We know that the Rockets played a brutal 10 game schedule to start the season. I wanted to look at this a bit more concretely. For each opponent played, I tallied their W-L record in their building or on the road, depending on where we faced them (and not including the result of our game with them). Here are the results: Code: @ORL 3-1 SAS 0-3 @MEM 1-2 ATL 4-2 @LAL 6-1 @LAC 3-1 @OKC 5-1 OKC 4-1 @CHA 1-3 @SAS 6-0 33 - 15 So the opponent strength, based on the games they've played this year not including us, was 33-15. And, actually, we faced Memphis before Randolph was injured, so the strength might be better than 33-15. This shows that these teams (treating a team playing at home and a team playing on the road separately) have won roughly 70% of the games they've played against the rest of the league, which is in line with what they've done against us. So, I guess we are playing roughly at the level of a middling, .500 team. Take a random sample of teams, average out their performance, and that's who we are.
Here, here. Weighted analysis helps the vision. This team is still improving. Hill is getting more confidence and more aggressive. Others are getting in better shape. And the combinations are coming more in focus. They won't be world beaters yet, but every game they are ironing out wrinkles and lights are starting to go on where needed... at least I hope. I hope the last couple of games are indicative of players starting to "wake up," become more aggressive, play every play like it's the last 24 seconds of a tie game, and be on the same page. Lowry is the Bobby Sura for this team.
We're just now gonna get a better glimpse of what teams are really about. This has been extended summer league/training camp/preseason Just that slows starts and fast starts count on official W-L record. All teams get the same effects, same playing field. Though YOUNG teams like the Rockets with a BRAND new coach can be at a disadvantage.
Long season, lots can happen (like Al Horford out for the year-- lets hope we don't have a long term injury like that). However, I agree the team has looked like about an league average team so far-- though there's quite a variation in performance from game to game-- hopefully the Clipper game and the OKC road game type performance do not become the norm. Also, I think the team will do better later on as it gets used to a new rotation, and gets a better Dalembert and a better Patterson.
We're stuck in mediocrity? Goodness me! I... I never knew. Our team has been Finals contenders for so long that I'm going to have to sit down for a second to absorb this. On a serious note, thanks for putting that together durvasa. Like many have noted, I feel we're going to only get better as the season goes on.
I just can't see us getting good enough to be .500 (which is fine by me) this year. The main 3 reasons: Loss of Chuck Hays >>> Gain of Dalembert Martin averaging 3.7 FT (compared to 8.4 last year) = Just another SG who shoots 44 % from the field and plays no D (who come a dime a dozen) RA >> Mchale I know its early, but these are 3 legit arguements, even if peole think Mchale can get better, and he may, the loss of Chuck and KMart's efficiency being down will put us back in the lottery this year imo.
The lineup change and the way this team has been playing the last few games show they are improving. The record has been a beast against the top playoff bound teams. Rockets have a chance to makeup a ton of ground. This stretch coming up will tell you if they are tanking or not.
I don't know why everyone is freaking out -- we still have PLENTY of time to push for the 8th seed. I believe we said the same thing last year, then we made that magical run fighting for the playoffs. This year, we might just do it! Keep the faith!
Hollinger's Power Rankings and Sagarin's computer ratings both rank them 15th. So, yeah, they're pretty much on track for that 14th pick.
We're a .500 team?! Who would have thunk it.... I was thinking about starting a thread but with Martin struggling and the gaping holes at SF and C we may arguably have the worst starting 5 in the West.
As a fan, I will always secretly hope for winning every game. That's part of the reason I watch. If we tank, we tank, but it's up to management to worry about that whole thing, not me.
yeah, we're not that bad. we're certainly still trying to figure it out. lee is out. lowry was out. i can see us winning some games for sure.
Good thread Durv, but the problem here is you're talking about the "team" like everything's fixed. The Rockets right now are an unfinished project, Mchale still doesn't know who will contribute and who won't. Once Mchale finds and settles on that 8-9 guys on his roster and the pecking order is finalized we'll see who the Rockets really are. Until then its too early to tell.
I hope the Rockets go through 5 more brutal stretches like this. Things need to get worse before they get better, guys.
