefully, can realize that this team can be his only shot at winning a championship. But if Rockets loyalists seriously do not think he won’t bolt for greener pastures if he has a prominent 2006-07, they are fooling themselves.
Hmm, let’s see, do these quotes seem to spark a memory?
"We never put together this much new talent in one year since I've owned the team, an amazing amount of talent influx. With two superstars and the right coach, I think we can do very well. This team has a lot of talent. How quickly it comes together and how quickly it jells and how it will perform will have to be seen on the court."
"The talent is there, definitely there.We just have to put it together."
"We're unproven in many areas, but I think (general manager) Carroll Dawson deserves a great deal of credit for giving us unquestionably more athletic talent and more basketball skill. Then it's up to us as a team — myself and our best players — to make sure our commitment, our attitude, our chemistry and our basketball IQ are better. Carroll's done his job."
"It's been a long time since I've come into a training camp and actually felt like I had a great chance of winning big in this league. The talent is there. If guys are willing to sacrifice and we stay healthy, go out and compete every night, don't let ego problems get in the way of what we're trying to accomplish, it can be a really special year for us."
Back track through last season’s preseason press clippings, and these quotes – from the mouths of owner Leslie Alexander, Van Gundy and Tracy McGrady – are practically word for word, carbon copies of 2005-06.
Fans will say that this team has every opportunity to do well, and sure, they do. They’re one of the top three teams in talent alone – on paper. Ay, there’s the catch. The newcomers are of the same prototype as last year’s acquisitions.
Aside from Shane Battier – the ideal Van Gundy player who will thrive as a Rocket – and Novak, the other primary signees all have glaring deficiencies for a Van Gundy offense. Snyder’s shot is questionable. Teams will force him to put the ball on the floor, taking away more room from McGrady and Yao Ming. Third-string point guard John Lucas III is fast and…well, he’s fast. There are reports that he’s a fine shooter, but unless his release is as quick as the Ray Allen’s and Kyle Korver’s of this league, he’ll be a distributor who will be abused to no end on defense.
Wells has the best opportunity to succeed because he’s a post-up guard. And with Van Gundy’s milk-the-clock, settle down offense, post-ups are ideal. But he’s, essentially, in a contract year – at least in his eyes – and what will happen when the team hits a rough edge, or if he’s not getting his touches? He says he’ll be the ideal team player. It would be smart to wait and see on that proclamation.
European guard Vassilis Spanoulis is a slasher with questionable shooting. Maybe I missed something, but since when has Van Gundy embraced a wide-open style of play? Players say all the time how he begs the team to push the ball, up and down, at break-neck speed. But if so, why are his offenses amongst the bottom of the league year in and year out? Simple. Because he’s a defensive-minded coach who’s not willing to take chances on offense, and would prefer a slow-down pace that keeps turnovers to a minimum.
So you can see why Rockets fans would be smart to take a “wait and see” approach to this club. Sure, there’s reason for optimism. At best, the Rockets are the fourth-best team in the West behind the Spurs, Mavs and Suns. At worst? Barring injuries, they’re a seventh seed that will have trouble with chemistry and with defining roles. Van Gundy will be asking too many of his new players to re-define their games and we all know this isn’t high school. NBA players are emblazoned with gold egotism.
Houston did, indeed, have a stellar offseason. Again. They added depth and they added shooting. But when they needed more strength upfront, and more veterans who could shoot, defend and pass without making mental mistakes, they instead added NBA virgins, many of whom will need at least this whole season to adjust to Van Gundy and professional basketball.
Here’s to hoping that there’s not a Swift or Anderson amongst them. |
