OK, someone started a thread like this last year, and the Rockets started winning afterward. At this point point the season, I am willing to try anything. I am starting a thread this time, and hope the we can take off from here... Again, I am desperate, and willing to try anything...
All we need is McGrady back. He and Alston (also out) are our only playmakers. Everyone else on the roster, with the possible exception of Head, relies on others to create shots for them. No one can create, so we have nothing but guys struggling and forcing bad shots. No can penetrate, defenses can feel free to send two weak-side helpers on Yao without fear, and we get nothing but low-percentage shots. Adding McGrady and Alston will make all the difference in the world, even if they don't score themselves. Evan
A visit from the hopeless Atlanta Hawks, just what the Dr. ordered! I have a feeling that if T-Mac comes back for that games tuesday against Atlanta and is back for good, that the Rockets will be fine. Right now I firmly believe that they'll win 3 in a row to get to 6-11 before heading back out on the road. 6-11, hmm, what they were last year. Any need for worry if T-Mac comes back? None at all. If they can be above .500 by the end of December, they'll be fine. The main concern right now is getting T-Mac healthy before they'll need to make their run like they did last year. Everything will be fine in Rocketland when T-Mac comes back! Brian
You guys could be 0-82 and still be better than the Jazz. OK, since this thread is about your team I'm going to ask a few questions. I honestly haven't seen much of you guys this season (JVG teams are painful for me to watch, not a fan of his style). These aren't "flame" questions, but just honest wonderings. * Is Stro Swift playing well for you guys? I know by reading the Clutch recaps, he's not shooting well and his numbers are low but he's not playing much either. Is it because he has to adjust to the new team or is he just having an off year? * How is Luther Head playing? It killed me seeing you guys grab him in the draft. I think he's going to be a solid player for years, but might not be an immediate contributor. Does that sound about right? * How about Rafer Alston? Do you think he'll fit in with the JVG offense? * What's the latest with T-Mac's injury? Thanks guys.
Stro is good some nights, terrible others. He doesn't rebound well, and he can't defend one-on-one well. He fouls a lot. He is weak in the low post. He gets quite a few blocks and highlight-reel dunks. To me it seems like he is always trying to make something happen, and is out of control on his drives/post moves. He has mental lapses on defense. He plays hard though, just not always smart. About what I expected. Luther Head is pretty good for a rookie. He shoots 3's at a great percentage, and can penetrate at will. He doesn't finish that great yet. He looks to be improving every game, and doesn't try to do too much. I don't see much of a midrange game from him yet. His ball-handling is decent. He's not a great straight up defender, but gets a good amount of steals. One of the only bright spots in the guard rotation for Houston. Rafer is injured. He hasn't played enough yet. He definitely gets the ball upcourt quickly, but doesn't drive and dish much or shoot the 3 very well so far this season. TMac should be back tomorrow.
Stromile sucks Rafer sucks Head is OK compared to Rafer and Anderson, but that's like saying a Corvette is better than a Ford Tempo and a Chevy Citation McGrady will be back against the Hawks, but the Rockets have issues FAR deeper than getting McGrady back will fix Basically, every single move the Rockets have make in the offseason oustide of the draft has been a failure, so far...hell, they can't even hire good color commentators!
Swift actually is intriguing. I've seen him throw some pretty nice passes to Yao off of his moves in the post to Yao under the basket. Makes him seem a lot less stupid than when he misses defensive rotations. He also has great touch. dude has a lot of basketball talent, but you can't keep him out there because he gets outworked on the boards and doesn't play d well, except he'll get you some blocks.
Good point. He has really surprised me with his passing. His outside shot is kinda ugly in my opinion. He's banked in a few, and everytime I see him raise up for a 15-footer (or a 3 pointer!), I cringe.
Seriously? I've gotten a lot more comfortable with that 15-foot shot of his. Seems like he gets nbn quite a bit.
Thanks for the insight guys. Sounds like you guys are really down on the team. Trust me, it's not over. I saw the Nugs remove their heads from their asses last season and you guys are more than capable of doing the same thing. Guess I'm going to have to watch the Hawks-Rockets game tonight.
A couple of things I have seen said I don't agree with. 1) Luther is a good defensive player, his positioning and technique is better than you would normally expect out of a rookie...he needs to learn to negate some of the tricks the opponents use on him to brush him off....but if you watch his footwork and technique, he has the tools to be a damn fine defender in this league. 2) Guard penetration has not been a strength so far, but DA and Luther have both shown more ability to drive in, they just need to work on finishing...the ability to do so is there..Rafer can also do it, but for some reason seems to be holding back..whether or not this is due to him wanting to work on setting up others or not I dont know.
If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's how to handle your basketball team getting off to a slow start. It's the whole "improving after the slow start" that still catches me off guard occasionally.
Texas Longhorns > Houston Rockets. and the reason the nuggets got it turned around with the same team was a new head coach. someone who knew how to score points and still play some defense. hint, hint, hint.
