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Slipping out of the playoffs fast, is it time to panic?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Sane, Dec 21, 2003.

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  1. Sane

    Sane Member

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    Just took a quick look at the standings and we're sitting one game ahead of Utah for 8th seed.

    Whether it's time to make a move or not dependso n how much you believe in this team. Few will argue that this team will make 8th seed easily. However, in my eyes, this team is WAY more talented than that, and a shake up is needed to achieve that potential.

    Personally I'm content with our performance so far, but think there's LOTS of room for improvement, but NO signs that we'll actually improve.

    If you think we're 8th seed material, sit back and enjoy.

    But if you have higher hopes like me, I think it's time to start hoping for a shake-up, whether it's changing the starting line-up, trading, or JVG lashing out at his players.

    It's absolutely pathetic how we can't get any consistency from our role players. JJ, Boki, Pike, Moochie, and Cato are up and down each game. Role players on good teams produce consistently at at an efficient rate, look at Devean George, Bruce Bowen, Ginobili, Christie, and even Josh Howard.

    Right now, the consistency is coming from 3 players: Mobley, Yao and MoT. I think these guys need to start, and play major minutes.

    JJ is looking more and more like 6th man material, and he should be moved to that role off the bench,

    I'm sick and tired of inconsistency. I thought JVG would fix that, btu so far, the only thing JVG has improved is the defense. Seeing as how we just took 102 points from under-manned Phoenix, I think we need more on offense.
     
    #1 Sane, Dec 21, 2003
  2. CompaqC

    CompaqC Member

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    and we'r only like 2 games behind 1st place in the division. the Midwest is insanely close!

    so I wouldn't worry just yet.
     
    #2 CompaqC, Dec 21, 2003
  3. iOrange

    iOrange Member

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    Frankly speaking, I'd be very satisfied if the Rockets make the playoffs this year.
     
    #3 iOrange, Dec 21, 2003
  4. chow_yun_fat

    chow_yun_fat Member

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    We only play in the toughest division. Compare ours to the others....:eek:
     
    #4 chow_yun_fat, Dec 21, 2003
  5. Sane

    Sane Member

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    Division doesn't matter, only conference. We play 4 times against each Western team, regardless of divison, and twice against each Eastern team, regardless of division.


    But all that doesn't change the fact that we should be doing better based on our talent and coaching.
     
    #5 Sane, Dec 21, 2003
  6. RunninRaven

    RunninRaven Member
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    No.
     
    #6 RunninRaven, Dec 21, 2003
  7. GATER

    GATER Member

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    IMO, no need to panic...

    LAL... 19-5
    SAS..19-10
    SAC..18-6
    MIN...17-9
    DEN...16-11
    MEM..15-11
    DAL...15-11
    HOU...15-11
    **********
    UTA...14-12
    GSW...12-12
    POR...12-12
    SEA...12-13
    LAC...11-12
    PHX...10-17

    Recordwise, we're as close to Denver as we are Utah. (Imagine saying that last season :eek: ). But we did temporarily blow a great opportunity not beating the Suns.
     
    #7 GATER, Dec 21, 2003
  8. MadMax

    MadMax Member

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    standings have a way of working themselves out....

    but watching the quality of basketball the Rockets are playing, I don't know how, as a Rocket fan, you could be satisfied or even encouraged.
     
    #8 MadMax, Dec 21, 2003
  9. TheFreak

    TheFreak Member

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    Watch out for the Clips...Brand's missed most of the year. Dunleavy has them playing well.
     
    #9 TheFreak, Dec 21, 2003
  10. GATER

    GATER Member

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    Depends on ones personal definition of "quality" and the level of expectation at the beginning of the season.

    Are you expecting the Rockets to move the ball like the Kings?
    They don't have the personnel. Rudy couldn't get them to do it and the team wasn't built for it.

    Are the Nuggets playing quality basketball?
    They average a whopping .5 FGA per TO more than the Rockets.

    Does a "quality" team win both at home and on the road?
    In the entire WC, only the TWolves stand alone at 10-4. The Lakers are 6-4 and the Spurs are 8-7. SEA is .500 and in spite of being a vastly superior conference every other WC team is below .500 on the road. Including the Mavs and Kings.

    Does a "quality" team win close games?
    The 2002-03 Rockets were 1-10 in games decided by 3 points or less. The 2003-04 Rockets are 2-0 in games decided by 3 points or less.


    If you don't like low possession, defensive oriented basketball or just flat out hate JVG because becasue of some allegiance to Rudy T, those are your prerogatives. But using them as a basis to make a blanket statement that the current Rockets' team lacks "quality" or displays no reason for a fan to be encouraged just flat out lacks objectivity.
     
    #10 GATER, Dec 21, 2003
  11. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    I think they are right where they should be.

    Give them until February to work out all the kinks.

    They have added a lot of different people, and one of the people they were counting on is gone (EG).

    They will get it together....6th seed in WC.

    DD
     
    #11 DaDakota, Dec 21, 2003
  12. studogg

    studogg Member

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    I don't know about ya'll, but I watched the round table discussion that they had during halftime and was quite impressed.

    Of course it was nice not having to see Cynthia Cooper stumble through an interview, but mainly I liked the perspective.

    Van Chancellor stated that it takes a little longer for a team to mesh with a new coach, and that it should be fairly soon that you look for the team to take the next step and beat some of the better teams. Even grumpy Mike Newlin seemed to be in agreement.

    I myself am a little more anxious and want change immediately. After having suffered through last year and watching a team play the exact same way on opening night that it finished with at the end of the season was frustrating and probably did it to alot of us. But, I will take the words of a great coach into consideration.
     
    #12 studogg, Dec 21, 2003
  13. Sane

    Sane Member

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    The Rockets have averaged a nice number of assists and TO's as a team in the past 4 or 5 games, that's the only encouraging thing I see right now.

    We are definitely better than Memphis and definitely better than the Nuggets, that's what frsutrates me the most.

    I also happen to think the Blazers and Sonics could still creep into the playoffs.

    I'm hoping for 6th see and playing the Mavs. Despite our horrible record against them, they won't be as effective in the playoffs. They're not tough enough for the playoffs. I really believe we can take the MAVS.

    However, every other team has had major personnel problems to one or more of their cornerstones and they're still all sitting pretty above us. Not to release any bad karma or anything, but we're still due an injury with either Francis or Yao, and we're not good enough to deal with that.

    Mavs lost Nowitzki, Spurs lost Duncan and Parker, Suns lost Stoudamire, Lakers were without Kobe for a few games, Shaq a few games, Webber all season for the Kings, Ray Allen for the Sonics, Derek Anderson and Bonzi Wells for Portland...

    This team would be absolutely horriffic with Mooch running the point for 30+ minutes. We saw last night what it's like without Yao (foul trouble).

    This team is not solid yet. February is one month away, and I don't think we can wait that long, we don't want to lose out on 6th seed.
     
    #13 Sane, Dec 21, 2003
  14. daoshi

    daoshi Member

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    Sane,

    I think you are too generous with the home team evaluation. There are FOUR (4) teams clearly have better talent than us, namely the Lakers, the Mavericks, the Kings, and the Wolves. I'd put the Spurs above us as well because of Duncan's dominance and their team continuity.

    Now let’s look at the remaining teams, the Nuggets, the Blazers, the Warriors, the Supersonics, the Clippers, the Suns, the Grizzlies, and the Jazz. Other than the Jazz, we are no better than any other team TALENT wise. The Clippers & the Suns & the Warriors are not playing well due to injuries to their starting lineup players, they will play better balls as the season goes. This leaves the Rockets to fight for position #6 to #13.
    The Rockets are #8 which means we are doing about right, the average.


    --daoshi
     
    #14 daoshi, Dec 21, 2003
  15. egn

    egn Member

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    That's pretty generous, imo.

    Like I said months prior to the season, this team, led by Francis (or rumored to be), is good for 45 wins tops!!


    As for the playoffs, I don't see that happening.
     
    #15 egn, Dec 21, 2003
  16. hoosier

    hoosier Member

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    egn - glad to see you're up and running despite a minor setback. this will be my last log in......so best wishes to you and all your cohorts on the BBS.
     
    #16 hoosier, Dec 21, 2003
  17. reptilexcq

    reptilexcq Member

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    Christie is not a role player. He's an underrated player in this lead because there are so much good players on the Kings. Christie is an All-Star caliber player in my opinion. He's the BEST DEFENDER in the NBA today in my opinion. Definitely the Kings' best defender. He can do anything and everything on the court from rebound, assist, steal, shoot and defend. People keep looking pass him cuz there are other good players on the Kings, but Christie is the heart of the Kings' defense and surprisingly, a very good offensive player too. He's an All-Star in my book. Don't ever look pass Christie!
     
    #17 reptilexcq, Dec 21, 2003
  18. Severe Rockets Fan

    Severe Rockets Fan Takin it one stage at a time...

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    Hmm. They didn't seem like much when we beat them on Friday.
     
    #18 Severe Rockets Fan, Dec 21, 2003
  19. Severe Rockets Fan

    Severe Rockets Fan Takin it one stage at a time...

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    Hold up, let me take a hit of my bong so I can see it your way.
     
    #19 Severe Rockets Fan, Dec 21, 2003
  20. pasox2

    pasox2 Member
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    Thank you, Mrs. Christie. Keep away from the team bus.


    Yeah, I panicked a while back. Now, I don't give a %$@, so much.
    Whatever. Run it in the ground, It's your team, JVG. Sucks for you you're not built to trade.
     
    #20 pasox2, Dec 21, 2003
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