I picked up on that, too. Macbeth's post has to be the first time "o'erreaching" was ever used around these parts. (It was probably also the first time "amindst" was used around here, but that's another matter entirely!)
While I hate to lose Posey, rhester's got a great point. From what I saw of the summer league team's increased defensive intensity, I've got to think that wity JVG putting such a high priority on defense, the team won't feel Posey's loss as much as they would have if Rudy were still coaching. And Posey's offense was nothing to write home about anyway. Piatkowski would actually be an upgrade in that area.
I agree, except for the part about the Jury being out on Yao. I think that he will be a legitimate franchise type center in a couple of years.....On the 6 spot in the west, I think it is a very attainable position seeing as how Phoenix has pretty much stayed the same, and Utah will not be in the playoff picture at all this season. As far as the season, I feel pretty good about things, the offseason could have been worse. I can handle losing Posey, but what if we were losing SF or Mobley or Yao and getting nothing in return. Things will not be all that bad this season, I think everyone just gets in an uproar because they feel like we are getting left behind with all the other moves being made. If you look at those moves though, the Rockets weren't going to contend with the Lakers, Spurs, or the TWolves anyway. We need to worry about the Sonics, Suns, and the Jazz. It would be nice to be up at the top with the good teams, but reality says we just aren't there right now.
Macbeth is the voice of reality, though harsh that it may be. the only thing I will say is that teams that go years without playoff runs typically do not win championships. There has been no progress in 4 years. JVG might help, but this year only knows. basically what we are saying is that our management staff have pooched it and there is not much to do, except wait 4 years and maybe then. I say 4 years because Steve's contract soaks up Rice's next year, then Ming's is around the corner...moving Griffin or Taylor aint going to happen unless they improve. Maloney's money is nothing really in the whole scheme......This team needs a trade of sorts to work it.....but we have Ming and Stevie as our biggest comodities...heck, we cannot even unload someone for Turkoloou and Mercer..... the posey thing has nothing to do with my thoughts. losing him stinks, but 6 mil is too high for him. the position we are in stinks worse. not being able to maneuveur.....who is to say what happens in 2, 3, 4 years. that is the harshest reality...we continue to watch and attend in hopes of 2,3,4 years...that stinks as a fan.....I do not expect championships now, but I want more progress than the past 4 years.....throw me a freaking bone theory....
You even admitted yourself that we've taken a step back. Maybe Posey is overpriced now, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't pursuing the likes of Piat, Jon Barry, Kenny Anderson, Mark Jackson, Tyrone Hill, etc. to provide some depth and fill in some gaping bench holes. Maybe the panic is too much, but you HAVE to be disturbed that we lost Posey, KT, TMo, and yes, even Collier - and have nothing to show for it save a RUMOR that we MIGHT pursue Piatkowski. The problem is that other than a minor blurb about Piat, we have not heard on little scrap of info on anything of the sort! You can say "things are going on behind the scenes" all you want but when teams pursue FA's, the news gets out quick. Where there's smoke, there's fire and there's not a wisp to be seen in Rocketland.
Folks, along the same line, please do not be suprised if Moochie excels under JVG, as well. I believe his constant dribbling was in part due to the system that Rudy ran. With much clearer instructionsI expect Moochie to do much better. Remember he is very good at the pick and roll.
Yeah, that's why Moochie dribbles so much. He doesn't have "clear instructions". I guess the instructions were much clearer 2 years prior, when everyone loved him.
I think this thread is where you seperate the regular Rocket fans from the die-hard Rocket fans. Now you can say I'm not being realistic, but I truly believe the Rockets are better than any other team and that we can beat them all and win a title, THIS SEASON! I agree with what you said for the most part MacBeth, but stop conceeding that the Rockets can't win this next year and that we're years away, f**k that.
Man...I'm a HUGE homer..and I dont even believe that. Its great to be a fan with unshakable belief in your team..but come on...we are not the best team in the league. With a little luck and some hard work, ai believe we can do some severe damaga this year..but there is very little chance we challange for the title this year without a huge move for a superstar that can make the difference...and that aint happening. sorry dude, I hate to break it to you. But as one homer to another... get real.
Maybe I am blinded by optimism too, but even if we lose Posey and don't add anybody, I think we will at least match last year's win total and that will be good enough for the playoffs. Steve will improve, Yao will improve, Cat will improve(oh yes he will), unlike last season MoT will be ready from the get-go and something tells me Eggie is gonna start realising his potential next season. The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.
hahaha good one....They'll make it past the first round and suprise everyone, they'll be dangerous in the playoffs. The Rockets can beat the Spurs, Kings, Lakers, whoever (cept the mavs) and the Rockets will be a dangerous team for anyone to play in a playoff series. I think we've been just a piece away the last couple years and JVG is a big piece. Rockets all the way!
MacBeth has a lot of good points in his post. You really don't want every summer to be one of renewal. A team that is constantly be tinkered with every summer is in trouble, just like a team that isn't winning and stays together too long. Too much movement, despite the fan interest angle, is bad just as too much stagnation in a franchise. Would you guys rather the Rox have offseasons like the NY Knicks, where every summer they try to bring a messiah to save the team? The Rox have a good foundation, now all they need is a chef (JVG) and some seasonings (like the Polish Rifle) to go from a decent team to gell into a great one. The other teams who made moves are not going to all come up smelling like roses. I doubt seriously that when Grant Hill signed in Orlando that if you had told the Magic fans he'd play only sparingly in three years and be on the verge of retirement, they'd believe you. Not every move is a success. Have some faith those who doubt the plan and for those who jump all over those doubters as fairweather fans, remember that it is the right of every fan to criticize their team in every way, shape or form. Think of the team as a product and if your car was a piece of crap, you would criticize the car company. Same goes for the Rox.
Well Mac, I agree with some of the things you say, but it still stings to loose Posey. Either way, I think JVG's arrival makes some things hard to figure out this offseason, because he's our new general and despite public pleasantries we really don't know what he thinks of our players. I think that makes all the difference in the world. For all we know, JVG and CD truly believe in Boki's future and don't want to pay 6 million a year to a guy preventing his development. In this light, the Piatk signing makes a lot of sense. You get the shooting and smart half court play you're looking for (what Rice was supposed to provide and never did at three times the price) in a relatively short term, inexpensive contract and balance that with (maybe) Hawkins to give you some of what Posey brought, while Boki gets more time on the court to develop. Ok, I can imagine that. I don't know if I agree it's the best course, but I can imagine that maybe that's what JVG/CD are thinking. Though no one has brought it up for weeks, I even remember a snipet from JVG about Eddie possibly seeing some time at the 3. Now I don't think he's got the 3 offensive game (yet...until he learns to handle and pass), but Taylor sure does and Eddie can probably stay with most 3s on defense (well, he's fast enough, I don't know if he can stay with my 14 year old sister so what does it matter who he guards?). Who knows, maybe JVG imagines having a big frontline of Taylor, EG and Yao on the court for stretches. My point isn't to argue the intelligence of these ideas, it's that we have a young and versitle team and we really don't what JVG wants to do with them. There are a bunch of different reasons I can imagine for CD, et al not sweating Posey's departure...still, from my outside perspective, losing Posey is no joke. That's where I differ Mac. Posey ain't a star, it's not the end of the world, they aren't likely to win the championship next year with or without him, but it's not nothing. He's a bulldog and hungry and 26 and has improved every year of his career and filled a bunch of different roles without question and it's a shame to loose him. I like Piatk (haven't seen him enough to say more). I hope JVG/CD know something I don't about the hidden depths of potential 3 talent on our team, but it still stings to see Posey go.
reposting my reasons for 5 year lottery lock Hell we might even lose more games than we did last year. Whose to say that JVG can walk on water and "immediatly" make this circus act with its ring leader SF a playoff team. With everyone loading up in the west and the rockets seeming to be content with staying put (maybe even losing a starter), the rockets possibly might lose more of these games to these teams this year compared with last year. For instance, instead of splitting the season series with Minny, now that they have more talent, they might take most of the games in that series. This goes as well for SA, the Lakers, and Sacramento. Also many teams i believe were shellshocked at first when playing against Yao. This may have resulted in a Rockets win. But as these teams learned how to play against us, and more importantly play against Yao, they were able to key in on that factor and expose our weaknesses. And lastly, with a new coach and staff their may be a period of transition. Plays have to be learned and players have to play to a new style of basketball. A transition like this is not always quick and smooth. Hard work, dedication and sacrifice must be givin in a situation like we have. Considering the circus we have I would expect alot feelings to get hurt and egos put into check. I would also expect another lottery bound year. 35-40 wins tops.
