The team needs to get in like 14-2 or 15-1 record and take the league by storm. If Dallas and San Antonio start chasing us for the division instead of us chasing them it will be better for us. If we get #1 seed in the west, I can guarantee us going to the conference finals at least and a very good chance at the NBA finals. I think Tracy and Yao need to play like players possesed for us to get a good start. And the in a couple of months our chemistry should jell and we can win consistently through out the season with Tracy and Yao always playing at a high level or too many minutes. But the 1st 20 games these guys have to make our team the national news while they get a lot of early MVP hype. I can't wait for the season to start.
Its an exciting time to be a Rocket fan but dont get too ahead of yourself mate. I dont care how fast we start, as long as we start to play well at the end of the year when its time for the playoffs then ill be happy.
Agreed Alirules. Im tired of slow starts to seasons resulting in us playing from behind in the standings, and ultimately its a hole we just cant dig our way out of. our proneness to injury will only be more of a concern should we already be something stupid like 4-12 again as per last years start. get out of the blocks fast, then pace our way through the season. as always , easier said than done.
Not happening. Our november schedule: Wed 1 @ Utah Sat 4 Dallas Sun 5 @ NO/Okla. City Tue 7 @ Memphis Wed 8 @ Milwaukee Fri 10 New York Sun 12 @ Miami Tue 14 San Antonio Thu 16 Chicago Sat 18 @ Detroit Mon 20 @ New York Wed 22 Washington Sat 25 Memphis Tue 28 Minnesota Wed 29 @ Phoenix 10-5 with a new squad of players and I'm happy. This isn't a well-gelled Rockets team that went 17-0 with Hakeem. Strong starts haven't done anything for Seattle and Phoenix over the past couple of years, I'm more interested in ending the season strong and healthy.
Actually I agree with him. A fast start would be nice -- set a tone early rather than be the ones chasing Dallas & co. in the playoff seedings down the stretch. One thing that *could* be a factor is the new balls. If teams generally have a hard time shooting a high percentage from outside early in the season, it would favor teams with strong inside scoring abilities (Yao and Bonzi). It's just a theory -- probably a stretch but perhaps worth considering: Pound the ball inside early and often.
exactly, btw, not to nitpick, but we were 15-0 remember, we barly got back to .500 on New Years during the 2004-05 season and still finished with 54 wins, to me thats pretty impressive.
I reckon that because of the High Bball IQ of this current team, that we will be able to gel SO much quicker than any other team remember last year, we were hoping that Swift will be able to understand the system come ASG, with Battier and Bonzi, I dont think thats a problem I think by the end of preseason, they would have gelled pretty well with the rest of the team thats the advantage of having smart players Fast Start + Great Season + Great Finish = Ring ring ring ring ring
I guess the only sure way to overcome any difficulties with the feel of the new ball is to dunk it... I would welcome a fast start, for reasons already mentioned - the thing is alot of teams have had roster makeovers, so it's hard to really see how they all go, esp. against the Spurs, seeing as they have no centre... The thing I'll be hanging on is, as I always do, our defense. I hate you-score I-score type games (Phoenix-Dallas games for example). I want to see how much of an improvement we can make with our team defense, and what each individual can do - esp. Yao, and how much he has improved, in terms of his athletic ability, strength and quickness
Don't count on a fast start. Too many new players, 2 new starters and the bench is almost entirely new. Yao and Tmac have to learn to play together. Remember Yao isn't the same player as the start of last season and Tracy played very little with the new Yao. He will have to learn to adjust and give way to Yao more than before. Plus it just takes time for teams to gel and Van Gundy's defense isn't simple. As long as we are above .500 after the first month we will be in good shape. 9-6 would be good anything above that is awesome, because we will only get better as the season progresses and everyone learns there roles.
Players have also been complaining of controlling the ball when wet. So there may be more lost balls when driving, esp when players try that hop step, coralling the ball with one hand. So Maybe we can get more steals. Basically I just want to see us create more turnovers this season. We have played well defensively the past few seasons; but if we could translate that into quick points, then we will be in great posiiton. Especially with new smart defenders such as Battier, Bonzi, and even Synder that seems very possible. Even KB may help there.
I think I've figured it out. You guys have such unrealistic expectations, that you get all worked up and when they don't happen, you were SO certain that they would, than anything less becomes a complete and utter disappointment. 14-2? 15-1??? Given the rough schedule to start the season, I'll take plus .500 and be happy. Anything below that should be a disappointment. But, if they go 14-2, I will be completely and totally shocked. So will the entire NBA. I'd be happy, but I'm not putting money on it.
Every season the expectation is always so high and the result is always disappointing. I think I have learned my lesson and I won't be too exicted about the new season. Two weeks into the season and we will find out what kind of the team they have. One thing for sure, if they want to win 60 games, they can't have a slow start.
I am of the opinion that veteran players require less "gel" time, and that really talented vet players gel even quicker. I think this team, if it has an exceptionally good training camp, can storm out of the gate. Bench play from the younger players is another matter. Remember, all the teams have been off for months and are just getting cranked up themselves. Many have lineups that are altered from last season. No excuses.
I love that schedule. Give us the tough teams early, leaving us with cupcakes down the playoff stretch. We could be those teams also. Miami can't beat us, Chicago is overrated, I don't know why Minnesota was bolded, and Phoenix is only a regular season threat. No way they could see us in a 7 game series. 10-5 sounds about exact, though I'll shoot for 11-4 or 12-3. But if we go 15-1, we winning 63+.
