I think Yao is afraid that he might get traded and that adds to the considerable difficulties that he is already facing.
I agree this home stretch of games is critical in determining the success of the Rox season. They starters have to pull it together, playing a team of Spoon, Padgett, T-Mac, Boki and Sura is not going to win you a lot of games over the long run. With Bobby Sura back, 15 games of playing together, 10 of the next 12 games played at home , the Rox are in the best position to put together a streak. If the Rox are not at least at 8-4 during the next 12 games, which would put us at 1 game over .500, then there is hope. If the record is 5-7, it is time to start worrying.
My hope isn't gone, but it balances on a precarious ledge. The Rockets could still have a 50 win season. They could really start tearing it up. They won't until either Yao, or Tmac steps up and decides he will be the leader. Right now I think it would be more likely that T-mac would do it, but who knows. The instant one of those guys starts exerting his will over the rest of the team, and each game we play, things could turn around quickly for us. A team with Ming and Tracy playing hitting on all cylinders would be very dangerous. We could put together a couple of decent winning streaks, and really get our team moving in the right direction. But the thing is somebody needs to step up and lead. Right now neither of our stars has shown that inclination. If they don't do it, our season is done. If they do do it, then the sky is the limit.
Stop hating on Yao! only hate on our non-all star players that have been in the league for over 10 years and average less than 17 and 7.
I remember there was this feel good thread about 5 days ago where everybody was loving this team. We dont have hopes now? I predict we will end up in that 4th spot when the playoff starts.
The fourth spot (best record not a division winner) will require 52-53 wins, and that might not get it done. For the Rockets to do that, they would need to go 46-21, or 0.687 A fifty-win season is already quickly becoming an iffy prospect.
There is some hope. The Rockets need to start with a new mindset, a fresh start for the month of December. Forget about November b/c I think December will be a critical month for the Rox and will make or break them. I agree with the poster who said that either Yao or T-Mac need to step up and be a leader for the rest of the season. The quetion is who will or should it be? Unfortunately both players showed little or no leadership at all, so its hard to tell. The sad thing is both are good enough to lead, and they show a glimps of it on certain nights. Like the T-Mac vs Memphis and Yao vs Sacramento. It seems neither wants to take rebonsibilities for ALL of the games, but one of them have to step up and be a leader for us to go anywhere.
This year is an odd year. You have Seattle the front runner, which I doubt they are going to be keep the pace like that. You have Clips 8-6 on the season so far. You have Griz sucking badly. You then have Minny on and off. Dallas isnt that good right now either. The only good teams to me right now are only Spurs and Suns. The west is wide open just like the NFC where tons teams sharing 4-7 record with 3-4 games left. We will be good, trust me. Hope is on! Dont forget we played some good ball in the 1st month too.
I still have hope for the Rockets, since I believe in Yao just like Mophis believe in Neo as THE ONE in "Matrix". Call me a YOF (not heard this term for a long time ) if you like, but I know there is something called Faith . From what Yao said recently, he didn't adjust well and quick enough to the changes, and he is facing another wall in front of him. I think he will be struggling for a while, being consistent on inconsistency, before he breaks through. Once he makes it, he will be at next level, which is going to encourage his teammates to be better and better. I am looking forward to that happening not far. Always have hope and faith, guys! The rockets will go!
I think the West is more like the AFC where you have multiple teams that have good records (the NFC is like the East where a team below .500 might get into the playoffs). I think it will take about 55 wins to get the 4th seed and I dont see us doing that. I still have hope for the playoffs but not home court advantage.
november was a disaster. i will give them till january to turn this around, since december looks easy.
