Much better effort by the Rockets tonight. Was good to see them come out with some intensity for a change. Some thoughts following tonight's game: The team plays much better with DMo in the starting line up. This isn't anything that pretty much everyone here hasn't already said, but tonight proves it. Smith can help the team if he will embrace his role coming off the bench. Based on his history that's a big if. Papanikoloau has to get minutes. His passing and ability to create off the dribble makes the team better. Good win for the Rockets tonight. Hoping they got a streak started tonight.
Josh Smith with the highest PER of +32 The Rockets are 4/10 against the top 5 teams in each conference. The Bulls are a not 5 team. Let's see how they play against them on Monday. The Heat are 8th in the East at 14-20 and they are 3-8 in there last 11 games. They haven't looked the same since they lost Josh McRoberts. I will continue to believe the Rockets feast on bad teams and struggle a lot against the top 5 in each conference.
Yeah, I mentioned Chicago earlier, obviously there's up and downs for them but should be good test. And hopefully team is meshing better for when they meet up with GSW/OKC later this month.
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CrashTheBoards how many times are you going to reminds us of this glaring stat. Continue to beat the scrub to mediocrity teams and finish the season with a .500 or better record against the top teams. Big timer you will make the playoffs. By that time our chemistry between the starters should be good.
Yeah I get it, but I'm speaking of the effort and energy level. If this team goes out and continually gives this type of effort, it won't matter who they play, they'll give themselves a much better chance at winning.
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I've witness several top teams get blown out from time to time. The Rockets are not an exception to that sir.
A cappella even went off tonight! <iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OdnhPI1bZ1H/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Yes, team chemistry is key here. If everyone plays their own role and continue to give good energy and effort, we will be ok for the most part.
Great TEAM win and lots of good performances. Howard finally showed up and put forth a good deal of effort for a change. Still, not getting too excited about blowing out a less than average Heat team with aging stars. If we can pull off a win in Chi-town then I will be impressed because the next 2 games against the Cavs (w/o LBJ) and NY are very easily winnable and might help to solidify some line ups and give Mchale a good feel for how he should be playing these guys lineup -wise and minute-wise.
Well, we are playing a top 5 team next and we just beat up a bad team so it will be interesting on Monday. I will also remind you that 2 of those 4 wins were without those teams best players. So yeah, I want to see the Rockets beat more good teams. Not sure if that bothers you.
This team is not as bad as being -30 to the Pelicans, and it is not as good as being +36 to the Heat. The more meaningful thing is how a team plays over a longer string of games. We'll see if they continue to do well or return to the mediocrity that they'd been on for the last dozen or so games leading up tonight. A good sign to see Dwight Howard active and looking healthy, though.
Yes, it's hard to believe when Dwight has missed nearly half the games played so far. Come on, fellas.
Doesn't totally erase the bitter taste of last night, but it was awesome to see wire-to-wire effort and guys looking like they were having fun out there. It's been awhile. Solid game for Josh. I know it's killing a few people not to be able to bump all of the why-the-eff-did-we-sign-this-washed-up-cancer threads.
