Realistically, When can we expect to see some drastic changes?

For starter, how about let Scola, Brooks and Landry start...the rest not named Yao and TMac can come off the bench.

Is that drastic enough for you?

 

It's not that obvious that we haven't improved. We should be on 7 game winning streak now if it weren't for final minute collapses. But we definitely need some changes. But by changes, if you mean that we need to trade major rotational players like Battier, Alston, or Wells, etc., then I don't agree with you. To fix the problem we have now with finishing games, the only changes we need to make is changing up the lineup during those final minutes or changing the way we play i.e. Scola and others need to be more aggressive scoring rather than divert to Yao.

 

The next 10 games will be a barometer as we work TMac back into the system. As I recall Adelman will watch TMac's minutes and ease him back in.

If we are still struggling with TMac and miss the playoffs everyone except Yao, Brooks, and Scola will be open for trade talks.

 

Adelman needs to first address the fact that we have 4th qtr collapses. That means changing the players minutes in the 2nd and 3rd qtr. Let Landry and Scola play more and rest Yao in the 3rd. T-Mac when he comes back should be resting some in the 2nd and 3rd qtr too so he can scorch the other teams in the 4th.

Think of this as a 4 man mile relay. You typically put your send fastest guy in the first leg. Your two weakest runners in the 2 and 3rd legs and then you put your fastest guy in the 4th leg to anchor the team home. That is exactly what we need to do.

 

Find, trade for or create a true leader who is a winner first and can lead the team in the 4th and kick some asses.

Yao,TMAC, Alston, Battier,... everyone are all open to the trade.

 

I don't see any serious trades happening this season.

I think it really depends on how the team is playing at the end of the season, playoffs or not. Basically is there reason to believe this core squad can win? The answer to that question will lead to what happens in the offseason.

 

I agree that Tmac needs to be back, and healthy for 10 games before a decision can be made. I've been pretty negative lately due to how far from (realistic) expectations this team is BUT they did play over .500 ball without Tmac. In previous seasons going .250 was par for the course.

The 4th quarter collapses really scare me since we know McGrady is clutch about half the time and a chucker in 4th quarters the other half. I honestly believe it is too late to turn it on and make the playoffs this season but I really have no idea what the franchise should do next unless a trade for Tmac is presented that gives $.75+ on the dollar for him.

I think it is imperative right now that Scola, Landry and Brooks get time. The more it appears the playoffs are out of reach then the more time they should get. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up being clearly superior to most of the heavy rotation guys by the season's end. Landry and Brooks in particular are just amazing due the low expectations that many of us had for them. Brooks is looking like he could be a starter in this league soon, Scola is going to be a nice player and Landry could end up being the PF/backup C we have been searching for ever since Yao joined the team. The thought of picking up a second rounder that becomes a 16/8 guy who plays BIG at PF brings tears to my eyes.

 

3 rookies?!!!? Lotto for sure

 

Landry is ok as a PF but as a center he's going to get torched. He really couldn't stand up to Al Horford in the NCAA tournament. When Horford decided to post up Landry, it was all over for him.

 

Firing the coach after a 52 win season is drastic enough.

Live with it.

 

When T-Mac get back, but we saw changes already, in the past T-Mac out = a lost.

 

Getting T-Mac back is imperative to us getting into the playoffs. We aren't going anywhere without him. Wish we could get a healthy Wink back too. But then Francis may not fit here because he's an iso player and needs an iso type offense to flourish.

This from the old Rockets under Rudy T. Nothing has changed much. We are still the schizoid Rockets.

PERFECT DUET: Victories at Toronto and New York have the schizoid Rockets thinking like playoff challengers. They are rapidly becoming the perfect team for the new-millennium NBA, where every team is in isolation or one-on-one mode. PG Steve Francis and SC Cuttino Mobley are the best guys to play that style of game. Mobley proved that much when he yo-yo'd the ball as the game clock wound down then breezed past Knicks SF Latrell Sprewell for a layup that gave the Rockets the win. Coach Rudy Tomjanovich may preach team ball, but who is he kidding? This team is Francis and Mobley--as it should be. Each has the explosive off-the-dribble game that makes him nearly impossible to guard. Both can stroke it from the 3-point line. If they learn to pull up for the midrange jumper, both will be impossible to defend.

 

Saturday when Tmac is back.

DD

 

When knew we had Adelman, Francis, James and a well shape Bonzi, I thought Rockets lineup was going to be the followig:

Francis
James
McGrady
Wells
Yao

or

Alston
James
McGrady
Wells
Yao

A dynamic and small lineup (+Yao) able to adopt RA's system and run, with the OPTION (if/when needed) to give big minutes to Hayes, Battier, Scola and why not, Deke, basically adopting the last year's defensive lineup.

RA made things damn complicated. He wanted (still want) his system with guys who can't play it, because none of the actual guy in the lineup likes to run, shot and drive to the basket. That is why JVG had/wanted these players... So basically we have the same Rockets with a new system which can't work at all and for no reason is going to to ever work. The only drastic change he can make is: shake the lineup as it was expected in the beginning facing his mistakes.

 

Thanks. I don't really watch much college ball so I was not aware of this. Even with so many teams playing small you don't think he can compete against most Centers in the NBA?

 

To answer your question; the end of the season. No sooner.

 

He'll get torched by the athletic 7 footers. Nothing against Landry but against PF's like Duncan, Horford, Garnett, he'd get torched. But that's some pretty good talent there. He'd do fine against most PF's and no matter who they play against, his positioning and basketball intelligence will net him pretty decent rebounding numbers and scores. His weakness is getting posted up by bigger more athletic players.

 

Makes sense. Perhaps I am thinking too much of the young man after a few good showings.

 

Next Offseason!!!