While the loss was very disappointing, I was very refreshed to see us battling back and forth the ENTIRE game. Last year whenever we played a decent team, it seemed like we would always fall so far behind. It always seemed like the Rocks struggled to make a game of it in the final minutes, however, we all knew that the game was over in the first half, despite how the final score looked. Games were boring. So far this year, no matter what the final score, we are fighting to be in every game. Opponent's leads don't seem to last very long. Last year when a team pulled out to a lead, players almost seemed to give up until the final minutes. Now I know that we were missing a lot of talent last year due to injuries, but I think our players are starting to show a lot of improvement already. I think Steve has made great strides this offseason in maturity. Other players see that and are following suit. My only worry is how Rudy's gonna figure out a workable rotation. I think we are getting the maturity (to go along with all of this talent) to beat average teams more times than not. We'll probably even stun some of the best teams in the league this year.
A-Train = bundle of negativity. Awwww. The rockets tanked against the suns? Gimme a break. Did you see any of the games last year? Those games were tank jobs. This team just couldn't pull out the close victory. The GS and Portland wins would have still been greater than this one would have been.
- Our best player had his worst game of the season - Our starting center didn't play - We trailed in nearly every major statistical category - turnovers, rebounds, assists, FG%, FT% Yet, we had the ball down one with 6 seconds to play ON THE ROAD against a likely playoff team in the West. I'm not sure that we can ask for much more than that except, of course, actually winning. Most coaches, if asked, will take that scenario on most nights. Even playoff-bound teams play around .500 ball on the road for the season. Losing is frustrating. But, if any of those things above change for the Rockets in this game, they come away with a W. I'd rather have the win, but I can't fault the opportunities.
What more could a coach ask for? HOw bout NOT trailing in turnovers, rebounds, assists, FG%, FT%... or at least not trailing in assists in every single game?
Pippen, As usual, on top of your game. I don't think the playoffs are viable with Rudy at the helm. Starting anew with a sound GM/Head Coach is the best direction for Les to go. I noticed the lack of coaching acumen that Rudy possesed during 95! The players were saving him from the hole that Rudy initially dug. Rudy actually has to teach this team. They are fundamentally unsound. SF could have just sat on Starbury's right hand. If your coach is lost, he can't lead. CC Posters think Rudy is a college professor with tenure. This team would be great if they brought in a coach with an actual playbook. Rox start their offense with 6 secs on the shotclock. Every possesion, throughout the game. Horrible!
I'm sticking with this, I think the starters play to many minutes but it is due to the fact we have no other choice. Starters (IMO) PG Steve 38.0/M.Norris 10.0 SG Cat 35.0/Hawkins 13.0 SF Rice 22.0/Thomas 18.0/Eddie 8.0/ PF MoT 27.0/Eddie 15.0/Thomas 6.0/ C Cato 24.0/Ming 18.0/MoT 4.0/Eddie 2.0 Now that the team is healthy we need to keep the rotation strait. NO MORE small ball. Steve should play all of his minutes at PG, this would help to reduce his minutes and make him more effective as a PG in the long run and also keep M.Norris off the court. Cat and Hawkins can man the 48 mins at SG with no problem. Cat should never be playing the SF position. Yes Rice should start over Thomas. Rice showed against the Suns that he deserves the mins so long as he gets help on defense and his shot is going in. Thomas needs to eliminate that hitch in his jumper and also not be on the court with MoT as much as possible. The two are counter productive together. One other thing, Thomas defense is not as good as some think. MoT is back and his size and sweet stroke is head and shoulders over both Eddie and Thomas. Now if only he can get better at defense, which against the suns he looked ok. Rebounding with MoT is the sore spot. Cato is/was playing great. I hope that the passing of his grandmother and him being out will not affect his new found aggression. Ming as we know is getting better with every game. As far as Boki and T.Morris these guys will have to wait for injuries or blow outs. They will at times have a minute or two. I really think that the rotation and the timing of the rotations have more to due with our problems than most understand. I know people want to see Ming, Boki, and T.Morris play more but they will just have to wait. Thomas hopefully will be traded sometime soon so that Boki and T.Morris can shore up the SF position. You know the more I think about it the more it seems to me that Kenny being gone would really improve the team. I know that some people don’t want to see him gone but with MoT. back, Eddie playing great defense, Rice hitting his shots (from the arc & post) Boki can shoot/drive and with Hawkins defense we don’t need him. Kenny does have some good games but it seems he has more bad games than good ones. I see him so much hold the ball, take his first step, spin, throw it on the glass just to see it skip off of the rim. His outside shot like I said is horrible. It looks like him and Moochie have the same hitch. And don’t forget his attitude. I am for him being traded and if not his minutes should be limited and let go after the season. We have enough ISO players. All this said I am gald that we had a chance (several) to win this game against the Suns on the road. At least we are not as bad as Denver.
There is way too much panic on this board about a one point loss on the road. We're not even a tenth of the way through the season, yet every third post on this board is calling for a trade, position change of our best player, or the resignation of Rudy. We're 4 and 3 and we are just getting our team together for the first time, for the love of God! The Rockets are playing much better defense and present a bunch of match-up problems for the other team. The frontline is already a million times better than it has been for the last few years. Have a little faith, people. There are plenty of positive signs already.
a-train, that is a good point, at least you didn't want to trade away the franchise, i will give you props for that!
Pole, Great tongue in cheek post! I've just read this. I stand by post. Seems that things are being done differently. That is why the wins are coming. Let's remember this at the end of the year.
