On a positive note, this was the best game I've seen from Ish Smith. Played very much in control and attacked the basket when the opportunities were there. He also matched up very well defensively vs. Earl Watson, another small but quick guard.
The Rockets are looking like the Texans of the NBA, they define mediocre in every phase of the game. I look out and see the players in the starting lineup and wonder how are they even competitive? AND Adelman should not escape responsibility. His substitution/rotation patterns are goofy. He can't seem to make the simplest in game adjustments, and his end of game plays are beyond explanation. I have already lost confidence in the team's talent level which I had overrated before the season, but now I am starting to lose confidence in Adelman. He just can't seem to make the best use of the limited talent the team has. I know, Yao, Brooks, and Hayes are out, but Yao is always out and Martin is as good as Brooks. Hayes' success is a testimony to how bad the team's interior defense really is. Stuck in neutral, going nowhere.
Stop scapegoating Adelman. Our team is constructed as units, just trying to plug and play hot players isn't going to accomplish anything. Adelman's an easy Target because we don't know the outcomes of alternative decisions, but the bottom line is the players didn't get it done. This is a personel issue. We are missing two starters and Chuck. We are literally starting a third string rookie forward as our center which is a nightmare defensively. Not to mention we were playing a really good team. We were in command of this game, in fact we have been in firm command of many games we have lost. Consistency in our lineup will do wonders. Once we get our defensive minded center and consolidated a little bit of talent, we will get back on track. This season may be lost, but the angry mob needs to stop calling for heads. Theres a plan in place and they are sticking to it.
my reaction to this game is best described in this song <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fhgUBvgLNTo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fhgUBvgLNTo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
cant lie... although I agree with your post, Hayes is a phenomenal defender. He doesnt have height or hops, but those two things do not a defender make.
Came home to find find out two things: A. I didn't win the lottery and will continue to build pyramids. B. The Rockets still suck.
Yeah followed by another good line "What can I do? I want to help my team. Oh where's Yao Ming?" For those of you also at the game tonight, on the bright side, we didn't have to hear Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" after a loss like we normally do. I dread that song now.
Adelman benching Ish Smith even 1 minute too early probably was the difference in an extra point, thus costing the team a win.
