Here's our latest dispatch from Rockets land: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/ballz/2008/01/rocketswarriors_hope_at_last.php Here's hoping this is the prelude to a fantastic February. As always, thanks for checking us out. And if you've got questions, comments, or critiques, by all means send them our way. cheers, JCF
I found the quote where Battier talks about playing like a team as opposed to 1 on 1 interesting. I think we have 11 guys that have completely bought into that, but there's one guy who still goes into "it's on me" mode that needs to get the memo. Our sum is truly greater than our parts.
Still don't understand this. Be a leader T-Mac, show some heart...step it up! but stop saying it's on me and taking over a game when the team is struggling. C'mon Tracy, play within the system, buy into it! Wait, why are you handling the ball so much? I know you are our best playmaker and passer off the drive. I know you are able to drive when you want a make the assist of hockey assist. But I really want you to buy into our system...you know, the give it to Yao somehow even force it if you have to and get 3 seconds called, shoot a contested shot with the shot clock running down since we couldn't get it to Yao. McGrady post knee injury has deferred to the team a lot. He did at the beginning of the season too until people stopped making shots. That's what you want your guys to do. Oh, and OP, I like your writing style. I try to read everytime you post your articles up here.
Tabulous...another good job. Perhaps - a little more insight inside the Locker Room and/or Front Office. Perhaps - address the TMac issue of why the team is playing better sans the superduperstar. Perhaps - address the other TMac issue of why the team in a big game with him the superduperstar in and Yao the other superduperstar out appeared uninspired. Keep up your good work - you kick Kelly Dwyer's keyboard!
I was thinking what will this team look like when they are used to Adelman system with Adelman flexibility and ability to adapt different combinations, a variation of game plans against different team. When our rookies, Scola, Landry and Brooks get some PT and contribute like any NBA players does. When Francis, and TMac (knee) injury have recovered. When all those happens, what will Houston rockets team look like .......... I guess Hollinger knows what he talking about ... .. a well-oiled machine
All great points and subjects I'll definitely be exploring more in the future. I try not to get too bogged down in the T-Mac stuff too often, just because that topic tends to receive 99.9% of the attention. That having been said, it's definitely THE riddle which must be solved one way or the other, so it has to be addressed. I just don't want it to become the only topic covered. As for the insight into the front office, I'm planning on scheduling another interview with Morey in the very near future. And regarding the locker room, I'll try to give more of a glimpse in the future. Last night was interesting because it's the first time I've seen a happy Rockets locker room in awhile. Especially cool was seeing the give-and-take between Yao and Deke. There's obviously a great deal of respect between the two of them and they were having fun taking playful shots at each other. Also good to see: Yao with a smile on his face after the game last night. I don't want to make too big a deal out of one win or performance, but he just seemed like a weight had been lifted; more relaxed, comfortable and at ease. Winning will do that. And considering his performance, he certainly deserved the respite. Thanks again for all the gerat comments. JCF
It's how he steps up that matters. At the end of the Blazers game it was him on the floor with Battier and three rookies. Those three rookies scored the last 12 points of the game. That's what we want to see. He needs to give up the rock. Not because he plays better without it, but because the rest of the Rockets do.
I appreciate and respect your work. As for TMac, his situation certainly appears to have become the 500# gorilla in the room. Could the locker room last night have reflected his absense? I believe Yao deserves to be happy after a game. His on-court growth has been exponential and his off-court self is giant sized - in comparison to his giant size! Back to TMac, I have reached the conclusion that he is mis-fit on this roster for whatever reason. To have a greater chance going forward some overt resolution of the gorillaness must be effected, meaning within the framework of this franchise or not.
very intriguing thought, isn't it? me have the same feeling sometimes. however, had we not had him last year, or had jvg not scared and pissed him to death, we may not have got scola.
You are a good writer and I have always liked what you have posted on here...but I had one problem. Almost everyone does it now but you misused "plethora" whend describing Yao Ming's late free throws. "Plethora" usually indicates a negative excess so you were basically saying he had too many clutch shots and that isn't what you meant. Minor point I know but, again, you are a good writer so I only offer this to help for the future.
Or an overreliance to try and force the ball into Yao and end up with a bad shot at the end of the shot clock.
Hey, feel free to nitpick anytime. I want the truth as you see it; good or bad. I see what you mean about plethora. For what it's worth, I generally reference the Merriam-Webster website for definitions and such. Their def. seems to jive with both the popular usage and yours as well. I'll do some more digging. Either way, thanks for taking the time to point this out. It's much appreciated. JCF
