Just wanted to know, given the precariousness of our current position, what people in here would think if we just missed making the Dance this year...
I went with the first option... tough, but these past three seasons have been hard. I suppose I grew used to the big fella taking us to the post-season every year. In a way, this will be the least disappointing miss, if we don't get there. We've challenged the whole way, and next year looks better. I appreciate Dream more than ever though. Oh, and I always say/type "we" too!
As for myself, despite the lack of a draft pick, I went with the 2nd last..A team this young, introducing a new franchise player, and now with Rudy's illness...well, I can see that the future looks brilliant of we can sort out HOW we play, as opposed to HOW WELL...
Yes, because we have the talent to be there. If we don't we've underachieved. And... Some loss, some gain...breaks even in the end.
I think you should add an extra option that reads "yes because the Rockets need the playoff experience." Although I'm fairly certain we would be dealt with in the 1st round, if we're lucky we can stretch a series to 6 games and you've obviously got to start somewhere. And there is no better time than now, just to say you've made it and you have something to build on, all to possibly make it to the 2nd round next season. And who knows if the Rockets are playing well they could right the ship against Dallas, I wonder when Finley is supposed to return. That'd be a huge loss for them to not have their 3rd best player. Lafrentz and Bradley are really incredibly soft and weak inside, if only Najera we're 6'10, he'd be they're savior but sadly for Mavs fans, he is undersized. He's listed at 6'8 but I think more like 6'6.
2 - Houston's roster is much improved from the one that almost took us to the playoffs two seasons ago. - The biggest weakness this team needed to improve upon in the offseason was defense. At the start of the season it appeared, at least to me, they dramatically improved in that facet of the game. But it has since dispersed. - Yao Ming. Whatever you have to say about him a 7'5 guy with game should help your team. He has played great for this team all season and didn't miss ONE game due to injury. Although his last two games have been difficult to watch I do expect him to bounce back. - Bottom half of the conference is weak. Lakers are playing like garbage till the playoffs roll around, and Phoenix is only getting consistency from Marbury. ________________ If they don't make the playoffs I wouldn't take a hammer to the roster because I do believe this team could improve on its chemistry. Another season together would be nice. But the playoffs are very much in reach for this team.
Win lose or draw, this has been one hell of an interesting season. With the West as absolutely stacked as it is (Texas may have three teams in the playoffs!), I don't count it as a failure. I like our players and I wish them the best. But there's a lot of great, interesting teams vying for the prize. Somebody's gotta go down. Let's hope it's the Suns!
It will only prove that you cant develop a Center Dominated Team and a Guard Dominated Team at the same time.Lets us hope that they have learned by the mistakes and that next season will be more productive with a few adjustments to the Roster.
I voted second to last as well. While the raw talent is obviously there, we still need a good bit more seasoning before we are ready to be playoff caliber.
I was the 5th person to vote #6 You didn't have a choice for: How is a team on the bubble supposed to make the playoffs without their head coach? Larry Smith is not Rudy T. You can see that in his substiution pattern most prominently. And I don't mean last night with Cato and Ming. Cato deserved to be in the game, he was having a great game and Ming wasn't quick enough to guard Hilario and Camby. j
Voted #1. This season has been amazing but without making the playoffs, you're basically at the bottom half of the league. Definitely a failure.
That's weird. I never voted on this poll but when I go to the thread, it shows me the voting results. Hmmm? Can an Administrator tell me what I voted for?
You b*stard...clearly you voted for 6, and are trying to squirm your way out of having to own up...I suppose you will claim that the whole thing was a complete blackout for you...
Yes. Unequivicably. To reiterate my thoughts from a previous thread: We really need to make the playoffs this year. I can't believe I am seeing some people say it would be better if we don't make the playoffs. Aside from the fact that we have no lottery pick this year, this team needs PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE. The only way we are going to get that is to make the playoffs. It doesn't matter if we play badly in the first round. We need that experience of being there as a team, similar to the Rockets in '93, getting beat by Seattle in the playoffs helped prepare them for the title run the next year. Missing the playoffs and sitting at home will do nothing.
Of course I voted 6. You made it too easy. Then I read the thread. Ok, real answer - 2. Rox did NOT make necessary changes to retool the team around Yao BECAUSE they felt they needed to win some now, even with bad basketball. Without the wins, they have wasted their opportunities and talent and poisioned the future. Griffin, Francis, Mobley, Moochie, Posey - all have needed a good ass kicking this year. The "spare the rod - spoil the child" syndrome has set in and now we have brat ball. Mr. Mean can't undo it with a few grinch faces and locker room speeches. Heads must roll.
I voted for #2, but I wish there was an option for- 7) "yes, we should make the playoffs because we have the talent, need the experience to build on and sell season tickets to the new arena, and the ClutchCity BBS will implode over the summer if we don't". I guess that would have been a little long-winded.
I am torn on this, to start the season I would have said absolutely. I had hoped that there would have been more progress in the returning players and that anything we got from Yao would have been a plus. Of course, I also thought that this would be the year that the Jazz fell off and I didn't think the suns would be in it this long. Given a little perspective I would have to say that even though I would be dissappointed if they didn't make the playoffs, I could understand it. I have been extraordinarily happy with steve's development over the second half of the season. Yao has been everything we asked for and more. Mo is rounding back into form and at least looking like a tradeable commodity. And Cato has been a godsend after his long drughazed rocket beginning. On the downside, Cat has not shown the promise he exhibited last year. Eddie Griffin's development seems to be painfully slow. And Moochie is not the third guard solution that Carrol Dawson believed he was when he signed him to the longterm contract. If next year we were to miss the playoffs, it would be devestating to the upper brass of the Rockets and the team on the floor. If we were to miss the playoffs this year, I think it would only be considered a bump in the long and winding road.
even if we miss the playoffs I wouldn't necessarily call it a "lost" season. Do you know how much we improved since last year? You could definitely tell that the atmosphere surrounding Houston Rockets basketball in the city has shifted for the better. Also, bringing in a high-profile foreign player (Yao Ming), and everything that he has brought to this ball club is incredible. I haven't seen anyone that has played that much ball than he has...it's plain incredible that he's out there giving his hall although he's in a slump right now. Everyone has slumps, even Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and etc.....IMHO, he has done a magnificent job on transitioning to this country, and to the NBA style of basketball. Now next year is going to be entirely different with the new arena. I expect there to be dozens of sell-out crowds...which will no dount give the Houston Rockets organization MORE excitement.
