Good points and nice perspectives. If you had high hopes for the Rockets that read kind of puts some doubts in your mind. If you didn't expect much, I think you now have some hope.
Yes, but he is an idiot. Even when he was covering the Warriors 15 years ago I used to cringe at his analysis. I have absolutely no idea how he became a national writer.
Clippers over our Rockets ... r u kidding ?? :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: ,,,, oh man that just made my day..
Who is Utah's great perimeter playmaker at the SG/SF position? How about for Phoenix? Kevin Martin is as good or better than any SG/SF on those teams. Those teams have great PGs, not wings. Brooks isn't there yet, but it's not inconceivable that he could be by next year. He has certainly surpassed my expectations for him this season.
Brooks is not going to be anywhere near Deron's level, sadly. However, Brooks + Martin is probably around the level of Williams and...... whomever the Utah starting SG is ( Who is it anyways? Korver? Matthews? Some scrub, anyways.) That's the way I see it.
Yes, if that shot blocker also gives us double digit points and close to that in rebounds. Plus, our defense generally will be much better with that kind of presence back and that's the main thing we're lacking at this point. We've shown we can beat a team like the Lakers and that was without a scorer like Martin and partially without Yao.
Call me crazy but I think we are a contender with Yao. Yao is a presence inside. There is no denying that. Having that presence can allow Ariza's gambles to be good gambles. It can allow Battier to get more physical on the perimeter. It could make our defense from one of the worst in the league to one of the best in the league (like it was last year). I don't think offense is our problem. Rockets have ALOT of weapons there. Improve that defense and we can hang with anybody. That Rockets team that beat the Lakers in game 1 of the WCSF (and could have won it all had Yao not gone down), replace Artest with Ariza, Landry with Martin, Wafer with Taylor, throw in Budinger. That could be a deadly team next year. Its funny how people forget Yao's impact so quickly.
This. We've seen scola, brooks, and martin playing together put up insane offensive stats already, even in some losing causes this year. All we need is average defense to go with that, and good health and we can be a contender at least.
No doubt, Luis contributes dramatically to this team. Acturally, he and Battier are my most favorite players in this team. But his shorcoming is obvious. He can't protect rim. He can draw charges, but has no blocks at all. Without any protection to the rim, we managed to 38 wins already. Next season, if Yao comes back strong and healthy, we will be much better. But without another decent C or PF who can block, protect the rim and better have some offense skills, I don't think we will be a title-contender. You can't hope Yao play big minutes after such a serious injury. However, what I was saying is that we are not that eager for a go-to guy right now. We have a lot of choices in the clutch. Not relying on a single superstar is actually our advantage. But I did forget Scola's mid-range jumpers and scoops. Those are lethal weapons. My bad!
Psst...Hey Ric Bucher, are you aware that only two of those players has won a ring? Not every championship hopeful needs a player that is supposed to carry the load by themselves. This is just further proof that the majority of the talking heads at ESPN are ignorant.
Ok i have notice how broadcasters, sports announcers, etc base things off of stats and stats themselves without actually watching a team play. The Rox have an outstanding sqad and are gna be trouble for a lot of teams with their quickness. The lakers cannot keep up with them in the pg position. The only thing that has hurt our team is height, so anyone that knows and watches the rockets should absolutely know they will most def be a contender next season, we know are players (dont give up attitude) thats what makes a team hard to beat (not 1 star player)
Oh n Yao will be back no matter how many mins he plays im sure he will be there in the final secs and you better believe hes a clutch player
I rather build a good team and lineup, so that games arent going down to the last seconds. Now everyone wants a crunch time guy, which is good to have, but mainly because teams have become satisfied with keeping games close at the end. Build a true complete team taht can build leads within a game and most of the time you'll have pretty secure leads. the few times you don't you have guys who can step up here and there, which is fine since you won't be asking them to do it every game, every week, etc.
Utah won't get out of the first round if they get stuck with Denver - in fact, Utah can't beat Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, nor L.A. for those very reasons. By the way, Phoenix has Jason Richardson, who is a better clutch type of player than Martin. I think martin is good, and their stats match up alright, but I'd rather have Richardson on my team than Martin.
Ric Buchers arguement puzzles me? We were a border line playoff team before we had a 6'6" center. We are getting a lottery pick, Yao Ming, and a possibility of a sign and trade for a big name or we could sign a free agent. I dont understand how we are on the fence of being a playoff team.
I don't think Ric Bucher is trying to say that the Rockets can't make the playoffs next year. His point is that, IN HIS OPINION, it is more likely that a team like the Nets can jump back into the (much weaker) Eastern Conference playoff picture by adding a top 4 draft pick, a couple of significant free agents, and a big name head coach. While I personally think that Houston is more likely to be a playoff team next year than New Jersey is, there is at least SOME merit in his argument. People need to stop getting so defensive anytime a national sports writer/reporter says anything that isn't positive about the Rockets.
man bucher is a mental midget when it comes to basketball.. hot garbage spilled out his mouth.. if a team isnt from NY LA or Chicago or somethin hes gona hate on a team, thats how all of the espn analysts are, theyre so lame i read the comments on espn insider and most of the fans say bucher is an idiot and delusional
LOL yes thats just an innate defense for must of us. You talk crap about the rockets and ill be highly upset. But yeah I asked my friend the other day what team would be out of the West if we are supposedly a lock for the playoffs next year. List of teams that could be out... Portland Utah San Antonio List of teams that could be in... Houston Memphis Golden State New Orleans I still the Rockets have the edge with coaching and talent but I could be wrong. It just sucks not knowing you might not make the playoffs on a consistent basis. Frustrating.
LOL i can't tell if you're back to your old D&D ways right now or actually serious....in any case, i HATE the fact that Clutch let you return here.
RB is trying to say we're not truly a contender until we find that crunch-time player. Which isn't relevant to begin with since the discussion was about whether the Rockets iwll be playoff bound next year. He's still wrong however. What RB overlooks, is that with such a balanced team playing in Adelman's system, we don't really NEED a crunch time scorer. The Rockets just need to play within the system and set up Brooks, Martin or Yao for good shots. We'll score by committee, close out games by committee. If you really need to pinpoint a crunch time guy on our team, it would obviously be Brooks. And with Yao in the paint next season, it'll be even easier for Brooks to get his shot off in the clutch.
