On this six game skid, it has become more evident that the coaching staff down to the players on this team, really don't have a clue. Take for instance the latest lost. The Rocket were actually up 12 points in this game and then they started going to those stupid iso plays. The Rockets built their lead on fast breaks and good ball movement. When they started isolating, the offense came to a stand-still. Everyone stood around watching the player with the ball, therefore there wasn't much rotation and offensive rebounding. What baffles me is that Rudy T. kept calling this stupid play. The Rockets just got out of sinc and rent down hill the rest of the game. I know some people are going to go down my throat for saying this, but I don't feel Rudy T. is all that good of a coach. A better coach would realize that, hey, the isolation play is hurting the team, mabey we need to go to something else. I know what some of you are going to say "well he won two championships". All he did was ride the coat-tail of the best player in the league at the time, which was Hakeem. He just not coaching this team effectively right now. ------------------
He trusts Cuttino way too much. Instead of "instant offense", he has become "entire offense". ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
It is up to Steve to step up and lead the team, and he hasn't done that. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
Actually, most of the plays in the late 3rd and 4th weren't ISO's. They were mostly screen and rolls from the right side. The problem is that they didn't play well on defense and made poor decisions on offense. It didn't help that the Sonics increased their defensive intensity in the second half as well. ------------------ The way to use life is to do nothing through acting, The way to use life is to do everything through being. - Lao-Tzu
It was just poor execution all the way around, and this losing streak, along with the games coming up, is going to kill the Rockets chance of making the playoffs. The players along with the coaching staff are just stinking up the place right now. ------------------
(sigh!) we've lost 6 games 'cause they were against good teams(mostly) and our two main guys are playing hurt if they are playing at all! just because the coaches let them play, it don't mean cat and wink are 100%! rudy t did not ride the coattails of hakeem. he put together a good team that executed together and played tough defense (note that whole defense thing) ------------------ [This message has been edited by gram (edited December 27, 2000).]
Gram, don't give me that crap about "good teams". What about the Nuggets. What about the freaking Warriors. Those two losses at home come to mind that were just not exceptable, injuries or not. ------------------
what!?!?!?! injuries don't count!?!?!?! do you think sacremento would be worth a pfuk if webber was hurt???? how about the spurrrs if duncan was down??? pleeezz, take away our two leading scorers and the team leader and we will continue to lose, and so would ANY other team east or west. ------------------
Right on Pooh, my sentiments exactly on all points. People need to wake up and smell what's really going on as far as some of Rudy's decisions. ------------------
We were on a roll, everybody was gelling together then injuries hit the rocks hard and it's been downhill since then. This was the 2nd game where we've had Steve and Cuttino back and its obvious they dont have the same chemistry as they did. Also Steve looks like that ankle is still hurtin him and Cat's long range shot has been ugly.Give em time to get back that edge they had. ------------------
Cat and Francis need to take a page from Kelvin Cato's book and not play. We're losing these games anyway. Their sacrifice of playing instead of resting up is worthless cuz we're still losing. If we were winning, then it'd be a different story as Steve and Cat's sacrifices would have some payback, but they are not. If they keep on playing, then how are their injuries gonna heal? These damn injuries... ------------------ da ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence - alaskanSnowman
Pooh, I agree with some of what you said, but saying that "No one on the Rockets has a clue" is going a bit too far. Many of them don't, but despite the Rockets' losing streak a few of the guys (Taylor for instance) have been playing pretty decent and heads-up b-ball lately. Also, injuries DO count and have indeed hurt the team, even though I agree that some of the Rockets' mistakes should not be blamed on them. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Cold Hard (edited December 28, 2000).]
Jeff, Respectfully disagree. The Rockets second half consisted of ISO's, 2 man games with Steve & Dream or Steve & Mo (which broke down into 1 on 1 which is the equivalent of ISO) or an anemic screen roll which broke down into a 1 on 1. The Rockets got 3 (count 'em THREE) assists in the entire 3rdQ set offense. The opening standstill 3 by Shandon and two Mo Taylor standstill, long range J's. The Rockets had absolutely no movement in the second half set offense vs. Seattle. ------------------ GATER [This message has been edited by GATER (edited December 28, 2000).]
