I think the Playoffs are still in reach. I agree with Live and his comments. Phoenix and Golden State are just as up and down as the Rockets. It will be a dog fight for the last spot. Considering that the Rockets have a number of road games in March and that the Suns should be getting Hardaway back within a week it would seem like the Suns have the edge and probably do. But the Rockets are not out of it yet. Like Live said, the team that puts together a nice winning streak will probably prevail. The last couple of loses by the Rockets (Lakers, Washington, Knicks) have all been pretty close. We just could not finish them off because we are a young team. I think overall since the all star break this team has been playing better. Let's see what March brings. Chris
Bravo Codell, its important to note that the afore mentioned teams are "spoilers". They are merely doing their job. Dont lose faith brothers, its better to stumble over the finish line, than to not cross at all!
Any playoff series between Houston and Dallas could get very ugly. We'll get swept 4-0, and be left licking our wounds. I guess it's a start though. If we somehow end up with the #7 seed, we'll play Sacto. It's a lose-lose situation.
I think it'll come down to the last stretch. They still have a shot imo. I'm not concerned with the lotto pick unless we actually win again. The team is learning, I think. Ming will be even better next year. Not making the playoffs should humble SF and Mobes, not as much as a 1st round spanking, but cmon, there is no freaking excuse.
I so agree. When the Rox do win games, it's all by luck. A player gets hot here or there, an opponent goes cold shooting, a player gets a phantom call (see Lakers game), a lucky 3 pointer goes in at the buzzer to force OT, etc., etc., etc. But that's the only way the Rox ever win. They NEVER win by playing good, sound basketball. You can't count on luck. It'll get it done only about half the time. Hence the Rox current w/l record. We're not making the playoffs.
I agree that the Rockets still have a chance. The Suns are falling hard and have a much tougher schedule than the Rockets the rest of the way. Don't give up now. They may not advance in the playoffs but they will at least make it there. This is how I see it ending up come playoff time in the West ... 1. Dallas 2. Sacramento 3. Spurs 4. Blazers 5. T-Wolves 6. Utah 7. Lakers 8. Rockets Suns will be the team that misses out.
I sure hope you are right. And for some reason I think Dallas would rather see Phoenix in the first round than us.
DaDa has it right. Steve may "get it" in the future. However, he may not. The goal of any coach and GM is to get talented players and place them in positions to succeed. We got the talent. But I contend that we have not placed them in the optimal positions to succeed. Steve's strength is free wheeling and attacking the basked with reckless abandon. His obvious weakness is decision making. Yet, as point guard, we put him in a position where his weaknesses are exposed and strengths are limited. We need to move steve to the 2 guard. Gimme Tony Parker after SA signs Kidd. Francis would be a quality 2 guard. As for the defensive problems that would create, we need to take a page out of Philly's defense. They make it work with Iverson. So should we.
No, it is a WIN-WIN situation. If we get into the playoffs then we GAIN playoff experience. That is a WIN for this very young team. If we get into the playoffs we are expected to not get past our opponent. So if we lose no big deal. We still gain experience. If we happen to get into the playoffs and somehow upset our opponent then that is a HUGE win. I don't care who we will play if we get into the playoffs. I just want the Rockets in there for the experience. So the players can get a TASTE of it. They develope a hunger and a drive to want to return. We don't gain jack squat by not making the playoffs. No 1st round pick, no playoff experience. Chris
This will not help! Steve dominates the ball. The only time he is not dominating the ball is when Ming is dominating the ball. To think that he would not have the ball in his hands because you bring in Tony Parker or some other mid-level PG (I don't think Tony Parker is going to cover the defensive problems you will be creating against 2's BTW) is just self-delusion. There are three options: bring in a superstar point that Steve is so in awe of he will give up the ball (Jason Kidd, maybe Payton), hope that Steve learns how to be a PG, or trade Steve for a PF and bring in your mid-level PG a la Tony Parker.
Why? Trade one athletic inconsistant scorer for another? I don't see what Arenas brings to the table over Mobley other than Arenas being younger. Chris
Deuce, I forgot the sarcastic smiley...and edit is off.... Ooops. However, you could sign Gilbert in the offseason, he is a better PG then Steve right now. DD
Let's look at the last 3 games: Win AT Boston, a team fighting for HOME COURT in the playoffs. Close loss to NY, 6th game in 8 days. OT loss to Washington, a team in the EXACT same playoff fight as the Rockets, except they're playing at home against a Houston team on the last day of a road trip playing their 7th game in 10 days. Now, for all 3 games, you have the added Yao Ming effect, whereby EVERY team in the league gets up to play the Rockets, even moreso at home. Considering the team has been road-weary, and that other teams treat a visit by the Rockets almost the same as a visit by the Lakers, I don't see how anyone can be disappointed with the last few games. The Rockets were lucky to win one out of three. Playoff aspirations should not wane based on this last road trip. If the Rockets can win almost all of their remaining road games, they could be in good shape. A lot of this depends on the size and enthusiasm of the home crowds.
LOL, gotcha! Just dreamcasting and I know it won't happen but how nice would it be to have a player like Arenas as the backup PG on the team. A guy like NVE and Bobby Jackson as instant offense off of the bench. Would be nice! In the future for this team to get to the next level I really think that is the type of player this team needs to have to be able to bring in when Francis is resting on the bench so our offense keeps scoring and doesn't let up. It is such a nice luxary for a team like the Kings and the Mavs to have players like that that can come in and be a factor! Chris
Although Arenas is playing well as a PG, he is a converted SG and has admitted that he sometimes likes to let go of his PG responsibilities. If we're bringing in a PG, let's bring a real one in. The Wizards loss was a KILLER. But is it really a bad thing? The Rockets seem to play better when they're chasing the other team. Maybe this will make them work harder? If Francis was 3 of 12 on shot attempts last night, we'd have won. Although we're not playing well, I have hope that the Suns will play slightly worse than us and we'll get in to the playoffs.
Still 24 games left, almost 1/3 of the season still ahead. This team needs to gather itself. One game behind sun, but I think it's too early to predict it right now. Somehow, i wasnt too upset with last night's loss, considering MJ and Stack were on fire at their home. Go Rockets.
