I believe this team is as good as we thought, but they are not performing and playing like they are. I also agree with the whole, when we win, people think we are invincible, and when we lose, the sky is falling. Kind of annoying, but what do you expect from over-dramatic fans? I dislike when people say "role player." Everyone has a role, Tracy has a role, Yao has a role. I think perhaps most people mean a "secondary role player." I know it's the common thing to say a role player is basically a non-star, but it just bugs me, haha. Stupid, I know. -T
You'd rather have a team full of T.O. types and winning than a team full of good people and being subpar? I'm sorry, but I wouldn't support a team like that. Of course, I like winning and all, but I want it done the right way. I don't want this city to sell its soul just to produce the Oakland Raiders or the Jailblazers. But this is beside the point because the Rockets are a bunch of good guys and Bonzi is relatively kept in check. My bigger disagreement comes with your selective memory that the Rockets didn't give Bonzi a chance. We did, he screwed up. A rotation formed and as we all know, JVG and most coaches like a 8-9 rotation. Those guys who have made the 8-9 rotation have earned their spots, including your boy Snyder. In the beginning, JVG asked Deke and Juwan to take a seat so Bonzi and V-Span could play. Well those two f-ed up, and Deke and Juwan earned their way in. Too bad.
The Rockets are a good team and JVG is a good coach. Our defense is one of the best in the league and that's our mantra. So really everything hinges on our offense. Yao and Tmac are great. Battier is solid for what he does. What this team desperately needs though to put it over the top is at minimum, at least 1 more player that can create their own shot (and get to the FT line). With Battier and Hayes starting at the forward spots that means the PG is that guy. And Rafer is NOT that guy. If this team could get 1 or 2 more guys that could create their own shot that would really open this team up offensively. It would really limit the number of offensive lulls we have and you couple that with our defense and that would put us over the top. Just to use as an example, what if in the offseason you were able to do a Sura+JL3 trade for Mike James. And then you were able to sign Grant Hill to a MLE type deal (low years). That's TWO players that can create their own shot and shoot high percentage. And Hill is relatively healthy these days. It would give you a team like this PG: James / Alston SG: Tmac / Head SF: Battier / Hill PF: Hayes / Howard C: Yao / Deke Additionally, getting guys like James and Hill means that they can handle the basketball effectively and then allow Tmac to play off the ball where he can become an even more dangerous threat on the perimeter. Imagine in the 2nd unit playing guys like Head and Hill in the backcourt so Hill can handle the ball and leaving Head able to roam around shooting 3ptrs. Basically, you get options. Guys that are quick, can handle the ball, can penetrate and force the defense to react. Just something to think about.
And answer me this, Luffy. If you were the coach of the Rockets who would be in your rotation? It seems like you want every single Rocket to play. Why don't you announce how many players would be in your rotation if you were coach and who these players would be. I'm curious to know who you'd kick out since you seem to always favor any and everyone who's pining the bench.
OK, stop trying to be deceptive. We know you're a JVG hater. Title threads accurately: this one is actually "Fire JVG IV!!!!!!!!!". Lie. Yao can't create offense. He's just a scorer. Get him the ball and he gives you points. The most offense he creates is passing out of a double team. And Rafer Alston creates offense for other teammates. You just hate him because of his bad field goal percentage. As long as we're nitpicking, let's get our facts straight. Obligatory "look at other teams" quote. Our role players can score points too. Shane Battier, Luther Head, Juwan Howard, Kirk Snyder. But of course you're nitpicking about "creating offense", and now it has turned to "only TMac and Yao can score." Which, of course, is a lie. Lie. Lie, lie, lie. This team has plenty of offensive plays. Pick and roll plays for Juwan's midrange jumper, PnRs that get Chuck Hayes layups, Give-and-go plays between a big (Yao/Juwan) and a 2-guard (Luther/Kirk) that result in a layup or a dunk, Juwan iso plays on the post, etc. etc. And you can't complain about our threes either: this team was built to shoot the 3-ball. And we're the second best in the league at it, behind only Phoenix. And let's get back to your original statement: NO, we shouldn't be scoring 100+ every night. This is a defensive team: our identity is patently defensive. The Spurs don't score 100+ a night and they have multiple championships. The Heat didn't score 100+ a night and they won last year. The most prolific offensive team in the league, the Suns are still looking for a championship. Quit whining about offense. This statement here is so ignorant, I don't think I should even bother with it. You obviously spend a lot more time reading hype and message board posts than actually watching games. Another lie.... And yet another deceptive statement. In other words, "even when Rafer is hitting is shots, he's always making bad decisions." This is untrue. Hate Rafer for his inconsistent shot all you want. This is not true. Rafer's decision making has NOT been a weak point of his for a long time. He does make mistakes, but more often than not he's playing good defense and not turning the ball over. (Of course, the only thing you can remember is the last game, so you can't comprehend this.) Since you're trying really hard to paint yourself as a Shane hater: let's compare Shane Battier and a similar starting player from a proven championship team: Bruce Bowen. I'm sure you'd rather take Bruce's offensive game. Of course, you didn't waste the opportunity to pile on Juwan because of his recent shooting slump, even though he has played so well throughout the year. LIE. Bonzi averaged 13.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in the playoffs. And you want to play Bonzi even though our defense suffers woefully every time he's on the floor and his field goal percentage has been awful at best? Of course, talent is more important than hustle and good coaching. That's why Memphis, Boston and Atlanta are three of the best teams in the league right now. You forgot to add your real conclusion: "Fire GUMPY!" Pfft.
Addendum to the above post: I believe the question "is this team as good as we thought?" is a valid question, and one worthy of the discussion. The intellectual dishonesty of the thread starter is just disgusting, that's all. It was a thinly disguised "fire JVG" statement and nothing more -- thankfully the posters replying did not bite.
Just out of curiosity, what is our record when Bonzi plays? 12-15 Right. So what exactly are we sacrificing by putting him on the bench?
sigh. once again... Bonzi is not a superstar, or even a star or an offensive juggernaut. the playoffs are about matchups, and he matches up well in certain situations. We like to score in the paint. His precense on the floor will add more strain to team defenses. It might just give tmac the crack he needs to get to the rim, or prevent full double teams on Yao. These are the small differences between good teams and great teams. Why is this so hard to understand.
I thought Bonzi would be good for 14 and 6 this year. I thought he would at least be motivated by the prospects of landing a big contract next year.
I agree 100% about JVG The role players are an issue for me too. I like the few role players, but that is all the rockets have. They are not gonna get it done with only 2 players who can score. A team needs multiple talented player, not just "role" player. Shane and Chuck are great, but the rockets need more starters that can score and are athletic.
I neer did think that this team was as good as Dallas, San Antonio, etc. so this team is as good as I thought it was.
Yes!! Every bit as good!!! They will make the playoffs, an improvement over last season! Of course that isn't saying much!
Are they as good as I thought? Yes, the Rockets are a middle of the pack playoff team. Good team, not great or elite. Not as good as the Spurs, Suns, or Mavs. On par with Jazz, but little bit better than Nuggets and Lakers. There is pretty much no one after Yao and T-mac, I know some will say that we can win with two-superstars, but that is only pipe dream. Because like every other team in the west has like a superstar with all stars and great role players.
Some people are blinded by hate and are too dense to figure out the great job JVG has done this year...or are just Rudy puppets.
