I am not one of those fans who sees a silver lining. I am very pragmatic in life and in my cheering. I watch this years team, and there are a few exciting plays, but more then anything I see DUMB players. By DUMB, I mean no court sense, no idea when to take it to the hole, when to pass, when to head fake, I MEAN NADA CLUE !!! Please do not give me the "YOUNG" excuse. I mean you can still be young and display court savvy. I know the team is decimated by injuries, and Rudy was relying on them to help with the education process. I just see absolutely NO improvement late in games...No idea of how to win, or to hit clutch free throws. It is simply a matter of mental toughness to win in this league. We have talent on the team, but unfortunatly the talent is from the neck down. DaDakota PS- To all of those who are blaming Rudy, simply stop. He gives them a plan and it is up to the players to execute it. They are simply not capable between the ears right now to make it happen. HAKEEM HELP !!!
Yeah he gives the plan but puts the wrong players in for it at the crunch time. He never knows who to put in at the 4th. NEVER.
That is becuase he has a bench full of people scared to take control. They need someone on this team that is not afraid of failing. Someone who does not mind being the Hero or the goat. Right now the team is just...baaaaaad (goat sound) DaDakota
I don't quite buy this theory, but I love the idea of watching the new "Dumb Team" school duke it out with the "Fire Rudy" school. It's about time someone around here proposed holding the players accountable for not knowing or doing what they're supposed to do. When Barkley's leg blew out, the Rockets lost about 150 IQ points. How much do we have left?
You guys both give the Rox a break! They were about to beat the team that just won the NBA championship. We have to realize that we are rebuilding now. Patients my friends, patients. Just sit back and watch the kids grow.
Sure we do play dumb when it comes to the fourth quarter and if we could hit 80% of our free throws we would not have this conversation. Also why can't you blame it on the team being young. If you look at the teams that win year in, year out they are old or atleast in there prime. If you look at the teams that don't make the playoffs they are usually young or are lacking a dominating presence. Experience helps you learn when to do what when the game is on the line.
Would've liked to see Anderson instead of Mobley late in the fourth. We are in a rutt. What happens is we compete for three quarters and then teams like the Spurs start thinking "we're about to get beat by the Rockets!". Those other teams step it up a notch and we sit around and let them have it. We panic and we dont execute. This is how it is for all bad teams. Yeah we have talent but like it or not, the Rockets are a bad team.
You know who else had court savvy - MJ. I know you don't want to hear this, but just read objectively. I live in Chicago (don't hold that against me), so I saw just about every game. Although I can't remember his early years...here's what he was really good at during the later ones (something which I'm sure can from experience, but something nonetheless that all the young "stars" should learn from). Yes, he could score and score and score, but during the first half he usually only had 8-10 points because he went way out of his way to make sure all of his teammates were involved mentally....he could take over the game at any point in time, but usually didn't until the 4th quarter, if needed. That meant that his teammates were involved physically and mentally the entire game, from the very start. Even during the last games of the some of the championships - it was Paxson and Kerr who hit the last shot, not MJ. Think back on the Nets game - yeah Francis looked awesome early on taking it to Marbury, but we got blown out because no one else was involved in the game early - he had a ton of points, but no assists. They were watching the Francis show (which was very exciting), but they got used to standing around, then they couldn't get going. I believe the same thing happened against the Spurs - yeah Francis had a GREAT 3rd quarter, but it took everyone else out of the game mentally - that's why they couldn't make the push in the 4th when the Spurs shut Francis down. Francis can take it to the hole anytime he wants, but has to be more selective early in the game - don't do it every time down the court, maybe every third or fourth time - that way everyone's involved all the time.
This doesn't necessarily relate to this thread, but Robert Horry, and in particular Sam Cassell were so advanced mentally when they came in. Both were just so composed in tight situations, made very few dumb mistakes, and became immediate playoff contributors, in contrast to Mobley and Dickerson's case of shell-shock last year. A small part of that could be that they were on better teams, but I think those two guys may have just been unique in that sense.
Isaiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, etc..etc.. So basically, if our players don't have the court savvy of people who went on to become the greatest players of all time, they are dumb? If that's the case, I think your expectations for our team are a bit high.
They're dumb because they've been shooting free throws since they we're big enough to reach the rim and they still haven't gotten it down! I don't have all the pretty moves or dunks but at least I can hit the freebies from the stripe in church league! ------------------ Rockets For Better, For Worse......'til death do us part!
Shanna, Some people are annointing Steve as that now..I am not one of them. As for others with court savvy..try... Mike Newlin Pete Chilcutt Chucky Brown Rhodrick Rhodes Randy Livingston All of them understood the team concept, and not a 1 of them an ALL time great. (sorry 4Chuckie) Lainey, Thank you, my point exactly. When Francis is doing his thing the other players stand around and try NOT to get in his way. Then when the other team takes Francis out of the game by double teaming him. The rest of the Rockets have spent ALL game standing around that they don't know what to do. I like Francis a LOT, but if he wants to play PG, he needs to drive to the hole and dish, this will get players playing well as a TEAM. Not as individuals. DaDakota
Why are we complaining about the Rockets...at all? I too am a bit peeved at Rudy's substitution pattern [sitting Shandon], but other than that, I am extremely pleased. How many rebuilding clubs take the World Champs 4 quarters? The Warriors and Clippers[Clippers of a few years ago] would have killed to be in our position. We are growing very fast and cheating the natural process. Other teams take nearly half a decade to get where we're at. They have to experiment with different things for years in the lottery, and then finally they get lucky one year and draft a franchise player [look at Philly before Iverson, Minn before Garnett]. We, on the other hand, get our franchise player the first year of rebuilding and have already surrounded him with a solid core. Quit b****ing about the Rockets...they are playing good and showing progress. They are not dumb, they are just kids who need to learn. Other than the Shandon-problem, Rudy is doing a good job mixing the players up and maximizing everyone's talents. You all need to realize we are light years ahead of where most teams are at in this stage of the rebuilding process. The kids arent stupid at all. I guess some of us are just spoiled from watching wise vets like Mario,Clyde,and Charles win games with their smarts over the years. And why is it that we have to blame either Rudy or the team? Why do we always have to try and find who is responsible for our shortcomings? We need to just accept the fact that we are rebuilding and that isn't anybody's fault. [This message has been edited by thacabbage (edited December 16, 1999).]
HeyPartner, I do write provocative posts, but it is not just after losses, although that is all we do these days...heheh I am just frustrated by the players not knowing how to play the game. Some players have an inate ability to understand the game. Isaiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, etc..etc.. Even when they were young they understood what it took to win. I am frustrated with our teams lack of knowing how to win, or even moderate improvement. As for Rudy, he calls a lot of timeouts, and I am sure he sets plays up for the players. It is their responsibility to execute them. I don't think they know how yet. I WANT COURT SAVVY !!! DaDakota PS. You know who had great court savvy for a young guy. Rhodrick Rhodes...Ironic isn't it.
Dakota, You huge bag of hot air! What do you know about basketball? Have you even stepped on a court before? This is all Rudy's fault and has been from the start. Frances is a great player. If we would hold on the the ball more and go to the hole, the Rockets would be in great shape. Stick to badminton dude!!
Stormchaser, Wow, you come in here and do nothing at all to refute my opinion. Yet, you take a personal attack on me and my knowledge. Then you say all Steve has to do is take it to the hole and we will be ok. I give you a quote from one of the all time great Point Guards who understood what it took to win in the NBA. "I could score 50 points a night if I wanted, but if I did we would lose" Isiah Thomas When Francis has the ball, his teamates stand around, they need to cut, pick, roll and do the rest of the things that all GOOD players do. Understand? DaDakota "Puprosely trying to take the high road here" PS. Some of the players I have played with or against that you might recognize. Allen Levell, Rodney McCray, Calvin Murphy, Pearl Washington, several college players, and I still play regularly with some of them in Austin. SO...There, tough guy !!!
DaDakota, Hey, do you play at the Post Oak YMCA? Because, I have and all those guys you named all have played there on occasion. I've played against Pearl Washington and Sleepy Floyd and ex-college players. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
Dakota, Sorry, did not realize you were the "player" you claim to be. That's quite a list. Next time I see Calvin, I will tell him hello for you. Will he know you by Dakota?
