A Look at the Roster
Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 4:42 am
NBA limits teams to 15 players. Most teams prefer 14 so they have room to for injury replacements,multi-player trades,etc.
Teams over salary cap-as Rockets are-can obtain new players by:
1)Signing own Free Agents
2)Signing own draft picks
3)Signing FAs to minimum contracts
4)Trading players' whose contracts are w/in 25% of total contract(s) traded
5)Using Cap Exceptions. The Rox have available the MLE(@$5.5mil that can be split),the Bi-Annual Exception($1.91mil first yr,can be split,can only be for 2 yrs) and a Trade Exception worth $2.5mil.
PG.
Rafer Alston-does what his coaches want,and that is very reassuring to a coach. Gets team into offence quickly,few turnovers,moves the ball quickly making right pass,decent threat from 3pt land,decent defender,more he and team learn offence better he seems to play. Doesn't drive to contact,doesn't drive and dish,doesn't have good chemistry w/Yao-rarely finds Yao at just the right spot/moment,makes too many bounce passes to Yao. His impact and importance is most noticeable when he's not on court.Lack of effective back-up has caused him to play more minutes than he should.
Bobby Jackson-more of a scorer than a set-up man.When hot can fill it up. One of few Rockets who looks for fast break opportunities. Pesky defender. Fast gds w/quick hands can strip him of ball far too often. Not a starter. Question that must be asked is was his poor shooting rust from being buried on NO bench,or are his legs gone? Contract expires at end of 08/09 season.
AAron Brooks-lightning quick,ant tall.Has to learn how to use his speed in NBA. Needs to improve outside range. Needs to learn to drive and dish. Badly abused by starting PGs. To me looks like career back-up hi-energy PG.
Steve Francis-too injured to really see where he's at.But unless this off-season he completely changes his game,little chance of him fitting in to Adelman's system.In last yr of relatively cheap contract.(The whole Francis signing was puzzling and keeping him on roster even more so.Once Alston won the starting job,w/James and Brooks,there was no need for Francis,he should have been traded in late preseason. When Yao went down,why did Rockets keep Francis-after trading for Jackson-knowing Steve was done for season and cutting Green? Could Green have done any worse than Head against Utah? Either Green was completely clueless or the Rockets didn't want to pay Francis' salary next yr w/out getting something for him. Unless Yao went to management and asked for his friend to be kept. If they're trying to appease Yao that's one thing,but it really smells of a CD move,which calls into question just how much power Morey has.)
Combo Gd.
Luther Head-isn't quick enough to stay w/PGs,isn't strong enough to defend SGs. Has had 2 bad Playoffs in a row. Last yr he was back-up PG and couldn't handle the ball. Spent the off-season working on his dribble and then gets used this yr as back-up SG where he got over-powered on D and lost all faith in his shot on O. On the positive side is only Rocket who seems to have grasped Adelman's offence and actually makes the cuts and stays in motion. Is the only Rocket other than McGrady who has shown he can get off a shot at any time-making them is a diff matter. Has shown vastly improved ball handling skills to point he was beating defenders off the dribble and going to the rim-again he couldn't finish,but at least he's shown the ability. Suggest he continue working on his dribble and learn to defend PGs by funneling them into help and using long arms to harass them. Strongly suggest he study Jackson and try to take his role.
SG.
Tracy McGrady-still one of few players who can set up his teammates as well as he scores. Surround him w/3pt shooters and guys who will hustle and he can carry them into Playoffs-he just can't carry them any further.
Injury prone,so a capable reserve SG is a must.Will not move and run like Adelman would like,but over course of season proved to Adelman that he can be the passer for the open looks Adelman's system will create. We tend to forget first couple weeks of this season McGrady was dropping 35-40pt games on everybody. Interesting to see what tweaks Adelman brings next yr,esp if Yao is going to see his minutes limited.
SF.
Shane Battier-classic intangibles guy. Very good man and team defender. Very good 3pt shooter. Good in lockerroom. Hasn't made big plays in Playoffs. Prob too unselfish for Adelman's O to run smoothly. Altho I do expect to see him move more next yr as he realizes Adelman isn't looking for Battier to create shots,but take what the system gives him.
Mike Harris-if he shows up in camp w/a 3pt shot,might make the team. Miracles happen.
PF.
Luis Scola-just a tad slow and has extremely modest hops,but very crafty inside,a decent set-jumper and always hustles. Had trouble adjusting to NBA refs,but seemed to get it 2/3 of the way thru season. Not much upside,but will be better next yr after learning what he needs to work on-namely finishing strong. While I think he would make perfect 3rd big in 3 big rotation,he's a solid enough starter. Modest salary is a plus.
Chuck Hayes-needs to find a voodoo priest that will grow him 4 inches. Quick hands and uses body well on defense. No offensive game whatsoever. Best defender among Rocket PFs,which says alot about the PFs. Can play some C as well,so he's a solid role player at an affordable price.(Provides valuable community service by serving as outlet for Ribalding's anger.
.)
Steve Novak-too slow to guard SFs,too weak to guard PFs. Excellent outside shot,but has almost nothing else. On team option yr of 2nd Rd contract-so cheap and disposable.
Carl Landry-FA. Most likely will re-sign as this is yr there are multitudes of decent PFs in draft. Only Rocket big who plays above the rim. Excites crowd and seems to jump-start team. Shown little ability to get his own shot and his knees are a concern. Classic energy guy off the bench.
C.
Yao Ming-best offensive Center,prob best all-around C in game today. Excellent shooting touch,lgetting much better at closing the lane. Has not shown in games the passing skills for which he is noted. Seems to take him a while to process how coaching staff wants him to play,but once he gets it,he really gets it. Usually needs a breather after 8minutes of game time.Biggest issue is health as past 3 yrs has missed significant time w/foot problems.(While T-Mac has missed 66 games in his Hou career,Yao has missed 88 reg season games during same 4 yrs.) Prob will have minutes cut/monitored at beginning of season-perhaps 30min/game?
Loren Wood-he's tall. I got nothing. Maybe if Yao is unable to start season,he might have a spot.
Dikembe Mutombo-FA. Says he wants back,and if he'll take vet's min he's back. Still can block shots and get rebounds in his area. If fed on move can still throw it down. Has little side J that he makes just enough.If stationary takes such a long time to gather himself that defence can recover. Cannot play long minutes very often. Capable backing up a few minutes a game,much more and his effectiveness declines.
As we see there is very little depth at the SG/SF positions. Four PGs is at least one too many. There is a need for a big who can block shots and get rebounds that aren't in his space. The Rockets should start grooming a back-up C.
Teams over salary cap-as Rockets are-can obtain new players by:
1)Signing own Free Agents
2)Signing own draft picks
3)Signing FAs to minimum contracts
4)Trading players' whose contracts are w/in 25% of total contract(s) traded
5)Using Cap Exceptions. The Rox have available the MLE(@$5.5mil that can be split),the Bi-Annual Exception($1.91mil first yr,can be split,can only be for 2 yrs) and a Trade Exception worth $2.5mil.
PG.
Rafer Alston-does what his coaches want,and that is very reassuring to a coach. Gets team into offence quickly,few turnovers,moves the ball quickly making right pass,decent threat from 3pt land,decent defender,more he and team learn offence better he seems to play. Doesn't drive to contact,doesn't drive and dish,doesn't have good chemistry w/Yao-rarely finds Yao at just the right spot/moment,makes too many bounce passes to Yao. His impact and importance is most noticeable when he's not on court.Lack of effective back-up has caused him to play more minutes than he should.
Bobby Jackson-more of a scorer than a set-up man.When hot can fill it up. One of few Rockets who looks for fast break opportunities. Pesky defender. Fast gds w/quick hands can strip him of ball far too often. Not a starter. Question that must be asked is was his poor shooting rust from being buried on NO bench,or are his legs gone? Contract expires at end of 08/09 season.
AAron Brooks-lightning quick,ant tall.Has to learn how to use his speed in NBA. Needs to improve outside range. Needs to learn to drive and dish. Badly abused by starting PGs. To me looks like career back-up hi-energy PG.
Steve Francis-too injured to really see where he's at.But unless this off-season he completely changes his game,little chance of him fitting in to Adelman's system.In last yr of relatively cheap contract.(The whole Francis signing was puzzling and keeping him on roster even more so.Once Alston won the starting job,w/James and Brooks,there was no need for Francis,he should have been traded in late preseason. When Yao went down,why did Rockets keep Francis-after trading for Jackson-knowing Steve was done for season and cutting Green? Could Green have done any worse than Head against Utah? Either Green was completely clueless or the Rockets didn't want to pay Francis' salary next yr w/out getting something for him. Unless Yao went to management and asked for his friend to be kept. If they're trying to appease Yao that's one thing,but it really smells of a CD move,which calls into question just how much power Morey has.)
Combo Gd.
Luther Head-isn't quick enough to stay w/PGs,isn't strong enough to defend SGs. Has had 2 bad Playoffs in a row. Last yr he was back-up PG and couldn't handle the ball. Spent the off-season working on his dribble and then gets used this yr as back-up SG where he got over-powered on D and lost all faith in his shot on O. On the positive side is only Rocket who seems to have grasped Adelman's offence and actually makes the cuts and stays in motion. Is the only Rocket other than McGrady who has shown he can get off a shot at any time-making them is a diff matter. Has shown vastly improved ball handling skills to point he was beating defenders off the dribble and going to the rim-again he couldn't finish,but at least he's shown the ability. Suggest he continue working on his dribble and learn to defend PGs by funneling them into help and using long arms to harass them. Strongly suggest he study Jackson and try to take his role.
SG.
Tracy McGrady-still one of few players who can set up his teammates as well as he scores. Surround him w/3pt shooters and guys who will hustle and he can carry them into Playoffs-he just can't carry them any further.
Injury prone,so a capable reserve SG is a must.Will not move and run like Adelman would like,but over course of season proved to Adelman that he can be the passer for the open looks Adelman's system will create. We tend to forget first couple weeks of this season McGrady was dropping 35-40pt games on everybody. Interesting to see what tweaks Adelman brings next yr,esp if Yao is going to see his minutes limited.
SF.
Shane Battier-classic intangibles guy. Very good man and team defender. Very good 3pt shooter. Good in lockerroom. Hasn't made big plays in Playoffs. Prob too unselfish for Adelman's O to run smoothly. Altho I do expect to see him move more next yr as he realizes Adelman isn't looking for Battier to create shots,but take what the system gives him.
Mike Harris-if he shows up in camp w/a 3pt shot,might make the team. Miracles happen.
PF.
Luis Scola-just a tad slow and has extremely modest hops,but very crafty inside,a decent set-jumper and always hustles. Had trouble adjusting to NBA refs,but seemed to get it 2/3 of the way thru season. Not much upside,but will be better next yr after learning what he needs to work on-namely finishing strong. While I think he would make perfect 3rd big in 3 big rotation,he's a solid enough starter. Modest salary is a plus.
Chuck Hayes-needs to find a voodoo priest that will grow him 4 inches. Quick hands and uses body well on defense. No offensive game whatsoever. Best defender among Rocket PFs,which says alot about the PFs. Can play some C as well,so he's a solid role player at an affordable price.(Provides valuable community service by serving as outlet for Ribalding's anger.

Steve Novak-too slow to guard SFs,too weak to guard PFs. Excellent outside shot,but has almost nothing else. On team option yr of 2nd Rd contract-so cheap and disposable.
Carl Landry-FA. Most likely will re-sign as this is yr there are multitudes of decent PFs in draft. Only Rocket big who plays above the rim. Excites crowd and seems to jump-start team. Shown little ability to get his own shot and his knees are a concern. Classic energy guy off the bench.
C.
Yao Ming-best offensive Center,prob best all-around C in game today. Excellent shooting touch,lgetting much better at closing the lane. Has not shown in games the passing skills for which he is noted. Seems to take him a while to process how coaching staff wants him to play,but once he gets it,he really gets it. Usually needs a breather after 8minutes of game time.Biggest issue is health as past 3 yrs has missed significant time w/foot problems.(While T-Mac has missed 66 games in his Hou career,Yao has missed 88 reg season games during same 4 yrs.) Prob will have minutes cut/monitored at beginning of season-perhaps 30min/game?
Loren Wood-he's tall. I got nothing. Maybe if Yao is unable to start season,he might have a spot.
Dikembe Mutombo-FA. Says he wants back,and if he'll take vet's min he's back. Still can block shots and get rebounds in his area. If fed on move can still throw it down. Has little side J that he makes just enough.If stationary takes such a long time to gather himself that defence can recover. Cannot play long minutes very often. Capable backing up a few minutes a game,much more and his effectiveness declines.
As we see there is very little depth at the SG/SF positions. Four PGs is at least one too many. There is a need for a big who can block shots and get rebounds that aren't in his space. The Rockets should start grooming a back-up C.