Houston+Taylor=Promise Land?
August 30

By: Azim

At the conclusion of the 1999/’00 season, we realized rebounding grit and an inside defensive presence were two characteristics the Houston Rockets sorely lacked. Judging by what we saw and heard of the Rockets’ latest acquisition, Maurice "I ain’t no Mo Fo" Taylor, the team has not exactly cured that problem. But with that said, Taylor brings a lot to the table that has Rudy T and co. drooling at the possibilities of.

"He can play out on the floor, back to the bucket, he's got range, and he can put it on the floor," said Rockets vice president of basketball operations Carroll Dawson. "For a power forward, it makes your mouth water when you watch the film of him."

For all of Mo Taylor’s explosive skills and sky-reaching potential, there are many questions and concerns. His career average of just over 5 boards a game approximately equals the rebounding average of Steve Francis, all 6 feet, 3 inches and 190lbs of him. He frequently voiced his displeasure with the Clippers last season and at one point even threatened to sit out a game after the team failed to agree to a mid-season trade which would have sent the PF to the Knicks. Several people questioned his desire and character despite the fact that he led his team in scoring with 17 pts/game. Perhaps the biggest concern tied with Mo Taylor is his agent, David Falk, AKA The Devil of the NBA.

Falk, who represents several stars in the league, has been known to create quite a stir with GM’s and cause relationships to sour between his players and their respective teams. When the off-season began, Mo and Falk asked for the max contract reportedly close to $70 million. Although the Clippers were actually offering something near that absurd offer, they were refused, as Taylor stated he would never play for the Clippers again. Frankly, we can’t really blame him.

After that, Taylor publicly stated he was going to Orlando. But the Magic had already signed Hill and McGrady, and there simply was not enough money left over to satisfy Mo’s expensive needs. When he apparently had agreed to sign a contract with the Raptors, his agent rejected it at the last hour. Then last week, he was just a phone call away from becoming a Seattle Supersonic, but when the monstrous four-way trade involving Baker-Ewing-Rice failed, the decision was sealed for Taylor. Let’s just say it took destiny for Taylor and the Rockets to form a union.

"I really took my time and tried to be patient," he said. "I tried to show Seattle some consideration. I wanted to wait and see if the deal went through so I could judge both teams with all the options, all the intangibles there. After talking to the guys on this team, I felt this was the best place for me. It came down to I'd rather live in Houston. "

Most blame Falk rather than Taylor for the mess this summer, but there were still many uncertainties about the latter. While many still feel Maurice is just looking for a short-term contract so he can cash in on a big pay day next season – with or without the Rockets – his present contract for one year and $2.5 million makes a player of his caliber a steal. It kind of makes it easier to swallow the negatives stated above and wait in anticipation of all the positives Taylor can bring.

While he isn’t no Dennis Rodman on the boards and his defense is also in question, his scoring, rebounding, assists and blocked shots have increased in each of his three NBA seasons. His season average of 17.1 point’s ad 6.5 rebounds is a welcome addition to a Rockets team that desperately needed inside muscle. Plus the fact that playing in the NBA’s most embarrassing and lethargic franchise would presumably bring out the worst in everyone, both off and on the court. If he can manage to score 17 points/game with the likes of Pooh Richardson feeding him passes, imagine what he could achieve with Steve Francis and Mobley dishing him alley-oops?

"We talked to him, not just in Houston, but in D.C., wherever Steve and myself were," Taylor’s new teammate Cuttino ‘Cat’ Mobley said. "We need Mo. He knows it. And now that we have him, we're a more explosive team. Mo averaged 17 on a team that wasn't a good team. The way we run, play `D,' get steals -- the way we're young, he's going to be even better."

The fact that Taylor is still young at 23 and bound to improve only makes this deal all the more practical, despite the stated concerns. Along with Kenny Thomas and Carlos Rogers, his presence gives the Rocks instant depth and youth at the power forward position, which in a franchise infamous for its injuries is just as important as how many rebounds the young man snarls. Another indication that Mo is the right man for Houston was justified when Taylor was in VP of basketball operation’s Carroll Dawson’s office the day of the signing. Apparently, the Rockets latest acquisition was staring at pictures of the Rockets magical seasons for a long, long time.

"If you watched Houston's team, they needed another presence in the post to score some baskets, get some rebounds, help the guys on the perimeter. With Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and myself, we can do a lot of things that the Houston Rockets are used to doing, such as making it to the playoffs, playing well, and the ultimate goal -- winning the championship."

Now, with that, how can we not open our arms out to him, and welcome Maurice Taylor to our class organization? So hop aboard Mo, and get ready for takeoff. Destination? The NBA’s promised land, of course.