Post by manasrai on Apr 30, 2005 20:45:53 GMT -5
Rockets GM Manas Rai went on the record today saying that this year's Houston Rockets could be better than any in the past three years.
This makes for quite a bold statement because before a disappointing 2007 season, the Rockets were back to back Western Conference Champions.
2005:Camby/Gooden/Harpring/Rip/Bibby
2006:Rasho/Kmart/Turkoglu/Johnson/Billups
and for 2008:
Haywood/Milicic/Butler/Crawford/Gilchrist
The GM commented that all three teams ran a very similar style, trying to push the ball and while focusing on accurate outside shooting.
Although this year's version does not boast the same star power as past years: Hamilton, Bibby and then Billups Martin, there is by no means a lack of talent on this team.
The closest thing to recognition any of the players have recieved was Brendan Haywood's 2003 6th man of the year award, which pales in comparision to the all NBA bids and all Defensive team bids recieved by many of the departed stars.
So what makes Rockets GM Rai feel this team is better than the highly accomplished teams of the past?
Depth and youth.
Nobody on the roster is over 28, which led to growing pains all of last season. Now, player roles are more defined, and players will now run a style of basketball that fits thier skills better than last year.
Haywood, Milicic, and Schortsianitis all hold at least a B+ in rebounding and should dominate the boards.
Gilchrist has defined himself as the starting point guard while Crawford will finally get a chance to be the go-to-guy for a team. Crawford also boasts a B- in handles, giving the Rockets two capable ball handlers which the GM hopes will lead to less turnovers.
But the skill levels found in starters from past years was also quite high, what really makes this year special is the depth the team boasts.
Adams and Devendorf could both be potential starters in a pinch, and both make excellent backups.
Welsch is a B+ outside scorer and A- defender who is third on the depth chart.
Turkoglu and Cabarkapa can cause matchup problems at any position. Turkoglu is a 6'10 outside specialist who can play the 2,3,and 4. Cabarkapa is 6'11 and can cause fits at the 3,4, or 5.
The GM of the defending champion Warriors was also of the opinion that this could indeed be the best Rockets team since Rai has taken the helm.
Rockets GM Manas Rai was quoted as saying, "I don't feel this team has any holes in it as long as it is able to impose its style of play on the other team. I truly do believe this team is better than any I have made in the past, and one day this roster will match the accomplishments made by those before it. The only thing that concerns me is that the entire league has gotten better this offseason. How this will effect our chances is yet to be seen."
Indeed, only time will tell.
This makes for quite a bold statement because before a disappointing 2007 season, the Rockets were back to back Western Conference Champions.
2005:Camby/Gooden/Harpring/Rip/Bibby
2006:Rasho/Kmart/Turkoglu/Johnson/Billups
and for 2008:
Haywood/Milicic/Butler/Crawford/Gilchrist
The GM commented that all three teams ran a very similar style, trying to push the ball and while focusing on accurate outside shooting.
Although this year's version does not boast the same star power as past years: Hamilton, Bibby and then Billups Martin, there is by no means a lack of talent on this team.
The closest thing to recognition any of the players have recieved was Brendan Haywood's 2003 6th man of the year award, which pales in comparision to the all NBA bids and all Defensive team bids recieved by many of the departed stars.
So what makes Rockets GM Rai feel this team is better than the highly accomplished teams of the past?
Depth and youth.
Nobody on the roster is over 28, which led to growing pains all of last season. Now, player roles are more defined, and players will now run a style of basketball that fits thier skills better than last year.
Haywood, Milicic, and Schortsianitis all hold at least a B+ in rebounding and should dominate the boards.
Gilchrist has defined himself as the starting point guard while Crawford will finally get a chance to be the go-to-guy for a team. Crawford also boasts a B- in handles, giving the Rockets two capable ball handlers which the GM hopes will lead to less turnovers.
But the skill levels found in starters from past years was also quite high, what really makes this year special is the depth the team boasts.
Adams and Devendorf could both be potential starters in a pinch, and both make excellent backups.
Welsch is a B+ outside scorer and A- defender who is third on the depth chart.
Turkoglu and Cabarkapa can cause matchup problems at any position. Turkoglu is a 6'10 outside specialist who can play the 2,3,and 4. Cabarkapa is 6'11 and can cause fits at the 3,4, or 5.
The GM of the defending champion Warriors was also of the opinion that this could indeed be the best Rockets team since Rai has taken the helm.
Rockets GM Manas Rai was quoted as saying, "I don't feel this team has any holes in it as long as it is able to impose its style of play on the other team. I truly do believe this team is better than any I have made in the past, and one day this roster will match the accomplishments made by those before it. The only thing that concerns me is that the entire league has gotten better this offseason. How this will effect our chances is yet to be seen."
Indeed, only time will tell.