August 30

Houston + Taylor = Promised Land? Azim analyses the recent signing and contemplates on his significance. Taylor's Addition Could be Essential The Cat's first article for the Space Center. He discusses that Mo could be the PF we need to take us to the playoffs. Mo to Houston could result in big payoff Ace says that signing Mo has almost no negatives, and allows risk taking. Mo Quotes What did Taylor and his new colleagues have to say? Mo Taylor Transcript Taylor says that his best basketball is still to come, and Carrol Dawson is confident that he'll help out.

There is no doubt that Maurice Taylor was one of the prized free agent of 2000. Averaging more than 17 points per game along with 6.5 rebounds, many teams saw him as the solution to their PF problems.

Who did he end up with? Seattle? New York? Back in LA (yeah, right)? Nope. After all the speculation and spectacular trade rumors, Mo decided to keep it simple. He signed right here for the $2.25 million exception.

Most consider this a bargain, but some have been calling this a questionable move, to say the least. It's clear the The Rocket Guy doesn't like it, and I myself doubt that Taylor is truly committed to team play. However, most of the staff agree that this is a move with great potential benefits and extremely low risk. After all, who would have thought that a David Falk client would ever sign for the exception?

Let alone an up and coming power forward considered to be an amazing low post threat and scorer.

Positives

• Cheap and low-risk
• Young and talented, could be part of our core together with Francis, Mobley, Anderson, Cato, etc.
• Low post threat
• Excellent offensive presence
• Works well with his back to the basket
• Has some range on his shot
• Up and Coming- hasn't stopped growing and seems to be a budding star. Says his "best basketball" is yet to come

That his middle name is DeShawn?

He was selected 14th in the 1997 draft, after disappointments such as Antonio Daniels (4th to the Grizzlies), Tony Battie (5th to Denver), and Adonal Foyle (8th to Golden State)?