I predict we'll be 20-8 when T-mac returns to play against the Cavs (which everyone knows he's already circled on his calendar). Our next 8 games aren't all easy...Atlanta and Denver could be challenging, but they are both at home. And no, this isn't because of tonight's game...but there are some encourging signs.... Ron Artest looked the best he has been since injuring his ankle. Shane Battier is having an instant impact and looks great now. and most importantly....Yao played his best game of the season...like the Yao of 2007. He wasn't scoring on jumpers or finesee moves, he was scoring by grabbing balls and slamming them back in. By getting into the paint and fouling out 2 big men and directly taking on a third who had basically called him out earlier in the game. That's the Yao you need to win man. And even more importantly then most importantly, the passing has improved a great deal from earlier in the season...and Artest finally looks like he is fitting in. So I'm seeing it all fit together, and by time T-mac returns, this team will already be on a roll, playing good team ball, just like last year. Can't wait until the 23rd.
Not sure about the overall record, but I'd be willing to bet the Rockets beat Denver and get a little revenge.
lol @ T-Mac circling it on his calendar. We're not ready to roll yet. We were in a dogfight with a team that plays no defense. And for the record, they are terrible in the 4th quarter. They are meltdown city. Just look at most of their games this season. But it's nice that at least we can play up with that kind of tempo and offense once in a while. Shows we got some depth at least. I just hope they bring it later in the season.
I'm just speaking based on the improving health of the team and clearly the better team play that I've been seeing since the season began. We were terrible at the start of the season. All one-on-one.
So do I, I hate Nuggets beaten us last game at Denver. Revenge at home. Before Tmac come back, vs Nuggets is a challenging game, I wont forget how they best us. Now seems to early to make such prediction, we all hope Rockets can win more before Tmac back, what we need to do is forus on next game and win it.
I agree. The offense has flowed beautifully at times, but it has been rocky as well. Just like last season, T-Mac sits and the offense rolls. Hopefully it will be another plug-and-play situation and not a transition period when he comes back. But i'm not hoping this season finishes anything like last season, if you get what I mean.
A little interesting fact: the Rockets started their 22 game winning streak last season after defeating the very same golden state warriors around this time of year
I think there is a reason T-Mac want's some extra rest, he don't want to look bad against Lebron and Kobe.
I predicted we'd be 20-8, well, guess I was wrong about the Grizzle's game. So we are instead 19-9....and we are still looking better game by game.
I like our odds for tomorrow night. Everyone keeps asking "How are we going to stop Lebron?" What I want to know is - How is Cleveland going to stop Yao?
McGrady should have a big game. Once Artest is in the lineup with McGrady, whos going to be able to stop him? Delonte West (No) Sasha (No) Wally (No). They are all terrible 1 on 1 defenders and even if LeBron guards him, Artest should then have the big game.
Just think, we were 13-15 through 28 games last season and won 55. I'm not counting on any 22-gamers this time around though. We could win 60. I think it'll be a close game that the Rockets win. They've already lost a close one to the Lakers and got waxed by the Lakers. This is our first game with everyone and we're going to use it to send a message to the rest of the League. The X factors for the Cavs game are going to come down to Mo Williams and Scolandry. The Rox play at power forward has sort of been overlooked during our better play as of late.
We aren't going to stop Lebron. Nobody stops Lebron. That's okay. We don't need to stop Lebron to win.
yao's on a nice streak tracy's shooting MUCH better since he has returned and doing his all-around game ron has shot much better yes, we are starting to roll. but we won't know it till we beat the best teams in this L. and it starts TOMORROW. damn i can't see it live b/c of work. *******
Unfortunately, that's a good point. Lately, however, Yao has received the superstar treatment he deserves from the refs, and hopefully that trend doesn't abruptly end tomorrow night. You mean the Celtics, right? IMO, I think the PFs have only been what they've always been doing; their job. Their heighten efficiency is due to Yao absolutely manhandling anyone and everyone around the paint as of late. Not to take anything away from what Scolandry does, they do great and are very consistent.