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Old Rockets are sputtering
Posted: Friday November 12, 1999 12:18 AM
Still wondering what's wrong with the Houston Rockets, off to their worst start in 16 years? Try Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley. Both are old and look it, particularly every time guards Shandon Anderson, Cuttino Mobley and rookie Steve Francis want to run. Two different styles exist within Houston's starting lineup. Right now, neither can seem to make up its mind. Van Exel proves what he's worthDenver Nuggets guard Nick Van Exel is showing his gratitude to coach Dan Issel these days. When Nuggets ownership made an insulting two-year, $8 million offer to him this past offseason, he was about to walk until Issel stood up for him. Issel's support landed Van Exel a base salary of $36 million, with the potential to earn more than $55 million. So what has Van Exel done? He's scoring 19.3 points per game and leading the team with 11.3 assists per game. And he's shooting a whopping 42 percent from 3-point range. Pippen impresses Dunleavy with inspired 'D'After Damon Stoudamire "accidentally" elbowed Scottie Pippen during practice last week, what he got in return was some of the greatest defense coach Mike Dunleavy has ever seen, apparently locking Stoudamire up for two days. Dunleavy was said to be so impressed that he thought about making Pippen his starting point guard. That was until he realized there's still that $80 million ego of Stoudamire's he'd have to massage. Stephen A. Smith covers the NBA for the Philadelphia Inquirer and is a regular contributor to CNN/SI.
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