As i look at the Rox situation this season, its kinda glass half full,half empty type of thing. I'm disappointed most by the last 2 games, but not really because of the players playing. I'm disappointed because the Rox really didn't get better in the offseason eventhough they had mle, but they had expiring contracts that could have been used for something instead of just released. Going forward from here is all the Rox can do now. First, getting healthy is priority #1. That goes without saying looking at the players on the dl. Looking at it though, Deke,Barry,Yao, and Rafer have been durable, but Anderson and Sura have been injury prone all their careers. I didn't think a 31yr Anderson was atheletic or a decent scorer anymore, but thats me. Second, get Tracy some help. Thats easier said than done also, but they need to get him off the ball somehow, someway. Even with the injuries he should sometimes be a play finisher and not a play starter. It will probably get a little better when Rafer gets back, but right now its looks like the weight is really wearing him down. I also like the notion of keeping him inside the 3pt line kind of like that mid post offense they were doing with him. Realizing that team are going to double him, Tracy is just going to have to attack to keep the team in some games. Third, play new energy. I like the recent play of Graham and Baxter. If nothing else they're playing hard and giving effort. Graham if nothing else should split time with Bowen maybe at least he can finish some plays eventhough Bowen is doing what he do. Head also should get his share of minutes and as much as i hate to say it, Moochie probably should start and Wesley should slide back to his off guard spot. It would probably free wesley up to get more offense which would help some. Moochie probaly can help Tracy become more of a play finisher also. Many people want to fire the coach and trade this player or that player. The Rox need to stay in the hunt until the troops get back. By any means.
Put simply, the Rockets have a talent deficit at the role player level. For one thing they need a SHOOTER, a real, deadeye, 45-50%, money type of shooter to consistently punish double teams. A two legged stool won't stand up, Ming and TMac need one more leg. And the Rockets need a tenacious rebounder that lives for rebounds, dreams of rebounds, goes after them with abandon. The existing "fillers" would then be tolerable. Right now, Father Time has dealt the team a bad hand.
Actually, i think they need someone who can get their own shot more so than a Eric P. type of guy. It seems like those guys are only bit players. As for the rebounder everyone wants, it can be a team rebounder type team and be successful. Ming gets 9,Howard gets 6, Tracy gets 6, thats fine as long as its consistent with it. I would like to have Etan thomas, but i don't think washington will give him up.
Tracy needs to be the player that can create his own shot, setting up the deadeye shooter. He has to be the person who helps himself. Unfortunately, the past few games that I've watched, he's been content to jack them up from 18+ feet and not try to get into the lane. There's no tenacity or intensity from anyone on the team. I agree it's too early to talk about blowing things up, but there has to be an internal spark somewhere.
