This is not me living and dying with each win or loss, or being overly-dramatic...but I saw a different Rockets team last night. They demonstrated the way they have to approach and play every game if they want to be a contender. Maybe it was helped by the fact that they were on ESPN, or that they always play well on the road in front of good crowds for the other team, or that this infamous "players only" meeting really did a lot of good. Who knows. Phoenix didn't play well (and really, the Rockets didn't play their best either, for that matter), they missed a lot of easy shots they normally make, and they generally seem to be a good matchup for the Rockets. But despite all of that, this win was something to build on. Here's the 3 main, BROAD reasons why, in my view... 1. The effort and intensity was there all night, even from McGrady. Yao was a little bit sharper, especially on the glass, and overall the rebounding effort was MUCH better. Effort and intensity alone will win a lot of ballgames for this team while they put it all together and build the chemistry we're all waiting on. In short, they looked DETERMINED. This needs to continue. 2. McGrady was the main guy last night (interesting that he miracolously looked "cured" for the time being). Like it or not, this is the way it HAS to be for this team to be successful. When he's on his game, he single-handedly can control the tempo they need to play at to be successful, which is probably the most underrated part of his game. Now for the sake of the Rockets, he needs to build off of last night and keep it going, however "injured" he may be. 3. Rick and the coaching staff were actively involved in the game. Rick was more animated last night, giving direction and getting on guys like Landry when they blow a defensive rotation, for example. Like it or not, this team needs and seems to thrive off of strict direction. I know they are pros and should theoretically be above that elementary stuff, but when there are consequences for mistakes from above, they really do seem to play better and with more focus. Obviously there's many other things that contributed to the win...Rafer and AB's strong play, and of course Phoenix didn't play well. But if they can stay dedicated to those 3 broad points, the Rockets will be a very dangerous team, even if one of the big 3 shoots 1-12.
Suns made a r****ded tactical error in not involving Amare in the offense where he had definite advantage over what the Rockets had. I only saw once where they ran a succesful pick and roll with Amare and that resulted in an easy dunk. They could have milked that all night. Thanks Terry Porter, for going brain dead and making the game easier for us last night.
