and again it means nothing since we ultimately won 43 and should get better. and if you're saying you're not a card carrying PRC member, then you probably thought we should be better and jvg will improve us right. 49 seems about right to me. 52-53 would be exceeding expectations, IOW, jvg being successful.
actually, did the kings go from 8th to 1st in two seasons? if so, then that was like 10 wins a season.
PRC? what's dat My Point is: If you say as long as we make the playoff and you satisfied. If we win 47 and get into the playoffs I think Rudy could have done that . . . why the change [HELL HE DID IT . . JUST SO HAPPEN that the cut off for playoffs that season where HIGHER THAN THE NORM . . so 47 wins did not make] we won 43 games this year. 'with a soft coach' JVG *has* to win *at least* 43 games just to IMO stay Even I think players just getting better [yao and some with EG] that should win us 2 more games Playoffs are about what OTHER TEAMS do You can win alot and still be on the outside looking in [47 win year] WINS are about what YOUR TEAM Does. Rocket River Van Gundy's success should not be predicated on other teams slipping and doing poorly but on the Rockets IMPROVING and as he stated . .. your are what ya record says you are
What's the problem then? Go back and read my original comment..."Playoffs 7th or 8th seed...less than 50 wins". Last time I looked, 49 was 1 less than 50. For the reasons I have stated...new players, new coach, new system, few injuries last season, RT at 12-15 in his last 27 games...I have no problem with the expectation of a 47 to 49 win season. Are we still going to split with the Lakers, Kings, & TWolves? I doubt it. Is that Van Gundy's fault? No. If Camby is healthy and Carmelo is as billed and the Rox don't sweep Denver, is that JVG's fault? No. Since I overlooked it at first, I have now made an effort to address the orginal focus of the thread - JVG. Now, go back and look at Rocket River's original post - "I think we have to win at least 55 games 50 games should have come just on basic improvement and the team 'gelling' Anything less than 55 Is good. Anything less than 50 means he was not THAT BIG A SPLASH!" 7 games from basic improvement? I've had the disagreement before with others, but I fail to see how the Rockets are the only NBA team capable of basic improvement. Parity is why there is a draft and we had only pick 42 last draft. No one else got "basic" improvement out of the draft? IMO, Rocket River is implying that had RT not been sick, the Rockets would have won nearly 50 games. To this, I say BS! What part of 12-15 are we failing to understand here? Anybody creating a 55 game expectation for a "satisfactory" grade is not being a realist and ignoring the facts.
Gator 55 maybe high in hindsight but 50 Is not IMO I think we could have won 2~4 more games had rudy not gone down Do you think Larry Smith's Coaching was as good as Rudy's? If you do . .you are one of the few Rocket River
I would say 5 games regardless of who the coach is. The Rockets have more room for improvement than most teams.
We must at least make up for last seasons flop.I expect a minimum of 51 wins and would not be surprised with 55 wins.
I expect JVG to lead this team to the 50 win mark. However, I won't say for certain that if they don't reach that mark I'll be disappointed in JVG. I may be disappointed in the team. All in all though, I'm incredibly optimistic and excited about this upcoming season. (I know, I know. I'm a homer and I'm always optimistic. BUT FOR REAL!)
50 to 54 wins for the Rockets this year would be wonderful...if we make the playoffs as well! We won't be able to beat any of the top teams in the playoffs though...except for maybe the Kings. Hurry up season! Start! Also..please win at least one game against the Mavericks!
RR - No, I absolutely do not think LS was as capable as preparing the team and probably not near the motivator as Rudy T. But, I draw the line that Smith was flat out horrible. Smith was 8-9 with a very tired Yao, Cuttino playing on bad ankles and a team that just seemed to lack focus. I can't blame that all on him. I just get a little troubled when fans think we went from great to horrible because of Smith and ignore that the Rox were also struggling under Rudy for 27 games prior. Under Smith, the 9 losses were to SEA, POR (2), LAL, SAC, SAS, NJ, MIL & UTAH - all playoff teams with the exception of SEA who was the 1st game after RT took leave. IMVHO, had RT not taken sick the Rox would have maybeu gone 11-6. And that's a best case wherein they beat SEA. MIL, & split w POR. BTW - Do ya'all know the TWolves were the # 4 WC seed last season? The TWolves had 51 wins!. So all of ya'all predicting 51+ wins are predicting a TOP 4 SEED!
I understand BUT I Honestly Think we can be a #4 Seed We HAVE THE TOUGHEST DIVISION IN BASKETBALL NOW NO TEAM WANTS TO COME THROUGH THE MIDWEST Dallas, Rockets, Spurs and Timberwolvers [if it goes right] That could be 8 losses on ya wall some Eastern Teams may split with Denver .. but i'll hold off to see how they jell Rocket River
