Very Interesting - Same Starting Lineup

i think because the problem last year wasn't our starting 5, it was the bench players. When our starting 5 came to the bench and rest, our role players couldn't score a basket, and thus the lead that we had on team disappear by the time the starters get back into the game, but this year we have a lot of depth...that was mention so many times, and I think that what the writers are talking about whent hey said changes. We have much more talented player coming off the bench that can score for us while Yao and Tmac gets a breather.

 

where did you read hayes was starting?

the big difference also being ra's new style, and rafer not having to play 40 minutes a game, and scola most likely being better than howard. also, it will be unlikely to ever see head at the one again, for that i am thankful. in essence more firepower

 

The Biggest differences are Bonzi is in shape and happy to play for his coach, and Van Gundy is gone. (Ding Dong the Grinch is dead) Scola will also make a greater impact than any PF we had last year whether he starts or comes off the bench. It may not seem like much on paper but this team will be much more prepared to make a run in the playoffs than last and that's something to be excited about.

 

Do we know if Hayes is starting or is Scola starting?

 

rockets.com has scola as the projected starter

 

Our starting 5 last year was awesome, weren`t they the best 5 men together of the whole league? Our major problem last year was: we practically had no bench. A little from Juwan, a little more from Head some nights, but other than that nada. We also didn`t have anyone who could create shots for himself or for others. This year we have Scola, James and Bonzi (who wasn`t really here last year) and Head is back as well. That is a huge lift over Juwan and Head.

And also when someone gets hurt, we have Francis and can start to develop Brooks and Landry. Perhaps even Novak can get some spot minutes if he learns to do anything else but shoot.

And to round all these things up, we have a new coach who brings a whole new offense. Our offense last year was very one dimensional. Once everybody is comfortable with the new system we will have lots of different ways to score, while our defense should still be ok.

So I say we are way better than last year, and last year we should have made it to the Western Conference Finals...

 

I don't think it matters which one of them starts.

The Rockets were a good team last year. I think people forget that we were actually 20-12 with Yao out. That's due in a large part to Tmac, but he did have some help.

The main thing that was an issue was the drop off if Tmac wasn't in the game. The players were smart enough last year, but the offense stagnated because most of them couldn't create the plays. Now there are more slashers/cutters/creators to come in when Tmac takes a break.

The bench, theoretically (until they prove otherwise) is much better this year than last. You could count on some 3 pointers from Head and a couple of jumpers from Juwan, that was it. Now you have Bonzi to create offense, Mike James, and Head when Tmac takes a seat.

 

Uhhhh... Bonzi is the biggest difference by far. How you managed to not even mention him in the first post is beyond me...

 

The major change is depth at the 1, a solid scorer off the bench in Bonzi, but most importantly, we have a head coach now that will run more than 2 plays on offense and actually encourages his players to shoot the ball.

 

I have no problem with the starting 5 being the same. Last year, our bench was the problem, and that's exactly what we addressed during the offseason.

I don't think TMac will have such a hard time scoring this year. Same with Yao. So, even if the starting 5 is the same, I think with the new offense, it won't look like last years team at all.

I'm happy with the addition of Scola, MJ, and even Francis... but I think the one thing that is going to put us over the top is FINALLY having a healthy Bonzi Wells. I think that will be the main difference this year.

 

Utah beat us in the playoffs because of lack of depth. Our starting 5 played a crap load of minutes ...and TMac said he wad exhausted by the 4th quarter.

Depth. That's the difference.

Except Yao, all of our starters will decrease their MPG significantly.

I think if we make a trade/acquisition, it'll be to add another PF/C. That would allow us to rest Yao more.

 

starting 5 was never a problem. One of the tops in the league, the problem was when they went to the backups.

No legit backup pg. no legit backup SF. Luther was the best guy off the bench...after that who? howard? solid, but thats a scary proposition.

Now, you have a quality backup PG and a seemingly productive backup PF, and a quality backup SF in bonzi. Huge difference.

 

Ever heard of Bonzi Wells?

And Francis will be in the rotation.

 

Hey man at least bonzi gives us that tough guy edge. We lacked that last year and looked like a bunch of pu55ies against the jazz.

 

To elaborate: The problem with the backup is not only that too many of them just could not be trusted on the court (Fat Bonzi, Span, Novak, JL, etc). There is a problem even with the guys you could trust (Luther, Howard, Mutombo)-- specifically, they don't really bring you an extra jolt, particularly on the offensive end, that you'd want from the bench. All of these guys are role players who get thier shots off others, and none could create.

 

Francis gives us every bit as much of that as Bonzi does.

... Also, I have never heard anyone refer to Bonzi as "selfish". A knucklehead off the court? Yeah. But not a selfish player. I think you are getting the two criticisms mixed up. People tend to run them together sometimes...

 

A great point, if the starting five are still the same in the end of year, I do not see the Rockets win something big.