Makes me think of the winning streak (I think it was 8 games straight) in Jan-Feb. I remember the radio stations were talking about how great we were. There were even some Rockets quotes in the paper and on the radio (was it Sura or Barry?) about how great we were doing. I even specifically remember JVG talking about how he didn't like the overconfidence aura he was seeing from the players. Then we went on a three game skid that shut everybody up and helped refocus the team and the fans new found egos. So to go along with you, rhester and Stack24, I am in total agreement. Nothing good can come from over confidence. I think part of it is we are seeing the positive side of media attention. I think that hypes up many of us, because it is something that we rarely get in Houston. But let me just remind everyone who reads too much into the hype. Remember the media and other teams still feel Houston was "lucky" to win it's two championships becasue of a lacking Michael Jordan. Believe me, if we happen to lose, whether it is this series or a future series, the media will forget all about us and all of the bandwagon people will lighten the load and everyone that let the attention go to their heads will once again be complaining that we get no respect.
JVG will do his best to keep the team up but from our performances in the first 2 games I think this team is ready and chomping at the bit to play the next game.
When you win two games on the road against a team as good as Dallas in a playoff series you are going to start getting some hype. A lot of this attention is coming from the media and the fans. Now we get to find out if the players believe their own hype or not. If they start to believe everything everyone is saying about them, then we are in trouble. Are the players starting to believe that their own press? I guess we will find out Thursday night.
let's not also forget that the media will often play things up to make their broadcasts more interesting. Do you really think that many people would sit there and say they are the next great duo?? Sure, they can be, but we all know Yao must become more consistent before that can even be possible. I also have full confidence that the Rockets won't get ahead of themselves. Be confident that you can sweep, but focus on making it happen. Just don't look past the present...simple. This team is smarter than that.
We broke the 8 game streak cause we lost a starter that broke up the chemistry and confidence the team was playing with...not from overconfidence. I also havent really seen the players being too cocky...all the talk is from fans and the media. I have no doubt that VG will have them focused and ready.
JVG will bring them to reality. He has done it all year and now is his time of the year, JVG will have them ready.
dude - where are you getting this its BBS posters and sports writers that are freaking out. Other than Tmac saying they are confident but humble on TNT (which is what he SHOULD say) - I haven't heard or seen one peice of smack being run by a player or coach
I do have confidence that if the players heads are getting too big, JVG will not hesitate to slap them back to reality. That makes me feel better.
Yes I remember we were without Sura, but the 8 game streak went right into the all-star weekend. And I just remember there being similar reactions like were are going through now, alot of fan and media attention. It was all-star time and most media outlets were looking at the "hottest teams" going into the break, (I could be wrong but that is what I remember). And as of right now we are on a 9 game win streak and I, like the rest of the rockets fans, hope it continues to grow.
In the post game interview after game 2, I think McGrady talked about getting up 2 in a series in the past and then losing. I don't think he's going to lose his focus, and I'm sure the rest of the guys will follow his lead. I hope and pray it's true, anyway.
I'm not worried. Yao always tells Chinese reporters that JVG emphasis on the last game on a road trip and the 1st home game after a road trip. He always reminds the players that those 2 games are the hardest games to win. Can some one give us the Rockets' winning percentage of 1 home game after a road trip, for this season?
Our record of our 1st home game following a road game for the season is (12-6), which is a winning percentage of 0.667.
I'm not worried either and I really don't think I'm being overconfident or arrogant about our team. We can do it, we have the focus and the veterans to remind us. I can't gaurantee a sweep, but we will make it past this round.
actually, we beat a 4 seed at home-- billed as the #1 hottest team going into the playoffs. Take time to smell a little roses; confidence goes a long way, it's just how you use is. Quit being such a pessimist.
Yep! Let's stay humble and get the job done. I prefer us to be the underdog. I do no mind if the media would still on the Dallas side at this moment if that would make us a better mentality to fight the game.
Pessimist??? I believe we are going to win it all this year. But talk is so cheap and so unnecessary... On ESPN to TMac "Magic says if Yao plays like he did you will be in the western conf. finals, what do you think?" Tmac- I agree. How about we still have to beat Dallas. Next question. J. Barry sports 610 radio- "I think we can handle them if we play our game.", "we can win it all this season" How about we still need to beat Dallas. Next question. I like this confidence and attitude right before the series starts. But once the battle begins you shut up and you don't talk, talk, talk about finals, how confident you are, we can handle them... Barry is on 610 AM right now talking about how much together they have things. "We are confident. When we hit a three we got our hand signal. I'm reading the newspaper right now about our hand signal." I just think we are talking too much us and disrespecting Dallas.
The only person I here talking the right talk is JVG- He said, "they are killing us on the boards" and "we will have to have our very best effort to win Thurs." That is so true.
