1. Less pain resulted from watching ugly bball. 2. More chances to make changes to the system (coaching, play style and players) in the offseason. 3. Less chance to give out fat contracts to some players who THINK they are good. 4. More time for Ming to rest and start bodybuilding. 5. Good hard blow to SF and Cat's ego ( isn't that the most wonderful things can happen to them?) No playoff for the Rockets! No playoff for the Rockets! Now senior members, spank me!
I see your point. What happens if the Rockets don't make the playoffs and upper management just uses the excuse that this team didn't have enough time to gel. As a result no major changes are made. NOW THAT WOULD REALLY SUCK ASS!!!!
The only real positive that I can see about not making the playoffs (we aren't out yet!) is that it would serve as a massive wake up call to all those involved (players, coaches, etc...). It might even motivate them to work on their weaknesses over the off-season.
Some people place hope on Rudy next season. He is a great person and great Rocket. But I have this question for a while: Hasn't Larry Smith been learning from Rudy for freaking 13 years? Eeither Larry is a dumb student or Rudy is NOT a good teacher or doesn't have much to teach! Rudy, please get well. 99.9% chance you will be the head coach next year. BUT the Rockets MUST bring in some decent assistant coaches.
The Rockets could aquire another first round pick through trade, and keep their own pick, if necessary. Raven
I see where ur getting,almostReady. I think what this team need is a major change(same old,same old...).The most obvious would be to get a new coach,and by that I don't mean Rudy,but someone who knows how to run TEAM OFFENSE! I would LOVE that too!(please trade Moochie or Cat for a pic!) ALA
Let Rudy rest, bring in Van Gundy or even Calvin Murphy (I just want to see if he'll will wear even wilder outfits than he does now.) Van Gundy: More about teamwork and defense Murphy: Knows who should have the ball, plus he might scare the other teams with his suits...
Maybe if they got in the finals they might get a sniff and try harder next season.. also the finals experience would be good for the majority of the players
How many assistants go on to have a career like that of their successful head coaches? I think it's more of a personality issue. Everyone wanted Rudy to be a yeller and screamer, more of a hardass. Smith fits that mold more than Rudy and it hasn't worked out. I don't think the players have the confidence in him.
you obviously havent been here for 4 years waiting patiently to see the rox get in! i know they will get stomped by the mavs IF they get in, but i just want to get in damnit!!! it used to be a given that the rox would be in the playoffs, but now we are no better than the clippers or the cavs. ARRRGGGHH!!! i want playoffs!
I'm not so sure that there's going to be a major shakeup like everybody claims. The youth of the players and Rudy's health crisis are going to overshadow any of our other problems in the eyes of our management. I'd be surprised if Rudy wasn't back next year. Prostate cancer didn't keep Nelson out for very long. Rudy is a pretty tough guy and is going to be itchy to get back to coaching.
To add insult to injury, by not making the playoffs the Rockets will lose their lottery pick to Memphis. Memphis received this pick in the Francis trade. That Francis trade isn't looking too good right now - out of the playoffs four years in a row . . .
I forgot to mention the trade for Eddie Griffin. That guy is definately not worth 3 first round picks, including Richard Jefferson. The good news (if you want to call it that) is that the Rockets won't have a first round pick to squander this year.
Too many 1st round picks are dangerous for the Rox...We want to have 3 and trade for EG again..Not... The only 1st round picks that worked...Hakeem, Stevie, Yao...
