Expectations: What would demonstrate improvement for you?

55+ wins and at LEAST a 2nd round run...but I think with the new Yao and Tmac healthy we could win it all.

DD

 

I'm expecting 50+ wins, and a 2nd round. Just cancel out last year, the year before we won 51 and went to 7 games.

 

If we make it to the wcf win or loose i will be happy. The suns had less talent this year then our team does when it is fully healthy and they made it to the wcf.

 

we won 52 games with:

yao-deke
jho-padgett-spoon
tmac-bowen
wesley-barry
sura-james

if we go into the new season with:

yao-deke
Jho-hayes
shane-novak
tmac-head
james-alston

52 should be the worst case senario. yao is better, the team has better perimeter D, better shooting, faster legs, more versitility. there is still a TE which can bring in help at the 4.

i think i'd be happy with at least 55 wins and second round. we have to rove that we are up there is the suns, mavs, and spurs. i think we can be NEXT SEASON.

 

I consider a 2nd round WIN to be par for the course, and improvement would mean taking the WCF to at least 6 games. If last year's injuries didn't cripple us so much, you would have expected to make it to the second round, so in essence I'm just asking for one round of improvement per year. I don't think that's crazy.

Of course, going by that logic, I expect a title in 2008-2009.

 

It's a technicality, but we won 51 games with that squad.

 

If our two stars stay healthy for the entire season, I'll be happy with the record they produce.

 

Rocket River only 60wins will tell me that we have arrived and reaching the WC finals. Anything less means we have failed, or that Tracy Mc Gradys back has been a big problem,or that the Rockets Management did a poor job of getting
the players to bring us to this lofty height.Y

 

I agree. If the the big 2 stay healthy everything else will take care of itself.

 

I was about to say the same thing. If our two stars prove they can carry this team the entire season, healthy, then I think the rest will fall into place, but that's a big IF. Really, that's all I want to see. We haven't really gotten a great opportunity to see what these guys can do together for an extended period of time, so if they can remain on the court, playing up to their abilities, the rest of the team will fall into place and good things will occur.

 

i hope sura can come back healthy and 100%. he could come in as a backup PG when james is in so james wont have to be the ballhog PG.

 

Offensive schemes and flow that don't look like something from the Special Olympics....

3P shots that go in. Rafer's assists going up because other players hit shots.

When someone forearms Tracy in the face on a drive to the basket, or steps on Yao's toes on purpose, a felony is committed a few minutes later, so neither of those things ever happen again.

Juwan Howard not playing more than 18 mpg, hopefully less.

Chuck Hayes doing everything he does so well and then hitting some 8-10 foot jumpers or hooks.

Ryan Bowen distributing Gatorade, towels and warmups to the real players.

Battier watching out for Yao's back and helping to minimize JHo no-defense induced fouls on the big guy. Ditto for MJ reducing the Rafer blowby induced fouls on Yao.

Passing IQ improved.

Van Gundy proving he can coach offense and focusing on it.

 

Bobby Sura's Basketball Career is DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Agreed i expect them to at least compete in the second round and border line should win! Though it wouldnt shock me if Mac is holding up the Finals Mvp after next season!

 

We should all expect at least around 55 wins and a WCF appearance at the least. We have TRACY MCGRADY AND YAO MING. With Battier, he should be able to knock down the open looks, and Mike James is the perfect energy player and 3rd scoring option.

Given everyone stays completely healthy next season, we have a HELL of a team that is a contender. I expect nothing less than a WCF appearance.

 

I'd like to echo those sentiments...but unfortunately...I can't.

With the Battier trade Van Gundy has mortgaged the Rockets' future with a "Win-now" policy. While I truly hope the whole team stays healthy, anything less than a 2nd round appearance is unacceptable. No excuses...no injuries, no officiating, nada...2nd round or else. You've got lots of friends at ESPN Jeff...you shouldn't be out of work long.

IOW, we were a playoff team with Gay or Battier...if Battier didn't get you into the 2nd round, the trade was pointless because Gay's start point is close to Battier's ceiling. And Shane is at his ceiling now. Next season, the differential diminishes.

 

We definitely need more depth to really step up.