We've lost four in a row and we're still 23-19. Still four games above .500 and in playoff contention! The funk is happening to the Jazz and sooner or later, T-Wolves. We're not that horrible, yet. Of course, if we lose 8 in a row and the Lakers or GS passes us up, then I'll change my tune.
To those who alot is given alot is expected. We were contending for the #3 spot when we beat LA. Why are we happy to just make the playoffs, leave that for Golden State.
plus, it is always good to expose the problems eailer in the season than later. I only hope Rudy.T and Rox players can adjust to these problems.
DM34, I'm with you. But, I can't stay in this forum long enough to post. Everyone's too annoying. Dearrock, maybe we're just happy to make the playoffs because we haven't been there in years. Maybe because we were considered a bubble team in the offseason. My own feeling this summer, and I think the atmosphere on the BBS at the time, was that we thought the Rockets should be in the playoffs this season. Many were predicting a seeding of 7th or 8th, with some outliers predicting 4th or 5th. I got a bit giddy when we were 3rd but knew it wouldn't last. I was still hoping and expecting a 6th to 8th seed and still expect it today. Once we make the playoffs, then we can start talking about making some noise.
Well, I'm happy because we haven't made the playoffs if four years. Yes, I'd be happier if we finished third. But you're telling me you'd actually be unhappy if we made the playoffs as an eighth seed? Man, tough crowd.
I'm happy. Last year if there was a close game we would always lose, this year we've been able to win some close games, that's improvement. They aren't perfect, but they are getting better. I think the main thing they lack now is mental toughness, a killer instict. That comes with confidence, and confidence comes from winning. It's going to take time to get there, but we are on the right path.
Exactly. I am not happy with this team. This team is loaded with talent, but the key players dont really understand the team game. We have as much talent as the Blazers, Kings, Suns, Spurs etc.. but we cant win like they can. This team is not really a team. I have seen streetball games with more team play. I am unhappy because the Rockets are flat out ugly to watch and cannot win games over league cellar dwellers. We are the most underachieving team in the league. But I still love the Rockets. Just cant stand to watch them play.
I'm content. Most people have no patience. This is why you have to appreciate the championships. When Cuttino Mobley is the veteran of your starting lineup, 23-19 is pretty damn good.
Right On Freak! Too many people on this board just don't have a clue. If its not a post about Yao already surpassing vintage Hakeem its a thread entitled Francis, Mobley, Rudy, and EG are worthless and need to go. We are sooo freaking young that the record we have is a blessing. Mark my words, after the allstar break when we have some consistent practice time and everyone gets on the same page we'll see a change of tune. If you are truly disappointed with the team you need to check out how champions are made, and maybe figure out if you have the patience to wait on what will be coming, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will these Rockets.
Word. What's funny is - once the Rockets start winning again, string a few together or beat a good team, everyone will start singing the praises of everyone again. And it pisses me off. I choose to not rant every time they lose, for the simple reason that I don't want to post something like... Uh...whoa. They really played good. You know, I really did know it was just a funk, Steve was frustrating me so much. But man, 38 points 12 assists and 8 rebounds? Steve is da bom! Stevie Rocks!! ...after we win.
I have to admit during the '96 to '99 season, I took the Rockets for granted. Now Granted some of it was so ugly basketball (I blame Charles, thank you), but it was winning basketball. I remember how I blasted the Rockets when we couldn't beat the Sonics in '96 and Utah from there on. But when 2000 came rolling along and 2001. I finally learned my lesson. Call me optimistic. Better to win than not, better to have a basketball than not, etc. Don't tell me during Dream's final good run at the end of 2001, any fan took Dream for granted. I was cherishing every point, rebound, and block. That's why we were cheering at his game winning block against Terrell Brandon or his two crucial fadeways against Detroit. It was for once in my life I was happy with Dream just getting 15/10. Before the season started people were begging for a playoff position. Well, we're here. Yao, unexpectedly, performs better than we thought he would, and I understand the need to start thinking of the bigger picture. Now if we're 25-19, four years from now, I can see why people from be disappointed, but I'm happy with the progress (if I can call it that without being flamed) we've made. I guess we Rox fans are suffering from '94-95-itis. We'll all itching for that ring, waiting for Stevie to be bigger than Dream, waiting for Yao to be bigger than Dream, and it might happen...just not this year.
i'm content with the rockets, if they make the play offs i'm verry happy.i do not expect the rockets to make the 6 seed. if they finish 8 in the west, i'm verry happy.
For those who say they're happy with 8th seed, can you honestly say that there are 7 teams better than the Rockets in the Western Conference? (include ALL factors if you want) 8th seed is better than lottery, but still, it's not satisfactory. It's like being hit on the head, or being hit on the head then kicked on the head. Sure, you'd rather have one, but they're both BAD.
I would be happy with just making the playoffs. But the fear here is that we might not be able to do so because our record is very unsafe and leaves no margin of error in the tight West conf at all. Could you imagine the pressure on our young team if we are tied with Lakers with 5 games to go? I have to say that if we don't secure a playoffs spot with a bit breathing room, there is 80% of chance we will just not make it at the end.
Truthfully, the only two teams that are ahead of us that I think we should be better than are the Suns, Jazz, and TWolves. And I think our advantage over those teams is marginal due to the fact that the TWolves have a star who is possibly the most productive player in all of basketball, and the Jazz have two of the best players of all time, along with the emerging Harpring and Kirilenko. As for the Suns, they are definitely the surprise team of the NBA this season. All of those teams have more experience than the Rockets. I do think we should be better than all those teams by the end of the year, but not by much. And look, we're behind those teams by 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 games, respectively. Almost right where we want to be at the midway point. Two games out of the fifth seed! Before we played Dallas, SA, and Detroit we were ahead of all those teams except Phoenix. I mean, were you happy last week when we were in sixth place, and now you're not? It's midway through the season and the Rockets are smack-dab in the middle of the playoff hunt, why would I be unhappy with that? I am unhappy with how they play at times (although I was feeling pretty good when they won 8 out of 10), but I think overall, the wins and losses are about right.
