Positives from the last few games

Lets for once forget about the always repetitious negatives about the Rockets and focus on the positives that they got out of these games. We all know why the Rockets lost because of the same nagging turnovers that have plagued them all season long. So stick to the positives, and lets try and be optimistic about our guys.

Positives:

1. If the Rockets do find themselves in the playoffs this year, they'll have some familiarity with the atmosphere the playoffs give within the past games they've been experiencing this season. So if they do make it, they shouldn't feel too out of place due to lack of playoff experience.

2. The Rockets are starting to move the ball around more often, and develop some chemsitry with one another with each game that passes. It's always a positive when looking at how this team used to be in the beginning of the season. We're still complaining about the ISO moves that Mobley and Francis have, but they don't do it as much as they used to. They have more trust in our low post players.

3. The exploitation of the opposing teams weaker players. Tonight the Rockets exploited the piss poor defense of Christian Laettner. When Laettner would be guarding Yao, they dumped the ball down to Yao, and he'd usually score. When Laettner would be guarding MoT, they'd dump it into MoT, and exploit that matchup. That's a sign of a mentally maturing basketball team. Take away a few boneheaded plays late in the fourth and there might not even be an overtime, but a flat out W on the Rockets scoreboard. Call a timeout late in the game, and the Rockets might of run that Francis/Yao high pick in OT. A few mental errors are painful to watch, but it's not lack of talent that's the problem for the Rockets. Lack of smart play calling is our weakness. That comes with time, and it can't be rushed. The Kings, Mavs, and even the Lakers took a few years for their core to gel and grow among the elite. So yes mentally they broke down on a few plays, but for the most part, they played a smart game late in the fourth.

All in all, I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but I'm very pleased with Rudy's coaching. I think he's making this team grow much faster to prepare for the playoffs by making unorthodox coaching moves. Subbing out the hot player of the game for a bench warmer, stuff like that. I think it'll help in the long run for those games where a hot scorer like Yao, or Francis might foul out ( ex: Lakers game where Yao fouled out), so that our guys know how to deal with those situations. I like the fact that despite being down, this team didn't give up, with their tails tucked between their legs. They showed heart, and that'll prove crucial if they make the playoffs. If anything, it'll add more hunger to this team next season if they find themselves spectators to the playoffs this season. Be patient guys, and always stay optimistic. That's all I ask.

 

Same thing can be said about the Kings, and Webber, and his deficiency's towards the end of the game. It's part of growing pains. Same way Jordan couldn't find himself getting past the Pistons for a couple of seasons. Same way Hakeem and the Rockets couldn't get past the Sonics ( and never really did since Denver knocked out Seattle, and I think Phoenix knocked out Seattle the following Championship year) People endure tough losses in their career but in the end it's always a positive learning experience. Another thing to be positive about this game, is Steve Francis had a poor shooting night! If he can get his back in good shape again, he'll find his shooting touch and get back his normal 23 with relative few shots again.