Identity - the importance of what the Rockets have found

For 4 years, this team has struggled to become a team. As a part of the struggle, the team lacked any identity - a common theme or bundle of characteristics that all the players could adopt as their own, to mesh as a single unit, a team.

There is no doubt, all the good teams have some identity, and the great ones share many of the same characteristics.

SAC - fluid, movement, passing,
Dallas - electric offense, run and gun, shoot out at the OK corral
SA - toughness, defense, unselfishness
Lakers - the triangle, brute force, kobe's brilliance.

Our beloved Rockets now have an identity. We are tougher because Kelvin makes us so (seriously, think about it). We are grittier because Francis, Mobley and Jackson are willing to harass, deny and defend. We are more powerful because we are committed to owning the paint. Taylor, Cato and Braggs are pushing people around, throwing elbows, getting tough rebounds, committing hard, aggressive fouls. (I guarantee you that Carmello Anthony is one tired, bruised rookie today.)

An identity, without winning, means little. But if you start winning, develop an identity, all things become possible in the eyes and mind of the team. The team believes in the system and the values, and continues to work hard and sacrifice. The extra work and sacrifice generates more wins, and the wins further strengthens the teams commitment to the identity. We've witnessed this before, when Dream started to trust his teammates and his teammates rose to the occasion. You start to feel like you can't be beaten, and all of a sudden, you win almost all of the time. I remember always feeling like the Rockets would find a way to win. They believed that too.

Identity. Faith. Confidence.

I was sorely, sorely disappointed when the Rockets failed to get Larry Brown. Now, given the chance to do it all over again, I would not take him over Van Gundy. (I'm curious if MacBeth would feel the same way). As predicted by his former players, JVG has gotten the Rockets to buy in, and it has made a difference that can be seen in the play of each person that takes the floor. Hop on early to get a good seat on the Houston Rockets bandwagon. Prepare for liftoff!

 

I'm not saying that the team is done evolving and adopting its identity. But it's clear that most of the players have adopted the message.

I share the same concerns regarding Mobley, but keep in mind he was not in the lineup when the Rockets started winning (perhaps there is a correlation there). I think in time, Mobley will adapt his game and play less as an individual. If he is slow to adjust, his teammates and coaches will get on him. The pressure to play as a team will mount. If he can't get it, he'll get shipped.