"Houston Rockets (30-28): On target The Rockets play with energy and emotion at home, and are usually listless on the road. Talented, quick and selfish, Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley have sticky fingers and only look to make touchdown passes. Rudy T. is always looking for mismatches. When he finds one, he'll call for an iso -- and he'll milk a successful play until it comes up empty. Otherwise, the Rockets like to use S/R with a re-screen, and to take 3s in any and all situations. Their favorite strategy is to let Francis drive and kick. On defense, the Rockets like to sink, play soft on the wings, and force their opponents to beat them from the perimeter. Despite their overall team speed, the Rockets are sluggish when transitioning from offense to defense. Houston is a scrambling type of team that utilizes Yao Ming mostly as an afterthought. This is a foolish notion, because when the ball is posted, the feeder will speed cut, squeeze or drift, and Yao is highly adept at making interior passes. Generally, the Rockets win because of their athleticism, and lose because of their stupidity. " Pretty good analysis, the last sentence sums it up..
Another article about our offensive strategy - by Marty Burns at SI....See last parragraph Has Yao Ming hit the Rookie Wall? He might have bumped into it a few weeks ago, but the 7-foot-5 Rockets rookie apparently has scaled it. Over his past 10 games, Yao averaged 16.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks -– not far off his numbers in January. Late last month, Yao did go through a stretch in which he looked a bit heavy-legged. After having played nearly year-round in China and then dealing with all the hype and media attention when he arrived in the NBA, he admitted he was tired. During All-Star weekend, all Yao seemed to talk about was his desire to get more sleep. In an effort to stay fresh for the second half, Yao has cut back on his promotional appearances and media responsibilities. Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich also has offered advice, even giving him meditation and visualization techniques to help him relax. Rockets coaches say they feel the worst is over and that Yao will be fine the rest of the way. In the meantime, the Rockets might want to try to get Yao the ball more in the post. Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley still tend to overdribble on the perimeter rather than look inside for their big man. Tired or not, Yao has got to be a featured weapon if the Rockets are to hold off the Suns and surging Warriors for the No. 8 spot.
I can't really disagree with anything in that ESPN Page 2 Rockets evaluation. I don't know how I feel about that
Pretty good analysis. However, the writer missed the part about the Rocket's offense being like a geometric shape (was it a rhombus?).
I don't know if the author missed it or just ran out of time/space for the article. "Despite their overall team speed, the Rockets are sluggish when transitioning from offense to defense." How about from defense to offense? The Rox rank 16th in FB points and 26th in points off turnovers. Good article otherwise.
Looks like a pretty honest evaluation to me. The writer says that the Rockets are "on target" in terms of their record. In fact much of the media it seems feels that way. I haven't seen any media members think the Rockets should be a lock for the playoffs or if they don't get in it will be a disappointment. I think most of the media look at our team and see us as having a nice YOUNG nucleus. I think some of the frustration from the people on the board about the Rockets is that they have not been to the playoffs in a number of years. But in reality this team (Re)STARTED last year with the drafting of Griffin and then this year with Yao Ming. So the media looks at the Rockets as not being in the playoffs last year but doesnt really look past LAST year because it was a different team with Hakeem 2 years ago when we did not get into the playoffs. This current team is still quite young and needs more maturing. I think as Rockets fans we need to take a step back and just realize that this is a young team and that they are growing at an acceptable rate. Chris
Harsh but true. Rockets problems are not due to lack of talent, but lack of intelligence. It's not a pretty picture and blame can be laid on everyone's doorstep, but ultimately, the owner is the only person who can affect changes on all levels (coaches, players, etc.). Say what you will about Mark Cuban, but that guy isn't afraid to make moves to make sure his team wins. Patience is a virtue, but it's also a mantra employed by chronic failures to justify their lack of success.
Well, I think the Rockets just plain suck! When Akeem was drafted, Houston shot straight to the top of the NBA. Now look at them!! Francis sucks. What we really need is a good, unselfish, experienced guard like Scottie Pippen to lead this team. *cough*
"Generally, the Rockets win because of their athleticism, and lose because of their stupidity. " couldn't have said it better myself. this team sucks and now they just sucked a bit less with Yao on board.
Yeah, but they beat Memphis at home. LMAO. (It was after the Memphis win when everyone predicted Rox would destroy the East teams on road).
