Granted, of course, we would all prefer both a fun, fast-paced, athletic team and a championship at the same time. But given that is highly unlikely to have both (with 25+ teams, the odds are always low for a championship). Me? I prefer the entertainment. I think being at least competitive for a playoff spot with an athletic, fun, up-tempo game trumps going deep into the playoffs, but not winning the championship and having an ugly game. An 82 game season with a slow, plodding offense just doesn't float my boat, even if it results in a better won-loss record. And, as an added plus, most of our players have likable personalities. Overall, I've been very pleased with our team.
Wins. That's why I didn't mind JVG. You can be entertaining but if you don't win you are just the GSW. The last decade I would rather have watched ugly winning basketball as a SA fan than watch entertaining losing basketball as a GSW fan. In famous words: "You play...to win...the game!"
I may not have worded it properly, but I meant to eliminate the extremes like GSW because they aren't competitive for a playoff spot.
You know...I'm going to go with "entertainment", but qualified with the following: it has to be high-energy, every-second-intensity style play on both ends, not just rushing up and down the court and taking jump shots while playing no defense. The Rockets actually have shown flashes of this style that just gets me this year. I feel, though, that playing this style and winning are pretty strongly correlated, unless your team has no talent whatsoever.
Wins Why keep score if it isn't about the wins. You must really be enjoying all-star game weekend. I'm sure a seaon worth of all-star game performances would be fine with you. I'll take wins,championships and parades. Some of the most enjoyable BB I've seen was Celts vs Lakers 80's version and the Hakeem heart of a champion Rockets teams. Ahhh the memories, Hakeem the Dream ,K.Smith,Horry,Sam and Clyde. Wouldn't trade it for all-star brand ball. Those Rocket teams weren't up tempo teams. BTW
Easy...wins. It's not entertaining when you lose. When the 4th quarter buzzer sounds, and your guys are behind, entertainment can get the business. I'd much rather have a fiesty team who wants to win than a "Hollywood" group of underachivers.
Again, I may have failed in my post, but I was striving for something more nuanced. We all want the Rockets to win the championship, or at least make it to the finals. Realistically, the odds are low for either. Would you prefer an uglier game to advance slightly further in the playoffs (like Utah style, perhaps) to a more fun, enjoyable game that nets somewhat lesser wins?
Personally I find gritty, low-scoring defensive matchups highly entertaining. Watching a defensively skilled team suffocate the opposing team's top scorers, appreciating the teamwork and discipline such performances demand, can be just as interesting as watching star players go off for 45 points.
This isn't the WWF or a scripted TV programme. The wins are what matter at the end of the day, you don't get trophies and statues built for you by being entertaining (or at least trying to win one). The Pistons didn't play pretty, but it got them alot further than what Phoenix has right now, while I can point to the Jazz and Knicks of 90s, not being particular exciting. Though, both teams made themselves even more watchable by being intensely competitive against some great squads. While, some of the best offenses in the league usually aren't taken seriously, especially in gritty playoff series against elite or tougher teams. The NBA is about entertainment, like you said, but it does have a bottom line factor. It's not like American Idol or Awards Shows, where people choose which teams (or cast of people), they like the best. Or in wrestling where the performers with most crowd pop are usually elevated to main event status, even though they might be sub-par wrestlers or ring performers. All of those things are fine and dandy, but again they can't possibly match the intensity of a real competition, where you have a rigid set of rules to play by and matched up against world class athletes. That's what I like about College Basketball, the NBA, the NFL, NHL, and most outstanding athletic competitions. It's exciting just watch the games, sometimes and watching the players compete. It's not always about offensive production or flashiness (especially if it isn't winning games). Most of the greatest offenses ever in any team sport that never won a title or championship would gladly give over some of their numbers for more titles or deeper runs in the playoffs. You rarely hear players (esp. as amateur or college players) say they want to go play on exciting, offensive teams (unless they are stat padders) over a team that is inching closer to a title (or throwing more money at them). You'll often hear the line, "That centers can't sell shoes." [Nor can QBs, unless their last name ends with Vick]. But, both positions are so imperative to the sport. I know QB is often regarded as glamor position and gets most of the credit, but when think about it ... are QBs usually that exciting to watch, if they aren't athletic, with strong arm, or have a poor supporting cast (bad line, sub par receivers).
Also, isn't it ironic that the best NBA Finals series of the last 11 years involves two teams who aren't necessarily renowned for their offense. In fact of the last 5 years, the single most watched NBA Finals game (and NBA game) in the US...was Game 7, Pistons vs. Spurs. Even though, we often hear how much Kobe, Lebron, the Lakers, and Celtics are the end all to be all for the NBA ratings. It has been shown that smaller market teams or ones that aren't particular exciting on offense can provide good numbers in a certain series. Which in reality, would be the best thing to happen to the NBA, instead of banking on one or two superstars. Stern (and ABC) would probably kill himself, if the NBA Finals ended up with a matchup, like Atlanta vs. San Antonio or Charlotte vs. Utah. Though, if you look at the NFL (Super Bowl), March Madness, and sometimes MLB, the final matchups are something to rave about. Wouldn't you want to build a league where the ratings did well, in spite of popularity and flashy offensive numbers.
What exactly have we won since 1995? One first round victory last year? Entertainment at it's finest. At least these guys made losing good.
Great response! I might need to deepen my appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the game. Would we prefer the JVG team with Steve Francis entering the playoffs (to be defeated in the first round) to a team - that might not have a 45 pt player - but runs, hustles, and whips the ball around the court, yet may not make the playoffs? Hmmm... I still like what we have.
Wins are what matter. And that will keep you entertained enough I would think. Maybe some of the users on here should get a backup team so the b****ing and hating will stop about this team. Don't get me wrong here, the Rockets are my #1 team...but I live in LA so having that as a backup keeps my spirit up in this basketball thing. Plus, it'll all work out once Yao gets back. Yao haters can fous le camp, I know you think he is trash.
Wins. I don't think the style of playing matters too much if you like the sport of basketball. I would prefer Chuck Hayes defense over anything . It is a thing of beauty, as we all know.
Agreed. Watching good team defense is just awesome. watching 5 men coordinate at epic levels to shut down possibly the best players in the world is just fabulous to watch.
