For as long as I can remember the Rox have always been a consistently competitive team. And except for the championship years and the first season that Barkley came to town, in this modern era of the NBA, that’s all that we have been. Not terrible, not great, but just competitive… Just average. My question is simple: What is it going to take for us to finally take that next step into greatness? I truly believe that the biggest move that we’ve made to make this happen is the hiring of Morey. From the acquisitions of Battier, Artest, Scola, and Lowry; to the draft picks of Brooks and Landry… He is getting the job done. But I just wanna know… What else can we do to be great? I guess I’m just tired of this team being right at the cusp, but yet still so far away. Thoughts???
We are only at the cusp, because of perceptions. This year, we had all the tools to win it, but injuries at different times made the team chemistry horrid. Then, Tracy underwent surgery. It's not that we are only at the cusp; rather, we had all the tools, at the start of the season, but who knew that 62 games in, we would have no TMac, no Alston, 2 unknown guys do well (Wafer, Lowry), and a less than stellar season from Yao, and STILL be 39-23?
And that's the Morey factor... Keeping us competitive, which is good. But, this has been a disturbing trend for over a decade. When are the excuses and drama going to cease to exist? Does it really take a player of Dream's magnitude for this team to achieve greatness??? If so, we may be in for a long wait. I'm just wondering...
If you think we've just been "competetive" or "average" for as long as you can remember, jonjon, you're probably too young or just haven't done your homework. Yes, this team has struggled in the playoffs the last decade, but it's foolish to dismiss the 2 finals appearances in the 80s, 2 championships in the 90s, and the numerous 50-win season over the last 10 years. There have been exactly 4 teams to win multiple championships in the last 15 years (Lakers, Spurs, Bulls, Rockets). Obviously, adding a superstar player like Lebron or Kobe or Wade could make us "great," but the superstar who was supposed to fit that mold (T-Mac) is down, and we're not getting another one anytime soon. In the meantime, this team, as is, has the pieces to do great things by playing lockdown defense, efficient offense, and rallying around each other. There's no shame in losing to the Jazz (and the refs) in March. We need to keep finding ways to improve internally in the next few months to make sure a game like yesterday has a different outcome in May or June.
In addition, I'm very aware of the Rocket's history in the 80's and 90's, and its a really rich one. But as of now, this team has been average. Which is more than a lot of teams can say. Just venting I guess...
I agree... I think there is something embedded in the culture of the organization that makes them this way. Maybe the whole "clutch city" era created an underdog mentality and now we have to relearn how to be front runners.
Dido... If we had someone like Joe Johnson or Caron Butler at least we would def. be true title contenders. That is why Morey was pushin so hard to try and take him away from Washington, that's the good thing about Morey he analyzes the team and figures out whats missing and makes it happen cappin. As long as Morey is around we will be contending with all the talent he brings in.
if morey somehow manages to steal caron from washington (I doubt it will happen), I will be the first person with a butler jersey on. I've been a massive fan of his since he played at uconn (yah, I like uconn).
It's been a while since the Rockets have had dependable playmakers down the stretch of games who are willing and able to attack the basket. That's what the Rockets are missing.
we need a superstar pg. A pass first pg, big, strong, fast and could shot a high percentage 45% + Some one like Chris Paul or Deron Williams.
