Well, 2 games above 500, 8 games in, but the Rockets still haven't really been convincing yet. Before we forget, last season also started out well, and the Rockets stood at 5-3 after 8 games, with much talk of improved defence, and pushing for the playoffs. Well, we all know what happened last year, but can we expect anything different this year? Different yes, better, not sure. Steve Francis is certainly taking the team by the scruff of the neck, his scoring average increased, though his assists are down. Cuttino hasn't changed much, up and down, lots of shots, good and bad, but still basically the Rockets second option. Despite the thoughts of lots of Rockets fans, I'm happy with the forward positions. If you look at the two positions together, we're pretty well set. At any given time, the Rockets can send out a combination that gives any team matchup problems. Mo Taylor, Eddie Griffin, Kenny Thomas, Juaquin Hawkins and Glen Rice are a good set of players to be able to draw from. I haven't included Nachbar, because he's not in the rotation at the moment, and is unlikely to be when Terence Morris comes off the IL. By platooning those positions, the Rockets should be able to get enough scoring, rebounding and defence at both spots. Even Rice should perhaps be capable of going off every so often. When that happens, give him the minutes. Tough matchup? Play our best defender at that position. Go with the guy who's playing well on offense. Despite our previous doubts, Cato seems to be playing to earlier expectations, and I'm happy with the combination in the pivot. To my mind, the only obvious hole is the back-up guards. Hawkins hasn't subbed for Cuttino too much, and Moochie is having the sort of season we should come to expect. I genuinely like the guy, and his attitude on the court, but he's not good enough to run an NBA team.
Injuries is the reason the Rockets didn't make the playoffs. A healthy Rockets team last year I believe makes the playoffs. This team isn't convincing because people aren't patient. Don't expect vast improvements the first 2 or 3 weeks of the season, this team isn't going to show major improvement until the All-Star break, and then you can compare that team to this team and, health willing, that team will be much better. I think Francis and Mobley are doing a better job the last 3 or 4 games of deferring more, and the team is passing the ball better, and it is starting from the backcourt. We're still getting lapses where they try one-on-one but it is getting fewer and far between. I think this team is far more improved then the first week of the season, and that's all you can ask for since we're less then a month into the season.
One difference is Steve is healthy, and we were 2-2? without him. We have MT back. We have Yao Ming. We have an improved Cato. Hawkins. A year older Griffin. I don't see the point of this thread. It is a night and day difference...
Seems the point of the thread is, ...whats the difference?? And you hit the nail on the head.....It could be added, last year we only had one returning starter.
