What happened to the team that use to hustle and outwork teams, the team that relentlessly went after every loose ball and showed some effort to get back on transition D? I find it hard to believe that that effort was traded away with Ariza, maybe it was Landry. I dont know but its getting harder and harder to watch this team. I understand that 3 of our key players are out and that makes a difference but even when they were in the lineup it just didnt look like the fight was there. I think the only time I've seen it this season was during the Spurs game where they came back and a little hope came back for me. As of Right now, this team is just not good. AB and KMart while great scorers are just awful on D. Since Lowry has returned he's been playing like that contract is his ticket to do whatever. He is taking way too many jumpshots which is not his game. He's showing that he's only good as a pace changer. Yao is just not game ready, bringing him off the bench to get him back to par seems like the better idea for now (he's not getting traded so dont even bring that into the conversation) Rick makes questionable calls at times. Yes he's loyal to his vets but when someone is doing well why take them out? Im sure theres more but for now, rant done.
The effort seems to be a bit less than years past, but I think where we're really going wrong is decision making. From the games I've been able to watch, I just feel like we are having these disappearing acts that stem from stretches with many turnovers and a lot of bad shots. All in all, I agree that the effort could be better right now, but we have other things to fix that were not as bad of issues last season.
Players are playing too long and being asked to do things outside of their comfort zone. The offense in general doesn't work without a big man and without a scoring point guard. The defense is also lackluster because we are undersized in soo many ways. These factors combine undermine any degree of heart we can show. If this team doesn't win at either end of the court, it's hard to show hustle and heart. The never give up mentality originated from two players: Battier and Brooks. Brooks could score in bunches and in crunch time. Hell, AB could go 0-7 from the three and then turn around and hit his 8th,9th, and 10th when the game was on the line. Battier used to close out players extremely well, but now it seems like he has some trouble with that. Without Yao down low Battier has to play a slightly different style of defense. Key players like Durant and Kobe now have better looks and tend to make their shots. That in turn defeats the momentum of a player to close out his man, or dive for the ball, or run back on defense in transition. It permeates across the entire network of the team. Battier and Brooks are the lifeblood of this team on offense and defense. With both in a funk (and Brooks injured) its really hard for this team to have an identity, let alone succeed.
The team that came out of the gate last year and surprised everyone is gone. It's just depressing. Last year's team was actually 20-13 at one point.
It's very disheartening to see them give up. Only Luis came out to play tonight. Adelman will have to motivate them.
What bothers me is when we are losing or even getting blown out, and I see some of our players joking around with each other at the free throw line (e.g. Hill). You could see that Hayes and Scola were suffering from losing, some others don't seem to be bothered by it.
hard work can only bring you so far, last season's 42-40 record is a very good example now, since we have lost several players that plays really hard and we don't have the talent, I think we will continue to fumble until everyone gets healthy.
Well, it's clear we are in the bottom third of the league (and I'm being very generous). We can only beat the likes of Minnesota, NY, Indiana, maybe Clippers The rest of the league have gotten stronger. We have gotten deeper but somehow RA has failed at making use of that talent. Massive FAIL The frustrating thing is we should have sucked last year so we could have had a higher draft. Next year's draft won't be as good. Sigh! Not fun to be a Rockets fan this year
trading away Landry is Huston's stupidest deal so far I was really surprised and speechless at the moment i heard the news.
Maybe the constant trade rumors have something to do with it. I know it affects all teams, but this team is especially built to pull of a trade
Starting Center and PG is out. I wouldn't say they aren't fighting. They just aren't talented enough to compete night in and night out.
Side note about last night's game that I didn't want to make a thread for. According to the game on right now, that comeback last night by the Bulls was there first comeback since 2008 when down 8+ points in the fourth. Wasn't the other one against us as well, or am I wrong? I think I remember that game pissing me off soooo badly. We blew a way worse one in that game.
This. Teams are giving Lowry the outside shot and he won't take it. Scola's our only option right now and when they double nobody's making them pay. Martin is working too hard to get off a decent shot. 3 major scoring threats are out (Budinger, Brooks and Yao). There isn't more we can do with what we have right now.
