I have to say, I wasnt counting on Howard much for the playoffs anyway, at least not early on if we are fortunate enough to advance a few rounds. Howard's best case scenario had him back perhaps the last week of the regular season and that probably was really stretching it. Even with him back he probably wouldnt be close to 100% which would effect his quickness on the floor and his play. A 70% Juwan Howard probably equals a 100% Spoon which we have right now. It is unfortunate, but we have to go with what we got right now. I think more than anything, these injuries have exposed our bench greatly and our dead legs have exposed our age. This clearly is something we have to address in the offseason. We did a great job of building on the fly in the regular season. I dont think you could have realistically asked for more than what we did. But this offseason, with our 1st round pick, MLE and some expiring contracts we need to get creative and add more talent and young legs to the roster. We need to add more depth so we can withstand some injuries during the year. But for now, we just have to root the team on with what they got and hope we can get some great performances out of our players.
I'm glad there's *someone* who isn't jumping off the deep end. Everyone loves to look at stats when players are in and out of the lineup and all..+/- is all the rage right now. But for the most part, the Rockets were shooting lights out from outside when they were winning, and TMac's knees were feelin better. Yao wasn't banged up. Barry was in the lineup. If you get Wesley hitting 55% of his shots like he was a few weeks ago, I don't think we're at 6-6 right now without howard. Not to blame it on Wes.. but all the guys that were hot need to get hot again. Shoot up to their capabilities. If that happens in the playoffs, we win regardless. By the way, if Howard was back and NOT hitting that 15-18 foot J at a 50-60% clip like he was during the streaks...you think he'd be helping us a whole lot? Not that much--we'd probably still be around 6-6 during that span.
Very bad news but not the end of the world if our guards can hit the open J. We could have won 2 of the last 3 games if we just shot better from the field. No need to worry about what could have been, we just need to look forward and keep up the fight for the 6th spot. The schedule looks tough but jezz some people on here sound as if they wanna jump off a near by roof, just like when we started 6-11. Things look grim but we can still turn it around if we find our shooting touch again.
It sucked weeks ago when we found out Juwon would be out for a couple of weeks. We can kiss any Finals delusions goodbye knowing he will be out until next year. Yes Crisco, Howard means that much to this team.
I'm not giving up hope. The loss of Howard is certainly a setback. but... I believe that the injuries and tiredness of Yao, T-Mac, and Barry are bringing down the rest of the team. I believe that, if we can hang on to the 6th spot and matchup against Seattle, we can AT LEAST make it to the second round. But for that to happen, there are other obstacles we must overcome: Yao, T-Mac, and Barry must heal. Perhaps this could be done in the few days rest between the regular season and the playoffs? Wesley, James, Sura, Spoon, Padgett and Bowen MUST pick up their games. They've shown us that they are capable of playing much better than they recently have been. They have to snap out of whatever struggles they're going through. They must pick up their attitude. The injuries and losses are messing with their heads. They must not let that happen Most of the above fall into the responsibilities of the coach. JVG is an excellent coach and I believe he can accomplish all of the above. What? Over? Did you say "over"?!?! Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! -- droxford
This blows. Any team that loses a starter will not be as good as they were before, that's common sense. Yes, Juwon was like the fourth or fifth most important starter on the team but the position takes a steep dive after him. Most of us took Juwon for granted, like anyone could do what he was doing for the Rockets, we see now that it's not easy to replace him. He is a talented offensive player that sacrificed most of what he's really goot at to put more effort into what he can't do as well and what was needed from that position. I'd like to see what Braggs can do tonight, and what Baker can still do.
Feel bad for Juwan. Helps put an NBA season in perspective. Here's hoping he comes back strong next year. Evan
I am wondering how come sina reported this way before chronicle did. It seems Rockets have known Juwan is done for some time, why all this secrecy. Do they worry that this might de-moralize the players? Will it?
I know you are making fun of obvious typo boviously "in oblivion" obviously "in bolivian" boviausly "in oblivian" OK, obviously "in oblivion"...That's it.
The Rockets faxed over a statement from Howard.... it is indeed all accurate: http://www.clutchfans.net/news.cfm?newsID=1192 He said the condition is "viral myocarditis".
......IT ALL MIKE JAMES FAULT!!!...HE CAME HERE TO INJURE HOWARD...NOW HE SHOOTS BAD...THERE IS SOME KIND OF CONSPIRACY BEHIND ALL OF THIS
