Good isn't good enough for Rockets With playoff position virtually settled, Van Gundy would like to see 'push to greatness' By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle TORONTO — The reality of life in the top-heavy Western Conference is that for now, the Rockets are probably not going anywhere, and they know it. They are fifth, with an outside chance of passing the Utah Jazz for the fourth-best record (though technically not the fourth seed) and home-court advantage in their presumed first-round matchup. Beyond that, the chances of moving up any further, or down a spot, is somewhere between unlikely and inconceivable. The other reality is that to go anywhere once the regular season ends and the postseason begins, the Rockets will have to be at their best, better than they have been in moving solidly into fifth in the West. "I wish they believed the same way I do that we could make a push to greatness," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Right now, I don't see that. We'll see if that changes." With just 17 games remaining in the regular season, the Rockets have shifted to seeking improvement in their performance more than playoff positioning, with several areas in need of attention jumping out. "That's what it's all about," Tracy McGrady said. "The way I look at it, the first five slots are set. I don't think Utah is going to catch San Antonio. Maybe we could catch Utah and just flip-flop, but four and five are going to be the same. I think it's all about us really preparing ourselves and getting better. It's all about executing and staying the course no matter what happens, because in the playoffs, it's all about execution every possession and adjustments." Until then, the regular season can be about shoring up three potential weaknesses. •The Rockets still lead the NBA in defensive rebounding but have struggled badly since the All-Star break, getting outrebounded in seven of 13 games. "Our bigs are playing small on the boards, as well as our smalls playing small on the boards," Van Gundy said. "Your level of aggression, reaction to the ball, willingness to get in the fray with contact plays — certainly (rebounding) is a huge factor on its own, but it does indicate your willingness for the physical part of the game." •The Rockets expect to see more defenses like that of the Phoenix Suns, who positioned two defenders on Yao Ming even before passes came inside, taking him from the game. "We're facing the 'disregard Ryan Bowen' Dallas strategy with Chuck (Hayes)," Van Gundy said. "It's happened to us before. You don't want Chuck's shot opportunities going way up and Yao's way down. You're playing to the strength of the other team. "Every team is going to start playing us similarly. We're going to have to adjust and adapt a little bit better." •Starting tonight at Toronto, the Rockets also expect to see more teams that can load up with shooters, spreading the strength of the defense (help and rotation) around the halfcourt and forcing them to do better at stopping dribble penetration. "It starts with being able to guard your man one-on-one better," Van Gundy said. "We're getting beat off the first dribble far too easily, which compromises our defense." With 34 days left in the regular season, the Rockets believe they have time to make repairs. "First things first. We have to qualify," Van Gundy said. "Then after qualifying, we have to try to get the best seed (possible) and yet not become so distracted by trying to make the playoffs or by seeding that we forget about improving. This is a time right now (when) you have to get your individual game right (and) have a team game that can stand up to anything anywhere, under any conditions. "That's what it's about. If you don't improve, even if you win enough to qualify, you're not going to be in position to play well enough. Because it's not like if you do qualify, you're going to make these vast improvements in the two days off you have before the first playoff game. You basically, by that time, are who you are with strengths that are your strengths, and if you have glaring weaknesses, they will be exposed." In some ways, those weaknesses have been exposed, at least to the Rockets. "We know when the playoffs start," Hayes said. "We don't want these mistakes to carry over." ROCKETS SUMMARY Staying home Replaced in the Rockets' rotation by Kirk Snyder, guard Bonzi Wells did not make the road trip to Toronto and Philadelphia with the team on Thursday. Wells has missed eight games since going out with a sore right foot. "I'm just working out, trying to get ready, so whenever (coach Jeff Van Gundy) gives me the nod, I'll be ready to go," Wells said. "I'm trying to stay positive, stay focused and understand the big picture. If I'm not a part of it right now, I understand." Using his head Shane Battier bolted from the court Wednesday the moment he caught a Daniel Ewing elbow and felt the blood from a head gash that would need four stitches to close. His return in the final minute, however, was even more rapid. "Shane coming back — most guys would have sat in the training room and pleaded for pity," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Shane's way is he comes back." Battier said he left so quickly, before most even saw he had been hit, so he could be treated in time to get back. "I knew right away there was blood," Battier said. "By now, I know the routine all too well. I was glad I was out there. I was a little woozy, though. I'm glad I didn't cost us the game." Sinking feeling When Luther Head missed a 3-pointer, taken from the same corner from which he launched Wednesday's game-winner, against Dallas last month, Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said he was shocked. The message did not miss. "When your coach has confidence in you, you have confidence in yourself," Head said after his 3-pointer gave the Rockets a two-point lead over the Clippers with 12.2 seconds left Wednesday. "That's why I love playing for the guy. When he trusts you and he shows that he believes in you, you play to show (why) he trusts you." Van Gundy said Head in the corner is "as good a shot as you're going to create at that time. This league is a make-or-miss league, and we made that shot." No big deal For the Rockets' Tracy McGrady, the annual return to Toronto is no longer so special, but he said he still loves the atmosphere. McGrady played his first three seasons in Toronto before signing with Orlando in 2000 and is still booed at Air Canada Centre. "It doesn't mean anything," McGrady said. "I look forward to the atmosphere, because I know there will be some boos, some cheers — same as Orlando." jonathan.feigen@chron.com http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4636099.html
Random statistic, the last time the Rockets won against a .500+ team (.500 when they played them so not the Miami Heat) was in Jan.24 against San Antonio. They've been 0-6 against +.500 teams since then. (@Dal, Dal, Tor, Sa, @Cle, @Phx). Out of those losses, 4 out of 6 (!) were blowouts. Yes, the Rockets need to step it up.
They are not going anywhere in the playoffs, if they continue this mediocre way since the all star break. They know it. Yao and T-mac have to step up. So does everyone else. JVG has to take his ego out of the equation and play every player who can help. Give Bonzi another chance. This guy has proven he can perform in the playoffs. It is not too late yet.
I agree, the Rockets need to step it up and start playing like the contenders they are suppose to be. All the fans that say we need to "take it easy/rest our starters/play our young guys" just because our playoff position might be locked, are asking for a first round exit. Games like the one against the Clippers, should have been over after the first quarter. The Rockets need to build some momentum heading into the playoffs.
OH NO!!!! He isn't going to rest the starters? He isn't going to play his bench more? He isn't going to take the foot off the gas? Uh oh...someone we all know and love around here is gonna be pissed.
That's why I love playing for the guy. When he trusts you and he shows that he believes in you, you play to show (why) he trusts you."---Luther Head. OMG!!! A developing young player loves Van Gundy? How can this be? Not THE COACH that would of benched Cassell during his rookie year. Nah. He must be talking about Charlie Ward. Wow.
We gotta get into playoff shape. Not beating a .500+ team in nearly 2 months is beyond disturbing, it's downright awful. Add that to the fact that we lost some horrible games(Atl, Bos) and were blown out by the better teams (SA, Dal, Tor ) Yes the starters should see less minutes(no more than 35), but at the same time our execution hasn't been that good. Right now its time to put away the "Play Vspan" talk until next year. He's not even gonna be on the playoff roster, making adjustments just to give him time would be the worst possible decision right now. We need to work Yao back into game shape and develop better chemistry with our key players.
This is almost a Mission Impossible, however, once you get it done, everything is easy. Ask Charlie Ward, Weatherspoon, Ryan Bowen, etc. You either love him or hate him, no other options.
Yes, they've been playing subpar as of lately and it won't cut it in the playoffs. But it's certainly not hopeless. The rox played a lot better earlier on in the season; their execution was head and shoulders above where it is right now. It's not like they're trying to get to some new level, they're just trying to get to where they were before. What we're missing is that defensive mentality. We used to be relentless and smothering on D, now we're just okay. That won't cut it in the playoffs. I can honestly say that the rockets haven't played like an elite defensive team for weeks now. They know it, too.
Dal, Dal, Tor, Sa, @Cle, @Phx 4 / 6 those games were against teams batting 700 or better. is it just me or has the winning percentage of the top nba teams drastically increased in the past 10 years?
Not...quite. 1996-1997 NBA Regular Season Chicago Bulls 69-13 .841 Utah Jazz 64-18 .780 Miami Heat 61-21 .744 New York Knicks 57-25 .695 Houston Rockets 57-25 .695 Seattle SuperSonics 57-25 .695 Los Angeles Lakers 56-26 .683 Atlanta Hawks 56-26 .683 Charlotte Hornets 54-28 .659 Detroit Pistons 54-28 .659
why do they boo in orlando, in that case? dude was traded... get over it... he left toronto for a bigger contract... it was his choice...
Sounds like Van Gundy is in temporary kiss everyone's ass to keep my job mode to me. He obviously would love to stay in Houston but Management doesn't feel as strongly are he would have been given the extension already. So Van Kindy is exploring a kinder gentler style of BS and some are buying it. He will revert back to his old ways once he gets a long extension. But if he doesn't want a pink slip he better get out of the second round or stick his head between his legs.
"First things first. We have to qualify," Van Gundy said. "Then after qualifying, we have to try to get the best seed (possible) and yet not become so distracted by trying to make the playoffs or by seeding that we forget about improving. This is a time right now (when) you have to get your individual game right (and) have a team game that can stand up to anything anywhere, under any conditions. love how jvg isnt taking for granted that the rockets will make the playoffs. a lot will have to happen for them to make it, but it is that sort of complacent thinking that can lead the team to careless losses. hopefully the rockets can get a nice little 5-8 game streak going and use that to boost them into the playoffs.
