Here is the Rockets offseason moves in a nutshell. Key Additions: Eric Piatkowski, Adrian Griffin, Malick Badiane Key Subtractions: James Posey The Rockets overall made no real significant moves this offseason player wise. The only names that made headlines were Eric Piatkowski and Adrian Griffin. The signing of Griffin brings a good hustler and a good defender to the Rockets team. From the looks of it he will back up Glen Rice at the small forward position. Piatkowski coming in gives the Rockets a good pure shooter that is reliable, and can make shots when he needs to. He will be an excellent back-up two guard for us this year. The most notable move this offseason wasn't player wise but it was coaching wise. Coach Rudy Tomjanovich will no longer be the coach for the Rockets . Jeff Van Gundy was brought in to replace him and from the looks of it, he seems like the right person for the job. The Rockets lost last year because of lack of experience, not Rudy. A time passes, Yao is getting more and more use to the offense that the Rockets run, which is a very good thing. I think this teams overall success depends on Yao Ming and how well he can play this year. Here is what the Rockets line up looks like according to ESPN. Point Guard - Steve Francis, Moochie Norris, Mike Wilks, Tito Maddox Shooting Guard - Cuttino Mobley, Eric Piatkowski, Juaquin Hawkins Small Forward - Glen Rice, Adrian Griffin, Boston Nachbar, Terrence Morris Power Forward - Eddie Griffin, Mo Taylor, Malik Badiane Center - Yao Ming, Calvin Cato, Jason Collier *Note - Tito Maddox, Jason Collier, Juaquin Hawkins and Terrence Morris are un-restricted free agents. What are your thoughts? Discuss away.....
Well I'm sure these guys wont be back Tito Maddox, Jason Collier, Juaquin Hawkins and Terrence Morris. Here is my depth chart: pg-Francis/Norris/Wilks sg-Mobley/Eric Piatkowski sf-Rice/Nachbar/Griffen pf-Taylor/Griffen c-Yao/Cato *I left Badiane out because I think hes staying in Europe for a year to two.
Their lineup is pretty deep, I can see the Rockets getting into the playoffs for sure next season. I thought Piatkowski was a good addition. Does anyone know how much cap they had left? This wasn't a huge offseason for them, but I didn't think they needed to change a whole lot, because Yao will get better and contribute a lot more.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting thefranchise3:</div><div class="quote_post"> This wasn't a huge offseason for them, but I didn't think they needed to change a whole lot, because Yao will get better and contribute a lot more.</div> I completly agree. There was not much that needed to be handled this summer player wise except for replacing Posey. Piatkowski along with Adrian Griffen should fill that void rather nicely. This team is very well rounded and deep, they have a good thing going on with this team and you dont want to break it up. This year, we should be alot better. The emphasis word this year should be the word "patience". Kid Canada- I can easily see Boston Nachbar getting the back-up role over Adrian Griffen this year. I think ESPN was wrong in there depth chart there. As for Taylor though, I just cant see Eddie Griffen coming off the bench. Griffen has far to much talent just be be a back-up. Hopefully this will be his breakout year and this will be his 3rd year in the league. He will have no excuses anymore if he doesnt emerge as the type of player he was hyped up to be. Taylor is coming off the bench at the beginning of the season, pure and simple.
