Thank you, Carnac the Magnificent. If you happen to see anything else in your crystal ball - stock tips, winner of the world series, etc - please be sure to pass it along so we can all benefit. Damn, that is just sad. I sincerely hope that those of you who are wishing for losses and making all these predictions will be willing to stand up like real men and admit how ridiculous your thoughts were if the Rockets make the playoffs. Personally, I have NO idea where the season will go from here, but I am hoping for the best.
Jeff- If the Rockets win the championship one day with Rudy, I'll be the first one to stand up and say that I was wrong. I can't predict the future but based on the fact that Rudy hasn't been able to come up with anything resembling an offense for the past 4-5 years makes me skeptical that he can come up with one anytime soon. How can he have a team with Barkley, Dream, Pippen on it and the most creative offensive set that Rudy can come up with is having these players go one on one? Its the same situation as today. Even when the Rockets win today, its mainly due to the miraculous fact that Steve and Cat are hitting their shots that day. Also given the fact that all of the other team's announcers, other coaches, and so-called NBA analysts are questioning Rudy's decision-making, doesn't that tell you something is wrong here? Given all this, the future looks gloomy. Sure we might make it into the first round but thats not the ultimate goal. It seems as if Rudy has lost it and the sooner we start fresh, it just saves a couple of years from Yao and Steve's career. If it takes blowing this season to start fresh sooner, then I'm for it. I am not happy when the Rockets lose but if it takes losing to get rid of Rudy, then lose away!
don't give me this true fan bull****. This so-called team is abhorrent. Yao and Steve and Cuttino and Posey and they're the 2nd worst scoring team in the West, ahead of only the pathetic Nuggets? When does Rudy run out of excuses? The Rockets have no (major) injuries; they get to practice just as much as any other team does; Steve and Cuttino are 26 and 28 respectively i.e. IN THEIR PRIMES, NOT KIDS; and using Rudy's own standings math (road wins minus home losses; 6 - 6 = 0; funny how he's not talking much about it right now), the Rockets are a .500 team clinging to the 8th spot. This Emperor has no clothes. In fact he's been naked for a long time. If it takes blowing games to the Bulls on the road and missing the playoffs with one of the most talented teams in the league to get the blindly loyal "fans" and, more importantly, the owner, to see Rudy for the Court Jester that he is, then so be it. Les, don't be afraid to replace the coach . . . even the Rudy Apologists will get over it when the team plays harder and smarter and wins more games.
It's apparent that you are not seeing the big picture. Failure for the Rockets is the only way we will see change.
I have to admit in some instances when the game is out of reach I will root against certain players. When Mobley jacks up an off balance 20 footer with a man in his face, I'm hoping he bricks it. When Francis drives recklessly into the paint into 3 defenders without having a clue what to do with the ball I'm hoping he turns the ball over. When Rudy calls an ISO play for Steve or Cuttino, I'm hoping the defender shuts them down. Ultimately, I'm still hoping the team ends up winning the game, but I want them to win the game the right way. I just want it to become a little more obvious to the players and coach what this teams deficiencies are so maybe, just MAYBE, they'll get a clue and change their ways. I'm afraid it's only way to get thru to them. I don't want anything encouraging the players to think streetball will take them anywhere. That Laker game might of been one of the worst things that could have happened to the team.
Why not hire John Lucas as an assistant and then he can take over the team when Rudy T. is fired for not making the playoffs.