Last night was so reminiscent of last year's seventh game in Dallas. The sinking feeling, the disappointment, the reflection that "this is no way to end the season," a lifeless, soul-less, "out of gas" performance. The towel was thrown in early, and the Rockets were disrespected, humilated, and destroyed. What a feeling. And then the resolutions, from T-Mac, from CD, from JVG to "try harder," "never forget," "get more talent." And here we are just finishing the last game before the All Star break, after one of the best games of the season two nights before, and what happens? A lifeless, soul-less, gutless, "throw in the towel early" performance that was, frankly haunting. And where are the Mavs, better than ever, roaring into the break on top of their game, the hottest team in the league. And led by a rookie coach! To hell with the positives, there are no positives. Rockets fans have suffered enough. The Organization must do better than this. They must! Get someone in here who knows talent, sees talent, and can get talent. Get someone in here who has fire, heart, a "never quit" attitude. This is beyond absurd. Les, have you no pride, no self-respect? It is time to step in and demand changes, make changes, get results. The roller-coaster ride must end. The "fools-gold" must go. One thing for sure, this "barely burning little pilot light" team answered Bill Worrell's question. Was the Clippers game an aberration or is this team for real?" Well Bill, yes, it was an aberration and this team is for real, real pathetic. Crappy, sorry, slow, stupid, even incompetent, I can stand. Heartless makes me sick!
Sadly, I have to agree. Those of you who are convinced that this talented team will find its way and make some noise in the playoffs must have forgotten what a team with real heart looks like. This team has two superstars who find something to giggle about after being benched mid-way through a humiliating ego-thumping. The two Hakeem-led championship teams would never have allowed a loss like this -- those teams were full of guys who would get SERIOUSLY pissed off in the same situation. Can you imagine Dream and Elie laughing it up on national TV after having their asses handed to them on a platter? Otis? As someone in another thread pointed out, Sam Cassell hated so much being on the receiving end of such a loss the other night in LA that he exploded on-court and got tossed. Seeing T-Mac and Yao all smiles while the scrubs took over in Phoenix is the among the worst moments I've ever experienced in my 25+ years as a Rocket fan. Injuries, personal problems, questionable coaching... those things happen. Just don't friggin' QUIT on us fans while the rest of the country is watching.
Not like Game 7 vs Mavs, but Not like Game 7 vs Mavs, but more like Game 1 against Seattle... At after last year's game 7, I felt like we just had a huge letdown. I felt on a different day or a different arena, we could have taken care of the Mavericks. We had beaten them three times and had two other very close games. This game was more like '96, Game 1 against Seattle. We felt good after beating an overhyped Lakers squad that was already confused with Magic and we took care of them. When the Rockets stepped into KeyArena, they were blown away. They made Hakeem look bad, they made everyone look slow. Rudy looked like he didn't have a plan. In fact, we made several adjustments and had alot of fire on that squad, but couldn't beat them. Yesterday's game was that kind of slap in the face. A brutal reminder that, in a league full of superstars and rosters built around 2-3 potential allstars, it's the best team with the best game plan that wins. Good systems help players over-perform, we notice guys like Tayshaun, David Wingate, Raja Bell, Horry... on our squad even skilled players are looking very ordinary.... This game assured me that we don't have the right pieces or the right coach for the pieces we have
Solid, a good post. I was thinking of the Dallas game, too. Do we fire all the players or get a new coach? I also keep thinking of how JVG keeps whining that the players don't play hard, have no passion. I don't remember this under Rudy. I womder if what appears from the outside to be JVG's exclusively negative approach is motivational. It seems like our potential talent base is restricted to folks who can cope with this, and even they don't seem to be responding too well. The NBA might very well have passed Rudy by, but it is looking like it might have passed JVG by also. Without handchecking and all the rest, his pound it inside approach with the old defense that basically prevents inside shots might not be working. Rudy's people skills and the loyalty he created to him do seem like they have not gone out of style or importance. I note that the Clippers supposedly have a good defense without being sad sacks who depend solely on low scoring games to win. We might have made a mistake by not choosing Dunleavy.
Yes, seeing our All Stars all smiles was very upsetting. I can not understand where the fire in this team is. They should be pissed off like most of us are. I don't what the organization has planned but the need to look at the players and the coaching staff. I wished the Rockets would just do something to get this team back on track.. I wouldn't mind seeing Mario Elie become the head coach on this team.
See, this is the guy I thought would have been a natural fit after Rudy left. Another former Rocket player with experience taking a team deep into the playoffs. When everyone else was talking about Larry Brown, I wanted Dunleavy. He would have loved to come here too.
Guys, this is my heart exactly. I respect Cassell for "blowing up" and getting tossed. It is an expression of his competitive spirit. He wants to win, he can't stand losing. Some of our players act like they are on tour. I want to see towels thrown, chairs kicked, not giggles! I am one of TMac's biggest fans, but I am seeing something in him I don't like. Twelve million a year is alot for playing a kids game. I have personal problems. I don't feel good. I am not totally happy. If I am as talented as he is, I will still show up, and take out my frustration on the other team. I still want to kick their ass. I won't quit. I won't stop. I won't give up. And I don't respect those who do.
The whole T-Mac/Yao laughing incident is blown out of proportion! My gosh, T-Mac is goin through tough times right now, its not ok for him to crack a few jokes to ease the tension a little bit? Its not like they were joking the whole time...who knows maybe they were laughing at Ewing for checking out the Suns cheerleaders? Anothert thing, this is not the same as the Mavs game..far from it. That was a freakin game 7 in an elimination game. Yes we got blown out, but both T-Mac and Yao weren't laughing then...actually they were almost in tears b/c they wanted to win so bad but their role player let them down. Talk about not having any fire...
That is the best you can do? That is all you have? That is your rule #1? No substance, no ideas, no analysis, no reflection? If you are "giggling" right now, you must be a Mavs fan. They are the ones giggling, all the way to the playoffs. Tell me, what do Rockets fans have to "giggle" about? But, you know, maybe you are right. Why are we taking this Rockets team so seriously. Maybe we should all giggle. They don't seem so broken up about their situation or their performance. Yes, that is what we should do, all giggle! Like you.
The coach himself said the team is mediocre and lacks passion.That shows how ominous the situation really is. Hard decisions have to be taken. There is no easy solution. Great post solid.
