Young Star in Houston
Eddie Griffin didn't wear the Nets cap for long
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The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but a wise man once said, "Life is a journey, not a destination." When it comes to building a champion, the Rockets are all about the journey. Sure, they've taken the traditional route in landing free agents and drafting talent, but a quick look at their last few drafts reveals something interesting.
In the past 10 years, the Rockets have retained the services of only four players they drafted. During that time, they ran 24 players through the red, gold and pinstripes. Names like Curtis Blair, Ronald Jones, Marcelo Nicola, Albert Burditt, Erik Meek, Tyrone Washington and Venson Hamilton might not stir up banner waving, confetti throwing memories, but they were once Rockets.
Others are slightly more familiar. Zan Tabak, Jon Turner, Eric Riley, Randy Livingston, Terrell Bell, Serge Zwikker all donned the red and gold or pajamas (or both). Some are more infamous than famous like Rodrick Rhodes. And then there are guys we remember fondly (some more than others) like Robert Horry (remember how he was booed on draft night because fans wanted the team to draft Harold Minor?), Sam Cassell, Othella Harrington, Michael Dickerson and Bryce Drew.
The others, with one exception, are still with us: Cuttino Mobley, Kenny Thomas, Jason Collier and Dan Langhi. The exception, Mirsad Turkcan, if not memorable for his playing, is, however, because he was taken in place of Rashard Lewis. No matter how we feel about that blunder, time can even heal that wound.
Picks that seemed a waste at the time would eventually land us this year's drafted studs, Eddie Griffin and Terence Morris. Other draftees brought us Steve Francis. There was a method to all the madness.
The Rockets have long been known for their ability to scout the CBA for talent. Names like Moochie Norris, Chucky Brown and Sam Mack are prime examples of the skill Rudy T. and company posses at finding good things in far away places, even Yakima! Rudy T. has managed to sift some diamonds out of the draft garbage as well. Nabbing players like Cassell, Horry, Harrington and Mobley rank among the best examples.
Houston also seems to get more mileage out of trades than any team in the NBA. Buried within the minor and blockbuster deals they've made are trade exceptions we utilize brilliantly while other teams ignore them. In just the past few seasons, solid young talent like Shandon Anderson and Maurice Taylor have opted for contracts in Houston based on Rockets' trade exceptions making Rudy T. and his staff the envy of the league and a model of efficiency.
However, very little has been made of the Rockets ability to turn almost nothing into something really special. It's probably because you'd have to really look closely to see how deals were created.
The Rockets turned Harrington, Dickerson and Brent Price (first and second round picks and a free agent signee) into Steve Francis and a first round pick. They even managed to swipe a first round pick from some poor team (ok, Philly) for Turkcan. Last year, rather than blowing their draft on a player they didn't want with number 9, they traded down to get Jason Collier and nabbed Milwaukee's pick for this year.
All those pieces fit together like a puzzle and result in something that makes us all smile. In a pile, they all just look like random moves, but take a step back and a pattern begins to emerge.
Our first round pick this year plus a pick from the Orlando Magic as part of the Francis trade and the pick from Milwaukee as a result of the Collier deal landed us possibly the best player in this year's draft. The pick we received as compensation for Turkcan was shipped to Atlanta for Morris. Was it all a grand design? Did the Rockets have it all masterfully planned? Probably not, but it does prove that good things really do come to those who wait.
The fact is that many of us (present company included) whine and complain come draft day when Coach T. drops another wacko choice on us. Rodrick who??? But, if turning nothing into something special could be bottled, Rudy T. and Carroll Dawson's faces would be on the label.
The Beatles said, "The long and winding road will never disappear. I've seen that road before." I think Rockets fans can relate. We've had the fortune of seeing this path to its exciting conclusion this year and it makes all the frustration seem worth it.
So, the next time you wonder why the hell the Rockets acquired that pick or drafted that guy, remember the long and winding road that leads to Eddie Griffin's door. We've seen that road before.
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