Rockets': among Most Improved

Well, it's hard NOT to get more victories after last season...

The Rockets haven't improved much at all over last year

 

I think they've improved in publicity since taking Yao...

I can't even remember the last time I saw the Rox marketing the home team...

As a team, they still gotta lot to learn and will be much better next year...

 

I think this is something most fans far too often forget. This is a team that was expected to fight for the 8th seed in the West. That is exactly what they are doing.

I alwyas find it funny how analysts and NBA experts to calls from fans to fire the coach or trade Francis. They almost always respond with a collective, "Wha???"

Sometimes, I just think we can't see the forest for the trees. We are so close to every game, every quarter, every trip down the floor, it is hard to see that, in reality, we are no better or worse than most people thought we would be.

 

Actually, the irony is that they were gearing up for their biggest marketing push in years BEFORE Yao came along. The very fact that they had been working on marketing plans for this season (that is why they hired Tim) helped them to really take advantage of Yao's enormous marketing potential. Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good, but even BETTER to be both lucky AND good.

 

I think what happen though is about 6-8 weeks into the season we looked in position to not only make the playoffs but have a chance at a round starting in Houston. We never expected to start the way we did, and we saw glimpses of what we could be, which is why it is discouraging we havn't improved as Yao & EG keep on adjusting (actually EG looks worse) and while we re-worked Mo and Rice in the fold.

What most media and non-Rockets fans also forget is 2 years ago playing in an even more vicious WC, Steve's first chance to really lead the team, we were quite a few games above 500. With Yao, a really highly regarding pick last year, and Posey essentially added to that team of 2 years ago, you would have expected a much more formidable group than we have seen the last 1-2 months.

 

We are a much better then the team 2 years ago. That team only could beat the Eastern conference and weak teams. This team is much better but is very inconsisten. THat team was consistent on winning against lesser oppposition and losing to good opposition

 

Actually Jeff, you're wrong....see the sig.

 

Weak schedule.

No zones. Teams looked past us. 16-0 against the Central. Teams get up to play this squad like no other team in the league, except maybe LA. Two years ago teams didn't think twice about playing the Rockets and they snuck up on people. There's a big difference there. Teams like Phoenix don't have to worry about things like that. They don't have big promotions and big media day when Phoenix comes to your town. The Rockets are one of only a couple of teams in the league that have to worry about taking the other team's BEST shot EVERY night. That's a lot for a team to handle.

 

I think not to the degree you think. We went from 12-10 to 23-15 with wins including against Ind, NO, at Orl, Bost, Lal, Phx and really should have had SA beat at their place to go to 24-15 (9 games over 500) only to flounder at the end. Yes the schedule was loaded with home games, but we were playing a much higher caliber of ball than we have the last 2 weeks and were beating playoff teams. A couple weeks later we were losing to some of the dregs of the league, even at home.

Interesting point, I think I agree it does play a role.

 

i really don't think we've improved too much. Not to be negative, but if Stevie was healthy all last season, we would have done just as good or better than this year.

This year we have the monster in the middle and Steve is healthy. Where is the improvement? It's too early to start measuring improvement. Next year with Yao fully incorporated into the offense, will be a good year to fully measure any improvements

 

we are much improved talent twice but with only two wins more than last year and maybe 5 after the season and missing the playoffs, they surely did not improved at all.

yeah they have more national exposure now but it does not mean a lot if they will miss the playoffs again.

it would be considered a failure if they do not make the playoffs.

 

Simple question:

We are on pace for 43-44 wins, which would be a 15-16 game improvement over last year. Some of you would still see this as a failed season?

 

Really? Does anyone honestly think that if Francis was healthy last season, we would have made the playoffs? Last season the No. 8 seed in the West was Utah with 44-38.

 

What are you talking about? We already won 2 more games than last season with 20 odd games left.

 

hey knew that Hector lopez is coming to the rockets next year i heard that he is good and that his better than steve