Is Brook Lopez better than Carl Landry? Is Devin Harris better than Aaron Brooks? Is Yi Jian Lian much worse than Luis Scola? Is Trevor Ariza better than Courtney Lee? Is Shane Battier better than Chris Douglas Roberts? These are the top 5 players in terms of minutes played for both teams, making individual comparisons, I don't think any casual fans would say that comparing one on one each player that the rockets players would be significantly better. Yet, the results are more than amazing, Rockets are above 500 in a really tough conference and the Nets are on track to be the worst team in history. Try this yourself, to teams like Golden State, or Minnesota, etc... I mean it's still hard to believe.
Your obviously overlooking the system. You can compare players all you want, but you also got to look at the system they play in.
This is interesting, but I think this says as much about overrated New Jersey's young players are than it does about how underrated our players are.
If you don't think Yi Jianlian is much worse than Scola, you haven't seen him play much. I sometimes feel Yi's basketball IQ is even lower than Stomile Swift.
That's crazy,I would've never thought of that,but its because of the way the rockets play and are coached
Carl Landry is more like David West Lite or Stoudemire with his knees chopped off Aaron Brooks is more like Jason Terry Luis Scola is more like Luis Scola or David Lee Lite Trevor Ariza is like AK47 with a green light Shane Battier is more like Shane Battier
People shouldn't be down on this thread. There is an important thing to take away from it. Just because a younger player comes up who seems to have more talent, that doesn't necessarily mean putting him on the floor will make your team better. A lot of people don't get that. Talent is important, but also important is knowing how to work with teammates, how to follow a gameplan, understanding your role, etc.
He had a pretty good start but he's been invisible lately. I think we're getting to the point that you can say he's a bust.
I'd like to compare the early 2000 Sac teams, especially the 1-2-3 positions since we now have pieces that resemble the Kings in those positions. Bibby/Christie/Peja vs AB/Martin/Ariza or Battier Both groups have the scoring PG who can knock down the jumper consistently, both have the defensive minded player (although Christie played the 2 guard and Peja the 3 since Peja is slower), and both have the pure shooter who moves well without the ball. The projected Rockets frontcourt of Yao/Scola is also similar to those Sac teams. With the Webber/Divac combo the primary scorer was in the 4 spot and in the Rockets it's Yao at the 5. And then you got the similar Euro flopper at the other spot in Divac and Scola. Since we lost Landry, we are still a work in process in matching the Bobby Jackson/Hedo Turkoglu/Pollard bench that the Kings had. Lowry/Budinger/Hayes/Battier or Ariza/Andersen/whoever emerges from the trade to step up doesn't have the firepower that the Kings had.
my point exactly, ask any casual fan if they would trade anyone on this roster for Al jefferson or Kevin love straightup, and it would be automatic yes. So that means that Minnesota has two players that are better than anyone on the rockets roster, yet they are going to be one of the worst teams in the league.
That just goes to show you how much sheer will, desire, hustle and mental toughness will take you. That is why loosing Mandry is tough but hopefully the new guys can understand this quickly and energize the team. We have been running a little low in the hustle, heart, desire department lately. Also, Adelman's systen helps some too.
I agree. It just goes to show how the media taints perspective on talent. Individually, you could say any of those players are "better" than our players. but the truth is, what some people value - athleticism, height, individual skill, - isn't what building a TEAM is all about. Yes you need all those things to be successful, but that isn't all you need. I will say it again... I love our team... and it's underdog mentality. Because of that underdog perspective rather than the "we should be handed everything because we are good" helps them to work harder and achieve more. Good thread!
