Yao Ming (A-): Yao stepped up this year, leading the Rockets in points, rebound, and blocks, and their 1st trip to the playoffs in 5 years. He also earned respect from players around the league, and is pretty much the undisputed 2nd best center in the NBA in only his 2nd season. Still, he has yet to find his consistency, and has had a bad stretch towards the end of the season. Nevertheless all signs point to Yao continuing to improve and establishing himself as a dominant force in the NBA. Steve Francis ©: 2nd in NBA in total turnovers, scoring down almost 5pts from last yr, and cost Houston several wins by choking down the stretch. His inconsistency has been killing the Rockets all season, but he has stepped up at times and won some games for Houston. Overall, Francis was a total disappointment - someone of his age and talent shouldn't be playing as bad as he did this season. So now the discussion continues - does Francis have a future in Houston? Cuttino Mobley (: 3pt shooting improved, otherwise the same Cuttino Mobley we've seen in Houston for the past 5yrs. Still needs to improve on decision making, and injuries have affected some of his performances. Talented player, but can not be starting SG if Houston wants to become a championship-calibre team. Kelvin Cato (B-): Good defensive presence, but brings nothing on the offensive end. Shot below .500 for 1st time in 5 yrs. Also dealt with injury problems in the latter parts of the seaon. Not an ideal starting PF to pair up with Yao Ming in the future. Jim Jackson (A): What a FA signing! Veteran stepped in great as the starting SF, played hard every game. 7th in league in 3pts made, 10th in league in minutes played . Can't expect more from a bargan player who's been in the league for 12yrs. Mark Jackson (A-): 39yr old vet stepped in as back up PG, and did a great job. Handled point position when Francis was inconsistent, and does great job getting Yao the ball. Only complaint is that he's 39, not 29... don't know how effective he'll be next season, if Rockets choose to resign him. Clarence Weatherspoon (B+): Wasn't much of a contributon when he was first traded from NY, but has been big for the Rockets down the stretch, esp. when Cato wasn't playing well. Mo Taylor (B+): Rockets 6th man brings scoring threat off the bench, and pressure away from Yao. Remains a liability on defense and poor rebounder however. Adrian Griffin (D): I thought he'd be part of the Houston rotation this year, but he was plagued by injuries and ended up playing only 19 games. Bostjan Nachbar (: Blew his opportunity to make it into the rotation early in the season, but has show signs of life with his playing time down the stretch. Has shown great offensive awareness and pretty good D, but shooting needs to be improved. Somewhat of a disappointment this yr, but he's still young and improving. Scott Padgett (B+): Well he didn't play too bad will the time he was given to play. Has a perimeter game, so he can free up space for Yao in the post. Mike Wilks (B-): 3rd PG never really given opportunity to make it into the rotation, but has played alright with his given time also. He should still be in the league next year. Charles Oakley (A+): haha yah right anyone else who thinks different, feel free to post different grades.
You had a few grades that I disagree with. Mo Taylor-C+: He had provided the Rockets with good scoring at times, but has been inconsistent most games. He did not rebound well and his play on offense sometimes make him look like a ball hog. Mike Wilks-D: His play was not consistent as well, partly because of lack of burn. He showed some good moves, but he did not really perform up to standards and Van Gundy lost hope in him after Jackson was signed. Bostjan Nachbar-C: Youngster showed some improvements this season, but inconsistency and lack of a reliable outside shot got him into JVG's doghouse. He needs to start watching his fouls as he has a tendency to make stupid fouls. Steve Francis-B: His scoring dropped, but the loss came in the expanse of Yao Ming, who upped his average by 4 points. Francis had a better season than most thought. and has better courtvision than before. Turnovers still hurt his play, and he has to take better care of the ball if he doesn't get traded this off-season.
Id give As to Jim Jackson only and as to the franchise ... i would still give him B althoughhe did have so many turnovers, when hes playing brilliant, Rockets can win, when hes not, they dont so he has quite something to do with Rockets getting into the playoffs
Yao Ming (B-): Ming finally proved he can play with Shaquille O'Neal by playing some of his best basketball against the Lakers center...he was more aggressive on offense, averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds and also shot over 51% from the field...He accomdated himself more to his teammates and showed an astounding array of versatility on the offensive end...however, he showed he has problems catching the ball and establishing deep low post position on a consistent basis, as well as staying out of foul trouble and taking advantage of less talented opponents on both ends of the floor... Kelvin Cato (B+): Cato played admirably this season and easily played his best ball in seasons...despite averaging only 6 points, Cato averaged an aggressive 6.8 rebounds and 1.39 blocks a game...as the season grew on, he became more adept at finishing closer to the basket, but he was the Rockets' interior defensive anchor this season and easily was the Rockets' toughest and more physical defender... Jim Jackson (A-): Jackson was arguably the Rockets MVP this season, being a valuable commodity on both ends of the floor...Averaging 12.9 points, 6 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game, Jackson also played the most minutes of his veteran career as well...he was the Rockets' best perimeter defender and also their best 3-point marksman, hitting 162 trey-balls at a 40% clip...his veteran influence was badly needed in a starting lineup of young, inexperienced youngsters... Cuttino Mobley (B+): Mobley also played well this season, averaging 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in improving his overall versatile game...he improved vastly as a perimeter defender and toned down his game to assert Yao more aggressively inside...He too was a 3-point sharpshooter, hitting 160 treys at a 38% clip...He gave the Rockets' one of the league's most versatile and athletic backcourts, as he has a strong propensity for finishing well when slashing to the basket... Steve Francis (B-): Francis would've easily received a C in my book if it hadnt been for his stellar and imrpoving play at the point guard position during the latter stages of the season..Francis averaged 16 points, 5.5 boards and 6.2 assists despite struggling in a more structured and concise system for the most part...However, he emerged as a reliable leader and playmaker late in the season while still showing flashes of his vast potential as an athletic point guard...There is no doubt of his willingness to give his all on the court, and he has simplified his game for the sake of the team, which is asking a lot out of any superstar... Maurice Taylor (B+): Taylor was the Rockets' most reliable bench scorer this season, averaging 11 points a game off the pine...he also managed to pull down 5 boards a game and shoot 48%, yet displayed an inability to stay on the floor often at times due to foul trouble... Mark Jackson (A): His influence as a mid-season pickup was easily evident in the improved play of Francis...Jackson brought a fiery passing game that became contagious to other teammates whenever he was on the floor...jackson averaged almost 3 assists/game in just 13 minutes while also being seen providing valuable knowledge to his more inexperienced backcourt mates... Clarence Weatherspoon (C+): Weatherspoon did little throughout the season for the Rockets, providing 5 points and 4 boards in 17 minutes off the bench...he was a valuable offensive rebounder yet he was too undersized to be a factor against most opponents...while showing a lot of heart and determination, Clarence was more often than not a disadvantage for the Rockets when on the floor... Eric Piatkowski (C-): In an odd season for the Rockets free agent signee, Pike played very little despite being the lone pure shooter on the roster...he managed to hit 43 treys in only 49 games, and his lack of playing time left many in confusion... Bostjan Nachbar (B-): While being a noted offensive talent, Nachbar improved immensely defensively as well...his height and athleticism were evident through his little minutes during the season, yet it is clear that he remains a part of the Rockets' future...his combination of athleticism and shooting touch intrigues the coaching staff and his improvement on the defensive end means more minutes sooner rather than later... Scott Padgett (B+): Why Padgett did not take Weatherspoon's minutes during this season is beyond me...Padgett shot 43% from 3-point range and averaged 3.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in only 9 minutes a game...he is a tough veteran who showed he has a lethal long-range shooting touch for a power forward and it is only obvious that he would have been the more logical choice as a third forward off the bench... Mike Wilks (C+): Wilks did impress in his little playing time, showing absurd quickness and floor speed as a third point guard...however, he really lacks shooting skills and will need to develop that immediately in order to contribute soon due to his small stature (5'10")...
