it would be a tragedy every true rockets fan gonna go through if we continued to play the way we played tonight, there's exactly no hope for us to even make the playoffs,much less the Western Conference Final and the Finals. We need to build up team chemistry and make some progress on our motion offense and solid defense that we used to play. Besides,we need to sit Tmac out until he's 100%,otherwise he's still a liability on both ends down the stretch.
He knew we didn't have the size to compete with them so he tried to out quick them. That didn't work either though. Plus, Yao sucked.
You took the words out of my mouth. I also expecting us to compete but I guess I was asking for too much.
I still don't believe this is my team. I hope at least something goes right next game against the suns. If we continue to struggle this way, what is tells me is we really suck. Whether it's fatigue, or injury, whatever the reason is, we still suck.
Please, lets finish these nonsense comments. You don't go from scoring 28 against the champs to being "finished" in less than a week.
Well, the Suns aren't as good as the Lakers but they are another team with a big frontcourt. We got killed on the boards tonight and it may be a lot of the same against Phoenix unless Yao grows a pair between now and then or Scola and Landry grow a few inches.
Something is definetily up with the Rockets. Maybe Shane Battier is that valuable to winning. Once he and Tmac are healthy, thats when we'll see the real Rockets team. Artest just doesn't seem to fit in the starting lineup. Today, I saw an instance where he and Tmac were trying to post up in the same exact spot! I think Artest would benefit greatly coming off the bench. He'll be more free to get his points and run RA's offense. Yao is still not looking like last year, and I don't think we'll ever see his form from the first half of the 2006-2007 season again. The injuries are really taking its toll on his body. I really think that he didn't completely rehab his foot. He's really having a hard time jumping and even getting any lift on his turnaround jumper. If things don't turn around quick, this could be 2005-2006 all over again, with the massive injury problems and pieces just not fitting in (Swift, Anderson) We can't afford to wait for Yao to completely heal, but I do think he should take a couple of weeks off, just to get his body and mind refreshed. Anything more will dig us too deep of a hole. Tmac needs to take a good week off, and just let his body heal up. 2 weeks if needed. His shot and playmaking really require lift and a quick first step, which he doesn't have right now. Battier needs to come back ASAP. We need some positive attitude on the court and some basketball IQ and 3 point shooting. I would also suggest moving Brooks to a starter, maybe get the starting lineup easier shots, while Rafer and Ron do the same for the bench. AB is a much better driver and can hit wide open shots for us. Teams are just zoning the Rockets every time down the court daring us to shoot 3's. Rafer and Ron both know how to run RA's offense and with Landry and Barry, the offense won't be bad at all, and Hayes and Artest would really bother any bench in the NBA. Its obvious that this starting 5 just doesn't mesh well together. I would also like to see more postups and isolation plays for Scola, if we are not going to run the offense. Tmac and Yao are clearly not 100% right now and Scola is capable of putting up great scoring #'s. Tmac can't even turn the corner on a pick and roll and Yao can't hit shots he usually would make. Why not go to Scola. He's carried us offensively before, I think he deserves his chance. One thing I could look at as a positive could be that we needed a wake up call. We need the critics to criticize us again and doubt us. I think our Big 3 got a little complacent with the talent on paper, and automatically thought that would translate into winning games and titles. If one beatdown helps this team to get its act together, then I thank the Lakers. I just hope I'm right, otherwise we'll be the most underachieving team in a long time.
...ya but why not put McGrady on Kobe? If McGrady and Alston are in the same class of defensive player, wouldn't it make sense to at least make it to where Kobe can't easily shoot over the Rocket defender? If there is a matchup for the Lakers to exploit in that lineup I would have rather it been Ariza over Alston than Kobe over Alston. We know Kobe has the tools to make Alston pay...Ariza isn't near as consistent.
Of course McGrady won't be this useless every game unless he gets a serious injury. Fortunately, McGrady is a rock and never gets serious long-term injuries. Wait... The fact is that superstars bring it every night. Wade is always injured. Kobe is playing with a torn ligament in his hand. That doesn't stop them. T-Mac looks lifeless out there. If he is that hurt, he should tell the coach he can't play. If he chooses to be out there and just half-azzes it on both ends of the court, he is hurting the team more than just sitting out.
Mcgrady was nothing infront of Kobe tonight. He's useless against Kobe, defensively, or offensively. He needs to rest and heal.
When Artest tried to post up Kobe early in the 3rd Quarter, Kobe would not back down, even though artest was much stronger than him. This is why he is the best player in the NBA. TMAC is just playing with no heart right now. AB is clearly looking as our best and most consistent offensive option right now. HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM
McGrady could barely cover Radmanovic or Vujacic. He has hurt this team being on the court in the last two games. He is motionless on offense and is playing matador defense on the other end. One. Basket. In. Two. Games. One. Basket. In. 58. Minutes. You could tear off one of Kobe's arms and he would find a way to be more productive than that.
QFT Injured or not, he is showing less heart than the normal heartless guy from the last few seasons. It's affecting other players, too. He is a terrible leader. He actually is not a leader. Yao has no leadership qualities whatsoever. Artest is now the leader of this team.
Ok guys and gals, It's time to take a long look in the mirror. Team in general... Tonight's game along with all of our loses exposed a bunch of glaring weaknesses for this team. First of all, the Rockets NEED a back-up center. Yes i know thats old news, but something needs to happen soon or the Rockets are simply not going to the second round. Next, Aaron Brooks needs to start. Yes, hes turnover prone, but he has to be groomed now as our starting guard. We need not wait until we are 10 games under .500 to give starting minutes to Aaron. Rafer Alston simply isnt getting the job done. Yes, he brings stability to the "offense" that the Rockets run, but he cannot break defenses down and create like Aaron Brooks. If we could put them together, our problems at that position would be solved as a legit starter. When the Rockets address these issues, then there will be some REAL progress. Tracy Mcgrady... Guys, Love It or Hate It. It's time to look for a replacement at our 2 guard spot. I don't wanna here **** about him being <100%. There is no excuse for his performances thus far. He looks like a SCRUB out there. He jogs up the court, lags on D, settles for Js, doesn't get to the line, and most importantly NO HEART. I'm sorry guys, but I cant except any excuses from someone that is making 21 million this season and doesn't COMPETE. He might not be 100%, but when you are on my court, you better compete or sit out. The sad thing is that this isn't new for Tracy and having Artest on this team has exposed this truth even more. You mean Arron Brooks can get to the rim but Tracy can't/won't? Yao Ming Lets keep real people. No one can be called the best center in the league that can't be a factor in every game. Yao is what he is. He's able to put up 20-10 during the regular season, but when it comes down to a playoff series when every weakness is magnified, his liabilities far outway his pluses. We all know to neutralize Yao, put a smaller big on him, front him, and force him to defend a center/pf that can hit the mid-range shot with consistency. This only proves my point that we need an above average center to play behind Yao. Why the Rockets didnt go after Franscisco Elson is beyond me. He's an actual center, a decent rid-range, guy, and an above average defender. In conclusion, It's not time to panic just yet, but we don't need to sit around with this current roster unless we are planning on winning it next season.
