from The Chronicle-- by Dale Robertson THEY were the falsest of reads, those two overtime victories that launched this long-ruined season. The Rockets were already kidding themselves, although they apparently hadn't fooled Houston's more discerning fans, who were already voting on the team's attractiveness with their feet. By not using them to walk through the Compaq Center's doors. That misleading 2-0 start notwithstanding, the games were as poorly played as they were poorly attended. The crowds combined would barely fill the Rockets' downtown arena now under construction. Individually, they were the smallest in almost a decade and, unlike the outcomes, they continued a disturbing trend. The Rockets had already lost their appeal before they had lost 52 times and dodged the playoffs for the third year running, something that last happened when they first moved to Houston. They have spent the ensuing six months only confirming what we already knew. They aren't that fun to watch. Many nights, they aren't even a team, just a mixed-bag collection of individuals going it alone either by stubbornly entrenched design -- Rudy Tomjanovich does still love his isolation offense, doesn't he? -- or selfishness. It's not a statistical quirk that the Rockets rank a distant last in the NBA's assist column. The year, No. 7 and counting after the Rockets' last championship, began with no buzz, and somehow it's managing to end with even less. Sunday was supposed to be fan appreciation night, but few of the Rockets themselves nor an over-abundance of their remaining loyal fans deigned to participate in the final home game festivities. Eight of the former suited up, 10,893 of the latter allegedly showed up. Unlike a year ago, when Hakeem Olajuwon's farewell sold out the house, Kevin Willis' presumed second adios didn't have the same box-office appeal. And the most astute would-be customers realized the Rockets weren't exactly filled with a burning desire. As the lottery again beckons, losing does have its rewards. It should be noted, however, that Houston's hodgepodge lineup of fill-ins for excused-absence starters Steve Francis (shoulder), Cuttino Mobley (flu) and Kelvin Cato (knee) conspired with the up-and-coming Memphis Grizzlies to produce one of the more entertaining 24-minute segments of the desultory season. With both sides disinclined to make more than a cursory effort on defense, there was running and gunning galore in the 108-point first half. The Rockets actually got out on the break a few times, and a pretty good time would be had by all. The second half had considerably less aesthetic appeal, but there were zero reasons to sweat the final score -- 98-95 Memphis -- despite the fact that it kept Houston in the hunt to equal the franchise's second-worst record since leaving San Diego 31 years ago. Two more defeats at Denver and Portland will leave the Rockets 28-54 and 20 games under .500 over the last five seasons. Worse, they haven't won a playoff series since 1997. And, if you think what ails them is lazy marketing or an antiquated building or goofy uniforms, you haven't been paying attention. To lay it off on a run of bad luck -- and, yes, they have had a ridiculous assortment of injuries -- misses the point as well. Even at full strength, they wouldn't be worth the price of admission, which averages out to being the third-highest in the league. Whatever else the Rockets do, they need to fix the basketball end of the business. The players, for their part, need to shoot better and play smarter. Tomjanovich, for his part, needs to turn them loose -- perhaps literally in a few cases. They simply must stop banging their heads against the wall with ugly ball, a scheme that's no longer in step with the 21st century NBA. (Note where their old Finals adversaries, the Knicks, also rank today.) Rudy T must change his tune, or more of these sad refrains are guaranteed. Those close to the situation swear the Rockets still listen when he talks. He hasn't yet lost the team, despite the losing. Tomjanovich's status as a franchise institution -- never mind the four years or the $20 million left on his contract -- would seem to guarantee him the opportunity to coach the Rockets in the downtown digs. But the new arena will provide just a temporary artificial bump in attendance. The curious will turn out in droves two years from now, no matter what happens next season. But they won't linger. The problems confronting Leslie Alexander's franchise are serious and will require out-of-the-box solutions. Trades? The Rockets have to consider everything. Perhaps Stevie Franchise alone remains untouchable, but he should be made to sign a blood oath that he'll dedicate his offseason to getting well. It behooves him as the team leader to do what he's told to do regarding treatment for his headaches. He exacerbated the problem early on by not buying into the prescribed therapy, which interfered with his rich-and-famous lifestyle. Francis can't grow as a player until he grows up, and the Rockets' maturity hangs in the balance. While they may have led the league in close, they rarely got the cigar, except the exploding kind. Changes are in order, on all fronts.
All I have to say is I agree, the only other untouchable is Eddie Griffin, other than that, very well written article.
i'm not real sure I like Dale Robertson, but if his article brings the prices down a hair. That'd be one step in the right direction. Seats are not worth a small fortune, therefore I less inclined to pay it.
I think they should make a Dale Robertson bobble-head, with a little straitner he might give Moochie a run for his money. "While they may have led the league in close games, they rarely got the cigar, except the exploding kind. Changes are in order, on all fronts." Funny quote I think I will call the Chronicle first thing in the morning about some changes that need to be made there..
Who cares what that arrogant t-sip says? Is that the first article he's written on the Rockets all season?
are you guys honestly disagreeing with his assessment?? i don't like robertson very much either...but i certainly don't see him as being wrong here. basically he's saying this is a pretty bad basketball team that has played a very boring style all year long....that is ultimately not very compelling to the fans. He gets no argument from me.
I agree with MadMax. When I first read the article, my reaction was "wow". My second reaction was "glad somebody said it
Glad someone said it....HELL READ THIS BBS...we have been saying it all fricken year !!!! DaDakota PS. Dale is right on the money
You know, I would have agreed with this if the Rockets were at 100%, but he acts like the Rockets were predicted to make the playoffs, were at full health and fell short. But the Rockets were without their starting PF, who was expected to have a big year, and even without him the Rockets started 5-1. But then the Rockets starting SF goes down, then our franchise player and starting PG, and then we find out our starting 2-Guard isn't at 100%. Obviously the team needs to mature, but give me Mo, Francis, Rice, Mobley and Cato at 100%, throw in Griffin and Mooch, and Kevin Willis and KT and I'll take my chances. That team could win 50 games. I mean people are ripping this team, but mainly a full health last year they win 45 games and they're the talk of Houston. They get a rash of injuries and suddenly peopel forget that team that won 45 games.
Rocks2k, Don't get caught up in records, his article goes much deeper then that. He is discussing the lack of a cohesive marketable winning style of basketball. The Rockets are just plain BORING to watch, and they have no committment to teamwork or to defense. This team has been circling the drain for the last 3 years. DaDakota
Put aside your personal opinion of Dale Robertson and just read the article. He's 100% on target: As Robertson states: "Many nights, they aren't even a team, just a mixed-bag collection of individuals going it alone..." Outrageous physical skills can only take you so far. Basketball is still a team game and the NBA is loaded with stellar athletes. While I don't think wholesale changes are needed for the team to be successful, there is a definite need for change. This summer may be the most important in team history.
Robertson the Jerk is right about everything except that the team would have sucked anyway with Rice and Mo in the lineup. We would have contended for the playoffs if the injury bug hadn't struck with such a vengeance. All that said...I still think there is someone, anyone, who can do a better job than Robertson. It's like Peter Vecsey. Whose lives do these guys save in Vietnam in order to get such cush jobs?
I think the rockets need to start playing the George Bush game, lower everyones expectations that way when they do better than expected, they come off looking pretty good. AS for Robertson, I can't stand him but.... He has some good points.
Joe Barely Cares, When SF and Cuttino are healthy, the Rockets run ISO most of the time because the folks who defend the ISO say no one else on the team is worth a damn so it's all right for them to run ISO. IMHO, if no one else is worth a damn, don't play them, it's a waste of time to play them if we could be developing young talent.
Ditto with what Major and MadMax said. I have forced myself to watch games this year, and I have to say that we have one of the ugliest, most boring team in the entire NBA. I think changes are definitely in order. You have to have a team that gels with one another and works together in order to win. The style of basketball we play is tedious to watch and typically ends in a hurried shot with the shot clock at 0. I encourage you guys to watch the tapes of the 93-95 Rockets and look at how fluid the offense works. You think attendence sucked this year? Knowing the typical Houston fan, attendence is going to be piss poor next year.
While the Rockets win and lose as a team, someone must step up, be a man and take responsibility overall. That player is obviously Steve Francis. This is a great quote.... "Francis can't grow as a player until he grows up, and the Rockets' maturity hangs in the balance." Francis is still very immature as a player and as a man. Just look back to a few weeks ago when he was talking trash about Tony Parker in the newspaper(who then went out to almost get a triple double on the Rocks). Sorry, but that wasn't called for. Grow up!! Do your talking through the media and you'll quickly be considered a joke or a malcontent. Do your talking on the court Steve, then people will respect you.
