2001-2002 Houston Rockets Preview

78# · Post by **78#** » Sun May 31, 2015 7:11 pm

In their first full season without superstar Shaquille O' Neal, the Houston Rockets improved 5 games in the standings to finish 31-51 on the season. Zydrunaus Ilgauskas (Big Z) averaged 20.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, and 2.5 bpg in his 4th All-Star season. By virtue of finishing of their draft standing, the Rockets selected SG Jason Richardson from Michigan St with the 7th pick in the draft. Before FA, the Rockets had 11 players under contract from the previous season With a little over 5 million in cap space, the Rockets filled out the rest of the roster by signing SF Dennis Scott and guards Rex Walters and Elliot Perry.

Key additions - SG Jason Richardson, SF Dennis Scott

Key losses - SG Hubert Davis, PG Darrell Armstrong

Starting Lineup

Center -Zydrunaus Ilgauskas: Four-time All-Star provides inside scoring, rebounding, and post defense. Clearly the most valuable player on the team and is signed for 3 more seasons.

Power Forward - Joe Smith: One of the most athletic players in the league, Smith provides superior quickness and strength from the 4 spot. This past season he averaged 12 ppg and 6 rpg in over 26 minutes per game. With more guaranteed minutes, Smith could be one of the breakout players in the league.

Small Forward - Dennis Scott: Veteran who although losing a step still can provide scoring and perimeter defense. Brought in for short-term production and veteran leadership.

Shooting Guard - Wesley Person: Another veteran who has lost a step, but can provide superior perimeter shooting. Person became the primary starter at small forward last season and provided an offensive spark helping the team improve in the 2nd half.

Point Guard - Travis Best: Veteran guard who provides quickness, scoring, and perimeter defense. As the clear cut starter, Best will get a chance to run the offense and increase his value in a contract season.

Bench

C/PF - Elden Campbell: Veteran big man will provide solid production with his scoring, rebounding, and post defense. More valuable as a backup than as a starter.

SF - Ruben Patterson: Young wing player who has regressed, the Rockets will give him a chance to produce and potentially increase any value he has left.

SG - Greg Graham: Veteran in the last year of his contract who provides scoring at the rim and perimeter defense. Graham has been unhappy during his tenure in Houston, but hopes to produce enough to land a decent contract in the offseason.

PG - Rex Walters: Shoots well from the perimeter. However lacks perimeter quickness and defense. Will share minutes with veteran Elliot Perry.

Wild Card - Jason Richardson: First round pick with potential to score from inside and on the perimeter. However, still raw, the Rockets plan to develop him slowly to improve his defense and scoring efficiency. Will eventually get playing time and start once the team gets out of the playoff race and starts shipping out their veterans. Same case with youngsters Hedo Turkoglu and Quentin Richardson.

coltsguy510 · Post by **coltsguy510** » Sun May 31, 2015 8:00 pm

How long do you expect it to take until you make it to the playoffs again?

JNR · Post by **JNR** » Sun May 31, 2015 8:07 pm

GWR: Are you worried about your training staff at this point?

78# · Post by **78#** » Sun May 31, 2015 8:35 pm

coltsguy510 wrote:How long do you expect it to take until you make it to the playoffs again?

I can't predict the future, mainly because I don't see much of a future, hahahahahaha, cough, cough, hahahahahaha. I'm kidding, I'm kidding. (Owner gives a mean look).

Listen, we will have close to 30 million in cap space next offseason. And we're gonna spend it. What does that have to do with making the playoffs? I have no idea.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

78# · Post by **78#** » Sun May 31, 2015 8:37 pm

JNR wrote:GWR: Are you worried about your training staff at this point?

Well, I'm not worried about the training staff, but if I was the training staff, I would be worried if you know what I mean. (Owner nods in agreement).

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Conroy · Post by **Conroy** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 7:32 am

Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, Can you talk a little bit about the decision about parting ways with Hedo and Richardson so early in their careers? They were the 11th and 9th picks respectively just a year ago.

Xist2Inspire · Post by **Xist2Inspire** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 9:00 am

Random Reporter: The roster and general mood around Houston indicates that a rebuild is in place, but that clashes with the fact that your biggest star, Zydrunas, is in the "use it or lose it" stage as he heads into his prime years. As such, will we see more agressive, win-now moves in the near future to get the most out of your big man?

Post by **IamQuailman** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 9:23 am

Will Maukie, Bucksnation.com: Rumors are floating around that Jason Richardson has already been shopped league-wide. What are your expectations on his ROI?

78# · Post by **78#** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 10:15 am

Conroy wrote:Sports Guy Bill Simmons here, Can you talk a little bit about the decision about parting ways with Hedo and Richardson so early in their careers? They were the 11th and 9th picks respectively just a year ago.

Hedo is a nice player, but really hasn't developed as we wanted. In fact, he's gotten significantly worse from last season. Hopefully he can turn it around because he may be out of the league soon.

Same with Quentin. We had hopes for him to be a solid contributor, but has not improved. Really, he's a bench filler and we rather pay someone for the minimum. Same with Hedo.

78# · Post by **78#** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 10:18 am

Xist2Inspire wrote:Random Reporter: The roster and general mood around Houston indicates that a rebuild is in place, but that clashes with the fact that your biggest star, Zydrunas, is in the "use it or lose it" stage as he heads into his prime years. As such, will we see more agressive, win-now moves in the near future to get the most out of your big man?

We will have close to 30 million in cap room next offseason and will try to get the best players we can. Our goal is not rebuilding, but getting the best players at the right place so we can become a consistent 50+ win team and contender without getting into long-term cap trouble with bad contracts. Next offseason is the key when it comes to Big Z's future in Houston.

78# · Post by **78#** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 10:28 am

IamQuailman wrote:Will Maukie, Bucksnation.com: Rumors are floating around that Jason Richardson has already been shopped league-wide. What are your expectations on his ROI?

Those rumors are not true. We are getting offers for JRich, but we're definitely not shopping him. We don't have any interest in trading him. He will get plenty of opportunities to improve on the court.

NickMalone77 · Post by **NickMalone77** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 10:41 am

Nick Melon; Charlotte Observer: Do you see the Big Z as being your main foundational piece like the way you viewed Shaq... As a coincidence.

78# · Post by **78#** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 11:01 am

NickMalone77 wrote:Nick Melon; Charlotte Observer: Do you see the Big Z as being your main foundational piece like the way you viewed Shaq... As a coincidence.

He's definitely a big important piece, but he needs help like anyone else. We're hoping to sign one more max caliber player and other key parts while still drafting key parts. Hopefully we can build a deep roster that can win year in and year out.

ballsohard · Post by **ballsohard** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 3:34 pm

Any truth to the rumors that your team name is being changed to the Bottlerockets due to this franchise's propensity to have dud seasons?

78# · Post by **78#** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 3:51 pm

ballsohard wrote:Any truth to the rumors that your team name is being changed to the Bottlerockets due to this franchise's propensity to have dud seasons?

Well, I would think we're Saturn Missiles or Roman Candle worthy

cough, cough

. (Owner not amused).

Post by **IamQuailman** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 8:38 am

Awarded 5 points! Thanks for your contribution!

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