Even a couple of the positive posts I've seen still don't express much hope for this team. The team that won 22 straight last year had significantly less talent and depth than the team we have now... after Yao went down at least. And that team (even without Yao) would have had a VERY good chance to beat the Jazzholes and at least give the Lakers a good fight had Alston just been healthy, let alone if Battier and McGrady were also healthy. So comparing this year's closing stretch to last year's, we subtract McGrady (which sucks, don't get me wrong... he was without question our MVP in years past), but we add Yao Ming, Ron Artest, Von Wafer, Brent Barry, and a noticeably more well developed and acclimated Aaron Brooks, Luis Scola, and Carl Landry. Sure, I can understand some of the disappointment after losing Alston, but it's really not that big of a deal. That may make it sound like I'm contradicting myself since I just said that a healthy Alston probably would have gotten us past the Jazz, but I'm not. Alston was so valuable to us last year only because we had no serviceable backup point. Brooks wasn't ready last year, but he definitely is now. Lowry is also better than anyone we had behind Alston last year. I'm not as confident as I was before the season started, but I still believe that this team is one of five or six teams in the NBA that is at least *capable* of winning at every level if we can keep our lineup consistent from here on out. Yes, that means I still believe we can go ALL the way. Am I alone on this?
You know waT?.... i think we still have a chance...lets just see how the SEASOns plays out..then we will have a better pic.. BUt i tink we still do have a chance to go all the way. BUt....BY A LONG SHOT!
So far so good. Dallas was a good test. Rockets showed they can make adjustments against Charlotte. Versatility maybe not with the players but with the style - transition buckets when they can/pound it to Yao when they can. Still need a little more time to see everything come together. They've done good the past couple games without Landry. So I think when Landry enters into the mix it'll bring about more assurance.
It'll be bittersweet for me, because I've liked T-Mac for so long and I would have liked to see him have some success with this team. That's not to say that I won't be rooting for the team the whole way! I hope they make it to the Finals.
I'm not sure if it's pessimism or just lowering the bar. I can't think of any team that can lose it's superstar and then go on to win it all. If The Rockets get out of the first round then that will be great, anything more will be gravy.
I agree...this is the best team we've had since '97. Even without Mcgrady, we're stacked. I think the difference is that we were considered to pretty much be locks right behind the Lakers as opposed to a team capable of going deep in the playoffs.
Yeah, I'm really torn on the whole T-Mac situation... For so long I defended him, and I really appreciate everything he did to carry us in recent years, but this is one of those "say it ain't so" kinda things. Whatever the case, we gotta get it done without him now.
I'm with ya The glass is half full The ball movement is better already and will continue to improve with practice and continuity now that roles are set Defensive rotations will get better with chemistry and practice The pace will speed up which will add excitement and lead to easier buckets We are many games above .500 and still in the thick of the playoff race and have not had a set lineup in place until NOW. And Rick gets hated on constantly on this board. I'd like to think he's done pretty well all things considered. He's dealt with: TMac drama Injuries Brutal first 2 month schedule Minor Artest drama (we may not read about it but ya know he's difficult) Go figure
You're far from alone. I want Tmac back because I KNOW we wouldnt do anything in the playoffs but leave right after round 1. If we dont get him back, then I wouldnt mind us missing the playoffs. We would have a draft pick next year in the first round.... We could end up like chicago did last year and get lucky and get a pick in the top 3....I'm not saying give up on this season but be real. Yao has only won 1 playoff game without tmac.....Numbers dont lie right?
We really are stacked. Remember when Chuck Hayes and Luther Head used to be the first guys off the bench? They barely see any minutes now... even without McGrady. Hell, Chuck used to START, and so did Luther whenever Mac was out. Wait... this doesn't sound like you're with me. You don't think we can win it this year, so you want us to sacrifice this season for next season? That's not what I'm saying at all... I'm saying we can win it THIS year. Or at least make one helluva run.
Bravo* Since I started posting here I've noticed that people often post knee jerk reactions only to regret it like and hour later, most of them don't come back and show a change of mind. They juss move on to the next thing to complain about. Our team right now is one of the best teams in the league and much better than it's record. If we fail to get deep in the playoffs this year I won't be worried because our future looks very bright. Morey will do the right things in the offseason to make us contenders, of this I am totally sure.
I might have miss phrased some of my stuff but I'm saying if we come up short, we have something minor to look forward to (the first round draft pick if we dont make the playoffs).
Me three. This team has shown that it can win BIG games against BIG teams and plays with BIG heart....as well, we have the BIGGEST guy in the NBA.
This is what happens when we win a few games in a row. It has been a while. Wait till we lose some games, I guarantee all the negativity will come back before you know it.
The team looks good, and I like the balance we have. But if Yao goes down again, forget it. McGrady, for all his faults, had the ability to step up and carry the team without Yao. He thrived in that situation. We don't have another player like that.
Why don't we? we look pretty good without him. would we be alot better with a HEATHY t-mac yes. But Yao and Artest are all-star calibur players you can get far with two all-stars and a deep team.
i still believe we can past the first round this year! but if we want to get the champion,we have a long way to go ! why our big3 can't play as well as The celtics' big3????? even they are health!
Yea, but you can say that about any team. If Kobe and Bynum go down, Forget it. If KG and Pierce go down, forget it. The fact that we're so good without a major piece like Mcgrady is a testament to our depth. We've seen how this situation (playing w/o mcgrady) has ended up in past seasons.
