Well, unlike most people around here I don't get suicidal when things don't turn out the way I expect, and I still think optimism is a good thing. But you have a point though -- you know how it says, "hope deferred makes the heart sick"? Unlike some other posters here, I'm not looking for them to get off to a 14-2 start. That would be fantastic of course, but not very realistic. At the same time, I don't expect them to be just around .500 over their first 16 games -- that would be a disappointment. And it really would be nice if the big boys in the league were chasing us from behind by New Years', instead of us playing catchup. So yeah, I'd love a fast start. Make a statement early and keep it going that way.
i completely agree! Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, those really hot fast starts don't come around too often and they are unexpected as well. let settle for a 10-5 or 11-4 start to the season. we should also wait to see how this team looks in preseason together and who ends up being on the roster as well as our starting unit.
The name of the game is protect Tracy Mc Grady, ensuring that he is not overworked or over played in the first half of the season. Also Yao Ming will need time for his stamina level to improve, so he shouldn't get overplayed early on either. A fast start might be a great boost but I would rather see them come through in the second half of the season and have great momentum into the playoffs. Infact it could take the first half for the team chemistry to work out all the kinks. I just hope that JVG knows what he is doing, I just wish Mario was his assitant
Rockets seem to have some problems playing against Grizzlies lately. Now that Battier switched the team, I hope the trend gets reversed. Nevertheless I wouldn't be completely confident to put the games @ and vs Memphis in Rockets' win category. On the other hand, we pretty much have Minnesota's number. I don't think the T-Wolves are a threat to the Rockets any more.
The Griizz new starting Lineup: B. Cardinal or J. Tsakalidis S. Swift M. Miller E. Jones D. Stoudamire Not exactly all that intimidating.
I agree with fast start. With fast start Rox can be no.1 or no.2 by the All star weekend. Usually after All stars every team plays with great intense to make the playoffs, so if the Rox can start off good early Rox have a better chance to make top 3 in standings in West and with that Rox will usually face weaker teams in the playoffs and can go deep into playoffs.
Half of the Rox roster has changed from last year. Also dont forget injuries last year. This year if Yao n Tmac are healthy, Rox will easily beat the Girzz.
Damn! the adrenaline are really keep pumpin' so hard and can't just measure up the expectations. But i know one thing we are kickin' a$$ this season so far! 14-2 for start
14-2 is unrealistic. 5-1 is not, with the only loss to Dallas. If you went 4-5 after than, it'd still be 9-6, which should be okay. Obviously it won't start out exactly that way, and no matter what, I will still have hope, but I'm putting the over/under at 9-6. At 9-6 or over, I think things are going okay to great. Below 9-6 and things started out poorly.
High IQ is great. Veterans are great. Take the '95 version of Clyde Drexler: a High IQ veteran. Everyone remembers the confetti, everyone remembers the parades. But also remember this: even that '95 Glory Team didn't gel until the playoffs. It takes time to learn roles. It takes time to develop trust, develop communication, develop chemistry. It will happen, but it will take time. It's a long season.
As long as we are a couple of games above .500 I'm happy. Remember the Dallas Mavericks, I think it was the 03-04 season. They started 14-0 but no championship. A fast start doesn't gurantee much, simply more media and other NBA team's defensive attention.
let's just keep it in our pants here, i think the rockets have a tough opening schedule, but i see them really coming around in december, as a team, and dominating midway throught the season. I predict some earlier problems, comfort levels of the players, just team chemistry not altogether there much like that 2003-2004 campaign where we had all new players and they took time to get around the hump.
im happy were facing tough teams first, that way we can see what this team is made of. statisticly this team is far better than the 04-05 team but who knows..all i know is open team practice monday and im going, the end.
This rocket team is a lot like this years astros, no matter how the season goes, as long as they make the playoffs, they'll be fine. I do agree that a fast start will keep pressure on the mavs and spurs. Thats not by any means a bad thing.
By the way my comparison with the astros is if the astros wouldve made the playoffs. every team wouldve feared them for their talent, no top team in the west is going to want any part of the rockets.
That's funny . I'd say a good chance to be 9-6, 8-7. 10-5 is .667 winning pct. Could happen but 10+ wins??? Not going to happen with the amount of change we've gone through.
