What do we do now?
With question marks in the frontcourt in Houston, expect Steve Francis and, yes, Shandon Anderson to run the team and score the points. Francis was doing that already, but now he has to look a little harder to get the ball down low for posting up. Anderson can post up smaller guards, though what he accomplished in the last two games (0-for-8 from the field) does make us wonder a bit. He is shooting quite well, though, for the season, near 50 percent before this week.
Kelvin Cato now isn't only a replacement for Olajuwon. The Rockets could certainly play a twin towers sort of lineup down the road, but only if Cato develops more. His offensive game, despite a 23-point outing in his first start, is not complete at all. He's raw on offense but insiders say he does have moves and a nice touch, but he was never the focus of an offense. That might change now. On defense, assuming he stays out of foul trouble, there's no reason why he can't grab the boards Barkley was getting.
The Rockets could move Anderson to the small forward spot and start Cuttino Mobley at the two-guard. It's a small lineup, but well equipped to run and with Cato available to swat shots, it might work. Walt Williams has been playing the three, and not real well. He's still shooting less than 40 percent, though he's making his threes. Basically, the Rockets' top players now, other than Cato, are all small players (Francis, Anderson, Mobley and Williams).
So who's this Kenny Thomas guy, can he play? And is this the same Tony Massenburg that has been with 10 teams in eight seasons? And Carlos Rogers -- what a guy from the Pippen trade? Yes to all three.
Thomas is a 6-8 rookie from New Mexico who may have a little Barkley in him. He garnered 10 boards a game his senior year in school and has a good enough low post game to score, though he's not the biggest power forward. He played 25 minutes in the 76ers game and got 10 shots. He scored 15 against the Suns on Dec. 4 and will be given a chance to play.
Massenburg has always been able to score and rebound when given the chance. He missed the Philly game and the nine games prior to that with a groin injury. In the past with Vancouver, New Jersey, Philadelphia and the Clippers he has been a dependable low-post threat who is usually good for 10 points and 6 rebounds a night. If Thomas isn't ready, Massenburg, a guy who averaged 11.2 points and 6 rebounds last season with the Grizz, should start.
Rogers is the typical big man with all the ability but never produces. He's already gone from the Warriors to the Raptors to Portland and now Houston. Health is normally a problem, as is consistency. He makes the shots he takes (better than 50 percent every year, 52.6 for career) but the rest is questionable. With the Raptors he liked to attempt threes. The Raptors didn't want their big man doing that. Rogers got a season-high 31 minutes in Philly and produced 13 points and 7 boards. He has a pair of double-doubles already this season. He's the best bet of the big men here to play the most minutes right now, starting Friday in Boston.
