I just can't stand reading all the negative threads anymore. All threads somehow turns into: JVG is the reason we/he sucks CD is the reason we are losing Yao sucks Trade Yao Tmac takes too many shots JJ was screwed We are not making the playoffs ... ... I created this thread to have a place for people who wants a place to talk about our progress without bashing anyone. If you feel the urge to turn this thread into one of the above, just don't post anything. There are plenty of other threads where you can express your opinion. PLEASE leave this thread alone. ----------------------------- I happen to think we are not doing that bad. I see lots of improvements: Our ball movement, new quick hitting plays, Yao's recent play, Tmac is attacking more, quaters of dominance..... Our personnel is not in place yet, but we are working on it. We got Barry, who will keep the ball moving and draw the defense. We got Wesley, who I think is going to change the way our perimeter d is played. Once we have a tough 4, I really feel we can beat anybody. We are way better than our record indicates. Right now, we are an average team. Considering how this team is put together, that is acceptable to me. We showed signs of what we can become. We totally broke down in about 8,9 games this season. To me, that is to be expected. I expect it because what we are trying to do is hard to learn. Playing with a Tmac and a Yao is hard to learn, especially with our group. I'll add more as there are replies. Again, I know many of you see the rockets on a downward spiral. If you are going to say anything negative, please find another thread.
Here are some positives: We are 8-4 since Sura was named the starting PG. Our PPG has increased by about 6 points. Yao is showing more flashes of dominance (slowly but surely). Mo and Howard's outside shooting is coming along (slowly but surely). Barry and Wesley will bring great energy and hustle, which is something we have been lacking at times. Im excited man!!
We just need to beat a few good teams. I am excited to watch the game vs Pheonix on Jan 5. If we win, the BBS will be littered with threads like "Yao pwns Amare", "T-Mac for MVP", "JVG for coach of the year!", which will be good a for mood change for this BBS.
Here we go. That's what I like to hear. Barry and Wesley will change our offense and our defense. The offensive changes will take a little longer, but their effect on perimeter D should be immediate. Barry is a savy veteren. He might not be as quick, but he knows plenty of little things to make up for it. The way he disrupts a slasher w/o fouling is impressive. Remember that take-away on a 3 on 1 fastbreak? Wesley just moves really well. He's so quick laterally, that enables him to stay real close to the man he's guarding. I wish we had him guarding Redd the other night.
Well our scoring average is up also, so thats good. We just need to pick up our defense like last season, and we should be good. Im starting to see the real J.Howard come alot and Mo T aswell, so hopefully these are all signs of us having a great 2nd half.
It’s funny that we see one of these "positive" threads after a Rockets win. Then the Rockets go out and lose and the thread dies out. I see what you are saying clove. Mo/Howard have been playing a little better, Yao's been a bit more consistent, and the overall offense seems to have improved. However, this team is still so inconsistent that they take one step forward and then one step back. They need to put together a 4/5 game win streak but with the January schedule coming up I don’t see that happening.
Yeah, they are hitting more shots. There really isn't a reason why they would miss so many earlier. In anycase, we only need 1 of them 2 to stay, they are identical twins. I hope our next move brings a defensive minded PF.
It always gets ruined by a group of people. There are couple threads out there that started off discussing worthy topics. Then it gets ruined by posts claiming CD is the cause for everything. I hope it doesn't here.
I'm encouraged by the offense the last couple of games. What I saw against Cleveland was basically a bunch of isos. Give it to McGrady, let him shoot, give it to Yao, let him shoot, give it to Mo, let him shoot - none of this pass it around the horn and everyone touch the ball before someone attempts a shot. I wonder what has caused the change in philosophy?
I didn't see it like that. Cavs didn't double us most of the times. I don't know why since we don't handle doubles very well. When Yao and Tmac is single covered, the best shot for us is iso. When they did double, we excuted well. Tmac doulbed on low post, Yao pops out to the free throw like, tmac finds him, easy 2 points. Yao doubled, Sura flashed to the middle of the lane, Yao got him the ball, defense recovers towards Sura, he dished to someone wide open for 2 points. Another play I liked is the only play we run for Wesley. He came off of a screen and drained a 17 footer.
Clove, I was watching the same game freak was watching. I don't know what game your describing. The Rockets use a basic try to ISO Tmac or try to get it inside and if that fails ISO Tmac and if he has nothing pass it out for someone to shoot a 3. I am not saying it's a terrible strategy but we won last night because of Deke's defense moreso than or offense. Yes that's correct if Mutombo doesn't knock Lebron's eye out we lose.
We were up by 10 when Lebron got hurt. Tmac covered Lebron like a champ. If you are sure that "if Mutombo doesn't knock Lebron's eye out we lose", I can't really say anything to change your mind. The team that showed up last night is a playoff team IMHO. And we are not even done getting all the pieces yet.
Nice post clove - nice effort to keep out the bad vibes. There's been plenty of adversity for the Rox and the NBA this season. Real easy to be negative - harder to see the forest through the trees. I like how Yao and T-Mac are developing and maturing - nothing like a little suffering and failure to build character and toughness - and I like the supporting cast now more than at the start of the season. I'm expecting another move b4 the trade deadline - but I'm not going to whine if there isn't - either way - I'm hopeful to have more playoff games to cheer at this year than last year - JVG delivers more often than not! Go Rockets!
i love how yao is getting a lot more aggressive. i am still concerned about the last trade, but hopefully things will turn out for the best. maybe we can start meshing together and develop team chem. all we need to do is get in the playoffs...hey, the astros snuck in as a wild card and look how they did! we only need the 8th seed and maybe by then we will be playing like how everyone expected us to play.
