Where is the heart, the fire, the passion?

So, what's the difference between last year and this year? A season ago, we dominated the first quarters.

 

I think Bonzi is about as close to what you are talking about. But, yes, the Rockets don't have a Bob Sura. It is really a matter of temperament. The junk yard dog kind of player regardless of how talented is always a fan favorite. I think many fans right now want Francis for this reason. Obviously, his skills have declined (or have they? we may never know), but they remember his passion, and "all out" effort.

Our two best players are laid back, nice guys. Hayes is a nice guy. Alston is a nice guy. Battier is nice guy. James is a little nasty, little crazy, but he is in a shooting slump and making horrid decisions. I actually think Brooks has the kind of attitude we are looking for. We will see, or maybe we won't.

I created a similar thread a few weeks ago, and mentioned the fire and determination of Magic, Bird, and MJ. They didn't just want to win, they wanted to destroy you. If they lost they were devastated, angry, revengeful. T-Mac is smiling a la celeb on tour. Often Yao looks like he is waiting for the bus to come pick him up. Oh well, let's go home.

I know what you mean, but many on the board don't. Our stars try hard, they are skilled, they go to work, but they lack that indefinable fire that burns deep within. You can't teach it, you either have it or you don't.

It is starting to look like this team needs alot more than we thought, like a shooter, but it needs a "Bob Sura" kind of player most.

 

FINALLY...somebody who "gets it".

 

i concur. i was hoping that TMac would play well enough last night to up his trade value to the point where we'd only have to include, say, Head or Bonzi as filler.

 

You sound like freaking Van Gundy. That sounds like an excuse for not winning the game. Had they shot better they would've won the game, and hit their freethrows.

Basically the same reason the Lakers lost the last one. They didn't make their ft's and barely lost.

The team hasn't started slow they just miss their jumpers. I don't know what it is about that, but that's the main reason the team needs more slashers.

 

the clippers aren't that dumb. they'd probably want steve/head for Sam.
they won't realize that they have a less talented team without Brand and Livingston cause Sam is their leader.

During the Dream days, Dream was a leader by play, not by voice. The Rockets had plenty of leaders, Mario, Sam, Kenny, Vernon.

I see Mike James as a vocal leader. We really didn't play that bad without Tmac, we just couldn't hit any shots.

 

Has anyone mentioned Luis Scola. It's his face thats yelling on the Clutchfans homepage. Once he gets into the flow of the NBA game, he'll bring the fire and passion.

Also, Mike James definitely has fire, especially on the defensive end. He has a heads-up, go-out-and-get-em mentality to his game. I don't know why you guys are questioning his intensity.

Bonzi also has the same kind of trait just through his style of play. He normally gets his points bulldozing through the lane, using his combination of speed and strength to challenge taller defenders, despite only being 6'5.

Notice that these three players are now the "Big Three" coming off the bench. I think there needs to be more balance, imo either start Scola or James or both, and bring Hayes and Alston off the bench for energy. Energy players are for the bench. Starter players set the tone for the rest of the game, therefore we need James and Scola to establish that "go-get-em" mentality.

Also, how about Mutombo and Luther Head? They definitely have that heart and determination.

But in a larger perspective, there won't be much fire and passion on this team if we're LOSING. Thats pretty obvious. That part of the game comes naturally of we start winning some games.

 

It starts with Yao and Tracy - Meaning they don't have the Fire/Passion/Heart that you see like in a Kobe,KG,Amare, etc..

Yao and Tracy are very passive non emotional guys... Doesn't help when your trying to pump your team up.. For heaven sakes last year it was Juwan Howard, and this year its Deke or Mike James?? I think that is screwed up because it's your leaders who are supposed to be vocal and show the courage/passion/and leadership to show on the court.

I was one of the so called idiots for saying Trade Yao for KG and T-mac for Kobe and I still stand by it because for once I would like to see the Houston Rockets show the so called Fire/Passion/Heart and not just once in awhile but night and night out.

 

i thought the team played with alot of fire and passion last night in the second half, just missed crucial free throws and wide open 3s....

the bricked free throws are what did us in

 

our heart is sitting on the bench, unable to break into the rotation - as Skip the Brick throws up crap! I mean why bother hustlin' when your point cant even hit a wide open 3!!!!!!

 

idk whats going on but Bonzi has impressed me, especially last night

 

The heart, fire, and passion we seek is sitting on the end of the Rockets' bench in the form of Steve Francis and hasn't played 1 min. the entire season.

 

I didnt read a single post in this thread. I simply read the title. To answer your question. The passion, heart, and fire all reside in number 44.

 

I don't think what you saw was fire and passion but a sense of urgency.. BECAUSE we were losing the game lol

 

latley, you have been right.
that's not a good thing for the rockets. chuck should bring the passion, the fire but he can't be our only junkyard dog. Tmac and Yao have the tools to go to work, but there could not be a more tentative tandem. Somebody HAS to step up.

Anybody miss Azubuike??

 

Well, I had thought of starting a thread that would have a question, which is "Has replacing Bob Sura been too much of a tall order for the Rockets for the last two seasons and then this season?" There would be a poll attached to it since the question is a yes or no answer.

I say yes, it has because everyone they've tried at the starting PG position so far since the start of the 2005-06 season hasn't really panned out for the team.

Aaron Brooks might be the best candidate the team has at this time to eventually fill in that gaping hole that Bob Sura's injury left on the team. It would be nice if he would see some PT sooner rather than later.

 

I think most people get the gist of it. Our starters are just layed back, and really not that animated. I mean for god sakes, the oldest player on our team is the one who displays the most passion night in and night out. Only If Deke could bottle that fire inside him up, and distribute it to the squad. Im just waiting for that one game at home...Rick throws SF3 into the middle of a lack luster preformence,crowd gets inspired, which in turn inspires the team,major come back win...wham,bam, thank you mam...problem solved.

 

You sound like JVG who always talked about "enegy"