http://z.about.com/d/sanantonio/1/7/b/D/-/-/celebration16.jpg As a Rockets fan, I can only hope that my team reaches that level of greatness some day. I may hate losing to them, but I can only look at what we need to do better to get to their level. What we already have that mirrors the Spurs: 1. Our Duncan: An efficient post player commands double teams and effects the game at both ends of the court(Yao Ming). 2. Our Ginobilli: An unselfish 2 guard that can finish inside and the outside no matter who is guarding him(Tracy Mcgrady) 3. Our Bruce Bowen: A lock down defender that spaces the floor out with his three point shooting. Doesn't demand the ball. Just focuses in and does the thankless job of being a pest on defense(Shane Battier). 4. Our Oberto/Kurt Thomas: Interior guys that play smart and physical. Do the thankless job of defending other teams best post player. Get offensive rebounds and occasionally make shots(Scola/Landry/Hayes). 5. Our Popovich: An experimental coach that is a proven winner and supperior strategist(Rick Adelman). What we lack that the Spurs do have: 1. Tony Parker: A PG that can do the majority of the ballhandling and score efficiently and consistantly from different spots on the court. I think Rafer is a decent player, but in the Western Conference, decent can only get you so far. I think Rafer would be best served as a PG on a team that already has 3 or 4 big time scorers like the Celtics or the Lakers. Because Yao and Tmac can average more points per game than Duncan and Ginobilli, I don't think we necessarily need a PG that score 19 a game like Parker, just a guy that can score efficiently and consistantly like Parker does. Rafer had his best season as a rocket last year, but at the end of the day he is what he is, and that is a below average starting PG with a poor shooting percentage. 2. Horry/Finley/Udoka: Veteran players off the bench who understand their role. Make open jumpers, defend, provide energy, set picks. Be steady and consistant while not trying to do too much. I don't think this should be really hard to find. Cut the dead weight and get rid of Head and Jackson. Add a guy like Grant Hill or Raja Bell for cheap. 3. Fire/aggression/leadership: Mcgrady shows fire, but only in the playoffs. If he showed it more in regular season we wouldn't have to play tough teams in the first round all of the time. Yao needs to be more of a vocal leader on the court. He needs to demand the ball and play with more confidence. He shouldn't be afraid to knock a few guys on their ass from time to time. Hell, players beat on him every game. Fight back. Maybe we don't need to change anything. This all is just a fan's opinion anyway. Maybe all we need is one healthy season. I don't know. I just really love how the Spurs play and I don't think they won all the championships by flopping, cheating, and playing dirty. I think they win because they're talented, smart, passionate, and well coached.
Excellent analysis. I'll say it again: the glaring weakness on the Rockets' roster is the PG position. I don't think the bench is as big of a problem by comparison.
while the formula of the spurs has been highly successful, i don't believe we'd mimic literally everything they've done. and they've had some lucky breaks along the way as well.
Well we got a lucky ping pong ball to get Yao.....Spurs drafted PArker and Ginobilli late in the draft. That's not luck. That's good scouting.
Mainly because Landry came off the bench....We need a clutch shooter that isn't such a terrible defender/decision maker like Head
I think you forgot two (or one) things that are also important to win championships and the Spurs have shown they have. 1. Durability, even when injuried sometimes the coach always find ways to have the big 3 alltogether. 2. Managing minutes, TD, TP and Manu have all played below 35 MPG for the season, that get´s them going in PO.
I think you forgot two (or one) things that are also important to win championships and the Spurs have shown they have. 1. Durability, even when injuried sometimes the coach always find ways to have the big 3 alltogether. 2. Managing minutes, TD, TP and Manu have all played below 35 MPG for the season, that get´s them going in PO. What i would change in the rockets to resemble the Spurs but adapting it somehow to our needs. PG I think our PG needs to be good scorer but mainly from downtown, is ok if he can score inside too, but he has to be a good shooter when open (it is also a must that he has to be a player that has been proven not to be a ballhog nor shoot first PG). I think the full MLE can get you Daniel Gibson from Cleveland. (you can also bet on Leandro Barbosa which i find as very raw player in terms of basketball iq but has the game) Then rockets have to move Hayes, Head, Bjax and Novak and load up with good role players WITH EXPERIENCE and PROVEN team players. I don´t know which names to put in here but for sure that this is not that hard to find.
I didn't see this thread before I posted this one in the Dish: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=148572 Not everyone hates the Spurs.
What I love about the Spurs is how they have the ability to break teams down. They do it mentally, and physically (By physically I mean defense, offense..etc) Then right when the time is right, they expose your weaknesses, and use it to their advantage.
I've never hated the Spurs..actually I kinda Like them. But I was born and raised in Houston so I'm forever a Rockets Fan first and foremost. Yeah..I live in DFW now...but I'll never like the Mavs.
I don't understand why people hate the spurs. They have a great organization and great players. I understand why people hate bruce bowen, but honestly, if he was on your team you would love him. He's the type of guy that does whatever it takes to win games. I'm not saying its the right thing to do, but like i said you wouldn't complain if you were getting W's. I think if rafer played like he did during our 22 game winning streak and the play offs, there is no need to replace him. Remember, billups didn't start becoming a factor till later in his career. Maybe about 6 years ago. *shrugs* maybe rafer is coming around.
Ask the Suns if they think the Spurs are a classy organization. The Spurs are just like the Jazz in that, when their talent does not match up they will resort to pushing, shoving, and flopping.
The Suns have no one to blame but themselves. Steve Nash, in particular, should look in the mirror. Had he not flopped and made the Horry pick look much worse than it was his team mates probably would not have been compelled to jump off the bench and get themselves suspended.
Yes, it's Steve Nash's fault that Horry hip checked him into the scorer's table when the game had already been decided. And it's about half a dozen players' fault that they landed on Bruce Bowen's foot when he stuck it underneath them after they went up for a jumpshot. And it's the opposing player's fault for being within 5 feet of Ginobili when he flops to draw a foul. Gee, I think I know why people hate the Spurs too.
