I'm a big fan of the Martin trade, but last night's game illustrates that the Rockets are suffering from the same issue that has plagued them for years. Or at least until Lowry and Yao return given they are both healthy... The Rockets do not have anyone on the current roster that can step-up aggressively in the clutch. Yao finally had become that player, but is now a question mark. But T-Mac was never that player and neither is Martin. And that is not a negative mark on Martin, he is a flat out scorer, plain and simple. But last night, the team needed a player that would have thrown themselves and gotten to the line and to the loose ball. That would have changed the course of the game. Martin is a championship piece, but he is not that player, never has been. And so tired of the T-Mac faithful forgetting how he disappeared time and time again when it counted, regardless if he scored 30 to get the game to the last 5 minutes. The deal is that Morey was moving in a direction to acquire aggressive players in Lowry and Landry, but now Landry is gone, Lowry is out, and he needs to start this process again. The State of the Union is that Scola, Battier, Ariza, and Martin as well are roll players. Damn good roll players but ones that need help from others to help change the course of the game. Anyone waiting for Martin to take over games consistently will be waiting forever, and Brooks is also just too physically to small to do it on his own as well. I believe that if Yao comes back, even at 70%, Martin will be a outstanding pick-up. But the defensive team that lacked an offensive spark, is now an offensive team that lacks a defensive spark. Morey has to address the physical play of the Rockets in the draft or trades or the Rockets will occasionally be exposed as they were last night. Especially in the playoffs. And please people, spare us all that Jordan Hill is that guy, we have enough 6'9+ players that already play 4 inches shorter than they are.
I would say the heaviest issue was rebounding. Despite the mythical value of "clutch" shots the points early in the game count just as much as the later ones. Your definition of "roll player" is also extremely vague from your post. Martin took over games consistently at Sacramento, so I seriously doubt I'll be forever waiting. In fact, he took at times the last few games. As to the defensive spark issue, pay slightly more attention to Battier's play...it showed up on Tyreke's box score. All of this being said....your post lacks a thesis.
Man folx are so full of ***** The rockets are a team with a narrow margin for error and unless I am mistaken We missing a Starter [two actually] and our 6th man Rocket River
we are way too far from being an elite team even with Yao if we don't add the magic piece (Bosh ie) we will suck forever yes we can still be a 50 win team with Yao but no title
Nothing against Martin also disappeared in a lot of games in Sacramento as well. I don't think "Clutch" is mythical. You make your own luck, and a lack physical or aggressive play will lead to losses down the stretch and absolutely in the playoffs. The Rockets are full of roll players none of whom are ready to take over a game. It's not just clutch shots, rebounds, steals, trips to the free throw line all matter. Not a lot of that going on last night. Battier had a career night in blocks, but again he can't change the tempo of a game by himself. He just doesn't have the physical skills anymore. The Rockets need more aggressive players. With all the positives of the current roster, the Rockets need players that can step up when the team isn't clicking. That's a winning franchise.
Code: Oliver Miller was a (hot buttered) "roll" player. Kyle Lowry is a "role" player. Lol, well put. Sry for the typos... the league doesn't need more than one "biggest O".
I agree completely. Just wanted to add our role player system is defunct since lowry is injured, battier sick and landry gone.
This is the truth and I don't understand why people find that so hard to believe. Take ANY playoff bound team and remove their best player, best defender, and 6th man and see how they fare. Houston has overachieved all season and Martin isn't going to save them overnight - actually outside of Lebron/Kobe/Wade/Durant, I don't know of anyone who would have turned around this team immediately. We don't have the record we have because we don't have "clutch" guys - it's because we don't have as much healthy talent on our roster as our opponents.
Uhhh ... panic post ... yuuch ... Let's see ... Lowry is out, Ariza is out, we just traded away our 4th quarter crunch player, but plan to "get someone to replace him this summer using pieces we traded for," Yao is out, we have 3 new players to integrate into Adelman's system ... and maybe, just maybe, we are focusing on the long term to develop the team, not playing to get to the playoffs this year, for maximum draft opportunities. I'm sure they learned from the Roy experience. This year is over, IMHO, as far as trying to advance in the playoffs ... and we are building toward the future ... and that is a good thing. Now we are trying to develop chemistry with our new players, develop our youth, and get a closer this summer. With Yao back, next year looks pretty good, although the following year probably looks even better, with Yao 100% ... as long as he stays healthy. Let's enjoy the ride ... ... I was worried that the Tracy failed experiment would put us back for years, but Morey is doing a quick rebuild, which I find impressive. We'll have a lot more nights like this, I expect.
I agree with everything but that last statement. The Rockets are definitely trying to win now. Adelman is still trying to make the playoffs.. I suspect that might change after a few more losses. But they were trying to win last night.
1. yao isnt clutch, only his free throws. 2. tmac was more clutch than yao (meaning he's more likely to get hot and hit jumpers/3pters/make plays) 3. Martin does 'throw' himself out there and get to the free throw line (but you cant expect him to do it every single night) 4. it's role players, not roll players 5. no one is saying jordan hill is 'that guy' 1 star thread
It'll take a miracle to make the playoffs...Portland has to play .500 bball and we have to go like 17-5 or there about. We haven't played that well all year, so im not expecting anything different now since we're coming off a trade.
But it wont hurt to see what he can do. With more experience, maybe he can be that guy....we wont know until he gets a chance to get into rhythm on the court. Playing 6-7 minutes a game isn't enough time for that
Oh, I agree ... don't think they are tanking. But, if I do think we are approaching things long term now in realism ... and if we miss the playoffs, I doubt we get to the last game, and desperately do the same thing.
man the rockets have been rebuilding for the future since they traded for steve francis! everyone needs to open their eyes and see what the rockets have been lacking to address for years, a PF! last years playoff series w/ LA, all we lacked was a pf with presense. this year they traded their best low presence for a position they are already overcrowded at. the money situation is not even hopeful once they take care of their own free agents they will be stuck with luxury taxes and our owner doesn't believe in that.even draft picks will be too expensive! just think about last years 2nd round playoff team and where we are now. if amare would've came to h-town to, how many players from last years team would we still have? not many. and to think all we needed last year was a down low presense, now all we have is faith in the GM and too many guards. and don't forget wait till next year!
rocket river gets it even if we miss the playoffs this team got a lot better at the deadline next year we be the year all haters&knee jerk reactors will eat a lot of words we lost to the kings w/o 2key players carl = lebron martin=dog poop morey=moron i fear i will never be taken serious as a writer & spend my life shouting to a deaf ear
