Think big. Western Conference seeding may be locked in, but not the home court advantage in the finals. Rest the starters more the final week, until then build chemistry.
I am for expanding the rotation. At this point, we are pretty much set for the 5th spot. We are a superior team to most team we will face till the end of the season. Some of the games were too easy for us when we went full force. Keeping our main players fresh for the playoff is the priorty right now. However, they have to play hard on the court though. Let Synder, Bozi, Head play more minutes, play V-span, Jake too more. Come playoff time, extra factor is always welcome.
this is essentially the point. injuries or no injuries, one gets back to this angle, FREE VSPAN! so in short, the worries are not so much about tmac or yao, but rather to see vspan because of the "atrocity" at the PG position. vspan isn't going to save anyone. the debate is more between luke and vspan. that is debatable, but we can debate on this board until we're blue in the face, vg is going with luke over vspan. the question is somewhat ambiguous. expand to 12 to incorporate players such as vspan and novak so that they can develop their game and so the rox will have even more depth. I think this maybe what you are trying to say? If so, this is another thread that is similar to mikejames revisited. as if there hasn't been enough debate about that. so assuming that is what you mean, I chose no. but to go with a lineup that is tmac, yao, battier, hayes, alston, head, bonzi, snyder, howard, deke. Yes the rotation "should" be expanded to incorporate these guys. and if somehow something goes out of whack with the PG, luke/vspan, but that won't happen, it will be luke first, and pray that span will play.
LOL - as I said this does not include V-Span or Novak. You know what, I had not considered that element. So we essentially are in a race with Detroit too. Hmmmmmm, that is an interesting take. I still want to see them expand the rotation and rest the regulars some, but not at the expense of losing any games. DD
This is what I was afraid of that people bring old arguments into new threads. For the record, again....I am NOT including V-Span or Novak....this is NOT about them. It is about having a heathy rested team when the playoffs start, and maximizing the team's chances of advancing. I dislike how people bring in old arguments into new threads about entirely different subject matter. This is about the Rockets and what everyone thinks is the best for the team going into the playoffs....nothing more - no hidden agendas. DD
DD, i cannot remember but when jvg came out by saying he was sticking to an 8 man rotation, did you agree or disagree with him at the time? my point is if you agreed with him and now you want to rest them, why wouldn't you want to rest the starters throughout the season by going with a 9 or 10 man rotation like most good teams do? This way we keep a rhythm going into the playoffs, hopefully with some type of winning streak without having to change any type of minutes in the rotation? i was just curious what your thoughts were because ive always been a big believer of having a 9 or 10 man rotation in the regular season and as you get closer to the playoffs, limit it to 8 at that point.
I think there is still a small chance we get the #4 seed. I say that if we lose tonight at Phoenix then we will not get to #4. So then we can start resting our most important player: Rafer Alston.
The only guys that need to be in the rotation along with the regulars are Snyder,Bonzi when he gets fit and Jake. No V-Span,Lucas, or Novak unless absolutely neccessary.
let me just say If Yao Or Mac get injured and we were up by 15 or 20 points, I hope JVG looses his contract and never ever sees the light of the NBA!
I voted no. The playoffs is as good as clinched, but our seeding isn't. There's still a chance we could get homecourt in the first round. I don't care about homecourt, but it only serves a purpose in Game7. It's too late in the season to be making rotation experiments. Active rosters are shortened for the playoffs, so players like Vspan and Novak will be inactive for the playoffs. I do wish that starters be pulled out when we're up by 20+ at the 6min mark. I also haven't seen many games other than those on National TV, but if another team has its starters in then we should keep ours in the game as well. If we start the 4th quarter up by 20 and send in the bench then a quick 8-0 run could happen in about 2min, already giving them momentum and turning the tables on us. I don't know if JVG continues playing starters while the other team's bench is out there, but if that's the case, he needs to give them some rest at send in the bench. And for some strange reason, this thread has "Play Vspan" written all over it.
Both? Anyway, this is time the Rockets need to seriously work on the chemistry with Yao and T-Mac on the court. They looked really good at times lasat night, and they need to continue working in it. The thing about that is its not just T-Mac and Yao, but also the Luther Heads and Juwon Howards. I do think that Snyder does need to see some time since if any of our 2-3 get into foul trouble he'll more then likely replace them.
Unrealistically optimistic thinking, but true. I would "hate" to make it to the finals against Detroit or Cleveland and not have homecourt by just one or two games.
I personally think he should have been playing an expanded roster all year, but now that the team's position is set, why not play for the big prize instead of a bunch of little ones. Funny - but wrong. DD
At some point soon JVG is going to have to lower T-Mac's minutes in order to have a chance at a deep playoff run.
My answer is a definite no, you can't nothing for granted any team can get hot at any given time. We are going to need to see how Bonzi fits in with the Rafer, Bonzi, T-mac, Howard, and Yao lineup. Any team is an injury away from sliding as well as the Rockets. The teams that usually have the most succes in the playoffs are the ones who enter them rolling. Still way too early for the Rockets to give into the "lock" at the 5th seed. If the standings are similar with about a week left then they can consider it. I wonder if the Cardinals decided to take your strategy in closing out the year, what were they like 14 games ahead of the Astros with like 16 games remaining, and I think we pushed them to the last day or so.
dakota, do you think that we are the underdogs in the utah vs. rockets matchup? if think a lot of people would expect houston to win in a matchup against the jazz.
dakota, do you think that we are the underdogs in the utah vs. rockets matchup? I think a lot of people would expect houston to win in a matchup against the jazz.
If we want to matchup in size and perhaps have some offensive fire power- you will have to find minutes for Kirk and Bonzi as the situation warrants. Kirk to relieve some pressure again TMac Battier on Defense and Bonzi if we need the offensive punch. We dont have to necessarily have a 9 man rotation- but atleast should react to game time situations. If we are winning by a ton- we should let Mac relax and perhaps let Deke get a nice break before the playoffs- and use Jake instead.
