Chemistry I used to live in Houston from 1984 - 1989 and that turned me into a die-hard Rockets fan although I do admit not having been able to watch a lot of games due to geographical differences since then. I was thrillied to death, however, when they won the back to back championships and wathced every single one of those playoff games. I truly believed that one of the most important factors for their winning was getting the right people with the right attitudes on the same page. I was so frustrated for Hakeem beforethen since he felt he had to carry the whole load and did not trust his teammates. But when they started trusting and believing in each other it was great. It takes more than a talented roster of individual players to win. People have to make sacrifices for the benefit of the team. My point is that currently the Rockets are looking pretty good on paper but do we have the right roster? I've taken in Organizational Culture class in my MBA course and it devotes the study of an organization's culture & its employees and they all work & gel together. It also shows how people who do not adapt to that organization's culure or its leader may cause disharmony. Right now, we have a dedicated Chinese basketball player coming from a totally different cultural mentality and some talented American players (who might have a spoiled mentality, I can't say for sure) The effort to work as a team has to come from both sides and put aside their differences.... Can Francis & Mobley learn to respect, if not like, Yao Ming? or will they become jealous of him and all the attention he will be getting? Will Yao Ming learn to adapt to NBA culture? or will he hate his new teammates? IMHO he would get along with Griffin (same age), boki (another foreigner) ..... How do you picture Francis treating Yao?
Totally agree. The chemistry part is hard to come by. It s even more uncertain than Yao's ability. Now we have become more certain of his ability. The real issue for the ROX is the chemistry. Will they get along and play like a team. It is not that easy, at least for some, to put aside one own ego for the sake of the team. Many NBA team have talents on their rosters over the years. But it takes good chemistry to win a championship.
There's nothing to worry about on this team as it stands. Steve, Cat and Moochie are gym rats and are always working on their games. Yao and Boki look to be out of that mold too. For them only time will tell. The Griffin looks like he put in some summer school. Mo and K.T. have both shown they will do what it takes (K.T. is obvious and look what MoT did during the summer just before he was hurt). I've only heard positive things about Rice and his summer league play in Florida. Collier worked hard bulking up (hope you make it as a solid player, big guy). I haven't heard or seen anything definitive training-wise on T-Mo, Cato, Oscar (although he is playing well for the Venuzuelan team). Tito and Tierre are unknown factors. I have seen zippo on Williams (slim down and be all that you can be, Walt!). However, when they all work together under Rudy's watchful eye, we have ourselves a TEAM, people.
That's not the issue here. We know we have talents. We have the players we need in all the positions. But can they put aside their own ego and play as a team.
ok. let's say they all start playing along and eventually start winning....which is a cure all for not liking each other, but how long do you think before they do find that chemistry??
It is all about chemistry. The championship rockets were the epitome of chemistry in motion. Look at teams like portland who always has an abundance of talent but can never make it out of the gate because they just never play as a team. That is why I am against acquiring Rashard. He just seems like he doesn't play rudy ball. He seems to play that portland style selfish I'm getting mine kind of game. Steve and Cat don't seem to Selfish, Griffin has had lots of patience in developing himself and he seems to respect his elders and Ming seems to be very enthusiastic about being part of a NBA team. Hopefully it will work out.
I think it can happen over time. Some of the mumblings we've heard were just out of blindness. Some players reacted off the opinions of a few folks who spoke loud before they even knew what they were talking about. No kidding. Some of these nat'l guys were writing opinion pieces on Ming's prospects without ever seeing him play live, or play against anyone good. That was ridiculous. Anyway, Ming's personality seems well-equipped to win these guys over. He already seems to be winning over lots of others after just a few weeks in the US. I think in time Francis and Mobley will come to adopt the guy like he is their big pet. And they will get protective of him. It will be a love fest. Given their personalities and Ming's, it seems inevitable.
I agree with all of what you guys have said for the most part. I will say this however, that Rudy is a, "player's coach". This will bode well for the organization seeing how their incredibly varied culturally. Remember folks that EG seemed a problem child and that caused him to slip, while I'm not sure that he isn't a problem child anymore he sure seems like a changed man. Look at the Kings as proof, their chemistry is as good as anyone's yet they are an international team. Trust me fellas it will work out for the better having these foreign players, a good healthy mix is good for any group or organization as long as that being isn't alienated they'll be fine.
yes if our players are intrested in winning.which they are. They will develope team chemistry with our new players.
Yao has stated his favorite American food is "steak". Francis eats a steak dinner at Ruth Christs Steakhouse before every game. I see a good thing here. os
