To read all these tanking threads makes me want to puke. I can take a joke. I liked the whole lottery side of the humor when we found out we weren't going to make the playoffs. It was funny to see a sort of "Bizarro" front page when I came to the site. I actually do the whole lottery ping-pong thingy where you see who might get the first pick. But some people actually took it seriously? You started seeing people actually angry at Van Gundy for playing for keeps even after elimination! I couldn't believe what I was reading when Yao broke his foot and people actually blamed it on the coach? And now I read that Van Gundy pride hurt the Rockets? Why? Because he did what is required when you compete and that is to win? Unbelievable. For those in the know, when you THINK like a loser, even a loser can beat you. Personally, I don't care if I am playing my 5 year old in jacks, she isn't winning one hand from me. When I lose, I like to know I gave it my best. Competition is for winning. Not looking forward to next year. Not planning for the future. None of that. To most of us, Olajuwon is our biggest hero. Do you think he tanked any games? I heard him say in exact words you PLAY TO WIN EVERY GAME. EVERY GAME! Not the ones that you want or the ones you like. Thats why I love Dream. Thats why I love Jordan. I respect Steinbrenner, Parcells, Belicheck.I am getting there with Kobe. NONE OF THEM think about tanking at anytime during the year. And that is why I detest whiners and complainers and "what if'ers. This whole place became a whinefest all year. I loved it everytime the team went out there, played hard each and every game no matter how many people actually rooted for them to lose. I loved it when they won. LOVED IT. Giving up is a sissy mentality that went on all year on this board. A bunch of people who ACTUALLY ROOTED for the Rockets to lose? Personally, that is unacceptable. I would NEVER root for any of the teams I like to lose no matter what. Losing breeds more of it. Its a disease. I don't accept it personally. But if its ok with some of you, have a big cup o' losing on the house! I am not saying that we can't take a look see at what could be next year. But I believe in what happens happens. If we get the first pick, then good. But if we get the 8th, fine also. How do you know any of them is going to be any good? I don't see the Spurs getting any lottery picks lately, do you? And how many did the Clippers have in a row before they got any good? We already have TWO of the freaking lottery picks on the team that start. They are top 7-10 in the NBA and aren't even on the south side of TWENTY YEARS OLD! How many more would you like? All 12? Reality check, waiter. Blaming Van Gundys pride? To root for your own team to lose...man, I have to say...no words to explain. When you think like losers, even a loser can beat you. Wanna know who said that? Google it. Very succesful person when you find it.
And she's going to bust your ass next year when she drafts Jack B. Nimble in the first round. By the way ... welcome to March, Almoooooooo.
I bet the Clippers are feeling pretty good about their late season tanking right now. Meanwhile the Grizzlies, with their constant winners mentality, could possibly go another year without that first playoff win. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and do what's smart.
Seems like week old righteous indignation doesn't just taste great, it's less filling too. Thank you, can I have another.
Except the Spurs got to where they are by tanking. Their franchise player, Tim Duncan, was drafted #1 because the Spurs tanked to get the extra ping pong balls. Oh and this guy by the name of Hakeem Olajuwon was also gained through a little bit of tanking. I think that worked out pretty well also
Are all the teams in the playoffs losers? Since most of them rested their star players in the final regular season matches? Are teams losers, when they do not play their top players in the preseason? Or if they decide to sit the 40 year olds, and see what they got in their younger players?
Almu, it sounds like you hate losing. I was watching a documentary on Alfred Hitchcock and a quote of his caught my ear. He said, "Hate is wasted energy". This season is over and it was hard for players, coaches and fans alike. To hate what went on during last season is a waste of energy because it's not helping anything. Discussions about the future are much more valuable towards the attitude of fans. We as fans can do very little to change personel or coaching decisions, but we can get excited about the future. Excitement from one fan leads to more and it builds up. A loud homecourt advantage can lead to more wins. Being negative can do the same. You can build negativity in other fans and they may go into next season thinking that the Rockets will suck again. A lot of players play for the fans, they love being cheered for. So, if you can only do one thing as a fan, be negative about yesteryear or excited about the future, what do you think benefits the Rockets the most? I, for one, am pumped about getting a high level draft pick in the first round and a high second rounder. We got Luther Head last year at 24 and he has been an impact player all year long. Next year he'll be a better/smarter player. I can't imagine the kind of impact a lottery pick player will have on us. I can't see why we wouldn't be excited about next year. You can almost guarantee that it will be better than this year. Bob Sura might even be back. This team has salary being freed up. We'll improve on paper. I imagine the W's will improve too. Go Rox!
Good post, don. One question though... We have salary being freed up? Who, what, when, why and where?
While reading the first post in this thread, I emitted an incredibly loud fart that pushed warm air out of my ass crack in both directions, and my balls felt quite warm for a few seconds. Oddly enough, it doesn't stink at all.
That is odd. Why is it that loud farts never stink and the silent ones can knock down a crowd? Talk about your all time derailers.
GREAT post. I gave up on hating JVG around Feb. I'm still not a fan, but I had to put my energy into something I love instead. It's just a much better way to live. So, I love thinking about Yao, Tmac, and a future. And I hope to see good things next season.
Almu, calm down dude. the season's over. dude. tim duncan. he was a former lotto pick. i dont know why are dissing lotto picks.
How can we go into this offseason not knowing whether or not Stromile Swift can play 35mpg? And what would his production be if he did? Also, can Lampe play? How can we not have at least found out if he can play in game type of situations? Why did we have to run Wesley and Howard out there for big minutes night in and night out, especially after Yao's injury. As a realistic fan, as soon as it was clear we were missing the playoffs, I was rooting for next year. Losing mentality....MY ARSE !!! One player can make all the difference, and we had 2 great players out. DD
Only when he faked that injury to get a new contract.....oh, I'm sorry, what was your point again? DD
Good post. If Rox had won while giving those guys extra time then YESSS! BTW - 2 great players and a proven (in Rox gear) great winner out.
