It's pretty clear right now that the Rockets are limping towards the finish line. We've basically stunk up the joints these past few games. And there's no reason to think things will improve much, if at all, the rest of the year. But does it really all matter in the grand scheme of things? Are we playing ourselves out of next year too? I took a look at some recent young teams who have made huge strides from lottery land to solid playoff teams. I know we're in sort of a different boat from these teams, but do keep in mind that we also have a YOUNG team like them. And their young players all improved to carry them to greater heights the next year. Atlanta 2008: 37 wins 2009: 47 wins Record of the last 20 games of 2008 regular season: 11-9. Played a bit above average BBall compared to the rest of the season. But nothing amazing. OKC 2009: 22-47 Under Scott Brooks 2010: Look up the standings. They're doing damn well Record of the last 20 games of 2008 regular season: 7-13. Par for the course of a bad season. Portland 2007: 32 wins 2008: 41 wins 2009: 52 wins Record of the last 20 games of 2007 regular season: 6-14 Record of the last 20 games of 2008 regular season: 9-11Again nothing to write home about. Actually underperformed their season record both times. ---- Now, I know it's just a small sample. And I'm not including teams that sucked the previous year and who sucked the following year. But my point is this. Having a mediocre end to a season is likely NOT an indicator of performance the following year for a young team. Young players improve in the OFFSEASON. And that will happen behind the scenes. Away from the eyes and the hoopla of the fans and the media. If we were to make a jump to contender status next year, it will NOT be based upon how how we finished the season. Instead, it will be based upon Hill and Budinger living in a gym to improve their games. It will be based on Ariza working on his shot and improve his mentality and defense. It will be based on Brooks improving his passing and defense. It will be Yao further rehabbing hard and return to hopefully an excellent 20-25mpg player. So don't worry about our failings right now. Even if things look ugly at times. Next year will be a new year. We have young pieces who can improve. We will have extra talent coming in through the draft and/or trades. And we will have at least some of Yao back. And we will be contenders again!
It means nothing.........next year, with a healthy team and a revamped roster, and a full training camp this team will shine. DD
I don't think we could have gone all the way even with a healthy Yao,simply because some other team would have slowed him down with fronting tactics. His injury was huge but we didn't have much confidence on the road against the Lakers after Game 1. I think leeb is being realistic.
We might be, it depends upon the roster, injuries, Yao..etc..etc..etc... But if we get health we are over 50 wins easy. DD
Then what? Where does that really place the team in the west? OK City will be better than this year and they have cap space. Portland had more injuries than the rockets and they will be better also. The lakers are the lakers as is dallas.
I think that we coulda beat the Lakers if Yao hadn't gone down. The Lakers had no answer for Yao. IMO, if we had won 1 more game against the Lakers, we would have been the Champions. If Yao was healthy and we went to the WCF, we would have played a much inferior team in the Nuggets. The Nuggets would not have an answer for Yao and Artest and Battier would have contained Melo. After that, we would have faced the Magic and would have beat them too in a 7 game series.
If the Rockets have a healthy Yao they are a contender, a top 3 or 4 team in the West. The best you can do is get there and roll the dice...I think they are there NOW with Yao. Of course if they can upgrade with Camby as a backup center, then even better ! DD
Not yet, but they had that anchor McGrady and his steel ring leader Rafer.... Now they got rid of the dead wood and have a much better team. DD
