Steve franchise is definitly a difference maker. When he's on the court the team plays more aggressively and efficiently. Have you noticed that when steve is in the rotation that rafer steps his game up? I beleive it's from fear of losing his spot. But in the end, without steve has little to no chance of being a major threat in the west. We need some help soon or we may be on multiple losing streaks for the rest of the season.
Come on now....the role players that we have are definitley no all stars but are they that bad? Here is my opinion on that list. James - not consistant and a ball hog Francis - not in shape but is still our best 3rd opt Head - can Umm Umm Umm?? Okay he can....I'll get back to you Deke - best cheerleader on the bench and has sharp elbows Battier - can hustle sometimes, but not a threat on either end of the floor Alston - could not bust a grape in a fruit fight Scola - has potential to be a contributing player Wells - this chump is so pityful....i mean why is he playing? Okay i guess you may have a point
The Rockets are a .500 team and they're playing like one. Sure, the schedule has been tough but that doesn't really change anything. We've seen games that give us hope only to be brought back down to Earth the next game when we don't play so well. The faces have been changed but this team is more similar than dissimilar to last year's team. It's still the Tmac/Yao show and the usual suspects that follow who may or may not be reliable depending on the night. With Yao able to be taken out with fronting, then it basically comes down to the Tmac show. I just don't see this team winning a championship or getting very far in the playoffs. Sure, we're a competitive team. The problem is we are very much stoppable when it counts...as was on full display last night even with Tmac's 40+ point effort. If Tmac has to score 40+ points, then that tells me something right there about the rest of the team. This team still doesn't have the right supporting cast to get it done...without out some kind of shake-up or changes. I just don't know what to make of this team...other than I could toss a coin in the air when determining whether their going to win or lose a game on any given night. The idea that we should win this game/match-up because of who we have on the team is lost on me right now. Offense aside, it's the defense that is even more worrying down the stretch. We need Yao to be a stopper in the middle and not Mr. Foul. It's readily apparent that Yao is still going to be called for ticky-tack fouls each game just because he's the extremely big guy. Even if he just stands there with his arms in the air, if there's any contact...foul. Yao tries to take a charge and is run over...no foul call because ref thinks Yao is flopping probably because he won't believe a smaller player can run over Yao. Yao's propensity to get in foul trouble is always there. Even more worrying is the rest of the team's D in man-to-man situations. Our defenders don't appear to be very good at keeping up with their man, are easily shaken off for a wide open jumper, or are left trailing when the opponent takes off for the basket...where Yao is waiting to pick up his next foul more often than not. Sorry if I didn't make you feel better. lol
The Jazz, Spurs, Mavs, and Suns would demolish this team in the Playoffs, we may have some shot against the Nuggets because we matchup well with them but it looks like another 1st round exit for now.
The no passion, no energy, and no heart comment was also evident under JVG. It starts with Yao and T-mac. Yao showed up for this game from the start but Mac didn't decide to play until the 3rd quarter and I know he had Artest on him but he just didn't look interested until the 3rd quarter. Yao get 20 pts in the 1st half the Kings make adjustments and in the 2nd half we can't even get him the ball. It's the same old story as before. I think Adelman will figure things out but expectations for a title run with our current team is just not realistic until we can find that 3rd consistent scorer and play some consistent defense every night.
and none of those teams are playing with a completely revamped roster, with a brand new coaching staff implementing a whole new offensive philosophy.
Their is a philosophical difference between our team and other elite teams. For other teams, like Phoenix, Dallas, Utah, etc.., they emphasize offensive balance. They stress that everyone on the court contributes more or less equally on offense. Our offensive philosophy is to go through TMac and Yao 75% of the time. The players on our team are coached to defer to TMac/Yao, and that their stake on offense is much less. And the end result is they play like crap. I guarantee you that the Mike James and Bonzi Wells of the world would play much better on teams like Phoenix or Dallas - simply because they are "allowed" to shoulder more offensive responsibility. So, the solution, I think, would be to take shots away from TMac/Yao and give them to the rest of the players (i.e., balance).
Ah! That was pretty funny I know it's early,but I stick by my statements made previously...I don't see this team any better than the past 4 years and it's more because of the players than the coaches. Sure we'll get it together and start winning some games later in the season when our schedule gets easier, but that will be just fools gold. We'll probably get the 5-6th seed and face the suns or mavs and get vaulted AGAIN from the first round. Soon after the "It's only Adelman's first season...give him time." threads will start up, rinse repeat.
Injury prone?!?!?!?!?! He injured himself playing hard to try to get this team a W, you so called fans are SO UNGREATFUL wow
I am hardly encouraged by the fact the schedule gets easier. Metal is proven in the fire. At this point the Rockets appear very average overall. As I have said many times, two on five isn't going to get it done. Personally, I am losing interest. We are over a decade now since the last serious playoff runs. The TMac/Yao era appears to be passing by without significant playoff achievements. The team needs a lift, and so do the fans. Passionless and predictable, a very bad combo.
I checked a few of your posts. I'd be a little more shy about using the "R" word if I was you. You have a glass house my friend and you are chunking stones.
thats one of the things that are really worrying me. the Rockets have the talent. Shane Battier, Mike James, Luther Head....all can be great shooters but none of them have been accurate. Bonzi, Steve, etc havnet shot well either. Im just hoping and hoping the shooting will improve, because if it doesnt, this is going to be a long depressing season.
