The article is about as close to the truth as you can get. Yes, this is an accurate assessment of the Rockets MINUS the Wild Cards. Like C-Bud going crazy and averaging 20 points per game, or Brooks becoming consistent, or....well, you get the picture. Paper predictions are good, but lets roll the ball out.
"If the Rockets are smart, they'll integrate Ariza into their system and not look to him to be a high volume offensive force. I don't think that'll work. But as far as personality and work ethic go, he's a great fit there." I agree with this 100%
Thats a great analysis. Very respectful and honest. i can agree with that except???? Thats why he is so respectful and cautious. We all know the Rockets can be very dangerous with so much quality and hustle up and down the roster up to 10 men deep. The Rockets may become more dangerous as the season goes along and then certainly the pluses they get from this season could propel them next year to heights bigger than ever.
Get a girlfriend and stop reading other teams' blogs because you care what they think of us. WTF is up with this phenomenon. Apologies if you are actually a Laker fan and were on their blog for legit reasons. In which case, get a girlfirend and stop lurking here because you care what we think about the Lakers.
I'm not surprised by this read. My brother who lives in LA (has for 10 years) said his friends there almost began rooting for the Rockets by the end of the series. Not that they did nor ever really would root for our guys, but it's hard not to appreciate the way our team played throughout last years playoffs. If our team comes to play every night, which they will, I won't care how many games they win. I'll be there painted red and rowdy.
I would not rule out the Rockets winning 50 games next year. A lot of things would have to go right....but again, with the level of professionalism of the players, and a coach like RA - we have a shot. If T-mac returns by Dec 1st, I predict we win 50.
Can I laugh at this? Is that allowed? A: My getting a girlfriend would probably excite you but not me... B: I found the article because I have our players on google alert so that I can see what other people say about us... C: If you don't want to know what they think, why would you come into this thread and read it... D: You probably didn't because it was a fairly nice review about our team and the fact that other teams fans enjoy the hustle our boys show... so why should you be so negative about it? But thanks for the giggle at your suggestions!
This team is going to win 43 to 53 games next year, make the playoffs and win at least 1 series, regardless of whether T-mac comes back. One word to describe them: relentless. I can't wait to dig this post up at the end of the year. Talk to you guys then! JR
IF... and i guess its a big IF .... but if Tmac can come back half decent and remain healthy most of the year than we are a playoff team. We are structred Stable enough defensivley, and Rick will juice all he can out this team on the offensive end. I am NOT a big McGrady fan... but i understand the game enought to expect a Good McGrady back. I also understand that surgery on a knee is very serious, but Tmac worked with Grover, and i always believed he had a heart for the game. Ariza's biggest challenge i believe is ball control. I think he has trouble handling the ball on the move. Its why he has flourished on catch and shoot, or slashing. Ariza's numbers will be better simply because he will have more oppourtunity here. But until he can handle the ball under pressure.. i wouldnt disagree with the article too much. But anything in the 30's for the winning column is a little hard to see. We are better than the mavs team last year, and they made the playoffs. i expect 45-47 wins.
This was really a thoughtful, knowledgable read. It's hard to dispute anything he's saying. He seems spot-on, for the most part. I do think, however, that most pronosticators, including this one, are writing off McGrady's impact too soon. Everyone seems to be factoring in his impact very conservatively, and that influences their overall prediction for the team. I think he'll come back early and still be a very good player. Based on that, my hopes and expectations for the team are higher than this blogger's are. I know it's always nice to predict conservatively and be pleasantly surprised, but I can't help but think McGrady will be back and the Rockets will be competitors this year. They won't be on the level of San Antonio, but I can't see them being as mediocre as many people think.
I am confident we will make the PO if T-Mac never comes back. If he comes back it will depend on weather he (can and) plays for the team or for his last contract.
