After watching this very frustrating season, I can see that we just do not have enough maturity to make the playoffs. Memphis will be happy to have the extra lottery pick. They are so close, but the Rocks just can not get over the hump, Their OT record is something like 2-6 or worse, they lose most of the close games, and the Rocks do not play with intensity against teams that they feel they should beat. Sometimes you have to reach rock bottom to appreciate the climb to the top. Right now I think that Mobley is closer to his peek then Francis. Steve has his heart in the right place, I honestly believe that he WANTS to do the right thing, but too often he gets caught up in his emotions and makes bad decisions at crucial times. All hope is not lost however, I truly believe that Steve is learning, he just needs to TRUST in the system in close games. The reason the team loses all the close games is they go away from the plan in tight situations, and more often then not they fail. Look at the Jazz, the stay within themselves, and it allows an aging team to still be a quality playoff caliber team. The Rocks will get there, they may need to tweak the roster, but for the most part, I think they just need time together. And unfortunatly for us impatient fans, it is going to be a bumpy ride. So, I am officially jumping on the "wait until next year" bandwagon. DD
I agree, but the problem with Francis is that he thinks his game is inherently unsystematic. He loves to improvise and go by feel. Getting him to play within a system is going to take years.
Good. I hope more of you jump off the 'wagon, I could use the extra leg room. My calendar still says Feb., and the Suns' & Warriors' playoff legs are just as wobbily as the Rockets'. IMHO, the first of the trio to put a good solid winning streak together makes it in. Way too early to jump off, but if you must...
Will, Do you really think it will take years? I would think that after 4 years of not making the playoffs, Francis would realize that he is the primary reason for making or not making them. Steve is the leader, and like it or not, he has the ability to make those around him better or irrelevant. We win when Steve makes the shot, we lose when he misses. If he could realize that other teams double team him at crucial times, leaving a teamate wide open, he could pass the ball out of that situation and increase the teams chances for success. It took Hakeem a long time, and it took Jordan a long time too, but they at least did it often enough to make the playoffs. Man, I hope Steve gets it, and soon. DD
I'm almost with you. If Phoenix had an easier schedule, then I definitely would, but since they have just as hard road ahead as we do, I'm still holding out hope. Call me stupid. I like some of the things we've seen from this team in the past few weeks, mainly, the way we're getting Yao the ball in the post. Now, if he'd be more aggressive in their once he got it, we'd be that much better. However, our defense has definitely taken a step back. It's no coincidence that these teams are shooting lights out against us. If all of our shots were consistently wide-open, we'd probably have a better record. That, and can someone tell Yao to put his hands up please? If this guy would get a little bit more aggressive on both ends, look out. I'm also not really sure what the hell Rudy T's been thinking sometimes. Posey was absolutely a huge liability on the court last night, yet he stayed in. Maybe the emergence of Hawkins will lead to more playing time for him, or at the very least, it'll inspire some confidence in Rudy to use him when Posey's not playing well. Something I'd like to take from the last two games. Francis played like absolute dung. However, we had great chances to win both games. Not many teams will have two weapons like Francis and Yao, and if Francis had been on just a little bit more either night, the victories would've been our's. I'm really hoping that the next two days off will give them the rest they need and that the urgency of the last six weeks of the season will set in. We're only a game out of the playoffs with a game to go against the team we're chasing. We play pretty good at home against good teams, so Sunday has the potential to be a good jumping off point for the final run. I'll remain optimistic for a little while longer. Save the chat room jokes, please.
The only "saving grace" is that Phoenix is playing just as bad, if not worse. If the Rockets make the playoffs, then they will make it by default, not by merit.
Guys, Teams that lose to the Heat, Grizz, Clips, Bulls, Knicks etc..etc.. do not make the playoffs. The Rocks are not a good road team, and the fact is that they have a large portion of their remaining schedule on the road. I will root for them to get in the playoffs, but truthfully, I think it is over. I would love to be wrong though..... DD
Dammit, no edit: What I meant to add under the defense part was that I think we could really use Tyrone Hill in here. While I think Eddie will be the PF for the future (dude's only 20), if we really want to make a push for the playoffs this year, we need a defensive minded PF to bang and provide some semblence of an interior defense.
Systemic problems remain unresolved. Neither Francis or Mobley are playmakers, neither appear to have good court vision, neither are particularily good passers. They are not "consistent" shooters like the Mavs. Yao has weaknesses, but has not been well utilized. Griffin seems lost in space; is he really getting the direction he needs. The whole team generally looks clueless on offense and very inconsistent on defense. They usually play hard, but rarely play smart. For those waiting for time to solve these problems, you may want to check your social security status.
And yet, 3-a-charm, for all their problems, the Rocks are still as good or better than the Suns & Warriors, their nearest competitors for that 8th seed. Once again, the team that finishes the season strong plays on.
Live, Right now the Rocks are out of the playoffs, yes they have a chance, but they continue to lose close games, and they continue to come out flat in meaningful games. I just don't see a sense of urgency with this team. The Rockets come out, Francis and Eddie suck on defense and the other team gets out to a 10 point lead. Then the Rocks play a very inspired 4th quarter get back into the game only to lose in OT or in a tight game. That does not sound like the blueprint for playoffs to me. DD
I think that talent wise we have a playoff caliber team, but judging by basketball intelegence, we have a long ways to go. A point guard is supposed to be an on court extension of the coach, and that's not what we're seeing in SF. That's the real problem.
Just to keep things in perspective: Sacramento has lost to: New York Miami Seattle Clippers Atlanta Toronto Portland has lost to: Denver (twice!) Chicago Minnesota has lost to: Clippers Toronto San Antonio has lost to: Golden State Seattle Denver Clippers Atlanta New York Washington Memphis Utah has lost to: Atlanta Seattle Washington Chicago Clippers Golden State Memphis New Jersey has lost to: Chicago Clippers Seattle New York Golden State Memphis Washington Cleveland Boston has lost to: Chicago (twice) Miami (twice) Washington Toronto Detroit has lost to: Clippers New York Washington Atlanta Miami Seattle Indiana has lost to: Denver Chicago New York Washington (twice) Toronto Atlanta Memphis Teams are losing to the lower level teams and are still going to make the playoffs. So teams DO make the playoffs despite losing to bad teams The only team in the playoffs that has not lost to a team it should not have, is Dallas.
You don't make the playoffs in the West by hovering around .500. Personally, I lose most of my interest in the NBA when the Rockets aren't involved in the playoffs.
it's just not that simple, DD. the fact is: we're a young team competing with a young team. expect the race to the finish to be wild, unpredictable, and totally hard on us as Rockets fans. we may not make the playoffs; Phoenix may do a better job of managing their youngness. but to say, absolutely, that we won't is mere pre-disappointment-self-medicating-pain-avoidance syndrome.
I'm interested to see how the Mavs will perform in the playoffs. They are representing the state of Texas into the finals.
