I didn't expect this team to make the playoffs so it wasn't too hard. I actually loved the intensity we played with most of the time. I loved the changes for the future (bright), I think they were definitely for the better. Brooks has been amazing this season and god knows what he will do with a healthy Yao next season. All we can hope for is that Yao comes back dominant and we stay healthy next season. I have to say the win vs. the Celtics was definitely my favorite game. The game where Scola, Brooks and Martin all scored 30 was crazy too.
The thing is, you have already spent the 200k on the mercedes benz, when it was not breaking down, and there's nothing you can do about it till next year unless you want to sell it for $2000. It's not about which car to buy, it's about what you do with the car you have. You can certainly buy a new Honda, but that costs you a lot of extra cash, and it does not change the fact that you have a mercedes benz sitting there collecting dust.
Why would you invest time and money in a car that keeps you stranded on the side of the road when you're trying to get to work? I mean yao is turning 30 and has missed over 170 games over the last 4 yrs once this season is over. Not to mention 3 season ending types. That means he's roughly missed 2 whole season. Show me a franchise that had their highest paid player miss 2 full season and won anything. You can't do it because you can't trust himIf you were a betting man and the over under of games yao plays were at 50, which way would you go?
Getting an NBA championship is nothing like going to work, where as long as you get there in time it doesn't matter. It's more like race car, you only succeed if you get there FIRST. Would you want to drive your Honda to go racing with Ferraris? Sure you will finish, but you will never be the first. Unless you have a great race car, you don't even have a shot at sniffing the trophy. Of course you would prefer a durable Ferrari than a fragile one, but please let me know where are you getting that durable one. If you can't get a new one and have to go racing, your best bet at the championship is to drive the recently major serviced Ferrari and pray that it won't break down mid race, not the brand new Honda you just bought.
- Daryl Morey impressed me again with a trade that lead to more undervalued talent. - DM has a knack for picking - Ariza became what we wanted when he didn't have to be the offensive option
yep. I'd take the Benz, put it up in my garage and get it singing. Then I'd quit my job and go on a cross-country road trip. I hate car analogies.
Annnnnnd on topic. This season has taught us a number of things: Jordan Hill is a bright young rising star for our Rockets. I don't think anyone will be surprised if he starts games from the beginning of next year (depending on his performance during training, etc.) We have difficulty winning without defensive cohesiveness, i.e. Shane Battier. After the last bunch of games that he's been out, anyone who doubts this is a damn fooooooool. And yes, I am including the Boston game in that analysis, just because we won doesn't mean there were not mistakes and breakdowns because of his absence. Aaron Brooks is a big question mark. He has stepped up in a big way to the next plateau of his game. But to improve more is going to take another step, not gradual improvement, in his IQ and ball handling. He's shown signs of being capable, so it should become clearly evident early next season whether he's managed to do this in the off-season. Chase Budinger- very nice find. I wouldn't mind either way if he gets traded, but if not, he has a LOT of potential. He has the potential to become an upgrade to Battier- much better on offense, almost as good or as good on defense. It's up to him. As far as our team as a whole, hopefully we keep at least a core of veterans that really have a fire to win and strong fundamentals, add Yao to the mix and we've a good chance at awesomeness next year.
ok I wish we WERE battling the nets for lotto balls right now...that would be a dream scenario. Since we're not that fortunate, we have to settle with being just a mediocre .500 lottery team instead of surefire top 5 pick. What would you rather have? Watching that pacers game made me think of everything that went wrong with our season: a complete lack of defense, devastated by injuries (we had 3 rookies and a D-league player in the rotation) and inconsistency by our best players (aaron sucking, martin goin 1-5). What did you think of?
A funny thing happens when people keep looking towards this "bright future"...they have an excuse overlook real results. It's well documented how everyone thought this season was doomed from the beginning but I still believed they'd make the playoffs because i know better than to count this team out against stacked odds...unfortunately the barrage of injuries continued and we lost our defensive identity as a team.
I expected TMac to be back as a Rocket and play at 80% of his talent. Before the season started, I expected the Rockets to win 45 games and make the playoffs. They did not get close to 45 and even if they did, it would not have been enough. I certainly did not expect them to trade Landry, by far my favorite Rocket. I would be lying if I said the season was not a disappointment. But a lot of unexpected things happen that make me hopeful about the future. Scola emerged as the Beast. I am now an AB believer. Did not see him as a clutch player. All of a sudden I think he might become one of the most clutch players in the league. Jordan Hill is a big guy. Do not remember the last time the Rockets had such a huge, young and athletic player. We have those NY first rounders. Kevin Martin might make me forget Landry. Ariza has looked like a great player when he does not shoot. But if Yao does not come back in great shape and injury free, we are back to square one.
