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Larry Smith is not a one-thousandth bad as everyone says he is

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by DJ, Mar 25, 2003.

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  1. DJ

    DJ Member

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    Every since Rudy got this bladder infection, everyone seems to be criticizing Larry Smith. Since Smith became the acting coach, we have been able to stay in games. The game against Sacramento, for instance, resulting in us almost stealing a victory away from the Kings. Another thing that Smith did was limit Steve and Yao's minutues in a game that was prematurely decided - the Clippers' game. This would Steve and Yao to rest up for the up-coming big game - against the Lakers.
    You mean to tell that you guys can criticize Smith when the Rockets did something that they had trouble doing - beating the Clippers and almost making a come for behind game to be in the Kings in their home floor! Please!
     
    #1 DJ, Mar 25, 2003
  2. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    Ah know, after the first few loses on the road trip with Larry and the helm I thought he did a poor coaching job. But after seeing the team win a few games I think he is much better. ;)
     
    #2 Deuce, Mar 25, 2003
  3. DJ

    DJ Member

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    The first few loses were on the road so it is not to say that Larry Smith would just come in as our coach and all of a sudden all of our road problems are gone. If anything, Larry Smith should earn a lot of credit. He coached us to an almost blow-out victory over the Clippers, a team who has beaten us the last 5 times prior to our win and we almost upsetted the Kings in Arco Arena, a task that even the best teams in the NBA would have trouble doing.
     
    #3 DJ, Mar 25, 2003
  4. codell

    codell Member

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    Keep in mind we were a couple of missed FTs away (a good Sacramento team) from being 3-2 on the trip (which would be considered a HUGE success).
     
    #4 codell, Mar 25, 2003
  5. Yetti

    Yetti Member

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    It looks like he is realy getting the hang of things and will bring his own personality to bear upon the team. Go Rox!
     
    #5 Yetti, Mar 25, 2003
  6. RC Cola

    RC Cola Member

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    ESPN News talked about Larry being a head coach sometime in the future, possibly in Houston. (I don't know if they meant over Rudy, though.) They said he has the raw skills and led Houston to a 2-3 WEST COAST road trip, which is pretty good. Plus, as mentioned, we lost by only 1 to the Kings. Ric Bucher gave him a lot of credit.

    Kind of off-topic, but they also asked Ric if Yao-Steve would be a championship combination, and he said yes, but it depends on Steve. He said Steve had played very well these past few games, (IIRC, it was like 20ppg and 8apg in the past 9 games.) and can take the load of scoring like in the Kings game or take only 5 shots like in the Clipps game. He is just trying to get his guys involved.

    Wow, I actually heard a lot of GOOD things about the Rox on ESPN News.:D
     
    #6 RC Cola, Mar 25, 2003
  7. heypartner

    heypartner Member

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    Who's "everyone?" I guess this is the same "everyone" demanding to fire Rudy and trade Mobley for Jon Barry. hmmm, I could be mistaken you with another "everyone," but haven't I seen you included in that latter "everyone" DJ?

    What "you guys?" Are you talking about the entire BBS?
     
    #7 heypartner, Mar 25, 2003
  8. DJ

    DJ Member

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    I said everyone because I have seen many people on the BBS criticizing Smith. I hadn't hear one good thing about him prior to now. I say "you guys" meaning that most of the people who commented about Smith had bad things to say about him. I would never say everyone wants to trade Mobley or fire Rudy because I see some threads that say not to.
     
    #8 DJ, Mar 25, 2003
  9. LiTtLeY1521

    LiTtLeY1521 Member

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    Yes. You're right. He has done some things that can be criticized. But it's a very tough job. And he has done a fairly good job. He somehow got to Posey and got them to play defense. And not a terrible job.
     
    #9 LiTtLeY1521, Mar 25, 2003
  10. LiTtLeY1521

    LiTtLeY1521 Member

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    Also...Larry Smith has been very creative and has designed many neat plays at the end of the game and has been successful...
     
    #10 LiTtLeY1521, Mar 25, 2003
  11. haven

    haven Member

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    So far, Larry Smith has outperformed Rudy, if you just count team performance. Look at our road record prior to him. If we'd been winning 40% of those games, the playoffs would be just about a certainty.

    I'm not saying he's a better coach than Rudy. 5 games doesn't tell you jack ****. But all things considered, he's done pretty well so far.
     
    #11 haven, Mar 25, 2003
  12. RunninRaven

    RunninRaven Member
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    I certainly like Larry's substitution patterns a lot better than Rudy's. He seems to go more by how well everyone is playing rather than following a certain routine. Larry puts the players that are performing on the floor while Rudy tends to put players on the floor that he feels work together better. I don't know if Larry's method is better long term or not, but I do like seeing the difference.
     
    #12 RunninRaven, Mar 25, 2003
  13. Nova

    Nova Member

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    Yeah, Larry Smith has done an excellent job as temp coach. At least he hasn't screwed this team up like crazy and gone 0-5 on the road trip. I'm not sure whether the way he does substitutions is better or not.. I certainly like it. Go with those who you are getting the best production out of. RT is to go more with the tried and true. But yeah, 5 games says nothing. You need AT LEAST half a season with a team and key players that have been together at least a season..
     
    #13 Nova, Mar 26, 2003
  14. timm

    timm Member

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    #14 timm, Mar 26, 2003
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