PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE

Wednesday, October 29, 1997

Rockets hope to rest stars, win more

By MICHAEL A. LUTZ / AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) -- Rudy Tomjanovich wants to give his veteran superstars more rest this season, but he admits he may be the first to break his own rule.

The Houston Rockets played only 40 games last season with Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler in the starting lineup, going 32-8. Tomjanovich thinks he has the depth this season to ease their burden and keep them healthy.

"I'm not making a drastic statement, but fatigue can lead to injuries and even trauma injuries because you get yourself in those situations," Tomjanovich said. "Hopefully I can keep the team fresher but it won't be something drastic. The word I use is trimming minutes here and there."

That said, Tomjanovich said he'd have to monitor his own impulses at trimming time. The Rockets were only 25-17 when at least one of the Big Three was sidelined.

Tomjanovich wants to keep the engine more finely tuned this season.

"I'll have to fight myself to understand that this is the best for the team overall," Tomjanovich said. "I don't want to get into a situation where I'm sacrificing games. Knowing my tendency, I'll go back to playing the guys more.

"But I like our depth and with our energy level and the different combinations that we can throw out there, it should be a positive."

The Rockets didn't make any blockbuster trades in the off-season, but Tomjanovich sees that more as a positive than a negative.

"We had nine players in their first year with the Rockets last year," Tomjanovich said. "If you keep changing, there is no continuity and growing together. You have to let it settle in. You're always adding a little bit to the mix but that would defeat the purpose if you make big changes. You would be at the starting post all the time.

"Now we are rooted a little bit and that's a comfortable feeling."

The Rockets consider Rodrick Rhodes a steal with the 24th pick in the first round.

"With the addition of Rodrick, he right now can play the two and three and somewhere down the line he could be a one, he's such a versatile player," Tomjanovich said. "I expected him to be a factor, but he's farther along than I expected he would be."

Drexler likes what he sees with the Rockets bench.

"The one thing I can see about this team is it's going to be a deeper team than we had last season," Drexler said. "Every night, you see different guys coming in and playing well. We have guys at every position who can step in if somebody gets hurt."

The Rockets don't plan on injuries.

"I feel much better coming into this season this year than I did last year," Kevin Willis said. "Last year, I had the back problem that slowed me in camp and I was trying to get a feel for the whole offense. I was adjusting and I had to sit out and some preseason games because of the back. Now, I feel good. I'm anxious to go out and get the job done."

The Rockets got off to a 21-2 start last season before injuries started clogging the machinery. They've added more running this season, but the young guys don't worry about the Big Three keeping pace.

"We want to get more easy baskets this year but they're the ones pulling us," second year guard Matt Maloney said. "They're always a step ahead of us mentally and physically. We have to try and stay on the same page with them."

And Barkley, he's withholding his opinion.

"We ain't played any games so how can we be stronger," Barkley said. "I don't judge anything in the preseason. I'll say we're going to have a good team but I'm not saying who's good or bad in preseason.

"It's different when the bright lights come on."