Kleeman's Last Word

Rockets Need Results, Not More Personnel

I'll stand my stubborn ground, continuing to preach that the Rockets already have a championship team with their current roster. I'll also continue boasting daringly that the Rockets are deeper than the Mavericks, the Spurs, the Lakers and the Suns.

However, compiled statistics would refute all of my statements. The Rockets are fifth in the crowded Western Conference. The bench averages among the lowest point totals in the NBA.

And yet...how the hell are any of these numbers such a sad reality. I compared the Rockets statistics to the Mavericks statistics and found few differences - namely Dallas scores 4 more points and averages 1 more rebound than Houston.

THE POINT GUARD POSITION
Rafer Alston vs. Jason Terry
Terry has played at both guard positions for numerous stretches and excelled at both, but his hallmark is the point.
Without eyeing stats, most people would assert Terry is a miles better point guard.
And yet...the numbers are nearly identical. Terry has been the leading scorer for the Mavs? So has Rafer, especially in a nine point loss to the Phoenix Suns, when he poured in 28. The Rockets lost that game after two stupid decisions, not because of firepower. Assists, point total, rebounding and turnovers are nearly identical. Both shooters have experienced stretches where their shooting has been colder than Antarctica.

LEADING SCORER
Juwan Howard is in the twilight of his brilliant NBA career as a power forward (even though his teams have not been as such) and thus the advantage goes to 7-footer Dirk Nowitzki in a head to head matchup.
And yet...the leading scorer doesn't have to be a power forward. Tracy McGrady is the Rockets' Dirk. He takes charge of important quarters in the same way the jumpshooting German does with his team. If you've watched both of these players all season long, there's NO advantage in this scoring duel.

SMALL FORWARD
Shane Battier is averaging 10 points per game and is the most underrated defender in the NBA. That he has never made the all-defensive team or been the player of the week is the fault of people who didn't watch him in Memphis and have no interest in watching him in Houston. Battier has scored more than 20 points at least 10 times this season. If he does that 10 more times, he'll tie what Josh Howard did last year (I expect he will, especially when Yao gets back). Howard is a much better slasher, finisher and free throw shooter.
And yet...there doesn't seem to be a sizeable advantage.

CENTER POSITION
Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo are far and away the best center combination in the NBA. Dallas's centers Diop and Dampier are competitive, but they are not quite the same forceful duo. Yao is the best center in the NBA. Period. This matter is not up for discussion. There's no 'and yet' here.

BENCH PRODUCTION
This is the supposed antigen the rockets lack in their lineup.
And yet...Luther Head is averaging as many points as Jerry Stackhouse and the numbers are eerily similar. Luther has been a 20 point scorer at least five times this season and he is only in his second year. Stackhouse is an aging veteran who can only have such luck for so long (look at how Robert Horry and Brent Barry are struggling as of late).
The Rockets also have Bonzi Wells, who thus far has been a disappointment. He has been sidelined due to injury twice and has rarely rediscovered the form that had him averaging more than 23 points against the league's best defense (The Spurs) IN THE PLAYOFFS.
If Wells can round into form, that means the Rockets have two Jerry Stackhouses to Dallas's one.
Carol Dawson and Jeff Van Gundy alike love Chuck Hayes's defensive hustle. He'll never be much of a scorer, but he's executed several game-changing plays and shows immense promise.
Kirk Snyder, who competes with Wells and McGrady for minutes, has shined in his few outings on the court. He dumped 15 in a rebound blowout over the Charlotte Bobcats. He had managed 10 in a blowout loss to Mavs one night earlier. His outbursts were no accident or anamoly.
The Rockets also have three-point shooting threat Steve Novak, Greek WORLD CHAMPION Vassilis Spanoulis, Jake Tsakalidis and lightining fast guard John Lucas III.
My friend told me no Greek player will ever be a significant producer in the NBA.
And yet...Greece torched USA basketball to win the title this summer, much of their wind coming from star player Spanoulis.
Van Gundy doesn't give these players enough minutes to gather even a shred of confidence on the floor, but if he ever does, look out.

People say this Rockets team is one-dimensional and lacks any depth whatsoever. Everything must go through McGrady, they say.

And yet...the statistics, everything I see potententially and in reality says otherwise.

posted by Robert Kleeman @ 2:26 PM