DaDakota, I'm not sure you realize how MUCH you were getting on a lot of people's nerves, hence THACABBAGE's calling you out. It wasn't so much that you had a variant opinion ... that's valued and healthy... as you've been valued over the years on this BBS. The problem was your timing, repetiveness and lack of intelligent interaction on the points, which we'd normally expect from you. You just kept repeating them over and over like a religious zealot who has memorized a set of dogma, but doesn't understand it well enough to discuss it for the good of others, sounding preachy at an innapropriate time. It came across like you were trying to get attention at a key moment, and that by saying something over and over and over, it would make you more persuasive. The timing sucked. You were SO dogmaticly negative at a time when JVG should have been praised for somehow getting wins, passion, intelligence, and the most from a team going through the trauma of losing so many key players from injury. No one thought they would do what they did, and we were standing in pride and greater confidence in our coach and team, while you went and spit in their faces for doing what many of the rest of us thought was AMAZING, insulting them for the very thing they were doing great at. It was hard to even know how to post a response, it was so crazy. And, then you cheerlead a bunch of reactive posters that are the shallow part of this BBS. It really pissed a lot of us off ... So, then you start this thread doing the exact opposite, and it almost looks patronizing, making a joke of your critics, or that you are just trying to be the center of attention. I don't think you are, but it just looks like it. If you really did listen, and are trying to make up for it, and "get" why you "got" flack, then your future posts will reflect it, with a healthy critical, but balanced opinion, not downing the coach or team or cheerleading the reactive panic bandwaggoners. JVG is our coach in a potential contending year. I don't agree with everything he does, and its fine to throw out your opinion of what you think he could do better, although players like McGrady and Barry say he's the best in the league, when they don't have to, and know way the hell more than you or I. But, do it when he deserves it, not when he's a hero. He's worked to build this team you say you are so excited about. As much as I love Rudy, he didn't build this team, and never built this good of a team, since he was handed the team with the Dream, and instilled in them the heart of a champion. This is JVG's time to see what he's got, and see if he can install that heart. If theres another better coach who's available, after he's proven he CAN'T pull it off, then is the time to suggest alternatives, not now, in the heat of battle. Ease up ... but, we need you around here ... ... so, I look forward to these new healthy, critical, but balanced posts the rest of the year.
1) I love that Yao is steppin it up to be the superstar he's capable of, and developing confidence ... even some nastiness. As Yao goes, so will our championship hopes. 2) I love the healhty, loyal chemistry on this team. That's really foundational. We didn't have that last year. 3) I love how JVG has actually got everyone to believe they can beat any team in the league, with or without Yao and/or McGrady. 4) I love that McGrady found the Waco back guy, and is now kicking ass. 5) Battier, Juwan, and Mutumbo have been such pros this year, classy, dependable, focusing on whatever it takes to win. 6) We have a lot more to say good about Head than stupid off-color jokes. His clutch confidence is awesome. Now, if Novak could catch some of that. 7) This year feels like it's building momentum, like the year we added Clyde and went on to win it, even though it was up and down. As the year progresses, I think we will see VSpan, Head, Hayes, JL3, Novak, and hopefully Bonzi, step up to stronger roles by the playoffs. 8) Say what you want about JVG, but the RedRowdies was a stroke of genius, putting his money where his mouth was. They've made a huge home court advantage. That'll translate to at least 10 more wins this year, and McGrady really feeds off them. 9) As much as the injury to Yao is tough, it'll make him fresh for the playoffs, with lots of rest. As long as we can keep winning without him, that is ... 10) Dang, I'm blown away by Mutumbo. What heart! Stay healthy ... 11) Battier has turned out to be WAY better than I thought, and he's just hitting his prime to be a great core with Yao and TMac. 12) I've loved how JVG adjusted his offense after Yao went out, and McGrady, working with the strengths of what he had. He's quite the X and O's coach. 13) I like that Rafer doesn't turn over the ball, or dribble it excessively, but gets it in play, and passes well. In fact, I like that JVG keeps encouraging him to shoot, because if it starts falling, we'll be a tougher team. His loyalty to him is impressive. Do I wish we had a better PG ... yes. 14) I love that we got Morey. Our off-season acquisitions were far superior to last year, even if we could have gotten more out of West. I don't think he'll waste the TE, Sura's retirement, or finding a gem somewhere before the trading deadline is gone. Morey was probably our best off-season acquisition.
20 things I like about the Rockets right now: 1) Yao Ming 2) Shane Battier 3) Chuck Hayes 4) Tracy McGrady 5) Jeff Van Gundy 6) Luther Head 7) Dikembe Mutombo 8) Gene Peterson 9) Les Alexander 10) Daryl Morey 11) Tom Thibodeau 12) Rafer Alston 13) Juwan Howard 14) Keith Jones 15) Bonzi Wells 16) Kirk Snyder 17) John Lucas, III 18) Scott Padgett 19) Matt Bullard 20) ClutchFans.Net Steve Novak 14)
Sherlock, I completely understand and it is why I started this thread. I still reserve the right to criticize the coach, the players, and the organization, but it is only because I expect so much.....and it is all out of passion and love. I would rather not hash out in here what was going on...but I appreciate your honest post. Cabbage, should have known better. DD
What have DD and the posters from the shallow end of the gene pool been saying from time to time? physical demands on the rotation, who else might be able to contribute even 5 minutes here and there..... What did JVG say in his lengthy press conference the other night? He is not sure his top 7 can last physically with what he is asking of them. He is thinking about who else might be able to contribute..... I am glad that our coach does have some concerns, maybe even doubts, that what he is doing might need to be adjusted. Is your version of this BBS the sports version of my country right or wrong? Come on Sherlock, this is a discussion board. We TALK about basketball - a game. And to wonder why JVG does things so differently than a lot of other coaches with his rotations seems to me to be a natural response to non-typical behavior. I'm glad the Rockets are doing well. But just like the business world, just because I sell a million dollar product at a big margin today, doesn't mean I don't have to also think about the long term future of my company. Just because the team wins today does not mean there are not concerns about deteriorating defense, next week, and the next 3 months, let alone next year. Do I get pissed at people because they think JVG is wonderful all the time and no one should ever question him? No. Heck even JVG is questioning the teams defense and their desire to execute in the midst of all of this winning. I do admit to some frustration sitting at a game or watching on the tube and then looking over at the rest of my buds watching and we all pretty much say - OK the next thing JVG is going to do is..... And if we can do that - then I am certain Avery Johnson and the rest of the league can do it. He does appear to share some frustrating characteristics with Marty Shottenheimer. You may totally disagree with me and that is OK. I do not consider you shallow or reactive. I consider you to be a fellow fan who cares as much as I do about the team and just sees things differently. Gee Snyder may play soon and he is shooting 3p's at a high percentage - what is it? Oh gosh 17.8%! Well, I hope HE gets a chance and improves HIS shot both for his benefit as well as the teams.
I applaud debate, opposite points of view, armchair coach opinions, ideas of what would make our team better, honest criticisms of genuine problems we see as fans, and even tirades after emotional losses. We're fans. Some people have more intelligent opinions than others, some are more knowledgeable, some are just stupid, and the whole world get's to see who's who. If everyone had the same opinion, this place would be boring. Debate brings out the details, even wrong opinions bring out good opinions. Debate allows us to gnar on the bone until we figure stuff out, since none of us have the expertise of the Rocket's coaches and staff. It takes us awhile to get it, or at least me. What gets irritating to those wanting genuine fan dialogue is panic posters, who blindly accuse and vehemently vent. It doesn't allow for interaction and dialogue, but kills posting. Normally, DD doesn't fit in that category. This was out of character for him, so he was called on it. He's held to a little higher standard probably, since he's a veteran part of this BBS. What some of us didn't like in this particular instance, was kicking a hero when we were proud of him for somehow getting the most out of our team, while Yao was out, and no one expected this much. It twisted good into evil. This was huge improvement from last year, when the same thing happened. Most fans, IMHO, were grateful, and it was just a bit shocking to have someone dog JVG at that moment. Wrong timing. I have plenty of complaints about JVG. He's FAR from perfect, and ironically, he'd be the first to tell you that. But, he just did something amazing since Yao went out. It should be building our confidence that we might actually be contenders, not calling for his head. I hope everyone shares their opinion about everything, regardless if its popular or not, and not allow any posts on this or any other thread to dampen their enthusiasm. Speak your minds and hearts. (You will and should anyway ... I'm nobody but one of thousands of voices on this board) But, as fans, we ought to show a little respect when its due. This board is a step above the rest, when we show a little class.
Everything is right with us. We've played the 4th toughest schedule in the league so far and we're on pace for 50 wins which might be even more with Yao returning and an easier second half schedule.
I like... that as a "team" they have shown they can play with any other team -- when they hustle and stay focused. The best thing Van Gundy could do right now, when they seem to be so down, is show them film from some of those games where they did inspire themselves and us fans. Nothing like seeing a good movie to help get you out of a funk. It might just inspire them to go out and do "what they used to do" (not so long ago).
So, DD, which step out of the 12 is this again? j/k Seriously, one thing really stands out to me this season, typified by this last game at home against the Nugz (which we lost): this was the first game, as far as I can recall, all season, that I felt like the Rockets 'screwed around and lost'. To me, that reflects a positive on the entire season. Why? Because we are halfway in and I can think of only one game where the team played foolishly and blew a game they should have won. Now this is not to say that there have not been other games they lost which they should have won. That's certainly not the case. It's just that, even in those games, we still played hard, never gave up, and played with seriousness and intensity. Sometimes you do your best and still come out on the losing end. No shame in that. Until this last game. It was clear that the players believed they already had this game won, and slipped up mentally, and lost. It was such a shock, and apparently such a shock to JVG (and hopefully such a shock to the players), that I would not be surprised if we don't see a duplicate of this again the rest of the season. So, that is what is right with this team now, to me, in addition to all the more obvious things others have already said. Unlike Rox teams of the last few years, this year's team gives me the feeling that they will fight tooth-and-nail, to their last drop of blood, every single night. And they have begun to play like a team that expects to win when they step on the court. Even with Yao out, they still expect to win. In this league, that is gold.
I have to ask, and I havent seen it in a thread before. Forgive me it it's been discussed. Are you Rich Lord from 610?
Matt Haryasz brought passion, drive, fortitude, power, speed, and ....a hairy ass to the team during the pre-season.
Having players like Yao, T-Mac, Battier. It is a joy to watch a team with such good chemistry and unselfish players.
According to the Hollinger ratings, we've had the toughest schedule so far. And we're still 9 games over .500. And Yao and McGrady haven't played together consistently since the Clinton administration. Hard to complain too much. but this is a DD thread, so I downvoted
I'm still not Rich Lord on this thread either. Still running duffybooks.com. Still sitting in row 17 section 116 at home games.
I'm usually one to post and criticize certain players and or JVG's decisions during games. With that being said I still love that this team has compenents that didn't exist with prior teams. A) I love how Yao has become THE dominant center in the league. I'm so glad that those who doubted his skills prior to the draft are finally eating their words. And those who still hate on him, ala Charles Barkley, make his emergence that much sweeter. B) It's nice to see flashes of the McGrady of old and not the Old McGrady. He still has all of the tools to dominate a game, and despite his critics he does make those around him better. Just ask Battier, Head, and Alston. What I love even more is when he's feeling unstoppable, it's a beautiful sight. C) I love that there is a mix of young and old on this team. The older veterans like Juwan and Deke have rubbed off well on the team, and the chemistry seems to be there personally between players. D) I really enjoy players like Hayes and Battier who will dive on the floor for a loose ball. That kind of hustle and grit has been missing from past teams. E) Most of all I love that though we are not healthy we are in the middle of the pack for home court advantage. I can't wait to see this team clicking on all cylinders. When that happens, just sit back and enjoy the ride. F) This is more because of the Rockets, but I'll mention it. I love the female Rockets fans at Toyota Center. Not only are they attractive but they are Rocket fans and some even wear jersey's. So hot. With all this being said I'll also say that I think some of us who criticize are a little worried. I know I see a certain window of success for this group of Rockets. Given McGrady's health issues and now Yao's injuries, I hope this group can get it together for some serious playoff pushes in the near future. Good or bad though, it's Rocket Red all the way!
