[New York Sun] Jazz, Rockets Find Success Without Blockbuster Trades

It's a good article, but I'm sure the author knew it might be premature; either the Spazz or the Rox could make a trade by this time next week. Blockbuster trades, however, are unlikely for either club.

If there is any problem I have, it's a point that Kenny Smith made, and I do agree: the Rockets are not better without Tracy but they aren't much better WITH him.

McGrady looks like he's going through the motions out there, with horrible shooting percentages, no defense. Some assists, yes, but if there's a worry, is how much he wants to be here. That's $19 million dollars of malingering and apathy, and, you know, when he's in the game, that ball movement just STOPS sometimes. And even when he's sucking, as he has recently, Adelman has no choice but to keep him in there, lest we run into a coach-star controversy.

 

Actually a terrific article for an out-of-towner. On the money on most points, except for - most notably - we didn't get Carl Landry from the D-league. I think it's crucial that we pass them in the standings so we don't have to play them 4 times in Utah. None of the games were that close in Utah during last year's playoff series.

 

an overall good article. but landry was never sent down (fact) and utah will not be the #1 seed (fact, too ).

 

Dunno, Utah is as hot as Houston, and doesnt seem to have the weakness that the Rockets have right now. Though all that really says is that the Jazz will finish with a better record than the Rockets. Only a game or so ahead of them.

The fact that the Rockets have gained at least 2 games on everyone ahead of them(and 3 or 4 on some) over the last 10 is encouraging.

 

feel not good when i saw some rox players succeed in other teams and successful players strayed being rockets. i really like scola. he fit in very well and is a very important factor if we want to go further in post season. it's great if we could trade players like him. otherwise why need trades.

 

I agree. And I think this Rockets team's offense will come alive in the playoffs. The offense is there, they just seem to be getting by right now. But, notice, when the playoffs became a problem the Rockets started slaughtering people. And the Rockets are scoring right now without T-Mac in full game shape and Bonzi struggling. Come playoff times, the experience and desperation of Bonzi and James (contracts, futures) will come into play I think and they will blossom in the postseason. Both are postseason performers.

 

The number 1 weakness for the Rox hopefully as they enter the playoffs is a backup point guard. Yao mans the center spot, the 3 headed PF spot isn't truly a major weakness anymore with the ability of Landry and Scola to hit the open jumper, both Battier and Tmac will hold their own, and at this part of the season we are not going to make a major move on a starting point guard.
I don't see Brooks with the ability to hold his own in the playoffs just yet. Either James is going to have to step it up big time or we need to make a minor move and pick up a veteran PG to give Alston some pine time who can either hit the open 3 or can drive and set Yao up for some easy shots so everything he has to do is not overly contested like last year.

 

and our backup PG is....Kirk Snyder ROFL!