Hell yes I am trying to tell you that. Last night Alston played 31 minutes to Brooks 17.....if that number was reveresed the Rockets have a much better chance of winning the game. Brooks runs the team better, they are much more effecient scoring the ball when he is in the game.....especially the slow starting first unit. DD
Brooks highlights from last night's game in New Orleans... <object width="480" height="397"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-Bf4c6pehRY&hl=en&fs=1&ap=%2526fmt%3D18"></param><param name="wmode" value="window"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-Bf4c6pehRY&hl=en&fs=1&ap=%2526fmt%3D18" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="window" width="480" height="397"></embed></object>
here is why Adelman went with the starters: "I just wanted them (the starters) on the court in the last six minutes," Adelman said. "We had a pretty good situation (the Rockets were within four when he returned his starters to the floor). If we let them open it up to 10, 11 points, we would have no shot. I wanted to let them finish the game. I just felt I wanted to put in the starters and see how they would finish the game." http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2008/12/a_longshot_might_have_been_the.html
Here is how you fix that, you take out the WORST STARTING PG in the entire league, and you replace him with the up and coming starting PG that has quickness to spare. Then, you can go with the starters..... Truthfully, in winning time you need your best 5 players on the court, and Rafer is not anywhere near that....Brooks is.....end of story. I am beginning to wonder if Adelman is slow to adjust.....or just stupid.. DD
Its funny how all the Rafer supporters have disappeared.... He can't make a basket to save his life and his only supposedly good traits which are his defense and his ability to set up the offense were absolutely horrendous... Paul did what he wanted to do on the court and Yao barely touched the ball when he was the only one making shots...
Here you go... <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ddMowxKchko&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ddMowxKchko&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
that reminds me of bonzi's highlight <object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3vFQaiX7M8U&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3vFQaiX7M8U&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>
We are losing games because TMac is useless right now. My contention ALL ALONG is that our success rides with the success of Yao and TMac. You guys are scape goating Rafer. Yes, Rafer had a crappy game but he isn't our biggest problem. Our BIGGEST problem is TMac and Artest were out of the lineup. If you think Brooks or Rafer will be our savior/failure then you ARE SMOKING CRACK. We gotta get Yao/TMac/Artest healthy. They are the guys collecting the biggest paychecks because they are our big guns. We need our big guns to deliver.
But, while Tmac rounds himself into shape, why not put the best players on the floor to help carry the team. Brooks > Rafer It is not close anymore. And a guy that shoots 1-10 deserves to be pounded, did you see those shots he took last night? ATROCIOUS...and how did Paul do against Rafer versus how he did against Brooks.... Come on, any rational fan would admit at this piont that Brooks is just better. DD
Rafer is garbage. Adelman shouldn't have ever pulled Landry,Barry and Brooks last night. I know what he's doing. He's trying to see what playoff combinations will work. Pop does it all the time. The problem wich is apparent to everyone that has a brain is Brooks, shooting,speed, quickness puts a lot of pressure on opposing teams. From a offensive point of view, right now, he's the most complete offensive player the rockets have. He's the only guy on the team that can break a guy down off the dribble, get to the rack, finish,shoot open shots, free throws, the whole deal. Having that guy not starting in front of a guy who can't start for any other team in the league doesn seem right.
No doubt, how long until he makes the change? He did the same thing last year, it took him FOREVER to start Scola when it was obvious that he was better than Hayes as a starter. What is he waiting for? DD
I've never argued who is better. I'm arguing what is best for the team overall. At this time I'd continue to bring Brooks off the bench. That said, I don't know why Adleman stuck with Rafer last night cause he was clearly playing crappy. So that is the luxery of having options cause everybody has off nights. All that said, we lost last night because TMac was crap and we didn't have Ron. You are spending too much energy on Brooks/Alston. This season is about shooting for a championship. Brooks/Alston can't lead us there. But TMac can if he's playing like an all-star. Virtually all championship teams have an MVP caliber player. Right now we don't have one. That is our big problem.
Here is what you are missing, our starting star players are all sleepers emotionally, they are not aggressive attacking players. Brooks, when he is on the floor is...and it permeates itself to Yao and Tmac, they gather energy from Brooks play. Rafer is a calm it down guy, if he calms Tmac and Yao down anymore, they will need to turn the playing surface into a mattress. DD
You what really ticks me off about this? That drive to the basket that was AB's last FG was also the final FG of the game for the Rockets.
Eventually we will have to start Brooks. We actually need him to start now because no one in the starting lineup is putting any pressure on the defense. Brooks can shoot AND penetrate AND finish...Alston, Mac (now), Battier cannot.
