SI.Com-Rox one of five teams that have taken a step backwards this offseason

I don't see why he thinks Tmac and Shane won't work out together. I always thought they would complement eachother perfectly. He also says we are way short of our division rivals. Do you guys believe that? I like to think we are closing the gap especially with the Battier move. I think we are one starting power forward away from their level.

 

It never ceases to amaze me the incompetence of National writers. I wonder if he even has League Pass because it is obvious he didn't watch the Rockets the second half of the season. The Rockets clearly are more talented than that second half team and that's assuming everyone was healthy. But what makes it so obvious to me he hasn't watched the Rockets lately is because he made no reference to Yao. Yao was clearly the MVP of the second half of the season. Yao is the most dominant player in the league.

One could argue that I am biased and my response to that is it's not true. I knew when Shaq passed up Hakeem in ability, I knew Nash was always better than Francis and I know Kobe is currently better than Tmac. The post injury Yao is the most dominant player in the league. And while you don't give MVP's for half seasons there was none better than Yao. I would not trade him for anyone. So how can this say such idiotic things without mentioning Yao. A healthy Yao makes this Rocket team better. Not to mention he overlooked the obvious Add Battier is better than Howard, Snyder is better than Wesley, Lucas and Vspan give us more depth and talent at the 1 and add to that the improved 3 point shooting from every position and the fact we are not even finished yet and can honestly say this guy has no clue who the Rockets are or he is just an idiot.

My guess is he is just trying to fill space on a team he knows nothing about. Still no excuse for stupid reporting.

 

Yeah, amusing. Sounds to me like a case of a sportswriter trying too hard to "call it as it is" and losing objectivity in the process. He's also the first I've seen to actually predict that T-Mac and Battier will have a hard time developing chemistry ... huh? That statement might have made an eensy-weensy bit of sense if T-Mac and Battier weren't two *completely* different players whose proven strengths are very, very complementary.

 

Losing out on James hurt. That's for sure. Adding him would have answered a ton of our questions. Who's the third option? Who's the backup PG?

And a lineup of James, Snyder, T-mac, Battier, and Yao would have been incredibly quick and athletic. That would have been a fun group to watch.

Oh well. Maybe KillBill will seize the day. He's got his shot. Let's see what he can do with it.

 

I agree with the article. Many of us on here love the team so much that we consider the signings of the likes of VSpan, Snyder and JL3 as reason for hope. With the exception of Snyder and Battier, all our other acquisitions are third-string quality at best. WE've still done nothing to shore up depth and we still need premier shooting adn a reliable frontcourt scorer.

 

Oh hehe.Sorry, I suck at detecing sarcasm, usually I always remember to ask if it is, then proceed.

 

I agree and disagree with this guy , but it doens't make me angry, good article.

To fully understand this you guys should take it in a point of view where your a fan of another team because then all the stuff you read you think is bs because omgomgomg the rox are going to win the championship.

 

Detroit, Seattle, New York and Utah.

 

Battier Novak and Snyder are not better Bogan Wesley and Swift? ( I added the question mark which gives this post a whole new meaning).( Ineed to think before I post!) Do you really believe that? If so you need to be a scout for one of our competitors. JLIII and Vspan or better than Brunson and we are not done and Sura could comeback so anyone who agrees with this idiot is questionable.

 

I believe it simply because Tmac and Shane's natural position is the same, so that complicates things. If we could have added a true PF or SG or PG who brings Shanes abilities to the table I'd be a lot happier about the move. (though anything that gives Bowen less PT can't be all bad)

 

Basically, I think that the 8th pick and Stro for Shane Battier is an ok deal -- just not for this team. I don't like the idea of 1). T-Mac or Shane chasing around shooting guards (admittedly, the most superfluous position on the court) and 2). Battier taking minutes from Hayes up front. We all know about JVG's chubby for Howard, he's still going to start, suck, and take up most of the minutes at the 4 -- so Battier is probably going to back him up in a small lineup, with Hayes getting screwed over at the expense of the Rockets.

Picking up Snyder, for whatever cost, was great -- but right now (a few years from his prime) he's merely average. VS will be fine, but the acclimation process will take half the season, Rafer is still Rafer, and if injuries hit again, I think the team could be in trouble. I'm not a Luther fan, don't think much of Howard at this point, and Bowen's continued employment scares me. That's why the Battier trade hits a nerve -- did they trade for him as a compliment to Yao and T-Mac, or as insurance against Tracy hitting the shelf again? If it's for the latter, than he's proven; but he'll have to prove to me that he can play alongside Tracy. I sincerely hope I'm wrong, because if I have to sit through another year of "what's wrong with Yao?" stories from crap writers, then I'm going to stab a homeless guy.

Obviously a jump to 50 wins after a 34-win season isn't a "step back," but when Dallas and San Antonio continue pull away, I'm getting a little nervous. And that's as an NBA fan, someone who really wants to see this work.

 

KD can defend himself, but I believe you're pretty much dead wrong about everything you've posted. It appears that you also don't appreciate how truly bad the Rockets were last year, and how far they have to go.

As for your own history at calling the rockets moves, we'd still have Rudy T and the ISOffense if you had your way, so spare us your resume.

 

How did the Rockets "step backwards?"

For the Rockets to step backwards they would have had to make moves this off season that made their 34 win team worse than it was this past season, right? How did they do that? Or did he mean they were made worse this offseason than they were after last?

I'll go with the second one...

From that roster, (May 2005) they lost Scott Padgett, Mike James, Jon Barry (retirement), David Wesley and Clarence Weatherspoon.

They have added (Since May 2005) Shane Battier, Rafer Alston, Kirk Snyder, Luther Head, Steve Novak, Chuck Hayes, and Vassilis Spanoulis.

Would you rather have the first set of players (all together) or the second?

They may not have made the moves that people wanted, but they have not made the team any worse.

 

If they were playing the same way they were in 2005? The first group - easily.

Aside from Battier, the second group is Question Mark and the Mysterios.

 

So let him speak for himself. And please don't try to tell me we are better off with JVG you got your wish and it failed. Oh something else, what do you think we were running the second half of last year with Yao. If you don't see that was ISO than there is nothing else for us to discuss because you don't know what you are talking about. Yes the second half post Yao injury we went almost exclusively ISO with Yao. Don't you remember JVG saying get the ball to YAo. That's ISO, and it worked last season we just needed someone who could hit an open 3. Maybe we can get Rudy to teach JVG how to run it better. Peace out Bro.

 

That's pretty silly. Nobody is nerdier with games than I am, with the Tivo, VCR, and Bit Torrents.

Of course they're more talented than their record from last year, and I was right there with my eyes an inch away from the screen when they teased at that 8th playoff seed for the middle part of last season. And I was right there writing about Yao when he went off. Check the archives, it's there. To me, I don't need to mention Yao. I'm not going to talk down to my readers, because Yao is a given -- this is probably the season he takes over as the league's best center. I'm not going to waste my word allotment with another bit about how brilliant Yao is -- if my readers don't know that by now, then they don't need to read my articles.

How? Look above. The real trick is knowing that Steve Nash was the balls back before the lockout year, and sticking with him even when Mark Cuban signs Howard Eisley to challenge him for a roster spot before the 2000-01 season. This wasn't a Rocket season preview, if you want to read about my thoughts on Yao then read me during the season, and allow me the room to ruminate on two small forwards playing alongside each other.

That's beyond obvious. Of course this team will be better, but will it be San Antonio/Dallas "better?" Making the playoffs is not enough; and, to me, winning 50 is not enough. This team has the potential for greatness, and I'd like to see it through.

A point guard is on his way?

They're a basketball team based out of Houston, they used to be in San Diego, and they have a badass fan message board.

I can't argue that. I AM the man who once called Andrei Kirilenko "the next Martin Muursepp." Before the 2000 Olympics, I submit, but I'm still a moron.

I'm worried about wasting another year, even if the team stays healthy and moves past mediocrity, while JVG and CD party like it's 1999. With San Antonio and Dallas pulling away, I'd like to see something a little more significant.

 

Rudy's last 4 years as Rockets Head coach:

2003 NBA 43-39 5th, Midwest Division
2002 NBA 28-54 5th, Midwest Division
2001 NBA 45-37 5th, Midwest Division
2000 NBA 34-48 6th, Midwest Division

150 wins, 178 losses (.457) , 0 playoff appearances

JVG's 3 years

2006 NBA 34-48 5th, Southwest Division
2005 NBA 51-31 3rd, Southwest Division Lost West Conf 1st Rd
2004 NBA 45-37 5th, Midwest Division Lost West Conf 1st Rd

130 wins, 116 losses (.528), 2 playoff appearances.


Yeah he was you're right, we would definitely have a lot more lottery picks - maybe we could have added a Dwayne Wade.

 

When is he getting here? Did I miss the press conference where they fired Van Gundy?

 

To play the same way in 2005 they would need a healthy Bobby Sura and Jon Barry.

 

Point being that the Rockets in 2005 were much better than they are now -- and that team wasn't really good enough.