http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3561216 Rockets are losing ugly Team's inability to score points a major concern heading into trip By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle WASHINGTON - No one is going to feel sorry for Jeff Van Gundy, and he is not about to ask for pity. But give the guy this: He has to watch this stuff every night and every day in between. If the truism is that basketball is a much prettier sport when the ball goes in the basket, it must also be true that it is some level of ugliness when shots are missed. The Rockets, the worst offensive team in the NBA, have descended into hideousness. And as hard as it is to watch for 48 minutes, Van Gundy's fate as caretaker of this offensive disaster has been to watch it again and again with the focus of a forensic investigator. "We're a very dull, boring, lifeless team," Van Gundy's studies — and any passing glance — have revealed. "We need one person or a group of people to energize us. Yet, that's why teams continue to lose in losing streaks. They can't regroup and gather themselves. "Losing teams in this league all exhibit the same characteristics. We have unfortunately been no different. (Losing teams) instead of being more determined, get more discouraged. We need somebody to energize us." Van Gundy has often argued that poor shooting does not have to beget poor efforts. The reality, however, is that when ineffectual offense becomes as customary as it has for the Rockets, particularly since Yao Ming's toe infection sidelined him, the downward spiral often takes other aspects of performance with it. Not pretty numbers In their five-game losing streak, the Rockets have averaged just 84 points per game, losing by an average of 10 points and never holding a lead in three of the losses. The Rockets' 87.6 points per game and 41.5 percent shooting are the worst in the NBA. But as painful as it is to watch, it's not just about aesthetics. The Rockets are 1-16 when failing to score 90 points. "We cannot shoot the ball," Van Gundy said. "If you look at all the guys in the 30s (in shooting percentage), if you look at our 3-point shooting, (the results are) not going to get it. Last year, we rode the wave of great shooting. That brings passion and energy. When you're not shooting well in today's NBA, it's very deflating." A case can be made that the Rockets' greatest offensive problem has been the loss of Yao, their most accurate shooter at 50.6 percent and second-leading scorer at 19.9 points. Yet as the Rockets left Monday for a three-game trip beginning tonight against the Washington Wizards, they say they can't sink any deeper and still climb back in the Western Conference playoff chase. "Being on a five-game losing streak, I look at it like we better get a win, somehow, some way," forward Tracy McGrady said. "We have been struggling of late. Wins have been tough to come by. It's really slipping away. "The time is now. Five-game losing streak, (then) we've got three crucial games." Going in wrong direction The Rockets trail the eighth-place Lakers by four games, but five teams are closer than them. In the five games since returning from a 5-1 trip, the Rockets' caliber of play indicates that the gap between between them and the playoffs is more than four games. "If we want to make the playoffs, obviously, the results matter," Van Gundy said. "That right now should be the least of our concerns. We're so far away from that. We just have to try to play better so we're in the realm. You have to ask yourself long, hard questions. "Can we only be good enough if Yao and Tracy are playing together? We're 9-5 with those two, and we're 1-13 without one of them (including the two games McGrady left). When you're that bad, you're that bad for a reason. We have to try to figure out the reason." jonathan.feigen@chron.com ROCKETS SUMMARY Injury picture brightens The Rockets injury problems, while still severe, showed signs of improvement on Monday. Forward Tracy McGrady, who sprained his ankle in Saturday's game against the Warriors, declared himself ready to play tonight at the Washington Wizards. "It's sore, but I'm fine," he said. Guard Rafer Alston, who played Saturday for the first time since Nov. 17, said he was also sore, but no more so than expected. "It was throbbing, but the doctor said it would be like that for the next seven to 10 days," Alston said of the hairline fracture of his right fibula. "After that I should be able to go in every day and not feel pain." And the Rockets could bring a player back this week: Guard Jon Barry, who has played in one game since Nov. 25, traveled with the team. Barry is scheduled to practice on Wednesday. If there are no complications, Barry (strained right calf) could play Thursday in Cleveland or more likely Friday in Toronto. "We'll be at full strength at some point," Alston said. "I don't think we have all year. It's good to see guys coming back." The Rockets are 1-13 in games that either Yao or McGrady don't finish. Something's missing The Rockets have not missed Yao Ming's 3-point shooting. He has taken one 3-pointer and missed it. But since Yao went out, the team's 3-point shooting has slumped nearly as much as their scoring in the paint. The Rockets have made 24 of 87 (28 percent) of their 3s during the five-game losing streak. Luther Head and David Wesley had a hot-shooting second half against the Lakers, the first game without Yao. But since then, the Rockets' most accurate 3-point shooters have made five of 25 and seven of 30 of their 3s, respectively. "The way we're playing ... we're offensively inept," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Last year, the 3-point shot was a huge weapon for us. This year, it's a huge detriment." JONATHAN FEIGEN this article is stating the obvious.
""We cannot shoot the ball," Van Gundy said. "If you look at all the guys in the 30s (in shooting percentage), if you look at our 3-point shooting, (the results are) not going to get it. Last year, we rode the wave of great shooting. That brings passion and energy. When you're not shooting well in today's NBA, it's very deflating." Then maybe if you want to get rid of guys like Mike James and Scott Padgett, you should pick up guys who can actually hit an open jumper every once in a while.
I don't know if you guys wanna admit but Mike james was the energizer bunny in the Rockets team last year. Without the battery, the machine is worthless.
i'll admit, i'm one of the few men on this board. Mike James was a streaky scorer that we needed. Kind of a Cuttino player, except not as good of a defender. I guess the Rockets thought that Tmac and Yao were invincible and would never get hurt. last year: Offensive players=Tmac, Yao, James, Barry, Padgett, Sura this year: Offensive players=Tmac, Yao, Barry, Anderson, Sura I was at that Utah game over Christmas break and when Tmac left, the Rockets were the worst offensive group in the NBA. There should be a thread of 'I miss the old role players' .
CD and JVG must have a serious problem if they think the T-Mac/Yao combo were invincible. Cmon, you can't expect them to carry the offensive load every single night, that would be overkill. I agree, we wouldn't be in this position if James would've stayed.
I was one of those who thought we could do without James. I still think it was the right bet at the time. But the bet didn't pan out -- we ran into injuries and poor shooting -- and what we're now witnessing is, in part, the price of that bet.
I supported the MJ and Alston trade, and still believe we should do better in the long run. Too bad, all the injuries made the trade look one side at this point.
With Alston back and Barry expected back either wednesday or friday the Rockets should be able to put a few wins together and get back in the playoff race. I believe they can and you should to. Go Rockets!!!
