We lack size. When we need defense, we need that in the least. Mutumbo is getting old, Yao can't run for 45 mins every game. We can't keep using Luis Scola as the back-up Center, he's not big enough to handle 7 footers while staying in the game 40+ mins. We need size and we need it now. We need a solid back-up Center so that Great Wall of China doesn't come collapsing down in the 4th. I have been saying this for the past 2 years.
This team lacks a threat for end of games. Yao continues to show how suck he is in controlling the boards (and really this is no surprise by now). When intensity picks up in the 4th quarter, this team cant get an entry pass into yao coupled with his fatigueness. Thus, resulting in pretty much a useless yao inside with total choas outside late in games. This exposes some of the problems the team will encounter for the rest of the season. My goal for this team is still set on get a good seed and advancing from the 1st round. Beyond that we've reached our limits.
BTW i thought a reality check should occur with a lose to a more qualified team like Lakers or Spurs not to a crappy ass team such as chicago who just lost to wizards last night and especially when you were up by 17 with 6 mins left....
it just seems some of us get too hyped after the 6 game winning streak, plus the "t-mac out for season" hype, "rafer is finally gone"hype...and we revealed most our weaknesses in this lost such as PG defense, fronting, lack of creator etc... so i call it a reality check
It is a reality check. Though the reality discovered is that fronting defense gives this team problems, which is something that can expose the team EVERY GAME all game long. Its somewhat reason for alarm. Rockets need to to adjust QUICK.
Our PGs have a ton of talent. Some of you guys try to put Alston in the same category of a Rose or a Deron Williams. The reality is YOU DON'T KNOW if he is a STARTING PG for a PLAYOFF team. And if Rafer is a starting PG for a playoff team I damn well know Brooks can start one. There's a reason why the Rockets are 9-2 when it starts. One game and some of you guys start pining for Alston.
No, the reality check is that, after one loss, the game people starting missing an average PG and a banged up superstar.
I think when people criticize Adelman, they are missing the forest for the trees. Adelman lets the players play and figure things out for themselves. Phil does the same thing. He does not micromanage the game. He's not perfect, however he still has a better track record than any other coach in the league other than Phil Jackson or Pops.
Your logic fails... Phil Jackson has a quality in A, and Rick Adelman has a quality in A too. Phil Jackson is a great coach, so Rick Adelman must be a good coach too? What kind of logic is it? I think maybe you are the one who is missing the forest for the trees. It's all kinds of tactics, coaching philosophies, experiences etc that make Phil Jacks a CHAMPIONSHIP COACH, for NINE TIMES. RA is a GOOD coach, as i admitted in my thread, but he is no match to phil or popo. And if track record brings championship automatically I many agree with you but the fact is NO. PS: actually A LOT of coaches do the same thing which is "lets the players play and figure things out for themselves". and some of them do suck and people call it "lack of control", "waits to long to call a time out"... And a lot of GREAT COACHES do "micromanage" like Larry Brown, Pat Riley and Popo. Coaches have different styles of coaching and we fans have to deal with it. But before Rick Adelman actully win a ring, you don't say "ahh, he is a great coach just as popovich because they both wear white beards"
The Chicago was a goood wake-up call, and brought to light many good points that are being address, or need to be addressed. 1) Don't let down when you're up by 17. 2) Don't let a scorer on the other team get hot. 3) Get those defensive rebounds, for chrissakes. 4) Maybe call a time-out when you're up by 11 and settle things down, make plain the objectives for the rest of the game. 5) Need to deal with the fronting defenses A couple things that still need attention from Adelman: 1) You've got one of the best defensive centers, rebounders, shotblockers on your bench, one guy - Deke - play him some spot minutes for godsakes, especially if Landry is out. 2) Chuck Hayes should play, especially if Landry is out. 3) Yao isn't made of steel. You can afford to rest him instead of getting every last mile out of him in one game. Another bright spot that we overlook is that we were UP by 17 in the Rockets game while not even playing particularly well or having that invicible vibe. That is a good thing. With just a little more focus and planning, that game would have been easy down the stretch. It's better to be up by 17 and lose the lead, than to be down by 10 the entire game.
PS: What is it about basketball forums that brings out the worst in (at least in my own) spelling and grammar and missing words, etc.? I can write/type normally and fine in any other venue but sports forums. There is a typo in most of my posts here. Maybe cause I don't proofread (but even proofreading is no guarantee). Maybe it's the pressure?... hahah... Anyone else have the same problem?
because normally you proof-read the stuff you wrote such as email and articles. meanwhile, sometimes you post replies with strong emotion, either excited or angry, that's why...
all good points you stated. I wonder if our Point guard position would have been weak if this trade had actually happened.. http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_a.../source_clips_almost_traded_baron_for_artest/
As for point #2 the same thing can be said for JVG. Sure he was a definsive minded coach but this team couldn't do a thing with him in the playoffs since they only had one play on offense: Throw to Yao in the middle and hope that he scores. And btw, he hasn't won a championship either. This team has played way below expectations this year and TMac is largely to blame for that. Yes, this is a new team, but geeze I want to at least get out of the first round of the playoffs!!!
Blame me. I bet on sports occasionally, but I never bet on or against my favorite teams, because I don't want my emotions to skew my logic. I have not bet on the Rockets in years, YEARS. I saw the line Saturday night and the bulls were a 1 point favorite. I thought to myself, "how are the bulls favored to win this game? The rockets are playing so good right now and the bulls are decent, but favored??? no way, vegas screwed up..." So I put the money on the Rockets, and in the 4th qtr when they were up by 17 I was kicking myself for not putting more, thinking that this was as sure of a bet as anything. I texted my friends told them how much I was about to win, and how did Vegas screw up this line so badly? The rockets were clearly the superior team, riding a win streak and momentum - and then with the all time jinx, the collapse happened. I was sick.
The line was actually -1.5 or -1 for the Rockets. Rockets were favored, but just by a smidgeon. It did look good when they were up by 17 - looked like a no-brainer. Then the reality of the possible swings of fortune set in. And then ouch!
