I am much more easily satisfied than most on this board so this is my reasoning for Snyder. I have confidence in Yao returning as a dominant player. Tmac will warrant an MVP look. Battier will do what he does. Spanoulis will do well in our PG rotation. Novak is just a hired gun but, if Snyder turns into a quality starting SG we'd be set for the WCF. Again, I'm very easily satisfied. RR
I'm looking forward to being an underdog again rather than a disappointment. I'm looking forward to using bargain basement scraps to make a deep playoff run, restoring the Rockets to their rightful place as masters of the scrap heap. I'm looking forward to sending 4 players to All-Star weekend; Head and Spanoulis for the Rookie-Soph, T-Mac for the Shooting Stars and All-Star Game, and Yao for the ASG MVP. I'm looking forward to the mornings where I can wake up and read about how Chuck Hayes made a game-winning block, as Novak lights up Rudy Gay in Memphis for 42 points in a Rocket win (it's the NBA, so he's gotta step up from the 41 he had in college). I'm looking forward to John Lucas cutting through the lane and taking hits no 5'-11" man should ever take, as they show approximately 100 closeups of Lucas the Elder in the stands. I'm looking forward to having 2 top charge takers in Battier and Spanoulis. I'm looking forward to another 13 in 33-esque miracle from a healthy Tracy McGrady. (I'd settle for one of his trademark 20-point 4th quarters where I'm constantly yelling nonononononyesyesyesyes at the TV). I'm looking forward to ending the losing streak in San Antonio, and going a hell of a lot better than 1-15 in divisional play. I'm looking forward to NBA Live '07 with Tracy on the cover. I'm looking forward to the Rockets simply being relevant again; where the average person in my hometown won't still think Hakeem is Houston's best player. I'm looking forward to using my victory mug (a cold one after every win) 55 times between November 1st and April 18th, and 16 times after that. I'm looking forward to decent threads in the GARM, rather than asking about every player released, signed, traded or even mentioned in the news. I guess I'm mildly interested in the team this season. I'm cautiously optomistic.
I really want to see Ming dominate, I have waited so long for this. I want to see TMac "prove" his back is 100%. I still have doubts about his return to prime condition. I am curious about the new additions, any real keepers? I have alot of doubts about this team. Many, many questionmarks. The Rockets are counting on a bus-load of unproven players to have break out seasons. I have this feeling that the season is going to be really, really good or really, really bad. As a fan, I have disappointment-fatigue; it is way past time for a pleasant surprise.
im just hoping to see a quality team in houston, period. between the texans and the rockets last year, (not to mention the growing pains of the 'new' team) and the astros most recent debacle, sports has been rough for houston fans.
Anyone else excited about Matt Haryasz? I think the man is here to stay as the third string C and might even do some good during the season.
I really can't wait to see Yao Ming break people in HALF this year! Oh man, you can just feel that he's ready to dominate. Of course I'm looking forward to seeing Tracy McGrady back on the floor too. We didn't get to see enough of his magic last season thanks to the injuries. Pretty excited about finally seeing Spanoulis in a Rockets uniform after following his overseas progress on this board for three or four years now. Mostly I'm just excited to be BACK IN HOUSTON!!
Yoa will do his thing regardless, but a healthy T-Mac means we are going to the playoffs...HANDS DOWN
I want to see a healthy Yao and Tmac play 82 games together. I didnt like this offseason, but I also hope the supporting cast can step up and get the job done.
I'm looking forward to seeing how good JVG is when both healthy YAO and TMAC play together with Battier showing defense skill; I'm looking forward to seeing how YAO and TMAC develop their chemistry further to make them one of the best one-two punches ever; I'm looking forward to YAO and TMAC's coleadership on and off the court; I'm looking forward to seeing anyone not named YAO or Mcgrady adjust himself to these two guys; I'm looking forward to ordering a T-shirt with both YAO and TMAC's image on it from some website.
I'm very concerned about the upcoming season, but am also very anxious and excited. Our last "successful" season, was pretty damn special. We just had the right chemistry going, the old dogs coming out and fighting every night. Barry and Sura are the first two that come to mind. Wesley was money then too. Well, some of those guys are gone. Hopefully, the newer guys can come in and provide the support for McGrady and Yao. On paper, our new roster should be better than that years roster. Battier is a big addition seems like. I just really hope it all comes together. I, like many of you, thought that year was it. I mean go back and watch the vids...there was something in the air, but fell short. I'm hopeful that this team can find that winning spirit again. With that all said...I'm so amped for the season!
I voted "other". I just want to see how our newly assembled roster plays together and if the chemistry will work out. I'm also just glad that our guys are healthy again, and they can have a fresh start this season.
I voted other because I want to see if Yao AND T-Mac can stay healthy. If so, we should be a contender. I have more faith that Battier than I did in Stro last year. But, I'm not sure how much faith I have in T-Mac's back. I'm 36 and I've had a bad back for about 17 or 18 years now. Doesn't seem to just go away, though it does get better for stretches. I think Yao will have a very good season, though I'm sure he'll tire eventually. They might eventually give him a Roger Clemens deal and just have him play the last 50 games of the season so he's not too tired to play in the playoffs. I'm considering waiting for the mid season discount to get NBA League Pass this year. Last year was brutal.
All I want is for the team to remain healthy. With a healthy Yao, and TMAC and Battier. The sky is the limit for this team. True fans don't want an individual to excel over the team. They want the team to win. I would much wrather have our team win, than to have Yao or TMAC winning the MVP or other titles (that aren't team related..aka championship etc.)
'OTHER': I'm excited that we're going with a youth movement. To me, our old youth is now veteran(Yao/Tmac). So many championships bring youth and veteran together. I'm looking forward to Rocket chemistry again, but with young guys now. We have so many weapons that any of them could be working on a given night. Youth has the ability to go for 20 any night that they are hot. Add that to two consistent stars and you have a solid night. Youth: Novak Snyder Spanoulis JL3 Head Chuck Hayes could get 10-15 rebounds on a hot night. So, my answer is 'YOUTH'
I am hoping and looking forward to a couple of the new faces stepping up this season. A healthy T-Mac and Yao can only take this team so far, we'll need Battier, Alston, Snyder, Head and to a lesser extent VSpan, Novak and JL3 to to play roles in getting out of the first round. I also have a feeling about Chuck Hayes being a real surprise if we don't pick up a solid vet at the 4, w/o Stro he should see a lot more playing time, his nose for the ball and rebounding is without question and I'm hoping that he has developed an adequate offensive game this offseason.
