http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7409002 5. Item: The highly regarded Houston Rockets opened up 3-0 for the first time in 11 years, adding validity to the more open offense and up-tempo offense implemented by new coach Rick Adelman. What this really means: After hanging on to beat the Lakers in L.A. and ripping the Jazz in Utah behind 47 points from Tracy McGrady, the Rockets reverted to a slow-down style for its 89-80 win over Portland. Nonetheless, the Rockets now have a faster, deeper roster with rookie GM Dale Morey and the strength of McGrady and Yao Ming as their base. On the surface, it's easy to see why the Rockets are the sleeper pick to win the Western Conference. But you don't have to look very far to find issues. Never was that more apparent than the way they blew a 12-point lead to the Lakers in the final 96 seconds, only to be bailed out by an unlikely 28-footer from Shane Battier. That's not to diminish Battier's shot, but that's what it took to win that game because they still don't have a dependable point guard. That's hard to fathom considering they have five on the roster — Rafer Alston, Mike James, Steve Francis, Luther Head and rookie Aaron Brooks. With the other players on this team, they would be better off without the first four and develop Brooks behind a steady hand. Francis hasn't even played yet, while the others are predictably blowing hot and cold. It is up to Adelman to distinguish between the explosive scoring of the first four and who is capable of handling the traps under times of duress when McGrady is being denied the ball. More likely, Morey should reconsider the Rockets' backcourt to find a more traditional point to keep things together. This guy is a compete idiot. DALE MOREY? CLASSIC
And Mike James isnt playing well?? Which games have they been watching??? The national guys dont even watch any of the games...All this talk comes straight out of their a**....
I thought Mike James has played pretty well so far. He hits open shots and has been able to get to the basket when needed. He has, on occasion, forgot that he has 4 other teammates on the floor, but he's been getting better at that. Also, Head in his limited minutes, has played pretty well. If you look at the +/- stats for when he is in the game they are quite high. He tends to get 2-3 assists and a basket every 10 minutes of play. He has also shown a new aggressiveness for getting to the basket. Alston has sucked it up, sure, but he does know the offense better than anyone and is pretty good on the fast break (James more than usual takes it by himself rather than pass). Steve I think will be a pleasant surprise at some point this season, but it might have to wait till someone gets injured. Brooks should be in the NBDL till we really need him. Lots of practice running an offense and learning to become a leader is what we really need from him. Those are the intangibles that we have always sought after in our PG's of the past (Bob Sura comes to mind, he turned us into a tough beat-em-up kinda team for a while), plus it doesn't hurt that he can shoot the three with the best of them.
most of the national media guys go into the season with oft-repeated cliches morphed into quasi philosophy. their takes are rarely dissimilar because, right or wrong, they'll stand behind those preconceptions until results shatter 'em. then they'll all start singing the same new tune. you have to read hundreds of articles before you'll encounter an original idea.
To develop Brooks?! What are we? Hawks ? Is this Houston Rockets forum or is this about Hawks?? You know Atlanta Hawks?? LOL!!
How can you expect a national guy to get it right when the local TV analyst could not. Clyde Drexler called him "Daryl Morley" the other night.
i think what he means is when tmac gets denied the ball like he did v. the lakers in the 4th, we need a guy to be able to give him the ball. let's see how the PGs do when tmac is denied the ball tonight. can they give him the ball back? i think that's all that guy is saying
