One of the main reasons why I became a Rocket fan was because ever since Tmac and Gundy came to town the Rockets as a whole has always over-achieved in the regular season, reaching the absolute APEX last year with the second most win streak in history with essentially 3 injured starters, a couple of rookies and a 40+ old dude manning the front line. To be perfectly honest, I always believed that was the reason why a lot of us always get dissapointed in the playoffs, the roster almost always exceeds our wildest dreams during the regular season that the bar is always set too high. That's why I find it ludicrously ironic that now, NOW when we have one of the most talent in quite possibly the history of this franchise we're losing games the way we are. Some people here are still overly optimistic, but the thing is contenders just don't lose to lottery teams. A lose here and there might be considered an abberration, but we've already thrown games to the likes of the Clippers, the Sacs and even the Thunder. With the loss to the Wizards, my belief is we have now officially hit rock-bottom, and I really want to know what is your take on things: what's the main reason we're so crappy this season? Personally I believe its a coaching problem. This team has a lot of depth at every position excluding C (well with Mutombo that problem is solved). Yes we do have injuries, but then again when you see Rafer playing 30+ mins despite playing like crap, hearing inane comments like "I don't know" and "starters should play last mins of a game", and Hayes and Wafer not seeing time after a defensive meltdown or a scoring drought you really start wondering what would have happened if we had a coach who knew how to manage his players in-game. Fire Adelman? Not really, but he really needs to get his head on straight because right now his in-game decisions are killing us...
It's a combination of all the choices that you have put down. Injuries are a big factor,but the other things stand out in their own way as well.
I choose Yao Ming- 7-6 fadeaway finisher ftw! because it was funny. In reality I think it's a combination of injuries and not playing with a sense of urgency/to their opponents level.
We will go as far as Mr. McGrady takes us. If he somehow regains his form, we can for sure go to the conference finals.
Our struggles are definitely a combination of things, but I guess I just want to see what everyone thinks is the main reason for our recent poor play. Every time we have a loss a bunch of "complain" threads always show up, and I want to know what you guys think is biggest problem we have right now.
The think it's the other way around. We will go as far as Yao takes us. If he suddenly realizes he's 7'6 and that it's okay to bully smaller players, then we will have a better chance of advancing. Tmac has been Tmac the last 3-4 playoffs. The x-factor is Yao!
Health by a mile. That said, this team has yet to prove to me that it is mentally strong enough to overcome adversity. And they'll need to be, because while the Rockets are definitely a top contender when all completely healthy, there seems to be a good chance this will not happen.
It's options A&B because they are inextricably intertwined: you can't have good chemistry without some form of continuity on the court, and injuries are preventing the team from establishing any kind of continuity right now. I also think the absence of Mutombo prior to today is a little underrated by some. I think there was a special leadership and veteran presence that he brought, on the bench and in the locker room that really helped to lift this team in the past couple of seasons, and his absence left somewhat of a void. It was never really about how well he played or how useful he was as a backup to Yao ... frankly with Yao healthy he rarely got any minutes at all (and I don't expect to change even with this signing), and even when Yao went down, he typically gave you only a few minutes of awe inspiring defense ... usually the first few minutes. But his presence on the bench, almost always on his feet, cheering the team on, encouraging them (and as I imagine, and even bigger presence in the locker room) was a key ingredient in that twenty-two game winning streak. As far as this season goes, I think it will still take a few more weeks for this team to find its groove, but when they do, a lot of the annual December whining and crying will be quickly forgotten.
Physical injuries are the biggest problem,but we are not a mentally strong bunch either. The players and coach Adelman have to take responsibly for not being able to overcome adversity. I realize it's very hard to develop chemistry with so many health problems,but an experienced team which consists of mostly returning players along with additional talent and experience should do better than this.
I went for other, but I think it's a combination of several of the things listed along with a lack of killer instinct.
Even with one of the 'big three' out... hell even with 2 out the Rockets have more talent than a team like the Wizards or the Pacers. While a lot of us is the lack of heart and effort in some games(mainly with that soft **** T-Mac) I think more than anyone or anything the blame has to fall with coach... One off night I can accept to fatigue or just not being up to it but half our games if not more are like this and I am yet to see RA call anyone out or even sub out one of the 'stars' when they're playing like ****. I'm sorry but I wanna see him call out someone like Mac then see if he responds... if his response is to cry or demand a trade then good riddance to them...they can hang with Marbury.
I'm sorry, becoming a Rockets fan because of Tracy and JVG overachieving accomplishments? That has to be a joke? Your kidding? Huh? Where were you, under a rock? Have you never watched basketball? Did the Rockets get a #1 seed while I wasn't looking? #2? or even A #3? IMO, showing JVG the door was 50% of the problem. Now if we could send Tracy on a early vacation we'd get rid of the other 50%.
Uh what? First off all I can like anything for any reason I damn well please, you really have no say about why I like what I like so why don't you just keep your snarky comments to yourself. Secondly over-achieving is different from accomplishments. The word "accomplishment" is not even in my post so I don't know where you're going with yours. In case you lack command of the English language let me give you an example: Celtics winning the championship =accomplishment Rockets having the 4rth highest seed w/o Yao Ming=over-achieving Why don't you look at our regular season stats from Gundy's time up to last year and compare it with our roster over the years before you start flaming away?
i voted T Mac, but as others posters have mentioned - it really is a combination of things. health and T Mac. if our team is healthy and tmac can be what he was last season, this team can make a serious run in the post season.
This is pretty easily INJURIES. It's all about the injuries, everything would be solved if we had a consistent healthy team for the whole season.
I like what you are saying. Adelman wants the guys to get back to what they were able to do last year because he expects that from an experienced team but his main weakness is that he is soft and can't motivate the guys or take tough decisions. Just as an example,if McGrady can't or won't play,put Von Wafer in there.At least he tries hard and takes the ball to the hole.
I can only choose one??? I agree that it's mostly health, but I voted for a backup C. How many rebounds and layups have we given up so far? I'm not thrilled to have Deke back, because even though he had some great games last year...I think we could all see how his age has caught up with him. BUT..on the defensive end, he should be a huge help to our team.
