Houston Rockets
FRONT OFFICE:
GM: Jsaad
Assistant GM: kw10
Executive: Jerry Colangelo
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski aka Coach K, Mike D’Antoni, Nate McMillan, Jim Boeheim
TEAM:
C - Andrew Bogut/Shaquille O’Neal/Robert Swift
PF - Lamar Odom/Troy Murphy/Melvin Ely
SF - Gerald Wallace/Tim Thomas/Yakhouba Diawara
SG - Kevin Martin/Michael Finley/Roger Mason Jr
PG - Tony Parker/Luke Ridnour/Damon Stoudamire
Semi-retirement: Lindsey Hunter is still mulling over a return. If he does return, it would not be until mid-season (ala PJ Brown)
DRAFTING/TEAM BUILDING PHILOSOPHY:
Going into the draft, we had the #4 overall pick. However we wanted to trade down in order to compete in ‘team of the future’ category as well as having a more balanced team rather than a team of 1 superstar. As things turned out, a number of young talent we were after getting drafted just a handful of picks before us, and surprisingly other ‘experienced’ players still available, we quickly switched to the ‘WIN NOW’ category, drafting a team of experienced, while young players that allow us to be serious contenders in the next 5 seasons without major changes. This allowed team chemistry to develop, similar to the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs, who have been very successful in the past few years by keeping a young and experienced core intact with a few oldies.
TEAM CONCEPT/PLAYING STYLE:
This team is a very versatile team that can run with you in transition and tough it out with you in a half court set. We also believe we got players who can play on both ends of the court, and is very balanced across the board. We also believe in our depth, with players capable of starting coming off the bench and they provide further versatility by their ability to play more than just one position.
Coach K has this to say about the team, “Firstly I have to say I am absolutely delighted to have this roster to work with. They are everything a coach wants, young and experienced players, versatile, willing listeners and learners as well as great teammates. The players would have no problem playing with each other and no issue of who is starting, which is a bonus for us as we can switch the lineup around to match up and take advantage of our opponents. With this team, I think we are going to play a Spurs-type game. We will focus on defense, as the old saying goes “defense wins championships” and try run every now and then to get a fast break layup if we can. However if we don’t get the fast break opportunity, we will excel in the half court set, with great penetrators in Tony Parker and Kevin Martin, they can set up players easily. While we have the luxury of bringing Shaq off the bench to have a beast to throw down low to when we need to really slow things down. With good individual talents, although lacking the LeBron James, we will stress ball movement and team chemistry. Much like the Pistons in 04, they didn’t really have a superstar, but they were just a TEAM, and I believe this is the highest level any team can be at.”
PLAYER BREAKDOWN:
Andrew Bogut - He is a very versatile 7 footer, being able to play the high and low post, front and back to the basket, can score himself or use his amazing vision and passing ability for a big man to set up his teammates.
Lamar Odom - At 6’10 he is able to play 4 positions, he has great skills and ability. He can certainly play with anyone at these 2 spots and while there might be doubts about his consistency, we will guarantee there will be no such problem as Coach K and Nate McMillan will personally work out with him throughout the entire off season, and making sure he can take advantage of his combination of size and speed on a nightly basis. His job on offense will be made much easier by Bogut and Parker as he doesn’t have to create for himself, and he can focus on defense.
Gerald Wallace- This man is a seriously disruptive on the defensive end, again able to play both the 3 and 4 spot. Although he started at the 3, at he age, and to some who think he might have health issues, he has put on some pounds, and in combination with his athleticism, he is able to make up for his lack of height at the 4 spot. He also has great ability to score.
Kevin Martin- Coach K, “I look forward to seeing him on Team USA come next Olympics.” The sky’s the limit for this young man, while potential is a good word to describe him, he has already shown promise and that he can fulfill those potentials. A great slasher with an unorthodox but good shot. He is great on offense and defense he is very good too, especially standing next to Wallace, Parker and others.
Tony Parker- He is the backbone of this team, having won 3 rings, he is able to run difference offenses effectively. A great scorer himself, he will look to push the tempo when given the opportunity. Being an underrated defender, Parker will thrive in our defense and system.
BENCH-
Shaquille O’Neal is unstoppable down low even at his current age. He has even developed a great jump hook so he does not need to dunk on everyone. Coming off the bench will only help his efficiency and allow him to dictate the game the way he earned himself the title ‘most dominant basketball player ever’. With Troy Murphy and Tim Thomas, there provides some spacing on the floor and 3 point shooting ability at the forward spots. No doubt these men can put the ball in the whole, but coming onto this team, they will work on their defense all summer long. While Ely and Swift can provide some size, toughness, hustle and defense off the bench for us too. There are other scoring options like Finley and Diawara off the bench, who can put the ball in the hole in many ways. Mason gives us a great defensive backup at the wing spot. While we have 2 great backup point guards giving teams different looks and style. The veteran leadership is there, the youth is there, the hustle and toughness is there, the defense is there and the offense is not lacking either.
Most Important Player: Tony Parker
Best Move: Drafting O’Neal, boosting our chances of winning and provide us some physicality and veteran leadership, not to mention comedy.
Toughest decision: Inactive list
Most likely to be on inactive list:
Robert Swift-might see him on some nights depending on matchups
Damon Stoudamire- he can rest in the season then come out firing for us in playoffs
Diawara/Mason-depending what the team needs each night.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Bogut's teammates are always his mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc11PUnFgkQLamar Odom doesn't how to ball gets to a teammate to score, so long as it gets there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGTkRERxyQkGerald Wallace throws a block party.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP7CWVF6doIKevin Martin has hit big playoff shots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdlsL9aytdsTony Parker and Shaq will form a English/French rap group.
Tony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-12GdBEY9AShaq and Wu?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4haICdGfcw&feature=related
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