Rockets add DA
What a great move! Derek Anderson, star of the 1996 National Champion Kentucky Wildcats, has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the Rockets. Anderson likely did not feel the need to hold out for more money because he will already receive $18.8 million from the Blazers as a result of the amnesty cut rule implemented in the new CBA.
Anderson is a classy guy who plays hard at both ends of the court and does so unselfishly. He will be a fantastic addition to the Rockets in both tangible and intangible ways. I could not be more impressed with the Rockets' offseason moves. Now if they can pick up something for Wesley's expiring contract, that would just be icing on the cake.
PG: Sura, James, Head, Ward
SG: Anderson, Barry, Wesley, Head
SF: McGrady, Bowen
PF: Howard, Swift, Baker
C: Ming, Mutombo
I would not be surprised to see the Rockets cut either Ward or Norris and possibly deal Wesley or Baker's expiring contract prior to the start of camp. The only thing that I think this team could still really use is an athletic backup SF. DeMarr Johnson is still available on the FA market, and he would be a solid fit for that role. Dealing Wesley's cap-friendly contract would potentially also allow the Rockets to bring in a such a player.
I think the Rockets should now, along with San Antonio, be considered as co-favorites to win the NBA title. I am not convinced that Flip Saunders will be able to continue the team-first mentality that pervaded Motor City under Larry Brown's watch. I'm also not real high on the additions of J-Will and Antoine Walker to the Heat's roster. That team needs more Swift/Anderson/Barry/Sura types to complement Wade/Shaq, and they have instead gone in the opposite direction.
Anderson is a classy guy who plays hard at both ends of the court and does so unselfishly. He will be a fantastic addition to the Rockets in both tangible and intangible ways. I could not be more impressed with the Rockets' offseason moves. Now if they can pick up something for Wesley's expiring contract, that would just be icing on the cake.
PG: Sura, James, Head, Ward
SG: Anderson, Barry, Wesley, Head
SF: McGrady, Bowen
PF: Howard, Swift, Baker
C: Ming, Mutombo
I would not be surprised to see the Rockets cut either Ward or Norris and possibly deal Wesley or Baker's expiring contract prior to the start of camp. The only thing that I think this team could still really use is an athletic backup SF. DeMarr Johnson is still available on the FA market, and he would be a solid fit for that role. Dealing Wesley's cap-friendly contract would potentially also allow the Rockets to bring in a such a player.
I think the Rockets should now, along with San Antonio, be considered as co-favorites to win the NBA title. I am not convinced that Flip Saunders will be able to continue the team-first mentality that pervaded Motor City under Larry Brown's watch. I'm also not real high on the additions of J-Will and Antoine Walker to the Heat's roster. That team needs more Swift/Anderson/Barry/Sura types to complement Wade/Shaq, and they have instead gone in the opposite direction.
posted by Scott | 11:56 AM
6 Comments:
What do you think the chances of a Pacers-Rockets Finals are? Also the Rockets seem to have the best starting 5 in the west led by one of the best coaches. I haven't been this excited since 1995.
I don't believe that the PG spot was the Rockets' biggest weakness last year. To me, they had a duel weakness - (a) the PF and (b) a roster that was overall too crusty and too unathletic. To resolve that problem, they added Swift, DA and Luther Head. At PG, I am quite satisfied with a rotation of Sura, James, Anderson, Wesley and Head. I think Head will be much more valuable than most realize because his defense is NBA-ready, and he will not be required to do anything on the offensive end more than get out of T-Mac's way.
You heard it here at H-town Sports first--the Rockets will knock off the Spurs next season. The Rockets' depth has gone from a weakness to one of the strongest in the game:
STARTERS
PG--Wesley
SG--Anderson
SF--McGrady
PF--Swift
C--Yao
BENCH
Sura
James
Howard
Barry
Mutombo
Bowen
Head
Ward
I would argue no other team is that deep. The Spurs are the team to beat by virtue of Timmy D. and Manu, but they're ill-suited to match up against the Rockets. That Frenchman PG will roll over when confronted with JVG's genius. Time to bring the title back to Houston.
I agree with Scott, point guard was not a weakness last year. It became a weakness when Sura got hurt during the all-star break and even when he came back he wasn't the same, but he's a good supporting piece to have in your lineup. He was one of like only 5 or 6 players that averaged at least 10/5/5.
And Tim, Wesley doesn't play point. He may be only 6-1, but he's a pure shooting guard. He will be Anderson's backup.
This is not a bad looking team at all:
PG: Bob Sura, 6-5, 200 | Mike James, 6-2, 180 | Luther Head, 6-3, 185
SG: Derek Anderson, 6-5, 195 | David Wesley, 6-1, 200 | Jon Barry, 6-5, 200
SF: Tracy McGrady, 6-8, 210 | Ryan Bowen, 6-9, 220
PF: Stromile Swift, 6-9, 230 | Juwan Howard, 6-9, 235
C: Yao Ming, 7-6, 300 | Dikembe Mutombo, 7-2, 260
Bowen won't be T-Mac's immediate backup, but I just put him their for uniformity purposes. I see DA sliding over to the 3 when T-Mac is out of the game and either Wesley or Barry coming in at the 2.
Chris, I've got Wesley in the starting line-up as PG purely in name only. T-Mac initiates the vast majority of the offense anyway (sort of like Scottie Pippen did back in the day as a point-forward), but I think Wesley starts for JVG because of his defense.
While I readily admit he has two rings (courtesy of Tim Duncan) and Eva Longoria (for now), he also has the stench of the French permeating through his pores. That will be with him long after Miss Longoria has become a Rockets fan.
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