...where many of you are coming from. Why do so many of you view this season as a complete failure? Sure it's disappointing that we missed the playoffs. But if many of you had your way, there would be a complete shake-up of the team. We'd have a new coach, new assitants, a new PG, a new SG, and a new PF to go along with our new unis and new arena. Look, I wanted to be in the playoffs, too. I wanted it for the sole reason of having our team experience what the playoffs are like. I never expected them to even make it out of the first round. I knew the possibility of us making some noise and maybe pulling an upset was possible, but not likely. Our team lacks the experience. What I would like to see is us to carry over pretty much the same team as we had this year. Every single year since the Championships we have had a different lineup. I'm almost sick of it. Every time we make a major change, it is a setback. Can we, for once, carry over a team into the next season. How can we possible judge their progress if we don't give them a chance. Sure it's frustrating to have not been in the playoffs for 4 straight years. But it's not the teams' fault. Hell, most of the guys we have now were not even here 4 years ago. Last year was the first year without Dream. Taylor and Rice were out for the season. Francis was out for a large portion of the season. But we did get Yao. So now we have all the major pieces that we need. Now let them grow TOGETHER. I see this year as a season in 2 parts. The first 2 months was us using the same guard-oriented offense as the previous year. This was when Yao was getting used to us. Then for the rest of the season, Rudy started to work on making Yao the focal point. That was the team getting used to Yao. In other words, we changed the game plan in mid-season. Keep in mind that Yao had no training camp and hardly any preseason. Not to mention that HE'S A ROOKIE. The core is there. Leave Francis, Mobley, and Yao alone. They ALL have show progress throughout this season. All 3 of these guys will come back better than they were this year. Yo uhave to beleive that every player on this team has a real bad taste in thier mouths. They have all summer to watch tapes and work on their games. You think you feel sick about not making the playoffs. Imagine how they feel. They have learned some valuable lessons this year that they will not forget next year. Give them a chance to prove themselves. Quit making major changes to the team. Let them progress. Let them prove themselves. Give them a chance to prove you all wrong. Remember 1993? Losing to Seattle like we did made all of the difference. That loss made all of the difference in the team. It gave them purpose. Only minor tweaking was necessary. I miss those days when a team was given time to develop. Now, teams are so trigger-happy that it almost ends up being subtraction by addition. We live in an age of instant gratification and zero patience, it seems. I tend to think that that kind of attitude hurts our team more than it helps it. If this same team came out next year and did worse than this year, then you all could say that you were right. But how can you possible come to that conclusion now when we can't even put out the same group of guys from one year to the next. JUST ONCE, I would love to see the fans and organization give this team a chance to prove themselves. I can easily see this very same group of guys being a 4 or 5 seed team next year. How can they possibly grow if they constantly are faced with integrating new starters into the team. Yao was the missing link. The seed is planted. Let it grow......
1. Francis and Mobley both had worse seasons than they did 2 years ago...thats not improvement. The only difference I see in Cat is maybe defensively...we'll see if he can do that all next year instead of just the last month or so.(if he stays) Steve is still the same PG he's always been, too much dribbling, taking too long to set up the offensive and keeping everyone from getting into a good offensive flow, oh, and how about his daily ritual of dribbling the ball off of his foot while being too fancy. We were suppose to have one of the most explosive backcourts in the league(whatever that means), apparently explosive is referring to our composure when it counts. 2. Please don't disgrace that 93' by comparing this one to it. If you can't see how much better a player Dream was than every player COMBINED in this 03' team then I can't help you. Dream anchored the team and everyone knew their roles. Everyone on the rockets, including the fans, were optimistic about the next(94') season...not so this year.
SC, I had this discussion earlier this week with TheFreak. His feelings were similar to yours. I disagreed with him and the reason boils down to the fact that any time you finish with a winning season, you are *normally* in the playoffs. Yea, I know that the Western Conference is a biyotch right now, but this is the 2nd time in 3 years that we had a winning record and we are on the outside looking in regarding the playoffs. That is what is so hard to take, at least for me. To be that close and still not make it is definitely deflating and to the point where it will take your heart out as well as breaking your spirit. Even worse yet, this team won 2 less games than the 2001 team. You can argue that Yao had to have a learning curve and the fact that Hakeem played at a high level for the last time near the end of that 2001 season, but it comes back to the fact that Francis and Mobley have not really developed like they could. Sure, Steve's stats are great, but he still makes poor decisions in running the point, can't play defense, and is clueless in leading a fast break. Then you have Mobley who is looking more and more like a poor man's Francis...he is the same type of player. Throw in Eddie Griffin who has not performed like many thought he would, Mo Taylor going from being a starter to being out for a whole season and out of shape and then to bench guy, Moochie being worthless, Glen Rice on his last legs, and a first round pick that really never even played all season in Nachbar, I now wonder how this team did win 43 games. And that doesn't even get into the coaching... However, this team has talent and that is why I think it was a disappointment and when you figure in Yao's abilities to play team basketball, it makes one drool about how good this team can be. But they have to buy into playing team ball and that goes for everyone from Francis to Tito Maddox. That will require some change of attitudes for many and that will be a difficult process. Unfortunately, I am not that confident that Rudy will be successful in implementing this concept.
I agree with everything spacecity said. Change for the sake of change is generally a step back. To srf, Yes Hakeem was a much better player, but he did have 11 years experience when we won the championship. It makes a difference. Everyone on this team does not know their roles. Yao is a perfect example. At the beginning of the year, he was literally falling down. By midseason he was the man and everything needed to go through him. By the end, he was worn out and incapable of being the main offensive threat. James Posey was clearly feeling his way. It was impossible for this team to offfer the stability that the championship team stepped into. More changes will delay that stability. You can certainly argue that we are on the wrong path, but I feel any change will cause a delay. Also, I think Francis and Mobley have improved. They jack up about half of the stupid shots the used to. Still way to many, but clearly less. Most of the bad decisions come under pressure, rather than all the time. If their stats are down, it is because Yao is taking up touches that Cato never dreamed of.
Spacecity, people are just impatient. Add to that the fact that they are SPOILED. For some reason people just EXPECT the Rockets to be good, no matter what. The nucleus of Maxwell, Smith, Thorpe, and Olajuwon was together for quite a few years before they made serious noise. I remember Barry Warner, the "Sports Mouth", saying repeatedly that if the Rockets EVER won a championship with Kenny Smith as their point guard that he'd sit NAKED on top of the Astrodome. Nobody thought it was possible. I was so frustrated myself with that team for never making changes to put more talent around Hakeem. They had like 3 straight first round exits. Little did I know that chemistry was more important. What people don't understand is that more changes = more time to adjust = more losing. Two years ago zones were illegal. What did you expect? These are two players that excel because of their quickness and being able to beat guys off the dribble. The zone takes this away. Add in the fact that they had to adjust to Ming.
BTW I agree with Manny. His and Space City's opinions are not necessarily mutually exclusive. I think we are all disapointed, and we pretty much agree on why. The debate is what to do about it.
SRF, 1) 2 seasons ago they were the focus of our offense. That was not the case this year. Cat took nearly 200 less shots this year. Steve improved in every single category except for PPG and FG%. Both were down slightly. Call it the Yao factor. Cat's stats remain pretty consitant. Not sure what you are getting at. It takes time to adjust to someone like Yao. 2)You missed my point. I'm not comparing talent between those 2 teams. Thy were further ahead than us at that time. My point was that losing in 93 had a lot to do with th mindset that they took into the next season. They became a better team because of the loss.
So we should stick with 2 guys whose games can't adjust to the new NBA rules? Or should we just sit and wait to see if they can?
manny, Steve's development hinges on Yao's development. You can't put it all on Steve. Rudy mentioned this year that back in the day they would spend countless boring hours simply working on entry passes and getting Dream the ball in exact right place at the exact right time. Timing takes patience and lots of work. Yao's training camp was in November and December. There is no doubt in my mind that this will be a much better team then they were this year as long as we don't go and screw with the starting lineup. I agree that Moochie has become worthless, and I really like Moochie. Mo, on the other hand, was money in the last half of the season until he re-tweaked his ankle towards the end of the season.
In a word, yes. Both those guys put up nearly the same numbers as 2 years ago. That's WITH the zone defense rule and the addition of Yao. When you make a major change (addition of Yao), it takes time for everyone to adjust. You have re-learn certain aspects of the game.
1. Steve improved in every single category except for ppg and fg%? where did you get your info? Every single stat EXCEPT PPG are down, and his PPG improve is because he took 1 more shot per game then he did 2 years ago. The only thing that increased were turnovers...typical for steve. Steve is worse in FG%(almost 2%), 3pt%(by over 4%), rebounds (almost 1 per game), assists(only .3per), hell even FT% is a little worse. Sorry but what I'm getting at is that you are looking at a different steve francis if you see him improving from 2 years ago... 2. I see what you mean.
2000-2001 season: http://www.clutchcity.net/teams.cfm?Season=2001 2001-2002 season: http://www.clutchcity.net/teams.cfm?Season=2003
...oops! Apparently I was reading them backwards. STILL, the changes were only slight. Considering the changes to the team, I find it acceptable.
SpaceCity, you make some points that are valid in most cases with most young(coachable) players. 1. Yes the season can be seen in two parts, but it took too long for the players to realize they had to go through Yao and I still don't think they're all sold on the idea of "more Yao, less of me" being better than "watch what I can do". Even with the two part season, they still got worse as the season went on. Normally when you're learning something new, you get better at it as you do it over and over. With these guys we saw alot of inconsistencies and reverting to some bad habits over and over. That's not progress. That's stubborness. 2. Yes they're talented enough to get the 4 or 5 seed next year. Just like they were talented enough to get the 6-8 seed THIS year, with a probable first round exit and experience gained. They had great overall team health this year and plenty of chances at winnable games that they flat out blew with dumb plays that 3,4,5 year veteran's don't make no matter what system they're trying to learn. One of the primary benefits of youth is plenty of energy/stamina. Yet how many times did we hear,after a loss, something along the lines of, "we just came out without alot of hustle, or energy, or urgency, or enthusiasm"? I guess what some of us feel is that some of these guys are too thick headed or just plain dumb to ever get it and maybe it's better to give up on some of them rather than gamble that they will someday get it. Or perhaps that the coaches are too soft on them, while they're young, and don't insist on the players doing what the coaches want or else. As an example, Popovich isn't the least bit afraid to bring the hammer down on his youngsters for their repeated dumb mistakes. They seem to learn pretty quick to do things his way....they don't always like it but they learn to do it and it works for the team. Maybe you're right and they keep the team together. And they get it finally. And the success does come. This team is at a crossroads this year and we'll know in a couple of years whether Les was a genius or a dummy with whatever decisions he makes this summer.
The thing that frustrated me and many fans was not so much missing the playoffs for the 4th straight season. It was the team's inconsistent play throughout the year on both offense and defense. It was the way they crumbled down the stretch(the Portland and Utah back-to-back disasters being the worst examples) when every game was so pivotal. It was how they continued to lose gimmes by playing down to the competiton, particularly against the league's worst teams who often times were missing key players. It was the way almost no one improved their game as the season wore on, and several guys even regressed. It was seeing the zone defense for two straight years now and still failing to understand how or even if Rudy T plans to adjust to it. And now it's frustrating for me to hear many people in the organization, the media, and on this board once again making every excuse there is for why the Rockets failed(yes, I use the word "FAILED") to get to the postseason for four years in a row. The worst is when the players start b****ing about how they'd be in the playoffs if they were in the East. Read between the lines. You know what they're really saying with that comment? They're admitting they're not good enough. That's the sign of a team that has quit. And that's why I'm so fed up with this bunch. They've quit on their coach(both Rudy and Larry) and they've quit on each other. So I'm quitting on them. They don't deserve another shot at proving they're playoff material because we already know the answer. We've gotten the answer loud and clear twice in the last three years. I'm not saying gut the roster, but I do expect major changes. Which means they better do a lot more than just re-sign Posey or cut Collier.
i agree with spacecity.. i dont think its fair to expect a team starting EG(20) and Yao(22) to make the playoffs in the west...the west is PF heavy..not to mention Shaq...neither player is ready to carry a team.. last year most were happy with EG and said he had potential but were willing to give him a couple of years to develop...all of a sudden he is starting, ahead of schedule, and now most think he sucks...what happen to giving him a couple of years? this year..most people say keep feeding yao the ball, and in the same breathe most say he still needs two or more years develop...it obvious he can't carry the team on his back at this point in his career... this year was definitely hard to watch...they were world beaters one night ...and then look like **** the next...but its inconsistency which is a sign of youth...nothing a liitle more experience couldnt cure... team play is all about chemistry...and chemistry comes as a result of consistency..and the players knowiing each other...and any major change would prolong the development of chemistry... most agree the talent is there...its just a matter of chemistry and experience now...from what i remember the roxs first champship team had a long strech of games were there had the same starting core to develop their chemistry....and added pieces along the way.. I think jon barry would do wonders for this team...providing veteran leadership...heady guard play...three point shooting..passing....and most of all a guard who could pressure mobley/francis to be better...
SAR, 1) I wouldn't call it stubborness as much as i would call it immaturity. By immaturity I mean lack of patience. It was obvious that they tried to get Yao the ball but they just weren't too good at it , yet. If Yao missed his first 5 shots then they would panic and try to take over instead of sticking woth it and waiting for Yao's shots to start falling. Training camp and preseaon will make a workd of difference. 2) The Championship teams also played down to their competition. Most teams do. Some more than others. It's called human nature. I'm not saying it's excusable, just that it happens. Any given team can win at any given time. Having a team that has been together more than a year will help us win more of those games. Count, Sure this year was frustrating. But what do you expect from such a young team that has limeted experience playing with each other as a team. My only excuse is that Steve and Cat have had to adjust to a new cast every year that they have been in the league.
Only slight? how many games did we lose by 3 points or less? only slight is the difference between winning 43 games and 53. We lost 10 games by 3 or less points...how many of those would we have won if Steve and Mobley had an actual improvement(!) from 2 years ago. Maybe thats asking for too much from these guys.
SRF, Where does Yao fit into your vision? One could argue that the lower stats were a sign that they wree at least trying to integrate Yao. Better defense would have salvaged many of those loses, just as better offense may have. Experience is the difference. Next season (and beyond) we will be winning those games. Count on it.
