That's 30-15. Can you say winning streak? Well, if we play Golden State, Chicago and Dallas in each of the next 45 games I'd say anything less than 42-3 would be a disappointment. With that said, good game tonight. Best news is seeing Kenny Thomas and Steve Francis produce -- that pumps me up. Hard to explain this, but seeing Carlos Rogers, Kenny Thomas, Steve Francis, Cuttino and Drew play well and even win right now I am all for. I never said tank games but I think putting all the young guys on the floor is going to result in several losses, but they're going to grow. What I don't want is us manufacturing wins with Matt Bullard starting and heaving up 8 shots per quarter. I don't care to see significant minutes night in and night out go to any player not in our future plans. We're not good enough to make any noise in the playoffs so every single thing we should be doing is for the future. Play the young guys and let them play their hearts out ... I think losses are going to come (as they have) just as these guys get experience. I am for the lottery pick, as everyone pretty much knows. Will was using 10 years as an exaggeration to make a point, but lets get the inexperienced players the experience even though we will lose games and continue to stockpile talent. Looking at our situation from all angles, I think the team is potentially going to make serious noise in 2001-2002.
Will....Tell me if im wrong or not Does this have to do with this year and maybe a fear that with Hakeem coming back, and Cato due back soon, that Rox are uncapable of getting a good lottery selection short of luck? Seriously dictating where the rox may stand over the next few years?
As far as I am concerned, the Rockets haven't had any long periods of futility. In the years since 1986, the Rockets have only sucked for about 3 and 1/2 of them . I want us to compete again very soon.
I have to say that I don't think the scenarios given thus far have been realistic. My understanding though is that the question is whether an extended trip to the lottery is preferable to respectability with no championships. For me I would choose the respectability over the lottery. 10 or even 8 years in the lottery sounds too much like Mavericks or the Clippers. The key to championship teams is not an extended stay in the lottery garnering loads of high first round picks. The key to success in the lottery is selecting players that with both the skill and desire to win, implementing a system that allows them to succeed and filling in with proven complimentary role players. Teams that historically spend periods of a decade in the lottery seem to live there after awhile. I would hate to see that happen with the Rockets. Besides the Rockets were doing a bang up job of retooling on the fly before all the injuries hit. Without all the bad luck we probably wouln't be discussing this. I think they are off to a good start on rebuilding and I don't see them being in the lottery for even 5 years let alone 8 or 10. I think respectability (i.e. The playoffs) will come soon (2-3 years max.) and if they get the proper players/chemistry in place the Rockets will at least make the finals again within the 8 or 10 Will proposed. [This message has been edited by JT (edited January 18, 2000).]
I've already put in my two cents on this one, but I want to say it again. If the Rockets followed either course, I'd probably stop watching basketball after a couple of years. Maybe I'd get some work done at the office; spend more time with my wife. If the Rockets want my money (or advertising dollars aimed at me) then they'll have to produce a better product than that!
I think I am at a minority here. If I HAVE to choose one, I will choose (A). I watch basketball because I love the game and I love the competition. For me to watch the Rockets suck for 8 or 9 years is very painful. I love the Rockets is because they are my home team, kind of like family. IMHO, if you don't get into even 1 playoff with all these high picks, you are obviously not trying very hard (players and/or mgmt). Winning the big one is great (I never thought I would see one in Houston), but I did not watch and love Rocketball because that's all I want. I want to see desire, I want to see heart, I want to see competitiveness. Yes, the ultimate goal of any competition is to win the championship. But I think we've put way too much emphasis in that. That is why our kids don't enjoy the game itself that much anymore. "You are not a winner unless you win it all!" How can you enjoy something if you worry about being a loser? Why do you think we have the Special Olymics? Do you think the ones that didn't win are called upon as losers? They have the Special Olymics for the joy of competition. NBA is a business, I know that. But since we don't "own" the business, shouldn't we enjoy for what it is? A competition. I am not trying to demean any of you who wants to have "bragging rights", but is this the main reason you watch and support Rocket ball? I want the Rockets to win every single season as much as you guys/gals do, but to me a championship is just the cherry on top of my ice cream (actually, I don't care much for cherries, but...). Rockets playing competitive baseketball is the ice cream for me. If we play competitively, I just can't see why we won't make the playoff at least 30% of the time. If the Rockets don't make the playoff for 8 or 9 years, that tells me that no efforts have been put in place, and I can't root for a team that puts out no effort, even though they are family. If we put out the effort and yet we still lose, I accept that. Like I said, I am at a minority here. Again, I didn't mean to call anyone out, it's just the way I see things and the way I enjoy basketball, especially Rocketball.
