I also remember stupid mistakes on the offensive end leading to some losses as well. Brooks got much better towards the end of the season. This is going to be a great team to watch. I'm excited.
Excellent post. Even without Yao, and I suggest that the fans prepare their minds for that possibility, the team should be competitive. Which is a nice way of saying that the Rockets will not seriously challenge the elite teams, but should make the playoffs, maybe the second round, and be entertaining to watch. I'm O.K. with that, but still hope for the "final piece" that makes the team a legit contender. That "piece" could be a player on the team now that significantly improves their game.
No way dude! Yao Ming gonna be injured for most of the season!!! Trevor Ariza gonna shoot us our of gamez!!! We can't win without no superstar!!! We... sorry, I can't keep up being so ridiculous. The facade alone is killing me quickly. I agree, the Rockets are poised to turn heads and cruise into the playoffs and contend. With adding two 7-footers we immediately get the rim protection and interior defense we were severely lacking last season. It could definitely be a special season and I am certainly looking forward to it.
Classic! Totally agree! I really appreciate the OP. A thread like this is long overdue. I really think this is one of the most balanced teams in a long time in Houston. I have memories from many Rockets teams. Who can forget the Championship teams of '93-'95, the '08-'09 team and also '05. But the '85-'86 team had a 9 deep rotation and even a young Craig Ehlo contributing off the bench. I know that they had 2 #1 overall picks in Sampson, Olajuwon, and the ivory tower in Jim Petersen, but I believe the 2010 version of the Rockets will have the same, if not better production from their front line of Yao, Miller and Scola. They have a backup at every position that could START for any other team in the league. That is huge. Who knows what will happen the first half of the season? We could be having a conversation about a big trade after the All-Star Break. Either way, I am excited about this season!
LOL - Masonry worker Good read .... but I can tell you've been listening to/reading about what DM says in his interviews .... not a bad thing .... just not entirely original.
Hmmm this picture reminds me of... <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7s28XVOlYsw&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7s28XVOlYsw&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
yeah dude i think we are going to make to the western finals, this is the most talented roster since Yao joining in Rockets. just simply look back, we had weatherspoon, charlie ward, strickland, wesley, most of them are too old guys! but now, we have guys at their prime and we have lots of players who are able to contribute!
Thinking this season will be special is warranted. I keep trying to imagine AB, Martin and Ariza surrounding Yao, and I keep getting really excited for the season to start. We really have a deep roster. And we're going to have good chemistry. Everyone is going to play hard. We will win some games. We'll get tougher as the season wears on.
man, i have a hard time letting something like this go. Olajuwon, alone, makes that frontcourt tons better than the current one. We're talking about one of the 3 best centers of all time...one of the greatest players to ever play the game. No one compares to that on this roster. The best player in this current frontcourt is coming off surgery and we're talking about limiting his minutes. A backup at every position that could START for any other team in the league?? really? Holy crap.
Other than teams who need somebody to do dirty work next to a top notch wing (ariza or battier, depending on who starts) or a lack of a PG (lowry) - where are all these present day starters you are talking about?
Yeah, it was a better team, especially if you include Lucas before he was tossed for the season because of the damn white powder, but even after that. Let's see how this team gels if everyone stays healthy (please lord or whoever might be up there, if anyone!!) and then revisit that concept. I put off delving into the thread, because I'm one of those who believe that every season, somehow, someway, through some miracle will be special, but I finally read the excellent OP and had to comment. This will be a special team even if we stand pat. All we need is luck with injuries, as in they're minor and rare.
I'm excited about this upcoming year too. But like we say every year...our success depends on Yao...and that's kind of depressing.
Good thread. I agree with it all. The 2 biggest impeditors to having a special season: 1. Yao's health 2. Defense If we can positivly answer those 2 concerns, it will be special.
I can understand being excited about the upcoming season...that's great. What I can't understand is: 1. comparing this frontcourt to the iconic Twin Towers that beat the Showtime Lakers, took one of the best teams of all time to 6 games in the Finals, and featured one of the greatest players to ever play the game; and 2. suggesting that every backup on our roster would be a starter anywhere else. that's crazy! i'm brian fellows!!
You make a valid point about Olajuwon, I will give you that. I made the comparison based upon the time in which this current Rockets team is playing and from a productivity standpoint alone. Olajuwon in '86 was not the same player that dominated the league in '93-'95. While he was a great talent, he was not the supremely dominating force that he later became. Don't get me wrong, Yao is no Olajuwon, but if--and that is a big if--he can play efficiently he can have some great production. As far as the second team players, I stand corrected. No harm no foul.
