To be completely fair, you should lay it all out, though. Cause laying it all out would also include winning 4-1 in the first round (not pretty much sweeping), then losing two games in the second round to a Spurs team without Tony Parker and without Kawhi Leonard, including one in complete embarrassing fashion, where your leader had perhaps the worst game of his career, causing many to question if he quit. Also, the guy you signed for $18 million to be a stretch 4, completely failed to do that in the playoffs, and the head coach was clearly out coached in the playoffs. Those are all the negative things. You listed all the positive things. Fairness would be laying it all out.
Quite an interesting rant I'll give you that. If I may... 1. Definitely not true. When the search for head coaches began during the off season D'Antoni was the one name that was not being mentioned at all. His hiring was totally out of left field and came at the behest of Les who wanted to see his team play MDA's style of ball. I refer you back to the press conference where Les became extremely irritated when questions about MDA's coaching style were asked. The makeup of the roster had nothing to do with his hiring. 2. Partially true. This roster was put together because of the need to have the offensive (and not defensive) player skills required to run MDA's system. On that note Morey did a bang up job. However it did nothing to address the flaws inherent in said system - flaws which I expected to be exploited in the playoffs because that's what happens in the playoffs. 3. Quite true. 4. And what else was he supposed to do? It wasn't so much gutsy as the only realistic call to make given the makeup of the roster. 5. Yes he did. He excelled in a system that was tailor-made for a player with his offensives skill set. However, it also made them extremely vulnerable because Harden's level of play was central to their success. He had to play heavy minutes and score big points and be the offensive cog upon which everything else depended. That was a lot to ask of anyone and the bearded-one really came through. 6. I find your conclusion here to be a rationalization at best. Exactly why shouldn't Rox fans who have been waiting for this team to succeed for at least the past 17 years have high hopes for their team. The very fact they (Rox fans) had what you term "dashed hopes" showed that they believed in this team. I find that to be a good thing. This town is hungry for a winner and I don't find that to be unrealistic. Now as to what went down against the Spurs, it should have come as no surprise to anyone given Pop's record of playoff success against MDA. That's why I waited to see just how MDA's system would fare this time out during the playoffs. Sure they were record breakers during the regular season but the playoffs are a different animal entirely. So I've come to take a more reserved approach to the playoffs - after all I'd seen something similar happen to another Houston BBall team way back in 1983. 7. On this point we both agree. All of the calls to trade him are short sighted and just plain wrong. I chalk them up to the posters' need to vent.
That can be said to all other teams that don't win ultimately. I understand disappointment, but we have to be rationale. I was very critical of Harden last year, but this time I am willing to wait out at least for another season to see how things will pan out ubder Dantoni. It's not like we have another option. You can rebuild anytime you want but not right now.
Great thread, @Will I'm grateful for many of the points you mentioned, but especially for our coach. I wanted us to take another look a JVG initially. When I was told that he wasn't even a strong consideration, I wasn't sure about the new direction we were heading. Quite frankly, after what Kevin McHale's lack of personality and player management/lack of coaching/ lack of thought/spirit fingers (That's what I called his hands when he forgot how to coach and started contorting his hands in the air to what appeared to be "plays"---that were actually nothing) did to the morale of the team going forward, I was beyond concerned about the coaching position. Truly, coaching is so underrated in this league when it's at an elite level. Anyway, Mike is legitimate. I guess it took him being in Rockets red for me to fully see it. I'll go beyond that and say that Mike is elite. Put aside what he did for the team this season. If you're like me, you've probably overlooked Mike's full resume. He's coached everywhere, in every situation, with every type of player imaginable--from the . And, even more, (as much as I hate using the term) Mike evolutionized the game of ball. Steve Kerr should kiss this man's feet. I was wrong. I'm grateful. ...Just somebody---anybody--please help Clint with his stone hands, strength, shooting past 1 foot, etc..
It was a great regular season (relatively healthy, most prolific three point shooting team, third best record overall, regular season MVB etc.) and an "ok" post season showing. I've categorised the G6 performance as an anomaly, a really, really bad case of "stage fright." The ability to put up big numbers in a valiant effort is not always possible in the post season. There is only one Dream. Onwards, upwards and beyond. Go Rockets.
Post more. But sorry, Cod. 0-5 against even the greatest of All Pop. Does not look too good if you really think he is ELITE. He'd eventually win one. I am grateful for what the guys did but you don't get to be an elite team if you are grateful for every small detail. Every small or big failure will make a team stronger. Yes. Yet the competition never sleeps. Dun even think about being grateful and push on to new heights. That's what I for one would say.
I'm grateful for your post, even as I am not entirely in agreement. MDA is, in fact, a better coach and was a far better choice than I realized or expected. However, I believe it was his management of the roster over the coaching in which he showed his chops. IMO MDA became too blasted stubborn and didn't allow enough minutes to be spread, rest to be gained. Yeah, yeah - - I hate the concept (thanks, Pop, you arse) ...but - - look at the teams still playing: Dubs and LBJs are flourishing from their managed time rosters; C's? Left embarrassed with their MiniMe superstud hip-checked into summer vacay. IMO the Rox would have fared better with some rest and respite, rotation increase if even just some Trez and Dek in limited minutes in p/o and time for JH13 to have healed, EGo to have caught his breath, and Threeza a nod to his matrix of minutes and years during April. I wonder if KMc'll ever resurface in a coaching chair? He is an HoFer and is palely pigmented, after all... PS Please, please get me a point forward to ease O initiation from HisBeardness.
Those coaches planned their seasons for the playoffs. Our coach focused on winning in the regular season. Which is understandable, given last year's record, bringing in new guys, and the mandate from the owner, who fired the previous coach because we were awful to watch. So now we're totally watchable. And we proved we could win a high percentage in the regular season. And Harden has proved he can run the offense and shoulder a hell of a load. We move on to the next season with more ambitious goals. And just as Harden challenged himself to run the point, D'Antoni must challenge himself to develop a deeper roster, less dependent on one man, that can handle the complications of the playoffs.
I would trade Harden in a New York minute for LeBron, Kyrie and Kevin Love. But Harden for LeBron... not so much. I mean that.
This conflicts me. I would trade Harden for LeBron, but my main fear is that when LeBron starts to age, it will be soon. I think we are seeing the peak of greatness in him, and 3 years from now he won't be that guy. Versus, I think with harden he still is approaching his peak. Could be wrong on both accounts.
When was the last time you saw LeBron win without two superstars helping him? Harden and LeBron are tough to compare because of who they've played with and at what stage of their careers. Harden was the only unanimous first team all nba player for a reason: He's reached a stage that few ever will. Problem is that he needs help. Not much, but still needs it.
Haha, you got pointed out! If it makes you feel any better, I've read plenty of your posts and your sentence structure seems fine to me.
OK, with you. BTW - - it seems to me a Point Forward would be a grand way to offload some playmaking responsibilities from JH13. Y'know, mebbe the best of what the aging, weighty/meaty Boris gave to NataPopsha.
