I don't even worry about losses anymore. The Lakers aren't going to pass us unless we just go on a 10 game losing streak or something extream like that. All that matters is that we are playing well by the time the playoffs come around. And all signs point to that being the case.
Is there some sort of Clutchfans election coming up that i'm not aware of -- DD for Comptroller etc.?
As usual, I agree with you 100%, DD. Anyone who thought Yao was just going to mesh back into the lineup without a few hiccups is fooling themselves.
We'll be fine. Yao was off stride early and T-Mac had a very inefficient game and we hung in there with a top 2-3 team in the East (I know, the East) on their home court. I am actually encouraged. I liked the fact that Yao got 27 minutes. We will be a real pain the _ _ _ for the league come playoff time. Book it!
talk about unexpected thread. i totally agree though. the thing that worries me the most right now is luther head making decisions at crucial times. dude is just itching to turn it over.
This also worries me the Rockets need to find a true backup pg but what is out there to be had? Not unless JVG grooms VSpan to play the pg or brings a veteran, or someone from the DLeague.
I must say that I feel pretty content with Juwan coming off the bench as well as Snyder. Juwan can put the ball in the hole and we still have Deke clogging up the middle. I LOVED the fact that the paint was clogged defensively with Yao in the game. Even at 80% he looked damn good.
I apologize, but it's one of my pet peeves; the team was AFFECTED. See, things happen, and their EFFECTS AFFECT others. And yeah, I've been warning friends and family that we'd drop a few for this exact reason. I think you've hit it on the head here.
I'm in basic agreement with DD on Yao's merging back into the team chemistry, as are most of the others on this thread, but having said that, I'm not as concerned about our overall "Team Chemistry" as the continued INCONSISTENCY from anyone not named Tracy (and even he's been spotting in the last week) Deke, or Shane. Rafer's impersonation of a starting PG is getting worse, not better. Luther suddenly looks like he was drafted last week, and even Juwann has struggled (Denver being a solitary bright spot) as of late. We lost to Boston last week for one reason: Bad defense against Boston's PG's. Go back and look at the stats (especially free throws made by Boston's PG's). Battier can only cover up for one teammate at a time. And JVG's continued LACK of offensive imagination is staggering for someone considered to be one of the league's best. Any coach worth his salt would not have a team incapable of scoring for 8 minutes at a time. I'm sorry DD, but until we solve the problem of what to do when Yao and Tracy aren't saving our asses, we will still struggle against teams with +500 records.
The Rockets are going to have to adjust from being an Outside/In team to one that is Inside/Out when Yao is on the floor. Everyone's role changes. DD
If the team can give us the effort they gave in the 4th in the upcoming games, they will be fine. If we get the Yao we got in the 4th, they will be fine. they just need to work on the turnover issue now. the shooting will fix itself.
I agree. You just can't add in a main piece like Yao and expect things to run smoothly. It will take a couple of games for guys to settle back into their roles. And, just in the nick of time if you ask me. DD
I'll give you credit for a positive thread also, although I would add that Juwan also deserves credit for a solid shooting % and good hustle before he tired-out. A 'Thanks' to Juwan and Deke ... they really helped us pick-up some nice wins while Yao was out.
I hear you DD.... But this was the concern that I spoke about in earlier post.... Will jvg have the team adjust to Yao or will he have Yao adjust to the team. If he makes the team adjust to YAO it could be very interesting and not in a good way. So now we will find out what kind of coach jvg really is. T_Man
Good to see DD coming with the positives. the next 3 games are very winnable and the Roxs need to fiind themselves which I think they will. 3 game winning streak going into the game vs. the Suns....
I give it 5-7 games and the offense will be smoothed out and running good. It will be like YAO was never gone.
