Li Francis : Coudl it be that the Nets are a good team? Valio: Good assesment Pooh22: Attendance at games is correlated with winning , they type of basketball being played has nothing to do with it. Peeplke will show up to watxh ugly teams if they are winning. All Rudy Haters: Good luck trying to find a better coach. I am not saying that he is the best coach out there but all things considered (his faults and his stregths) I think it wil be difficult to find someone better. This year has been a rough one and i wish more posters would spend the time to weigh in those factors before calling for Rudy's head.
I'm sick and tired people saying they are sick and tired of hearing about injuries and what the Rockets did last year as if their stance means taking action while everyone else is content to make excuses. Yes they were a lottery team last year. That was expected. What wasn't expected was how close they came to the playoffs or the improvement the team made. Injuries may not be the only wrong with the team this year, but it's hard to say it doesn't play a part. What Rudy's system does is give the most shots to the best scorers on the team. That's Cat, and Steve. People have already complained because Morris had two shots given to him at Clutch time last night, so either way it seems like Rudy loses. If Cat or Steve take the shot, they playing selfish ball. If Morris takes the shot, then it was poor planning, and the ball was in the wrong guys hands. As far as Rudy's system this year, I would be willing to bet he hasn't been able to put into place everything he'd like to have in place. There hasn't been a steady rotation to attempt that with all year. Judging by what Rudy's done with a mostly healthy team, I think it's been pretty good. Judging Rudy by this year is like tying a boxers hands behind his back, and throwing them in the ring. When the boxer doesn't do well everyone says he's a bad boxer and has a poor strategy. I think it's unfair to someone to judge him on that. I understand that the Rockets are losing, and look horrible. Everyone's frustrated, and people want to be able to name the problem, and hope that it's something they can fix, but it's not always that easy. I think this time the biggest problem isn't one that can be fixed. As much as people point out weaknesses and try to say how it should be fixed, the best solution would still be a healthy team for a prolongued period of time Carlos, You said more or less the same thing I did, only more concisely. I just wanted to add my support
The team is 13-30. Do you expect the attendance to be good for a 13-30 team? The attendance was worse last year than it is this year, and the team was 45-37. Were people just tired of last year's brand of basketball as well? The fans don't have a clue. All they care about is winning, and even then, they don't show up, as evidenced by last year. And Rudy is the last link to the championship teams, or to the Rockets as most fans know them. He's probably the only person associated with the Rockets that most people in the city could actually name and recognize. Most of the city couldn't name any Rocket players, but they know Rudy T. You're kidding yourself if you think getting rid of Rudy would be a popular move. When you say a losing team will not draw well in a new arena, do you mean like the Astros' first year in Enron? The arena will be full regardless of the team's record. And if it isn't, do you actually think getting rid of the one real Rocket in the organization is going to improve attendance? I can hear Les now -- "Gee, what can I do to improve attendance next year.....I know, fire Rudy! That should pack the house!" Did the team suck to watch last year? Was there a system change between this year and last year? Rudy's days will never be numbered, unless he decides to leave. Might as well get used to it. What do you think their record should be? The team is not good. Your expectations are the problem.
Rudy's system worked last year because illegal defense still existed. These new rules were designed to stop the Rockets, and Rudy hasn't adjusted- after 43 games! People are sick of seeing the same old mistakes game in and game out. We are sick of seeing a professional team playing street ball. This team lacks the most basic fundamentals, and that can only be blamed on the coach.
#1. If everyone sit down and thing a min. , what is the difference in this team and last yr. team? I will tell you, I for one thought this would be the season that the Rox would get into the playoffs. If everyone would realize this team have 3 players missing from last yr. roster. OK, that means that we were back to the basis of jelling into a team. Then you lookat that yes, they made some major upgrades, but no playing time together! Prime example 76'ers did all those roster moves and just now comming of age. This was a team that made it to the finals. #2 Everyone is stating that people get hurt and this and that is the problem. Well, let see. Every team as had those, but it's the role players that has to step up. So, think about last yr.'s team and you would find out that the Rox. were only 6 or 7 deep. No up and comming players as role players. example langy( not use this yr. ) Collier( the same) Kt is starting this yr, so you lost that.This yr. who do they have : OT, Fast Eddie, Tmo, TB. How much NBA time do they have? ok, let get real. Oh, I forgot Wiz, but would you play him in his last yr. of contract when you are trying to develop Eddie, OT, Tmo ! #3 Every team always takes a step back before going forward. If they were stuck in a rut, you could complain but they are process were they are at, and everyone can admit they have a better offense than the 1 of the season. The defense just need to step up and they will be ok. If they can keep this team together for another yr. and add a few up and comming role players in the draft, they can move to the elite teams and stay there. No one should lose faith, and the Rox will once again, will bring the Championship back to HOUSTON to stay.
ZRB -- best post you have ever had. I couldnt have said it better myself. Also The Freak brings up something I wanted to say too. This team is not that good. The team they have on the floor actually sucks. We have injurys, and we cant tell what this team will be like until we see all the players together. Does this team need a Change? Hell yeah they do. Other than Francis, and Griffin. I would trade anyone on the team. Rockets need a little more veteran leadership, and some of the players need to either get cut or traded for picks. Collier and LAnghi!!!
Freak is exactly right as is ZRB and Francis3. The only other thing that I'll add is that to be a team that is capable of making the playoffs and getting far and actually doing a damn thing, your team must have chemistry. This Rockets team would blow up the whole f*cking building with their lack of chemistry. It's like they are pouring too much acid into a basic solution.
