Sorry to post back to back, but I just have to address this real quick. I disagree that we need homecourt to advance. Now if we meet Dallas/PHX in the first round without homecourt, yeah we're probably toasted, but I'm convinced that with a healthy team (most importantly a healthy Yao) we could take out the likes of Utah or even San Antonio. And I really don't underestimate San Antonio's talent and will to win, we just match up well with them this year and with Yao have the tools necessary to beat them even on their homecourt. I'd like to get homecourt, and I think it's very possible we do get homecourt the first round, but even if we don't get it we should do fine. Even if we do have it we're gonna have to fight our way through the playoffs after round one without homecourt, which I think we are capable of, so while it would be nice I think we'll be fine with or without it.... At least for one good round.
I believe that only ONCE in the history of the NBA has a team won the championship without having homecourt in any series...and that would be the 2nd of the back to back championships the Rockets won..... Can lightning strike twice? YES....but it is highly unlikely. DD
I actually agree with a lot of your points.....but the problem is that the Rockets road record is not all that great, it is ok...but not stellar.... And you are asking the team to win on the road in very tough circumstances....can it be done...yes...but as I said earlier, the chances of the Rockets winning it all without homecourt in any round is pretty slim. And it is not whining it is constructive criticism...the whining is from those complaining about the healthy contstructive criticism debate. DD DD
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? clutch shooter? how many big games has Head saved for the Rockets versus how many losses he has directly and indirectly contributed to?? he's never been in the playoffs, so that takes away the true definition of "clutch" and he's never carried the team when the marquee players go cold. clutch players are guys that do the little things in the closing moments that win games, and hit the big game winning shots...not the guys that commit unforced turnovers and take a bunch of ill-advised shots. i apologize for the strong reaction, but i'm tired of scrub players hitting fortunate 3-pointers b/c they have no conscience in shot selection...u get lucky a few times, and ppl start crowning u the next Robert Horry/Mario Elie...guys that not only hit true Clutch 3's, but also played damm good D...the rockets are a good team, no doubt...but what's impressive is that they're winning when their best players aren't the ones getting the most PT. Snyder should be one of the first guys off the bench, u want a PG that can actually handle the ball and pass the rock to the teammate in stride? V-SPAN!! hey van gundy, those TOs that u insist he cut down on? tell ur luther heads and mutombos to actually catch the ball....come on guys...
I agree with your observations DaDakota. this is not just sourgraping after a loss, it is a valid observation about the areas that need improvement on our team especially with our coaching strategy. The way Deke is playing right now only shows that JVG didn't play him enough( while Yao was still around prior to his injury), and he really overplayed Yao with those heavy minutes. And many times, a player substitution could spell the difference between victory and defeat. An example would be the Finals Series between , LA and Detroit. The only game LA won was when Luke Walton was inserted in the lineup and he made some critical plays. Also , there was that Spurs game we won earlier this season where John Lucas III made some morale-boosting plays to help the team. In Dallas, Austin Croshere blew up in a single game for 30 plus points. I believe we have the same caliber of players who can have a good night and score big or do the intangibles to salvage a win. Sometimes our starters have off-nights and you never know what the other players may bring if given the chance. Momentum can start with a few good playes. I vividly remember that game 7 blowout loss to Dallas where JVG just wanted to stick to his rotation even when we were getting beat inside. Even Stan Van Gundy was more creative with his rotations, once playing Shaq and Mourning together and effectively neutralizing Detroit's inside game in that series. Maybe a similar adjustment with our two centers at that time would have helped us compete ? If these games are really important for homecourt advantage then we should make adjustments to win these games.
Your arguments have some merit, DaDa, but I still think this thread is knee jerk-ish. And here is why: 40% (or 8) of Houston's 20 losses have come from teams that are .500 or less (according to the current standings). That may not sound great, but let's look at "BYI" (Before Yao Injury) and "AYI" (After Yao Injury). BYI: The Rockets, in 27 games, played 14 teams with a sub-.500 record and lost 4 of them (28.5% clip). AYI: The Rockets, in 27 games AYI to date, have played 17 teams* with a sub-.500 record and have also lost 4 of them (23.5% clip). So, without their best player, the Rockets are losing at a lower percentage to teams under .500 than they did with their best player. I'd say that's pretty damn good and worthy of your respect. By comparison, 67% of Utah's losses, 33% of San Antonio's losses, and 31% of Phoenix's losses have been to teams under .500. Only Utah, like Houston, can use the injury excuse. (Dallas has taken care of business by losing only 22% of their games to teams under .500.) *Includes the Clippers game where Yao started but only played 6 minutes due to his knee injury
What did I say? I said he doesn't like to play rookies unless hes forced to play them. Look at their roster, it's filled with young guys from their rebuilding period over the past years. It's a known fact that Phil is one of those coaches that don't like to play rookies unless they really need to use them. Ask any Lakers or Bulls fan, they will tell you.
