Why does everyone keep describing the offense the Rockets are trying to run as "run and gun", "fast break", etc? Where does this come from?
Where the hell did I ever mention a thing about JVG. I'm unhappy with the results THIS year. I'm seeing examples of regression in Yao and the defense that contribute to that. The fact of the matter is that this was a BETTER team last year, with less overall talent. Sure, the team looks better without McGrady this year than past years... but I would TEMPER the excitement (especially since they have a reason to be better now without McGrady than before... namely, more depth in Scola, Bonzi, and Brooks/Head/Alston all contributing). My main beef is that there are waaaay too many "I love this team now" posts when the reality is, unless this team finds its way soon (and T-mac comes back healthy), this season is a big fat dissapointment that will be yet another waste of a season (that would be 2 of the last 3 seasons wasted). I'm confused... aren't you on the "lets dump the loser T-mac" bandwagon? And yet you openely state how important he is to this team? What is it? Because right now, you're saying every loss this team has is because "they're missing somebody", while every win (or every moral victory, where they "look" good, but lose) is because they don't need T-mac, or are finding their way because he's not there to dominate the ball. Yes... everything you said here is correct, and I stand by it. Tonight's game is a game I expect them to win (even without T-mac)... and if not, I would have expected the team we had for the majority of last year (when Yao injured his leg) would have won this game. You, on the other hand, seem to think that every loss is ok... simply because there's no T-mac... whereas every win is a further example of this team "getting it". Its neither here nor there... this team, as constructed, needs T-mac in order to win on a regular basis. If they ever hope to sniff the "elite" (or merely playoff) level again, they will need him back playing at full strength.
well honestly.. last season was the only time where we really stood a chance to get out of the 1st round of the playoffs. and its not like tmac chokes, he still puts up his numbers... the rest of the team doesnt do anything... they cant get the rebound...
The guy is important when he wants to play and by the fact that he takes up over 20 million dollars worth of roster/cap space. Absolutely, using that money I would rather have guys on the team that actually play hard, care, and don't choke. The team plays better without him so far this year but he still leaves a big void. There's nothing to be confused about. Without him and no one to replace him, the team has played better this year but is still undermanned, so the record isn't indicative. They haven't won without him until this year. Fact. Historically, they "should" NOT win any games without him - 10-43, or whatever it was. Every loss is not okay, but every loss where they play well and come up short against a better team is. They don't need McGrady to win on a regular basis, if they can get players back in return. With him out with injury, and no one coming in via trade, it will be difficult to get wins. But that doesn't mean there aren't things worth watching and getting excited about.
QFT And I really worry about his effort level being infectious to the rest of the team. Guys, including Yao, look to this guy as the best player and the man on this team, which is obviously not a good thing considering how nonchalant he is.
I was honestly embarrassed during the Celtics game to see KG's fire and then think about our team leader in contrast. If T-Mac could be like that for one full game he would be incredible.
where did all you T-mac haters come from? where were you in the last 35sec or so when he scored 13 on th spurs? Where were you last year when Yao was out and T-mac carried this team and inserted himself into MVP talks? Not to mention the countless plays he made for the team during the past 4 seasons that made you all jumped out of your seats cheering on the rockets. people do jump on and off wagons quickly!!
It's not about being a t-mac hater, it's about coming into reality and thinking what's best for this team. if you think t-mac's physical health is ever going to get better, you are wrong. it continues to get worst and worst. and it's going to get to the point where he's going to get real bad and when we want to trade for him, we won't get anything in return because nobody is going to want to take a chance on his injury prone self. the guy lacks the heart to lead this team. it'd be nice to have a player who shows more emotion and passion for this team. i love tracy mcgrady, don't get me wrong, but i really think we're better off trading this guy for some younger talent. i'm really interested to see if we can do anything with chicago. besides, like i've said before, mcgrady is a half court player. he cannot thrive in adelman's system. also, our players are playing alot better without him right? maybe we should just build on that?
So is Yao. So is Battier. So is most of our team. Adelman's system is not about running and gunnng...it is about a smooth, motion filled offense that gets players easy shots.
Our biggest mistake was NOT trading Stro and the 8th pick for Battier in the 2006 draft... It was ------ ** not trading T-Mac for the 6th pick to get Brandon Roy. ** We have Brandon Roy right now and we'd be an undefeated team. (exaggerating)
If you check the peformance of Tmac this season, you will find Tmac only got 1.1 pts/per shot. Without him on the court, Alston/Bonzi/Head/Scola/..../ can dish more than 25 pts per game. That's the point. I can understand your feeling as a TOF, but Tmac must get changed. Otherwise, he has to leave. Maybe he will leave after this season caus he can never change himself.
I don't know if you are being sarcastic but we were about to land Brandon Roy from the Twolves if the Blazers had not caught wind of our little deal with Minnesota. The conditions were that Minnesota was to draft and secure Brandon Roy for us before someone else got him and we were going to give up Luther + our 8th pick for it....while we draft Randy Foye for them. Portland wanted Roy and intercepted our deal by drafting Foye, the player the Twolves wanted all along. In the end the Twolves ended up trading Roy to the Blazer so that they can have the player they coveted in the draft. Therefore screwing us over. However, we wouldn't have had to go through all this if Jeff Van Gundy had just given up on that Denver game in 2006 and sit out his starters.
Yup, I knew all about that. We should have spiced it up and offered T-Mac is what I'm saying. Similar to Seattle trading Ray to Boston for the 5th. T-Mac for the 6th, Outlaw or Martell. Whatever's necessary. Roy's the real deal.
Now it makes sense why players that come to houston always lose their offensive skills. I used to think it was JVG, but in fact, I really do believe it is because of Tmac. Look at how everyone is playing...sharing the ball, getting layups, offensive rebounds, etc. I have always watched Tmac and noticed that he never sprints up the court, but does this gingerly "My legs hurt" walk, or takes the ball away from Rafer and walks it up the court. Sheesshh. He is one of the most talented players in the league, but I think he likes looking good more than winning. Of course I am assuming, but the way the offense is starting to run....it looks beautiful at times. Easier shots, everyone involved, not as stagnant. Seriously, watch the games when the Rox looked like doodoo with Tmac, everyone stood around looking confused because Tmac kept wanting to do high pick and roll instead of running the offense.
It's funny to see what many of us have been saying for a long time now. We see him play ever game, but we get pushed off as Mcgrady haters. When someone with some credibility says it they get pushed off as haters also and as not seeing him play on a regular basis. Tracie is what he is a quitter and a half hearted, so called star. IMO his superstar status is a title given and not earned.
