The Rockets can not seem to get over the hump against decent teams on the road this year. Now, before you guys go thinking that this is another panic post, it isn't. I think the Rocks are losing all these close games on the road as they get acclimated to each other. I fully expect them to start winning their fair share of road games around the beginning of the year. There have been 4 or 5 very close loses on the road, and a made free throw here, or a rebound there and the Rocks could have one of the elite records in the league. Francis is clearly struggling with his new role of not having the offense run through him, he is forcing a lot of shots, and forcing the action too often. He will settle down and let the game come to him, in fact, at home he does, but on the road, he still tries to do to much. The whole team has not learned how to play on the road, but their defense has been much improved and it is keeping them in almost every game, which is a nice change from last year. I think, when Mobley gets back, that the Rocks just need some time to get used to running more plays for Yao, and then they will take off. DaDakota PS. Glen Rice does not need to be starting, he should come off the bench and if he hits he plays, if not, he sits.
Da: I mentioned this in the game post and I'll post it again here. The Rockets are 4-6 on the road. Seven of those games have come against: Sacramento LA Lakers Seattle Dallas New Orleans Indiana Portland These are all playoff-bound teams. Two others, Phoenix and the Clippers, came against teams that could be fighting with us for a playoff spot come April. The only "gimme" we played on the road was against Golden State. When you consider that even good teams rarely do better than .500 on the road for a season and factoring in the calliber of teams we have played, 4-6 is really not bad at all. Even if we continued on the pace we are on now, we would still win between 42 and 46 games this season. If we are able to win some close one's down the stretch, that number will very likely climb. Our road record, considering all of this, is probably about where it should be given the competition. I do agree with you on Steve. He looks pretty uncomfortable out there at the moment, but I think that will improve with time. Man, if Mobley could learn to be a shooter off screens a la Reggie Miller, he could be deadly.
Jeff, Agree. However we are 4-7 on the road, and we have dropped to 4th in our division behind Dallas, San Antonio, & Utah. The Rocks are struggling on offense for SURE, especially on the road, but I attribute that to all the guys trying to figure out where they fit in the new order. They will win these games later this year. They need to remain around .500 on the road to really ensure they make the playoffs though. Dadakota
Basically, I agree. However, if they go 18-23 on the road, they'd only really need to go 28-13 at home to win 46 games. I think those are all respectable and fairly realistic numbers. I'd like to see them go 20-21 on the road and 30-11 at home giving them 50 wins, but we'll see. Yao has boosted my hopes, but learning a whole new style of play on the fly is going to test the limits of this team. It's all going to boil down to how long it takes them to find their stride and how well they can survive during that period. If they can stay a few games over .500 for another couple of weeks, get some chemistry and stay healthy, they could roll out a nice win streak and move up the pack. It is just going to take some time and patience out there.
I really didn't realize how tough of a road schedule the roxkets have played so far. I feel a whole lot better now, but they still should have won. I wonder how many to's francis will continue to make?
Seems Steves problem, since Cat has been out, is lack of options. Teams are packing defenses in because of our lack of perimeter shooting. Hes having to drive through and pass through too many people on his way to the basket. Rice is not consistent enough to keep defenses honest, neither is JHawk or Moochie. When Cat returns that problem may go away,,but as an offensive specialist Glen must at least hit open shots. Where is Matt Bullard when you need him.?
Jeff, Do you remember what Rudy's has always said with regards to how he gauges his team's success? He has always said that he gives 1 point for road wins and takes away a point for home losses (doesnt count home wins or road losses). So using Rudy's formula, heres how we look compared to the rest of the league. Dallas +8 Sacramento +6 Indiana +5 Philadelphia +5 New Orleans +3 New Jersey +3 Utah +3 Houston +3 Boston +2 Detroit +2 Orlando +2 Minnesota +2 Seattle +2 San Antonio +1 Washington -2 Miami -4 New York -6 Atlanta 0 Milwaukee 0 Phoenix -2 Portland -2 Lakers -2 Toronto -2 Chicago -2 Clippers -4 Golden State -4 Denver -5 Cleveland -5 Memphis -8 Based on this, the Rockets are the 8th best team in the league and the 4th best team in the West. Not bad. I actually love this formula. It rewards road wins, and penalizes home losses. Overall, I think this formula backsup the theory that if you win the majority of your games at home, win the games on the road that you should, plus steal a few wins on the road that you shouldnt, then you are a pretty damn good team.
every time i've ever heard Rudy talk about it, his formula has been +1 for road wins and -1 for home losses.
I am sure that it is +1 for road wins, and -2 for home loses. Someone will look up the quote somewhere and settle this thing. Or maybe clutch can just ask him. DD
DD, Ive heard him quote that formula on the radio several times and always thought he said +1 and -1. Im pretty sure on that. However, if im wrong, I stand corrected.
4-8 on the road, is not acceptable for a playoff team. The Rocks have now lost 5 very winnable games on the road. This team had better learn how to play away from home soon, or we will not be going to the playoffs. DaDakota
Dak - to make the playoffs for sure we would have to be close to a .500 on the road, you think it is possible, maybe a long East Coast trip might help.
