Big Man upstairs knows I am enjoying the hell out of all the Van Gundy haters squirming in their seats as the crow pie is being gobbled up my moderators and posters alike... Nevertheless, we are not THAT good. We are missing that big PF that is going to absolutely kill us in the playoffs. We need some beef to play with the big boys in the Big Tournament in a couple of months. But didn't we say that in 1995? Didn't we say the same thing when all we had was a finesse player named Robert Horry on the team? Wasn't he the one that was going to get killed by two PF's who will go down in history as maybe the two best ever? Malone and Barkley were our nightmares, weren't they? In their prime. In all their glory. And still, Horry did an adequate job of holding down the job. Enough to let Dream and Drexler do their thing. So, maybe we shouldn't get toooooo giddy about this 8 game streak. I have to say that I am enjoying the squirming. Unless... Howard is going to be our Horry this year. How far can we really go? You know...Shaq is AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL the way over there in Miami.
Well.. yah there are some scary things to think about.. If Strickland is our only backup at the point, opposing defenses are going to jump on him mercilessly.. they guy has trouble dribbling right now.. so far, the defending 1's don't seem to have made any concerted effort to jump on him and cause a streak of turnovers, but you can bet that will change in the playoffs.. meaning that Bob Sura better get plenty of rest now, because he is going to have to carry an even greater load.. so the fear is that he breaks down at the worst possible time. Perhaps Barret will step up, but why has JVG suddenly decided to stop using him in favor of Rod? That's all an iffy situation. Biggest deal though, from what it looks like to me at least, is that TMac seems to be wearing down. He has been having to play a TON of minutes, and it looks like all his nagging little injuries have started to wear on him. The last handful of games, he has been grimacing in pain between plays, at time-outs, etc.. he has not been moving with the same easy fluidity.. I worry that his back is starting to cause him some serious trouble.. obviously JVG has been making an effort to rest him and take some of the minutes off him.. of course, when he is not out there, the offense is just anywhere near where it is with him in. Hopefully he can hold up, or get recharged, or whatever. If we do manage to make a deal for D. Anderson, that should be the primary role for him - spelling TMac. Nothing against Ryan Bowen, but the guy is just not an offensive threat. I think that if he came in in that role (TMac relief), then it might not negatively impact the mystical 'chemistry' everyone is so happy about. Other than that, I think we are in good shape. We are definitely getting scary for other teams in the West. Dallas, San Antonio, Sacramento (never mind that stupid shot by CWeb that miraculously went in).. Teams still left out there who we have not yet proved we can readily beat - Memphis, and of course Seattle and Phoenix - those teams will be the best barometers of where we really are, and how we might fare in the playoffs. The rapidly-approaching game against the Sonics, and later on the Suns, should be circled in red on the calendars. If we show well when we play them, and even come away with some wins, then the West will be on notice: don't take ANYTHING for granted this year, against us. (crossing fingers now)
Haha... at first, I was going to agree with you on how we should temper our excitement a little (after all, we do have a very tough March schedule), but I think YOU were getting a little too giddy, thinking that this team could duplicate the miracle that was the 1995 Rockets. I think people are just excited because for the first time in about 7 years, we're actually seeing a team play successful WINNING basketball, that's fun to watch, and its all happened soooooo fast. If anything, being able to do this without the benefit of a real talented roster should make everyone even more giddy... because if they get just a good PF with talent (and, of course, he can't disrupt the chemistry)... they'll be loaded.
Reality- We are playing very well. Reality- We cannot afford big injuries Reality- We have to maintain everything we are doing to compensate for our weaknesses. Reality- Someone has to win the championship and if we are playing this well come playoffs we will have our shot. Giddiness- We are the best team in the league. Reality- We are playing as well as anyone right now and if we continue to play this way and avoid serious injuries or nagging injuries we will compete for the championship this season, may not win it, but we will be tough. This team is playing very good basketball right now.
As I wrote on another thread: no team wins them all, slumps are always possible, and the upcoming schedule is brutal. With these qualifiers in mind it seems permissable to experience a few moments of giddyness. For one thing, we can all see the potential of this team. Sura and Howard have been keys. An upgrade at PG and PF while retaining both could take the team to the next level. However, when they play like they did last night, who can't they beat? The chemistry of the present group is really something to see. I haven't seen a group of Rockets click like this in years. And Ming looks happier than he has ever been as a Rocket. We are assured of smiles for at least another week. It is good to be a Rocket's fan right now.
Hey not only Barkley and Malone but Horry beat Rodman too and Horace Grant had 3 rings and was considered a top power forward too.
Strickland is one of the better PGs in NBA history. He's still working into game shape. If Rod Strickland's ball handling is our biggest weakness, we've got a hell of a team. Further, the roster makeup make it moot. Wesley is capable of handling the ball, as is Jon Barry, and when it comes crunch time in the playoffs, everyone knows plenty well that the ball will be in TMac's hands. Three guys other than Sura and Strickland (and Barrett) that can take care of things. Almu- I agree. I want to see JVG coach a team that has the capability to execute this well in the playoffs.
Let's enjoy it. If they can r nearly keep this up and do respectully in the playoffs, lLike they did last year, I submit, they will have accomplished their goal and become a free agent magnet. Yao's development is still the key and this is looking goo, too.. That is enough for this year, but let's hope fo rmore. A month nor so of playoffs should would be exciting.
We havent beat any "contending" teams during this 8 game streak. BOS, PHI, MINN, LAL (minus Kobe), CHI, IND, PORT, WASH. Im happy we won, but we SHOULD have beat all of these teams. I may feel more comfortable if we didnt blow double digit leads in 3 of the last 5 games. The upcoming schedule is grueling. 11-15 on the road, and a lot of tough opponents left on the schedule as well. I knew this was the time to establish a foot hold in the playoff standings, and I am happy we followed through with it. At the beginning of the season I knew chemistry would be a problem for us, and I would be happy with this season if we could sneak into the playoffs. I just hope we dont blow it now. Dont get too high, dont get too low. One game at a time fellas.
... yeah, Almu, I don't think very many of us have forgotten that thread. I was very surprised when you wrote it. It's hard to respond to this thread without first addressing the other. (Thanks, Clutch! ... wish we had "search" too. In fact, many of us would pay for that. But, of course, we're so appreciative of all you do here, and glad for what we have.) <b>But, we all got worried there for a bit ... </b> ... and we know you LOVE the Rockets, and Van Grumpy. And, we're all excited right now, too, and not wanting to say too much, for fear of jinxing it. lol
Giddy? I'm thinking that if we don't get a bad injury and Yao doesn't go into a late season swoon, we should be playing for a home court spot in the playoffs. I'm thinking we will take either Dallas' or Seattle's spot.
that's cause we beat the contenders in January ...last time I checked all of those teams, except for Portland, are in the playoffs or in the playoff "hunt"
All I know is that both Juwon and Horry look like Will Smith. Using that logic, we should be giddy all over.
I would like to see this team get out of the first round of the playoffs. That would be great for this franchise, particularly after the big trade. And I think it's very, very possible.
I did make that quote. But still stood by Van Gundy. Never relented in my belief. I did say maybe. I said if. I said could be. Obviously, I was wrong for being a little scared. It was a scary time. Now, to do what 90 percent of the people on this board do just because he doesn't drink and smile for the camera...thats where I get my most joy. Seeing those people sweat. Now, if we could only get some nice front page praise of the coach on this site, well... I am not too giddy. I would be happy with a 5th seed and a second rounder. I believe in steps. Step one was last year. This is step two. And there are 2 more steps after this year.
