I wouldn't read too much into it, considering that the vast majority of the difference is from Battier's minutes not lining up with Brooks'. Everything pretty much goes to hell when Brooks is on the floor. At the end of the day, losing Battier didn't really have a major impact either way, losing Brooks did.
Again, you credit AB too much for the 1st round win. That Rockets team with Alston would have beaten that no-playoff-experience Portland team anyway. Alston actually reached NBA final playing as the main PG for Orlando.
the wins over NO and Portland were impressive though and tonight will be tough playing phoenix on a second night of a back to back if they can win this especially if Scola is not available. Its Brooks really, I was never a fan of the guy for this team as it was constructed in how he played. The guy has a load of talent no doubt but it just didnt fit with what this team was trying to accomplish offensively. He did remarkably well in the playoffs 2 years ago but that was when he was the clear 3a/3b option (along with scola) and there was a pecking order of Yao and Ron which helped keep his ego in check. (before people state that the rockets took the lakers to 7 games take a look after Yao went down the games the lakers won they just simply blew the Rockets out they were easily the better team and just took the rockets lightly- something the lakers are known to do against inferior competition) last year he played well but the team was going nowhere but exceed expectations. This year it didnt seem like he adjusted to well to having to not be the #1 option again (early in the season when Yao actually did play) and then after his injury he really took a downward spiral having to come off the bench. Some came point to injury being the cause but it was clearly just more than his injury. I dont blame brooks for being upset I can understand why he would be I do blame him for not being a professional about it, others have had to do the same and performed well. Despite apologies and whatever spin the Rockets/media want to put on it it was clear there was a discord between him and the team now especially after he left the memphis game. With that gone it destroys a lot of the tension that was in the locker room and guys are united once again. Lee getting more minutes (minutes he deserved from the beginning unlike Brooks who kept getting more minutes than probably deserved) is another HUGE reason. The guy is a legit player on both ends of the floor and the bench defense and offense has taken off with his increased playing time. Losing Battier has had less of an effect than I had originally though, I honestly didnt expect Budinger to play as well as he has in the starting role but maybe the chemistry he had with Kyle is something worth mentioning. Another thing I think that has helped is that Rick has shortened his rotation - no more Jordan Hill experiments, no more running kyle and aaron together, 4 guys off the bench and they all play a fair share of minutes to be able to get into and stay in a rhythm. also thank god brooks is gone i dont care if he torches the rockets tonight for 50 points and people will naturally react saying "zomg! morey is teh sux0rz brooks mip -> mvp!" he was dragging this team down with his play and demeanor and now the sum of the remaining parts is greater than before
It's not just the easier schedule -- remember we beat Portland and NOH on their homecourt. The offense is now 100% fluid, which is when Adelman's offense is at its best. Brooks was a major ball-stopper and Battier wasn't enough of a scoring threat. It's funny that we don't really realize how much that effects the team until after they are gone. Now we have a poor man's version of the old Kings, in a way: Hayes = poor man's Divac (good passing, good defense, capable scorer inside) Scola = poor man's Webber (jumper and post moves) Budinger = scoring 3 like Peja Lowry = capable scorer and good team PG, like Bibby Lee = Doug Christie (defense and shooting, athleticism) Martin doesn't really have a match, but there are a lot of similarities. We aren't quite as good as them all-around but aren't too far off.
The answer is easy!!! 1)Battier is gone. He was well past it! 2) Brooks was in a funk with the mental problem about his lack of Contract and pay!. (Morey) 3) Younger players now believe they have a chance.
I think bottom line, and the easiest explanation, is that the Rockets best players are now getting the most minutes. (Meaning Shane and especially Aaron were not some of our best players).
This. It is a testament to Aldeman's loyalty to his players that he gave Brooks plenty of chances to regain his MIP form, to no avail. Almost everybody could see that Brooks' subpar play was hurting the team's chances of winning. In a way, I sort of understand his frustations coming out of a MIP season, but as you said it, you always have to be professional. If this trade had been made 30 days earlier, I would bet that we might have been among the 8 current playoff team in the west, instead of being on the outside looking in.
I can understand wanting Brooks gone. I can understand blaming him for our troubles this year. To discredit what he did in the playoffs 2 years ago is just plain wrong. He was absolutely pivotal in those series.
Ok, here is a summary of this thread. I just cut and pasted in some cases, so I'm not claiming I wrote this, just compiled it: ----- This season has been difficult for many of us to watch, but since the All-Star break we are playing better. Games have been fun to watch. Our overall team chemistry is better, we have better ball movement, and, wait for it, wait for it, we are also playing better defense. Why are we playing better? Some think its just because we have had an easier schedule. No doubt the easier schedule helps. It could also be the pressure that we NEED a Playoff Push. Or maybe our players are just relieved the trade deadline is over. Clearly, the recent personnel changes have something to do with it. Most notably, Budinger has come up big in his new starting role. Bud certainly brings more offense than Battier did, and he has been doing that pretty consistently so far -- starting with back to back 30 point performances. Certainly he has also benefited from being reunited with Lowry in the starting lineup, who gets Bud easy transition buckets. And Bud has just been shooting better of late, which we all knew he could do. What's surprising is that our team defense hasn't dropped off with Bud playing more minutes, and in fact, it seems to have improved (knock on wood). Still no clear explanation for that. Maybe Bud is just a better defender than we thought? The most popular player of this recent surge is Courtney Lee, who has been playing BEASTLY in his new increased role. As Worrell says, "There he goes again off the trampoline", and that is an apt description of Courtney's hops. But its more than just Courtney's vertical that is earning him high praise from the board. Its also his foot speed, his hustle, his heart. Doesn't hurt he has been hitting lots of timely threes. No one can say anything negative about Courtney Lee right now, and Morey is looking good for not letting Lee go to the Bulls. Its easy to overlook Lowry, because he has been playing well all season, but moving AB gives Lowry a slightly increased role, and clarifies, if it wasn't clear already, that Lowry is now our starter, and that the Rox are his team to run. No more thoughts in the back of his head that AB will be given the starting role back. So, Lowry can put all his energies into running the team, leading, and he can continuing to improve his shooting, which has been fun to watch. Lowry's been playing like he has a Sheriff's badge on out there. Many have mentioned that our second unit is key to this recent surge. Morey, I believe, tweeted a while back that our first unit has been statistically solid all year, and that inconsistency with the second unit has been the issue. Well, of late, our second unit has been BEASTING. Maybe, as said above, its playing more Lee, AND we have also added Goran Dragic who has been impressive, and 2Pat has been getting more consistent minutes. Simply said, 2Pat and the Dragon have been getting it done. We now have more 2-way players playing more minutes in our rotation -- Notice Lowry's minutes are up, PPatt's minutes up, Lee's minutes up, and the addition of Dragic, all of these players net better offensive/defensive balance than the players they took minutes from. (One could argue that even Bud has been a more balanced contributor than Battier, but that is clearly debatable). Biggest argument of the thread is over who was hurting the team worse, AB's not playing up to par, or Battier's offensive limitations. Attacks on AB have included, AB lacking D, ball stopping, jacking up too many shots, and his general apparent "disgruntledness" etc etc, (Real Sports Talk video has an amusing take on this). Attacks on Battier are well known, some claim his D is overrated, and that his offensive limitations hurt the team. I'm just going to side step all of this and say I wish both players well on their new teams, except when they play us. Jordan Hill has lost his playing time to 2Pat. 2Pat seems to have a better motor, is stronger, has a more consistent outside shot, moves the ball well, etc etc. Hill has length though, and certainly can still be used, but he'll have to fight hard to regain any significant playing time. A good summary of our player movement is that the players that replaced the exited fit better in Adelman's system, they are running Adelman's offense better, and along with better utilization of existing players. So, we need not say any player is better than any other, just that they are playing better in this system with this team. Also chock some of this newfound success up to a smaller rotations with clearer roles. Thabeet and TWill solid pine riders, and Hill also now; this leaves other players with clearer playing roles, and more consistent minutes. If you have playing time now, there seems to be less pressure that you'll loose your minutes. Don't overlook that Kevin Martin is playing really well. Quietly Western Conference player of the week. And also Brad Miller. Brad is passing well, and driving to the basket deceptively slowly. Someone needs to post Brad's driving three point play in slow-mo, that would be amazing. And is Chuck Hayes playing better too? Seems to me Chuck is a constant. With Carmello and DWill now in the eastern conference, it opens things up for us. Why are we winning again? Lots of reasons. I don't know exactly what is getting us on the right track, but I like it!
So, should we thank Manu Ginobili now? Everything happens for a reason, this may very well be that blessing in disguise. I for one am glad we are not known as having one of the smallest backcourts anymore. Now onto the frontcourt..
IMO, the Battier trade has a lot to do with the current changes. Bud & Lee have really blossomed with their increased playing time. Both players make the Rockets a more athletic team and gives them an added threat on the offensive side of the ball. I know Battier is a fan favorite, but his offensive game didn't fit this current team. He was a great compliment to Yao, he provided the spacing & outside shooting that we needed with a dominant post player. Without that great inside presence, we definitely need more out of the three position. I was going over Battier's stats, in 18 losses for the Rockets, Shane was basically a no show in those defeats. He was 27-117 shooting, a dismal 23% from the field. I know there are more than just shooting, but a player playing starter minutes should be more productive. We also have to consider that a high percentage of shane's shots are uncontested.
