I wish Dirk was actually playing tomorrow because that (plus the game against the Hornets) would be a REAL litmus test on how good this Rockets team sans Yao really is.
we're gonna get enough tests coming up. i'd rather have a better chance at getting a win and giving the mavs a loss
are you serious? jordan-the GOAT shawn kemp- big man.....they didnt win amare- big man DUNCAN- BIG MAN Shaq still got double teams in Miami. You still had to gameplan for him. Z is not a poor big man Do you realize how much better Yao makes guys look? When he catches a double, he creates open shots for everyone else. McGrady does that when he penetrates. You're dillusional if you think this team is better than a team with a healthy Mac and Yao.
I am sad to respond to this kind of thread again. Why we could win three games without Yao, let's give credit to Adelman's amazing abilities to use current squard to make the best. Don't forget one thing, other teams are used to Yao and didn't know what strategy Rocket would play without Yao. From today's game, Scola didn't get much, Why? because he is rookie of the month. Landry didn't adjust at first, why? I think Indiana researched about Landry since he is really hot recently.Hayes steps up, why? because it is not expected. With Deke startup and quickly change to small squard is a brilliant idea, that completely confused indiana on defensive end. That's why we could win today's game. When playoffs come, the opponent team would have a very detailed analysis on each of your players and try to defend all our possible strategies on the court. So those role players and rookies would be limited for contribution because they are just role players. Only Superstar could step out and make the difference. Then it comes who would be making the difference, the answer is the Center. Why? because they are taller than others and could shoot the ball ahead of their defense most of the time. That's why teams double team Yao because he is not stoppable with one guy defending, where creates opportunities for the team Yao, 7'6 with a great hand, so, desert_Rocket, what do you want more? Please, again, don't show your so smart opinion if you know nothing. I remember someone mist JVG start of the season, someone wants to trade T-Mac for craps. Not Yao this time, it is just enough
when the game slows down, big men become more important. The age that big man don't dominate - which is basically the era of MJ - is long over. Lakers-Heat had Shaq, SA had Duncun, and Detroit had the wallace brothers. That takes you all the way back to the bulls era. So much for not needing a dominant big man
huh? did u forget hakeem? ewing? drob? barkley? malone? just to name a few?? back in the jordan era, big men were the cream of the crop. jordan was just heads and shoulders above everyone and he had a great team.
Don't players also get open jump shots when a big man is double teamed? Where are these 5 points coming from? The fact that our offense was dominating Memphis, Indiana, and Denver (26th, 28th, and 29th in points allowed). Do you seriously think that the Rockets are a better team without Yao? That we can beat any of the top teams in the West in a 7 game series without a consistent low post threat, instead we will beat them by dribble penetration from Rafer and Tmac all game? Man Boston was 7-2 without Garnett and right when he comes back they lose 3 straight...THEY MUST BE BETTER WITHOUT HIM!
Everyone Relax. To me it isn't about wins and losses. It is about how the team plays and looks out there. We are faster, we have more energy, our rebounding is better and there seems to be better spacing with Yao not on the court. If you asked me who the best center in the NBA was right now, I'd say Yao Ming. But, I don't think our current team is BUILT to be in a half court set with a dominant center. That's all I'm saying. BASED ON THE PLAYERS WE HAVE & THEIR STYLE OF PLAY, I think we are better off right now without Yao. Next year, when Yao gets healthy, I'd like to see the Rockets get better perimeter shooters and set up a better half court set to run the inside/out game with Yao Ming being the center piece. Do I think we can beat the spurs this year in the playoffs? NO. Do I think we could beat the spurs this year in the playoffs WITH Yao? NO. But I do think we can beat every other team in the west right now, including the Lakers. That is why my prediction is WCF assuming we don't meet the spurs before then.
You've gotta be kidding. I think we with Yao, we match-up against the Spurs better than some of the other teams in the west. We have beaten them a few times this season, whereas in previous years we have not. Anyhow, sure, we're more mobile, athletic and score a few more fast-break points w/o yao. However, have you noticed the number of times guys just get into the paint and score on layups against the Rockets? That didn't happen when Yao was playing. The guys would have to pass the ball out to a second cutter or a jumpshooter. Secondly, our bench is getting stretched w/o Yao's massive presence. You're basically counting on rookies Carl and Luis to have solid games for the rest of the season and playoffs. And while they've done admirably, you get one in foul trouble where Luis can't stay in the game, and you'll find Rafer trying to jack-up 3pt shots as the clock winds down as your only offensive game-plan. Not pretty.
“In the third quarter,” said Adelman, “We started taking the same shots [as the Pacers]; nothing but jump shots, and that’s what got them back in the game. And that’s where you miss Yao. You know, when the other team starts making a run, you’re just like, ‘Okay, get it into [Yao], and make them deal with him.’ But we don’t have that right now, so we have to find other ways to do it.” link
Requoted for truth. Without Yao we have zero low post presence when we need it most. Scola is good at times but in the clutch we need Yao.
exactly. the reason the lakers suddenly got so good was b/c of a sudden emergence of bynum and his post play to complement kobe's perimeter play. without bynum, now u have gasol. u need a sense of balance b/t the inside and outside to keep the defenses honest. we don't have that so our offense will struggle when our jumpers are off. that's why we need to penetrate more.
The reason this team is playing soo much better because of the trading of Bonzi, James and Snyder. This give Scola and Landry plenty more playing time.
Can someone explain to me why exactly do we need Yao against "the good teams like Dallas"? Is it because of Dampier? I'm confused.
Dirk is not on court And you have to show us that Yao's performance doesn't deserve his salary or Yao destroy the chemistry, otherwise no matter how good now this team is, Yao makes it better. BTW, why not go back to your Dallas hometown, you stupid mav fan.
Only 6 turnovers tonight. I think that is a team record. Can't say we'd have that if Yao were playing but then Yao makes up for that with his offense and defensive presence.
Being called a mavs fan is the absolute worst thing I've ever been called in my life. I bleed Rocket's Red.
