So Far, Your 2003/3304 Houston Rockets are Unwatchable...Here's Why

ZRB · Nov 14, 2003

Originally posted by Batman Jones
When Tweak's the calm voice of reason in the GARM, you just know things have changed.
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Freaky, isn't it.

djunior · Nov 14, 2003

Stop complaining! At least Moochie Norris scored 3 points in 23 minutes as Stevie's backup point guard.

tierre_brown · Nov 14, 2003

Originally posted by reptilexcq
People blaming Yao for not getting rebounds. WHen you watch the game you have to understand he's out there trying to block shots and alter shots too...so he's almost always out of position. That's one reason he didn't get much rebounding.
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I'm sure that's why Dream never cleaned the boards...

Look, I don't claim to have watched every single possession of every single game thus far. Hell, I find it pretty damn unwatchable too...Gundy ball is pretty ugly. There have been times where I've wanted Rudyball/streetball back. But, the transition takes time.

Yao is being a pansy right now, which is hard for a 7'6" man. He doesn't really fight for position, he just leans into it. When the guards toss him the ball, he seems to be muscled out of position which causes a turnover. I don't want to start a Yao vs guards battle again, but once the guards realize that Yao isn't going to punish the defenders, sometimes they take it into their own hands to win the game. I know everyone laments that fact, but Yao is still not a dominator down low. In fact, I for one think that SF and Cat have been doing a much improved job of at least trying to get Yao the ball in position.

And on the pick and roll, Yao needs to learn to body the person BEFORE he rolls. He stands there and rolls WAY too quickly, it's not even a pick. Maybe the guards dribble too much but Yao needs to set a much harder pick in order for the old PnR to work.

I'm probably going to get crucified on this Yao loving board for saying this. I love the 7'6" dude as much as any Rox fan here, but he is not playing well. The guards aren't really to blame for that. He needs to get nasty and soon.

Shooter1583 · Nov 14, 2003

I agree, the Mavs game was atrocious. By this game, I think the defense is overrated. Too many mistakes in the transition game and their interior defense was horrible. Their offense seems very unstable. Yes they move the ball nicely, but if yao doesnt score or shoot, they often have to work like hell for a decent shot. There's no cutting plays, but I do like the two-man game, which JVG employs a lot.

Neither Mobley nor Francis look aggressive offensively, and it almost looks as if they rely on Yao too much. Jackson seems to be pretty consistent offensively, and Yao needs to be more aggressive- it's almost sickening to not see him punish Bradley and Fortson.

Norris needs to go- he's not a liability, but he doesnt help either. I know we could get someone better. Norris seems tentative and reluctant, and hardly penetrates or gets into the lane. I like Padgett as a rebounder and a big man who can shoot, but he needs to be more tough as well.

Yes, I may be basing a lot on ONE game...but seriously, this was the game that the Rockets needed to show their 5-1 record was legit. No, not NJ...without K.Mart and L. Harris, two integral factors of their team. They should've been able to annihilate Dallas inside, but couldnt. Ming should have had 30+ points, 15+ rebounds, and Mobley should be responsible for more than a single-digit scoring output.

I still have faith in them, but there is a lot of work to be done...more work then most fans would like to admit to.

MFW2310 · Nov 14, 2003

Originally posted by adeelsiddiqui
Im sure Amaechi takes offense to that comment
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No, Moochie's way worse. At least Amaechi doesn't turn over the ball as often. Not to mention that he isn't playing a position on the team that would instantly kill any offence we have.

A-Train · Nov 14, 2003

Last year's team was unwatchable....

GATER · Nov 14, 2003

Number of current NBA teams with equivalent talent to MIA, DEN, CHI, ORL & NJ = All EC non-playoff teams (7), lower tier EC playoff teams (4) WAS, BOS, TOR, MIL, WC non-playoff teams (4) LAC, MEM, DEN, UTAH and current WC playoff teams SEA and GS.

Total teams = 17.

Number of current NBA teams with equivalent talent to Dallas = SA Spurs, SAC Kings, LA Lakers and maybe MINN.

Total teams = 3 or 4.

I'll think I'll keep watching.

Yetti · Nov 14, 2003

Originally posted by RiceDaddy7
You bring up some good points.

In defending Steve and Cuttino, however, Yao isn't demanding the ball. I think if Hakeem, in his prime, were in this Rockets lineup today, he would definately be asking for the ball. In basketball, if you don't demand the ball, the other players will assume you don't want it. That is one thing Yao's got to improve on. The Steve-Cuttino ballhog thing is really overrated...I feel they want to play as a team, that they are willing, but perhaps when it's in the arena, and the game gets to you and your teammates aren't doing it, you tend to want to do thing by yourself. So it's not selfishness you're seeing...it's a misplaced desire to win. In time, Van Gundy will get them to control it.
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I hope your right and I am wrong! Cutino does not believe in Yao Ming, his mind set is only confident in passing to Francis or others. I have no indication yet that our Guards realy want to help Yao Ming become the aggressive scorer. If they were realy team oriented there would be much more of the inside outside game.Only the future will tell!

Old Man Rock · Nov 14, 2003

Trade everyone but Yao to the Shaghai Sharks in exchange for thier whole team. They know how to play with Yao. They will get him the ball everytime and he will lead the league shot attempts.

Franchize3 · Nov 14, 2003

Originally posted by Tranmerica34
Pick and Roll - For God's sake, can someone in the Rockets coaching staff teach these guards how to pass to the picker in a pick and roll or pick and pop, especially when the BOTH defenders cover the dribbler? This has NOT happened yet this year! I want to rip my hair out everytime Yao rolls to the hoop and Cat isn't even looking in his direction and he's WIDE open. Just throw the damn ball in the air, Yao is 7'5" !!!
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Ditto. Ditto. Ditto.

Rivaldo2181 · Nov 14, 2003

so stop watching them.

MadMax · Nov 14, 2003

unwatchable...and yet i've watched every game but one.

superpro · Nov 14, 2003

Originally posted by farhan007
if they are that difficult to watch, then the 5 teams they beat must of came from hell!
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They are difficult to watch for sure. Beating other five teams doesn't mean they are a team that is pleasant to watch. Most of the other five teams simply don't have enough talents but still can execute the game well.

If Rockets can execute the game well, I think most of the fans here will be happy even they lose a couple of games. And this is exactly the reason that fans really don't enjoy themselves that much even Rockets win the five games.

superpro · Nov 14, 2003

Originally posted by Old Man Rock
Trade everyone but Yao to the Shaghai Sharks in exchange for thier whole team. They know how to play with Yao. They will get him the ball everytime and he will lead the league shot attempts.
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Haha.....

Man, this is a good one.

If we don't change, look at how Suns will torture this team tonight.

Win · Nov 14, 2003

TA34, you pretty much negate any good points you may have made (and there were a couple) by resorting to hyperbole such as "The Rockets are Unwatchable". Like them (or there chances) or not, in this day in age in the NBA, I suspect they are one of the more 'WATCHABLE' teams.

Tranmerica34 · Nov 14, 2003

A couple of points for clarity:

1. again, this original post wasn't in response to the loss against the mavs.

2. these rockets are unwatchable in the same sense that it's difficult to watch something you care about underperform due to a. lack of discipline b. cerebral undoing c. selfishness.

it's like, the keys to success are so obvious, but yet these rockets are unable to figure it out. that's why it's so ugly and unwatchable.

as for the quality of basketball, it's average, but simply just could be so much better. as someone who likes aggressive, team oriented, pass heavy, defensive minded basketball, this team is falling short of what it could be. that's why it's hard to watch.

maybe some of you out there aren't as esoteric in your analysis and criticism of this team. fine. i'd like to see more ball movement, more aggressive play and for god's sake, cuttino, would you please give yao the ball on the pick and roll?

WinkFan · Nov 14, 2003

As far as being unwatchable, they're the Rockets. Everyone but them is unwatchable.

I must say, however, Steve's execution for the way he ran the 2 on 1 fast breaks against Dallas would be warranted.

rvpals · Nov 14, 2003

Originally posted by Tranmerica34
Ok, after watching every single Rocket possession in this young season, I must vent. I had a feeling that as soon as the Rockets were met with any kind of competition or resistance for that matter, they would go back to their old ways and play the rag-tag, undisciplined, selfish, non-cerebral game that have defined them up to this point.

The fact that they had won 5 of their 6 games up until tonight's loss the Mavs, not withstanding, the Rockets have played a cupcake schedule versus teams that are not only horrific, but were having off nights (A clueless Denver team on opening night, Nets sans K-mart, an identity-less Bulls, arguably the worst team in the league in Orlando, a winless Heat team).

Yes, the Rockets defensive numbers (opponents FG% and points allowed both at #1) are good, but inflated. You could say the defense has been good, or you could say that the Rockets just played down to their competition. Rockets turnovers are still high, their rebounding, FT and FG% are still very average. Houston should be absolutely destroying these cupcakes! Nonetheless, their defense or rather their committment to defense is one of the very few bright spots thus far. As for the rest....

Passing -

Cat Mobley - When was the last time you saw Cat Mobley make a pass into Yao? Never. Honestly. I've watched every single possession this year, and not once has Cat made a pass into the post to Yao, that he's caught. He has made maybe 2 passes, both for turnovers. What the hell?! This is from a guy who once said he wanted to trade a shot at the #1 for Lamar Odom! Ok, ok, so he's shooting an ungodly number from 3 and he's been a great offensive spark. Big F...ing deal. This skill is a dime a dozen - See Ronald Murray.

Steve - You're a point guard!!! That means give your big man the ball where he can operate and stop dribbling the god damn ball 17 times in the half court set. Also, give up the damn ball when you have numbers on the break. I'm Steve's biggest fan, but my god, he's gotta stop letting that ego destroy the Rockets.

Pick and Roll - For God's sake, can someone in the Rockets coaching staff teach these guards how to pass to the picker in a pick and roll or pick and pop, especially when the BOTH defenders cover the dribbler? This has NOT happened yet this year! I want to rip my hair out everytime Yao rolls to the hoop and Cat isn't even looking in his direction and he's WIDE open. Just throw the damn ball in the air, Yao is 7'5" !!! And what happened to getting Yao looks on the baseline during pick and roll? So far, NADA.

Rockets need to find more creative ways to get Yao the damn ball. I swear, they run the same 2 plays every single time down the court. 1. Pick and roll for drive and kick 2. Reluctantly throw it into Yao

Mismatches -[U/]

Yao - Yao is a mismatch for every single team in the league except one (Lakes, and Shaq). Give him the damn ball when where he can operate. Not when the shot clock is running down and not when he's 17 feet from the hoop with his back to the basket. Yao needs to do a much better job establishing position too, even if he doesn't get the ball. Against Miami, all 6 of his FTs were because Brian Grant or Udanis Haslem couldn't handle the big man while riding his hip and the Heat were in the penalty. What the hell is Ewing doing? Will someone show Yao a tape of Hakeem, Maurice Lucas, Adrian Dantley, Kevin Mchale or hell, show him 2 possessions when Amare Stoudamire's number is called. He establishes that position like his last meal depended on it.

Boneheaded guard play -

Someone PLEASE tell Cuttino, it's not effective to dribble the ball to where your teammate is standing. Pass the friggin ball.

Someone PLEASE tell Steve that he's already turned the ball over 7 times this year, yes 7 times, because he dribbled it between his legs or some other unforced nonsense. That's 1 per game.

Rebounding -

Hey Yao, you're 7'5", get a damn rebound! It's inexcusable that you're not averaging over 10 boards a game. Make yourself big, fight through those block outs by Antawn Jamison, Fortson and Brian Grant. Pursue, throw an elbow, play big! I can't remember the last time Yao got a significant rebound or actually won a rebounding battle.

So far, I really can't watch these guys. It's not that they don't have talent, they're dripping with talent. They just never use it. The guards never attack the rim when they have a mismatch on the perimeter, the never give the 2nd best center in the league the ball where he can be effective and they play selfish, idiotic basketball by dribbling too much.

The big man doesn't establish position, rebound and doesn't play big on defense. Forget his 7 blocks against Miami - Only a couple were actually significant defending the cup. God, I miss the days of Hakeem - he was such an animal on both ends of the floor. He dripped aggressiveness that you knew you were getting his best each and everytime on offense and defense during the mid-90s.

Watching these Rockets is like watching the smartest kid in school who happens to be your best friend go to a community college. It's a waste.

The only saving grace so far is the play of Jimmy Jackson - this guy is the glue for the Rockets. Always plays tough D, fights for a critical board and guess what? He passes the damn ball!!! he's the only one I've seen who consistently makes plays for others and gets them the ball where they can score, particularly Yao.

Next time you watch a game, look for these little things:

1. Do the guards get Yao the ball where he can operate (does Cat ever pass Yao the ball?)

2. How many rebounds in traffic (where he has to fight) does Yao actually get?

3. How many idiotic, unforced turnovers do Cat and Steve make?

4. How many aggressive (i.e. drop step, jump hooks, up and unders) moves does Yao make in the course of a game?

Until these beloved Rockets actually actually not only maximize these talents, but not waste them with wasted motion, they're very difficult to watch.
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I agreed with all the points you raised.

Don't worry though, it's going to get better. Maybe the next time when you watch Rox on TV, we might actually see a pretty good team

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So Far, Your 2003/3304 Houston Rockets are Unwatchable...Here's Why

ZRB Contributing Member

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