http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2007/09/most_ta...s_team_sin.html</p> Jonathan Feigen posted a new blog last week, wondering how the Rocket's talent on the current roster stacks up against past Rockets teams. Is this the most talented Rockets team since the championship years? On paper, I think we look pretty damn good. But the reality is that we will eventually be playing a 9 to 10 man rotation. And minutes will be hard to come by for a lot of players who'll think they deserve to big-time PT.</p> </p> <hr width="100%" size="2" /> </p> Some Q/As for this blog:</p> </p> </p> a_kash25 writes: We really only lost Juwan Howard while adding Steve Francis, Mike James, Luis Scola, Brooks and Butler. Billy never made any difference to this team so he doesn't really count but at least we got Scola for him. Plus we have a new coach who knows how to use Bonzi efficiently. We won 52 games last season without all the guys mentioned above and took Utah to 7 games. Do you think we can't be at least a 64-18 team? You have to consider that if Yao wasn't out for what 22(?) games last year we would have had a better record. I know this has nothing to do with the whole best team in a decade...but I honestly think we have the firepower to keep up with Dallas and San Antonio. The team I'm worried about the most is Phoenix. So, what do you think? 64-18? Better? Worse? Another first round upset? Or will we make it to the Finals(longshot.)?</p> <div id="c622700"> <font color="#0000ff">(I think 64 wins is way too many to predict or expect. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </div> </p> Chris R writes: Do you know where I can find the Rockets local TV schedule for this season? Most other teams have already come up with theirs. Any idea on how games will be on KNWS 51?</p> <font color="#0000ff">(I don't think that's been determined, yet. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> Vic in MN writes: In your opinion, do you think that the Rockets can win the title? If no, what position(s) do you think they need to upgrade?</p> I really do believe that this team is the best team since the championship. But again that depends on your definition of best. In terms of talent, this is the best; however, the biggest difference is CHAMPION'S HEART. This team has no heart of a champion (atleast till they prove otherwise), while the post championship team, got a BIG HEART.</p> <font color="#0000ff">(Perhaps they can win the title, but I don't think they will. I'd like to see them win a playoff round before I predict them to win four rounds. There's not a single area that they need to get improve as much as other teams in ther West are better. If they were in the East, I would consider them a solid Finals contender, even with their lack of playoff success. In the West, they have to show something before I can expect everything. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> <div id="c623253"> Tony writes: Hi Jonathan, in this team as you said the TALENT TEAM, what do you think of the most important key for them? in my view, i think it s/b the experience, especially for playoffs. We only had bozi and DM had more experience in 2 or 3 round in playoffs, neither yao nor tmac. the team is in a perfect aging rank. but they need or exchange more experienced one, what do you think? Luis Scola played well in the international game, but everything is brand new to him in the nba. i am expecting him too much, but i am afraid he will be in some foul's troubles because of the different rules. Shall we expect him too much？</p> <font color="#0000ff">(I think, given what we know about the other positions, point guard play might be key. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> mick writes: I know it's been said that Scola probably will not be an all-star, which is understandable given that there already two all-stars and one former all-star on the team. But if he was placed on a team with less depth and talent, is it possible that he'll be able to step up and carry that team like how he did with his national team? I know he's no Tim Duncan, but I did notice their playing style share a few similarities, focusing on basics instead of flashy moves, not to mention they both like to bank their shots. So do you think there's even a remote chance that Scola will develop into a dominant power forward and match up with the likes of Boozer and Duncan?</p> <font color="#0000ff">(Dominant? No. Scola is smart, solid, versatile. He is not going to take over games. He could make things more difficult for those that do. That can be valuable, too. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> <div id="c623672"> <div id="c623672"> Chris writes: Wesley was terrible. He is probably one of the most overhyped players in the history of the NBA. I don't know why anybody thinks that guy was good. He was too small for SG and too big and SLOW for PG. He was an enormous waste of space and I'm glad he's gone.</p> <font color="#0000ff">(Wesley was such an outstanding defender that teams would change game plans to adjust for him. He was a solid shooter throughout a 14-year NBA career, a leader and a great locker room presence. The Rockets' 04-05 season took off immediately following his acquisition. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> <div id="c624006"> Naresh writes: I thought Les said the 2002-2003 team was "the greatest team ever assembled"</p> <font color="#0000ff">(Technically, he said "could become the greatest team ever assembled." Either way, it was way over the top. As another example of how much things have changed, he said it as the announcement of "Cuttino's Shootout." --Jonathan)</font></p> </div> </div> </div> nedped writes: You mentioned 15 guys. What's the roster size? Isn't it 12? McGrady for Marion? That's intriguing by itself, and I tend to think Marion is the better pro, but the team context is a more important consideration. The Rockets could very well be lost without T-Mac. The rest of their backcourt is promising, but who would take charge? Francis, James? I'd probably make this trade, just because the mega-talented but sore-backed T-Mac's already demonstrated that he isn't the savior, despite a mentality that "it's all on me." I like the guy as a player, but his conceit is troublesome, and the fact remains, he's never seen the second round of the playoffs. Phoenix, with Nash on the pedal, might be more awesome with McGrady. The Rockets, needing athleticism and confidence in the frontcourt, are just dying for someone like Marion. It would be a severe adustment, and it might take half a season to bake, but Marion-for-McGrady could elevate the team, provided a floor leader emerges from the swollen backcourt mix.</p> <div id="c624219"> <font color="#0000ff">(Teams are permitted 15 players on the roster, with 12 active for each game, to be determined 90 minutes before each tip. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </div> </p> <div id="c624695"> jeffy writes: Jon, I've told you once and I'll say it again. The Rockets gave up more points and opponent had higher FG% after Wesley's aquisition. Wesley had fewer rebounds and blocks than Jim Jackson (who was traded for Wesley). How did that make the Rockets a better defensive team?</p> <font color="#0000ff">(Wesley was an outstanding defender of opposing guards. Opposing scouts and coaches would marvel about his work disrupting the plays run by Rockets' opponents. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> <div id="c625800"> Jeff Clutch writes: Jonathan, is it true that Tracy McGrady's grandfather passed away and he will miss the start of training camp? I couldn't find anything about it in the Chronicle.</p> <font color="#0000ff">(His grandfather died of heart disease. The funeral is Monday. McGrady will miss media day, but has chartered a flight to arrive in Austin Monday evening. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> JB writes: With "media day" turning out to be less than expected. Is it possible to reschedule? with yao, and tracy not being there the team pictures are out!!</p> <font color="#0000ff">(There is a lot they can do without two players, even high-profile players. They will hold additional sessions, </font><font color="#0000ff">though without the interviews, after the first few preseason games. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> Naresh writes: A few things. Is it likely David Wesley will become an assistant at New Orleans? I thought he retired after the finals. Why exactly did New Orleans trade away a promising former lottery pick to the Eastern COnference champions?</p> I'm happy TMac made an attempt to get more educated on some important humanitarian issues. How exactly will he spread the word about Darfur? Do you expect him to throw his support around a presidential candidate? I read somewhere that Battier has already shown his public support for Obama and donated lots of money to his campaign. THe Darfur situation has made headlines in all facets of the media, from headline news to advertisements on tv and internet. How will Tracy go about bringing a different approach of raising awareness to an already prevalent, highly-debated issue?</p> <font color="#0000ff">(McGrady mostly plans to talk about it to whomever will listen, but the documentary they are putting together has a chance to reach many people that might not otherwise read or see the media reports. The Hornets' move was to save money, with only a part of Wesley's contract guaranteed. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> <div id="c626550"> Jack writes: Why has Dikembe not signed yet? The guy is trying to create fake drama. It's been months and yet he still hasn't signed.</p> <font color="#0000ff">(He has said repeatedly that he will sign and play one more year. The Rockets scheduled and announced a press conference to officially sign Mutombo on Monday. There is not a shred of drama. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> <div id="c626902"> t-man writes: Barring any major injuries, this rox team will be ally ooping,miss matching, and pummeling oponents. Unlike JVG, Rick will unleash the forgotten beast in Bonzi Wells.I liked JVG as a coach,however, I feel like he did the Rox and their fans a big injustice in not finding common ground with Bonzi. The rox would have been a much better team in the playoffs last year with the incredible Bonzi Wells. People talked about him not being in shape, but I think it was more of a personality conflict. What do you think about Bonzi this year John?</p> <font color="#0000ff">(Bonzi was in horrible shape to start the season, but actually returned to the rotation Dec. 12 and went out with back injuries, not personality conflicts. His last injury, to his foot, was minor and he could have come back, but it was then that Van Gundy chose to give more playing time to Head. I would be shocked if he was not in good shape to start the season and he can be a very effective player. But he will have to show he can avoid the injuries that have limited the past two seasons playing for the Rockets current and previous coach. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </p> MoJo writes: I just wanted to say that I love that two of our newly acquired probable starters play the game with alot of passion (Steve and Scola). Along with Yao Ming, those three players should hopefully pump McGrady up throughout the season, night in and night out. One thing I've noticed the past couple of years is that when his game is on, he's excited, he's smiling, he works harder.....but when his game is off, he's a little more lazy than usual. When your game is off, the game doesn't stop there....there's so many other things you can do on the floor ala Battier. The Rockets in the championship years played with passion, and heart....especially in the playoffs. If the chemistry comes together this year, and the Rockets play with heart and leave everything out there on the floor....then they wont only be great on paper, they will succeed in the playoffs. They definately have the "potential" to be better than the rockets in the championship years.. what you think?</p> <font color="#0000ff">(I can't picture them as greater than the Rockets of the championship seasons. One reason: Hakeem Olajuwon. -- Jonathan)</font></p> </div> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div>
