Imagine a BBS where heypartner would be HeyP instead of BeyP. Where oeilpere would consider returning as the great "Popeye" before the summer RumorFest. Where The Cat would focus on his great takes rather than attack every post that doesn't meet a sunshine quota. Where grummett, tod the bod, Pole and Dreamshake would post more often. Now imagine the Rockets. Imagine if any one of three missed three-pointers in the final minute had fallen against Utah back on <a href="http://www.clutchcity.net/game.cfm?gameID=115">January 6th</a>. Imagine if Cuttino hadn't gone jack-happy <a href="http://www.clutchcity.net/game.cfm?gameID=107">against the Lakers</a> Imagine if we could beat the Clippers. Imagine if Steve Francis' <a href="http://www.clutchcity.net/game.cfm?gameID=152">layup had fallen</a>. Imagine. Because if you can imagine these things, then you can see the Rockets being 45-26 and not scrapping to make the playoffs but fighting for the best record in the NBA. I'm very proud of the team (my goodness <a href="http://www.clutchcity.net/game.cfm?gameID=153">last night's win</a> was beautiful), whether they make the playoffs or not, and am ecstatic about the strides they made this season. The future is very bright. At the same time, Hakeem was a big factor during this playoff run and his age eliminates him from being in the long-term future of this team. We are loaded in the backcourt and weak in the frontcourt. With this in mind, it's not hard to imagine next year the team losing in New York, in Miami, in Philly, in Toronto... The valuable lesson needing to be learned this season by guys like Cuttino, Mo and Steve is that when you're fighting for your playoff lives, you can't afford to not take care of business against the likes of the Clippers and Sonics. Obviously they knew that going in, but perhaps sitting just outside the playoffs looking in will hammer home the point next season. We're not done rebuilding... not allthe pieces are there. And that's why I may still be pulling for the Rockets to make the playoffs, hoping for an Hakeem-led miracle, but I'm not going to be terribly disappointed if we don't and go in to this summer with 2-3 draft picks, including #13 (and a far shot at a top 3), and a truckload of cap room with future stars like Mobley and Francis locked in. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Preach it!! Imagine we played at home early in the season like we are right now. Playoffs or not, anyone that thinks this team underachieved, or is a failure is crazy. We've gained a lot of experience. Whether we make the playoffs or not, Steve and Cat learned the experience of the true final stretch and that's something that is invaluable. Steve has proven he WILL become a top flight superstar, if he isn't one already. Cat has provided instant offense, and become a top offensive player. He can be frustrating, but the season has progressed and so has he. At 5 million per year for the next 6 years, we are certainly underpaying him, in terms of what other ~20 ppg scorers get. Mo has grown to love this team as much as it loves him. His numbers are down, but he has fit in great. Hakeem is a warrior. I feel confident he will retire as a Rocket, whether it's this year or 2 years down the line. Best of all, our chemistry is gorgeous. Name another team that has had a season of COMPLETE lovefest all the way around. No "trade me" or "He's not the man." or "He needs to step it up or get off the teams" type of deals, and respect for the coach. This team has never gone into panic mode, and gives no reason that it will. And Sterns has to have taken notice. How about a little "evening up" for that awful Francis tech? A top 3 pick will do. C'mon, you know you want to see a top rookie with Steve, Cat, Hakeem [cross fingers]Webber[/cross fingers], and make the West more competitive. If it'll make you happy, we'll even take the T-Pups out of the playoffs next year, so you can teach their owner a lesson. ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited March 28, 2001).]
Imagine if we don't beat Indiana! No looking back. We need to win out, and it will be FUN! BeyP....no titles for me, thank you...I just want someone to hit me, and show up with some fun writing...boy that was FUN!!!!!! Especially when HOOP-T put on the pressure of performance. That is my favorite game! TheFreak had fun last night with his sarcasm game; his favorite game. Why not me? Today? If you didn't see my plans for trolling to have some fun, at least come into the thread and play without saying I'm trying to be your bey....*sigh* I don't get to play with HTML anymore...clutch took that fire away from me...now he's saying my writing is a governing police action. No, its the funnest time I can have on this board. Clutch needs a bowling ball....he's missing with the HeyP shooter. btw: those not in the memorabilia area lately, you might want to go check in. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited March 28, 2001).]
Imagine Moochie missing his 35 foot buzzer vs Warriors. Imagine Los not coming up big vs Cavs. Imagine Cat not finishing of the Knicks in our miracle comeback. Imagine not ending the jinxes against Wolves, Spurs and Jazz. Imagine not coming back vs already metioned Knicks, Hawks and Clippers. Imagine Mooch, Mo or Mobley not stepping up to get the 3OT win vs Pacers. Imagine not having the best record vs East and not Sweeping the Central division. Imagine Clutch admitting that he thinks Rockets are a better team than the Clippers. Imagine Imagine Rockets still getting in the playoffs regardless of what's happened so far. BELIEVE!!! ------------------ We can reach our destination, but it's still a ways away. [This message has been edited by Heath2000 (edited March 28, 2001).]
Great post Heath. Brought a tear to my eye. Imagine where we'd be without our Stat-Bot Heath! ------------------ The season's almost over...and I still really need that keg of Pepto-Bismol.
You hoo-u-ooo. You may say that I'm a Dreamer (bbs goes crazy) but I'm not the only one. Imagine using Turn Signals. Imagine Dream staying on for a few years... and in return getting a 1/4 of the team. Imagine Steve Francis becoming half of the man that Dream is. Imagine Dream shaking into his 40s. Imagine Dream having the opportunity to humiliate David and Shaq again. Imagine Dream getting another title. Imagine that smile. Imagine Dream staying... forever. ------------------ I heart my Dream's head.
Next 5 games for Rockets: Phoenix, New Jersey, Washington, Dallas, and Seattle Not bad, all vary winable games with Hakeem back in the lineup. Next 5 games for T-Wolves Sacramento, Portland, Portland again, Phoenix and Lakers hhmmmmm..... Imagine the Rockets go on a nice winning streak and the T-Wolves finally hit the wall..... Just a Thought!!!!!!!!!! ------------------ "And i'm spent!"
Clutch-- I will definitely try and do that. I just thought some of the sentiments after the Clippers game were a bit unrealistic, and that is why I responded the way I did afterwards. As for the post, I very much agree. Need to take care of business all the time against the lesser teams, although for most that is very hard. We just need to try and put that behind us, and the future as far as the playoffs is indeed bright. The Twolves have some very tough games upcoming, and hopefully we can close that gap just as quickly as they widened it. GO ROCKETS! ------------------ "We're not settling for just getting in the playoffs." "We want a higher seed. There's no doubt. We expect to get in."-- Steve Francis President of the Mo Taylor and Jason Collier fan club! Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com
Now THAT is what I'm talkin' bout! ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
I can't resist, thinking someone else would catch on first...and do it for me... but isn't Clutch being a "Whiny b****" about the coulda, woulda, shoulda's.
Thats a very nice poem Band Geek. You should put that to music. ------------------ "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."- (Aldous Huxley)
Apparently, they don't install those on cars anymore. Imagine the Rockets next year with Dream starting all year long. Imagine adding Webber to that mix. Imagine trading Walt/Cato. Imagine Collier/Langhi becoming key parts of the rotation (They just need some PT). Imagine what the Rockets will be able to do with 2 #1's & possibly 3 in this upcoming draft. Imagine winning the CHAMPIONSHIP next year. I'll predict right now, that if the Rockets get Webber (although I still have reservations about tying up so much money in one player), they'll win it all next year. I have to agree with Clutch (as far as the learning experience for the young guys goes) about just missing the playoffs. That could actually be more valuable to the team than making the playoffs this year. It should make them real hungry next year. The best part of all, is that the rebuilding process should be complete by next year. I'm not saying that we can't still make the playoffs this year (albeit a long shot), I'm just saying that for the long haul, just missing them will be of far greater value. Imagine a string of successive championship banners hanging in our new arena. ------------------
Hmmmmmm... funny, I only see 4 winable games. ------------------ When you go into court you are putting your fate into the hands of twelve people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.
Imagine there's no heaven, It's easy if you try, No hell below us, Above us only sky, Imagine all the people living for today... Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to do, Nothing to kill or die for, No religion too, Imagine all the people living life in peace... Imagine no possesions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people Sharing all the world... You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, And the world will live as one. ------------------ If the 3 pointer was banned by the nba, No amount of money would make him stay. Air Bullard, Air Buuuuuulllll, Air Buuuullll Can't stop Bull.
I hate the word imagine because that NBC sideline reporter Jim Gray asks, on every single interview, "could you imagine..." Ughhhh! ------------------ humble, but hungry.
