Somehow, it feels very strange that Rockets are not in the playoffs, even though during last preseason, before all these injuries, I predicted Rudy's Rockets will not make beyond the regular season. While I am rooting Lakers and a great coach PHIL, I am trying to think what would make Rockets in the playoffs next year. I conclude that they will not. Reason are many, but main ones are as follows: 1) the coach. Well, I hear you cursing. 2) No visible improvement in the paint. Guess where all the money are going? (Dream+Cato) 3) A hole at the Power Forward position. 4) a hole at the Small Forward Position. 5) Still an one-on-one ball team.(guess who is coaching) 6) Even though Francis is great, there are other great PG in the League. Remember Sonics could not get into the playoffs last year with Payton. ------------------ Have a great summer, why not go to new baseball park for you emptiness. [This message has been edited by Caveman (edited April 23, 2000).]
It's premature to speculate whether the Rocks can make the playoffs. Hopefully, they can have a little luck and fill some holes in the offseason. But as of right now, I don't think they have what it takes to make the playoffs either. ------------------
Caveman, This team might have just made the playoffs this year had they played the way they did the last 20 or so games the entire season.... I don't know how good their chances are of making the playoffs next year, if there are no changes made. But, even if there were no major changes, I think this team could probably pull off a 7th or 8th seed. But, it is very unlikely that the Rockets will not make any moves to improve the team. All you have to do is look at their history of acquiring talent ever since Les Alexander took over: Clyde, Barkley, Willis, Pippen, Francis, Anderson, etc... I am confident the Rockets will find a way to get something very beneficial done in the offseason, to make sure they put a competitive team on the floor for the 2000-2001 NBA season. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
Allright, who moved the big rock and let caveman out? ------------------ I had amnesia once or twice.
Probably Smeg when he met Charles in that cave and had a beer with him. ------------------ <this space for rent>
must have been the guy in the news who found the dinosaur tracks while using his back hoe to flip some rocks in his back yard. You must admit that Caveman has the perfect User-ID for someone still stuck on the notion that Rudy can't coach a different offense. one-on-one offense...bah...that has to be the blindest assessment of the year, especially considering the year-ending success of the alley-oop threat, the Walt double-pick, and back-door Shandon. Caveman, before you completely lose face in May when this board gets some visual Flash replays to use against your lame arguments, I'll give you one more chance to understand something: The first option of the Francis Wing attack is to get him picks to enter the lane at the FT line (similar to Cassell's favorite entry point). Well, being that is where he is most effective because he has passing options on either side and scoring options to shoot or drive, the defenses mostly take this first option away from us. Game-by-game Rudy installed new ways to make the defenses pay for taking that first option away by overplaying Francis. The first goal is still to get picks for Francis moving from wing to high post. I'm sorry you're stuck clinging to negatives. What a sad and pathetic way to be a Rockets fan. ------------------ May God show you those who love you, May God turn the hearts of those who don't, May God break the ankles of those who won't.
HP- I've been patiently waiting for your response to this crap all day. Thank you. Smashing as usual. ------------------
And I conclude that you, and Vince, are wrong. Caveman, are you willing to place a small wager on that?? ------------------ We're going to miss you Chuck! Thanks for all the memories!
1. In all truthfulness. I could forsee the Rox not making the playoffs next year, if they stood pat or made only minor acquisitions. 2. Although I was very impressed with alot of what Rudy was able to conjur up as far as offense goes in the last 2-3 months of the season, I still would not consider him an offensively strong minded coach. Motivator, evaluator, players coach, yes. 3. I just want to know if hey is making up his own names for all these plays. 4. Caveman. Please by all means go hold hands with your fellow Laker brethren at www.latimes.com Im sure theyll love your bandwagoning arse over there. 5. When the Lakers dont get swept for the 5th time in like 6 playoffs then maybe you can claim Phil's greatness.
Yeah, I'm going to have to make it all up, because Rudy just runs Mobley ISOs and let's Francis improvise. Aside from that, there are only opportunistic cutters and spot-up shooters. But when you do it in Flash, Rudy looks like Bobby Knight. It's cool.
DREAMer, I think you are right on target. The last 20 or so games should be more of an indicator of next season. Why? It's a young team, who had their two key veterans (Dream/Barkley) stripped away this season. They were trown into the pond to sink or swim. This year, they sank. But -- the difficulties they faced accellerated the learning curve of players like Francis and Cato. They will be better players next year, because of the challenges they faced this year. Plug a few holes, and we could have in interesting team next year. Not a contender, but least a team back on the upswing, with some more marks in the 'W' column, and more fun to watch. ------------------ Stay Cool...
