Is the Passing of the Trade Deadline Behind ROX Slump

Good reasoning as I had a hunch about this also. Some of it must be true and I think this team has started to "believe" they are one of the top teams and is taking lesser teams for granted.

 

You could be on to something. Kind of like the "new contract" effect...

 

No doubt about it. There is a significant drop off in effort now that they know they are set and going to be here for the duration.

DD

 

Rafer is thinking...phew with how badly I played this year, I thought I could be on the move. Now I know I'm safe cause no matter how badly I play JVG won't bench me.

 

This is true on so many levels and it is what spawned my lack of accountability thread.

JVG is one hypicritical guy...he holds players to different standards, fo-sure.

DD

 

I forgot to add that since Yao has been traveling and being around his teammates more, the team may have a collective sigh of relief. They think, "oh man, we really held on to the ship while he was out. Now that he is back..."

 

does anyone know the status of Francis and his supposed buyout with the knicks? i noticed in the box score he hasnt been playin lately, if so not that much... it would help fix some of our problems if we can get him back...

 

Francis is finished. Magic didn't want him and now the Knicks don't even want him. He's washed up.

 

I would take a low risk look at him if he is available.

But when he was here, I said that once his athleticism goes, he will worthless as a player.

Whereas someone like Stockton & Kidd can play forever because of their BBall IQs

DD

 

wow, it just occurred to me that it has been SO LONG since i've since francis play that it's almost hard for me to picture him.

that's it. no value added, just that.

 

I don't think the trade deadline had much affect on the rox play considering none of the rotation players were really being shopped around.(save for bonzi, but who cares)

I mean, they were obviously looking for a way to reduce Alston's minutes, but big deal.

 

He is likely out for the season and considering medical retirement.

 

i dunno but i happen to think that his career would be rejuvinated if he came back to the place where he was known as "The Franchise", as long as he would know his role on this team is to be a role player...

 

possible. Actually I was thinking about the same thing the other night.

 

jvg has been harping about rockets play dropping off for some time. he needs to bite the bullet and drop some guys down the rotation. deke needs a game off to re-charge. also starting vspan doesn't mean he has to play more than 5 minutes. it's time to send a message.

vspan, rafer
tmac, bonzi
battier, novak
hayes, jho
jake

 

If the lacsidasical play keeps up I wouldn't be surprised if JVG makes this adjustment. Yao coming back soon has definitely had a mental affect on the team. This is why JVG doesn't heap praise in his press conferences, same rational. T-Mac needs to pull a Larry Bird imitation and call out his team mates, only thing is I saw several plays last night where it appeared that even he was taking plays off. Your leader cannot do this and expect the team not to follow.

 

Besides Tmac that may be one of the worst starting lineups in league history.