Back again with another Rockets report. Here's the latest from a rather somber, but still optimistic locker room: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/ballz/2007/12/rockets_vs_magic_hoping_waitin.php As always, thanks for reading and please feel free to offer any ideas, comments or criticisms you may have. And to everyone: all the best to you and your family this holiday season. JCF
EDIT: Well, I had posted the article earlier, so now I just un-posted it, in light of Fritz's comments.
Ouch! Good stuff, per usual, but this stretch is really bumming me (us!) out. It's way past time to get it together and play like they can. The Rocks need to do something to shake things up. No sense in the locker room that a deal might be cooking? That can have an impact on a team. Not a hint that possibly being in a trade might be messing with their minds? Of course, maybe the possibility of being dealt can light a fire under players, as well. Alston responded to all the rumors swirling around by coming into camp in arguably the best shape of his career. (Terrence Rencher told me that at a holiday party last night. I know him... pity I'm not a UT fan, but I'm a basketball fan, and he was one of UT's great ones. His wife works for someone close to me and we've talked several times. Great guy! Rafer is an old buddy of his.)
This is not a big deal at all, but I would ask that readers click the link as opposed to posting the column on-line. That's more a request from the bosses than from me. They like to see those hit numbers and comments, ya know? Helps them sell more ad revenue and (yes, I'll admit it) it makes me look better in their eyes as well. As a very astute member of this board said a couple weeks ago, the Chron doesn't need the hits as much as we do; especially since this is our first year really covering the Rockets and Texans. We're doing our best to generate some buzz and spread the word. And provide the best coverage of course. Thanks again. JCF
I don't think there's much of a sense that big changes are afoot in the locker room. I think everyone is pretty cognizant of the fact that the Rockets don't have much in the way of truly progressive moves to be made. Most of the deals they could make would be lateral moves at best. So the party line remains that this group is going to have to find the answers within themselves. Does that mean a trade won't happen? Of course not. But I certainly wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a deal to go down--especially nothing that would fall into the blockbuster category. JCF
i, for one, am baffled at how this team is playing. i firmly believed that this team would need some time to really find itself - get into it's natural rhythm - but by no means did i think we would be playing so poorly, so lackadaisically.... i mean, how else do you explain the horrible shooting and the atrocious free throw percentage? where's the urgency, the heart, the desire??? maybe a trade would help, but i'll be damned if anyone says we dont have all the talent we need to be an elite team.... the pieces are there, of that i'm still convinced. but good Lord, what in the world is going on with this team???
I admit I have a bone to pick with TMac. Funny how he wants max money, but minimum responsibility to lead this team. He shouldn't have it both ways.
If T-Mac's teammates feel the same way about his "injury" that the fans do he will never lead the team. You can't fake respect.
I think the team is definitely in a slump, but to a large degree, it looks as if players are just not comfortable in this new offense. They are slowly getting it though. The passing is improving. But the shots aren't falling. Basketball is a weird game... However, usually when a player can consistently make an open shot - it's not the offense but the player. And my observation is that our guys can't play against any kind of decent defense. It exposes their weakness. Other teams have guys who can create a shot. Make the space. Create the opportunity and find a way to score. The only guy on this team that can do that is t-mac. We don't have a lot of options, I think we'll just have to hope that someone steps it up. Either francis or james. Or if head can find his stroke, or something. Perhaps that game will become easier in the second half. One thing is for sure: this team can't play any worse then it has been.
Thanks, Rasselas. Much appreciated. And thanks to everyone for reading and providing your feedback. Hopefully things will turn around for the guys in '08 (if not sooner). JCF
This team did much better without Tmaclady，they earned double OTs. Why the blind shooters always missed the shot when Yao got doubled even tripled and they got no one defence??!?!?!?!!?!?!?WHY?!?!?!Why the garbage got 20millions a year always pretend to be injured and quit games?!?!Garbage.THat's it. Like his bro VC,they are just showmaker not the playmakers,they are nothing,nada,zero for a team with a heart 4 ring.
