Hakeem gets credit for the team Rudy took over and Rudy would be the first to say so (since he already has said it before)
Remember what JVG said in his conference? Championship is the only goal worth pursuing! I sure hope this is in JVG's mind and he get the message quickly to all the players. A quick start next season to establish Rockets as a contender in the west. Talent is not the problem. Discipline, Effort, and Team Basketball were the problems.
I may not be first, but let me go on record to predict barring major injuries we will get past the first round of the playoffs next year, and I will consider it a huge breakthrough for the Rockets.
We'll be lucky to make the playoffs. Talk of contending for a title is really premature for a team that hasn't been to the playoffs since 98-99. Also, we only have 1 member on the team with playoff experience as a Rocket (Mobley).
I very much believe, with a little discipline, that this team can 1. win 50 to 55 games and 2. contend for at least 4th or 5th in the West. We finished with 42-43 wins, and lost about 10 games to the weak sisters of the league. With Van Gundy, I believe we win at least 6 to 7 of those games in his first year. That would put us at 50 wins, and I will expect us to win a few more that maybe we shouldn't. I believe we will be around 4th or 5th in the West, if not higher. In 2 years we will contend for the Midwest and in 3 we will contend for a Western Conference and an NBA Championship.
um, does anyone else see the contradiction in this post? so, it's not rudy's fault that the players didn't give their all and play team ball (even thought that's part of a coach's responsibilities), but it's jeff van gundy's responsibility to get the guys to play team ball... what??!!! is rudy the teflon don or something?
I agree. A lot depends on how they play offense but they'll need a lot of things to go right just to make the playoffs as the 8th seed. I believe that a lot of people who are of the opinion that a Van Gundy crackdown on discipline is all that this team needs will be in for a surprise. The West will be a beast next year.
No. Even if this team improves dramaticaly Sac LA SA and Dallas would still be alot better and they have playoff experience. Unless Webber, Shaq, Duncan or Dirk is a Rocket next year than there is no chance.
Sweet, even allowing you those 7 extra wins, the Rockets play in a division where the 2 top teams, Dallas & SA both won 60 games. That's still 10 better than your 50 wins. Throw in SAC, LA & Minn all of who are capable of 50+ wins and you're looking at the 6th, 7th & 8th seed AT BEST. They have a tough row to hoe. You must be open to the fact that the Rockets can win 48-52 games and still end up clawing for the last playoff spot.
Of course. But its not going to happen over night. Based on some of the comments in this thread about Yao than the Rox oughta be contending next year. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/php3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59134
Well, I think they have a shot to be as high as the fifth spot, but at least the sixth or seventh. Minnesota won 51 games, so the Rockets can be at least in that general neighborhood. I am expecting no less than a 50-55 win season.
Oh and HillBoy, remember I said that I expect the Rox to win a few more games that we won't expect them to win.
in what ive seen, i think we have a chance of being title contenders. and from what i saw last season, we do have the right core to send us to the promised land. but, all good things doesnt happen overnight. ill say we have a 40/60 chance of getting a title this season. plus, we did beat all those teams who got into the playoffs once or twice, even swept the season series (except for dallas), so im feeling a good vibe this season. but, based on JVG's coaching back on '99, he did led a mediocre knicks to the finals.. but that was in the east. there's a lot of things to consider about the rocs heading to the finals. its up to JVG and especially to the players on how bad they want the championship, if they are willing to make sacrifices for the better of the team, and how hard they are going to work for it! so, ill say we still have a chance.
I agree I think we have a chance, and it depends on how badly they want it. I expect a mentally tougher Rockets team this season. Remember, ladies and gentlemen, that Van Gundy coached under Pat Riley. I expect to see more disciplined ball, better defense, and better decision making from the underachievers. Rockets win 50-55 at the very least.
Perfect answer, We'll have to take our lumps in the playoffs for a few years, before we can be title contenders They say you have to taste losing in the postseason, to get better in the playoffs There is no substitute for getting your *%$ kicked in the playoffs All the good teams have
