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Donde Esta Dribblemania?? A little perspective on progress

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Rileydog, Apr 27, 2004.

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  1. Rileydog

    Rileydog Member

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    It's too early to do a year in perspective kinda thing but the Chronicle article about JVG sticking by Francis reminded me of something important.

    Quick, name the single thing that was driving us all bugfart last year, above all other issues. Yes, that's right, Dribblemania.

    It is amazing to think about where we are now. Francis and Mobley dribble much much less. Moochie is someone else's problem. We actually run plays. Not perfectly, but we run plays. Priority number 1 was accomplished this year.

    There are other areas of progress that may not be reflected in a given stastic. We hustle more. We are tougher. As dumb as we still play sometimes, we play smarter than we did last year. Finally, JVG is winning over this team. There will still be bumps along the road but this is obvious to me. Someone quoted Taylor in another post saying that JVG has been tough on the team and been demanding, but that's what they needed. These guys might complain from time to time, but they accept that what he demands is right. In short, they respect JVG.

    I think next year is where we make a big jump. All signs point that way. I look for Francis to have a banner year, not in terms of statistics, but in terms of efficiency.
     
    #1 Rileydog, Apr 27, 2004
  2. pgabriel

    pgabriel Educated Negro

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    There were several accomplishments this year. Less Dribbling, more defense out of your so-called Franchise, more movement off the ball, although this could still be improved greatly but they have made progress.
     
    #2 pgabriel, Apr 27, 2004
  3. Rockets2K

    Rockets2K Clutch Crew

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    Thats all I asked for this year....progress.
    Anyone who thought we were contending for a championship this year was even more deluded than I get sometimes.

    Building a champioship contender isnt a easy process for most teams...and for it to take over 5 years isnt that uncommon unless you get lucky like SA has.

    We will retain our core...add a role player or two...and improve our chemistry and teamplay...improvements from Yao and Francis over this year...and we could be contending for a championship as early as next year.

    Time will tell...but I have faith that this is how it will work out.
     
    #3 Rockets2K, Apr 27, 2004
  4. gucci888

    gucci888 Member

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    Couldn't have said it better myself. I think this whole season was for JVG to try to solve obvious problems-excessive dribbling, defense. It seems he has accomplished this (especially the way we've been playing in the playoffs).

    Hopefully, JVG will try to solve problems we have in the offensive end. Maybe, focus the offense around SF when Yao is out, or even when Yao isn't being productive.

    Adding another big name and a couple role players, improving chemistry, this summer, we could improve a lot more.
     
    #4 gucci888, Apr 27, 2004
  5. glynch

    glynch Member

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    Rockets 2k, good post.

    All we need is one more good bench player/starter. Wasn't there talk about how valuable our trade exemption was?

    Our gusty showing to date in the playoffs, along with our talent will attract a good free agent. That along with the progress of Yao, Francis and the rest of the core will mean second round of the playoffs next year.
     
    #5 glynch, Apr 27, 2004
  6. edc

    edc Member

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    Donde Esta Offense?

    I prefer a team that dribbles and SCORES to a team that turns the ball over and chucks up misses.
     
    #6 edc, Apr 27, 2004
  7. edc

    edc Member

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    Hee. Hee. Hee. HA! HA! Oh, my, that's a knee slapper!

    Jeff Van Gundy can't coach an offense out of a paper bag. He couldn't in
    New York, and has successfully destroyed this one.
     
    #7 edc, Apr 27, 2004
  8. Uprising

    Uprising Member

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    :confused: what's with the wannabe ZRBs (no offense ZRB, great to have you back in the light once again).
     
    #8 Uprising, Apr 27, 2004
  9. rocksolid

    rocksolid Member

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    When reading this post, I keep thinking about JVG's most repeated quote..."I know what it takes to win in this league"...It seems that our team is finally starting to 'buy in' to the system.

    I think we make a big leap next year, as well. As I've been saying for some time, we are one PF away from the BIG 4 in the west.
     
    #9 rocksolid, Apr 27, 2004
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