To me here are the major differences. Artest replaces Tmac - We lose some offfense but gain a lot more defense Brooks replaces Rafer - We lose some defense but gain a ton more offense Both of those make us better as a team overall. Now you add in our improved players. Scola and Landry 2nd year improvement Battier is the same, Yao is the same. The bench however is much better. Landry is better Wafer is a new threat Barry is a new threat Lowry is a new threat. Overall the team is better and just fits together better with a lot better defense overall and a lot better offense overall. DD
Wafer certainly has impressed me this year. But how much of a contribution do you think he can/will make in the playoffs? Whole different animal.
i was at buffalo wild wings watching the game and was amazed espn talked about us for more than 5 min anybody recall what they said i believe it was about "rockets better w.o mcgrady" and they commented for a long time, recap?
we have clutch guys just not big name clutch guys. von wafer, AB, and artest (when in set position and not having to create). if yao can play consistently for 3.5 quarters and we maintain a lead early then i think we can close out teams with what we have.
they said the same thing about yao last yr. ultimately, we just need to get out of the first round real quick.
Basically, the article says the Rockets are dangerous and resilient, but have yet to prove they can make the second round of the playoffs. That's a fair assessment.
That was Tim Legler. His Dime that was full of bullcrap has been removed here in America where every reader's supposed to have a voice. That says something about his performance on the job for not watching any games and basing his "analyses" on distant past history and personal beliefs questionable at best.
Are we safe with Tmac? I prefer the "team work" Rox, Giving them some time. They just have had the chemistry. And they won the last five games straight.
I don't feel that we can get past the conference finals without Mcgrady. Based on todays standings we would have to get through either the Spurs or the Lakers. I really don't feel we have enough weapons to beat either of them. We needed a healthy Mcgrady to become a double team option. In my opinion Artest offence is nothing compared to Mcgrady last year. It'll be difficult and it really depends on how much Brooks steps up in the playoffs. And Yao hasn't been the model MVP Center he was before his injury last year. If anything this years playoffs will be good experience for us to put it together next year hopefully. HOPEFULLY the whole Mcgrady situation has blown over and we start afresh
***Ahem*** Hey new guy, what is this Clutchfans The bbs you're reading? Bring me my coffee and get back to work!
somewhat i agree with the writer,I think we need some change if we just want to go further this season or look forward to 2010..
Rockets have never really been dangerous with McGrady on board. He is a streaky player. He can be dangerous in one game or two, if (IF) he is lucky his shots happen to be falling in that game. However, in a 7 game series, you can not subject your team's success to luck.
I am happy we are winning, but I saw the same pattern against Portland. We get a lead, and choke it up....and we're lucky to squeak one out. Pattern that's been with us all season long. Oops we did it again. With or without t-mac. People here over-rate brooks....he's turnover prone and shoots poorly from long range. We're still the same team. We had a soft schedule and a couple of breaks to win a few competitive games. Until this team learns how to be consistent and not choke so much, I realy don't think we're headed to anything but maybe a second round appearance.
Yeah, I've thought about a Clyde drinking game too. Every time he says something disturbing take a shot (baby seals). Every time he chuckles take a shot (this will get you really drunk). Also, the catch phrases like huge dividends (like you mentioned), consummate professional, etc... You can also throw Bill in there with every time he jinxes a free throw shooter or Bull when he mentions how much he hates flopping.
ehhhhh we are better with him on our team fully healthy. We ain't winning the championship, that's like saying you can trip over a cordless phone not happening.
If any of you guys recall, when we were the 8th seed against number 1 Dallas in 05. Legler actually picked us to win. Just wanted to add that tidbitl.
