I'm frustrated and tired of all the moaning and whining about all that's wrong with the Rockets. Seems like the top 2 things that we hear the most of on this board this season is either (a) how Francis is some kind of cancer on the team, or (b) how Yao will never be aggressive enough to become a dominant force for the Rockets. In the grand scheme of things both these positions that people take IMHO are terrible conclusions to make and stems from not being able to see the forest from the trees. I think there are two reasons for this: (1) using the wrong indicators to measure progress, or (2) having a particular bias for specific players (positive or negative); therefore, looking only for indicators that supports that bias. I have no illusions about trying to convince anyone who fits into the 2nd category of changing their position - that being close to downright impossible to do. For those in the 1st group however, I believe that one of the problems here is reading too much in 1, 2, or even 4 games. Having the art of the long view is the better approach to measuring up how the Rockets are doing and therefore how well the pieces are fitting together. In taking the long view there are some good trends we are seeing out of the Rockets such as the Rockets defense, being able to go toe-to-toe with top teams in the West, the Rockets actually running better plays, and their current standing in the league etc. But one that is most striking that I've come across is this: since the 1st time since the 93-94 season the Rockets have finally had a winning record for each month of the season. I think it is foolish to be calling for Steve's or Yao's head if you're taking the long view. Progress is sometimes measured in inches and not miles.
Whaaaa? you mean a comfortable hold on a playoff spot and their best record in 6 years as well as becoming one of the best defensive teams in the NBA is not progress? Wrong, the world is ending, more bash threads needed, asap.
Hehe Sam . BTW Clutch or Jeff - I just noticed Sir Jackie Chiles thread on "interesting statistic". Feel free to merge my thread into that one if you'd like.
I think the isue here is actually that most have taken the long view. Sure, on a game by game basis there are swings in the persona of the bbs. Why not sit back and say all is well after a game like tonight? In the end, though, the Rockets play this type of ball maybe once every 20 games, if that. People have waited and waited and waited - I'm talking years - to see consistent progress, not just sporadic glimpes. Accentuating the problem, at least in my opinion, is that when they do play well, you see just how good a team they can be. If only the backcourt could combine for 16 assist per game, this team would average 95+ points a night, the offensive flow would open up so much more for not only Yao, JJ, Mo Taylor and others, but for the backcourt instigating the passing anyway. To see what is possible and then to go back to crap for the next 19 games is what makes people frustrated, angry and confused.
JayZ750: You are proving exactly the point I'm trying to make about looking at the wrong measures for progress. Taking the long view means that single games, high or low is the wrong thing to look at to measure progress. 2ndly claiming that the Rockets have played like crap most of the year and only 1 out of every 20 games do they play good is ludicrous. That's throwing out all the other trends I've already mentioned. 3rdly this statement gives yourself away. You already have a bias of the players that clouds your perception. If you're looking only at the Lakers game the reason we got as many assists is because of the defense the Lakers gave us vs. different looks that we get from other teams that we haven't learned to adapt to for higher offensive efficiency. 4thly the thinking seems to be that unless the team is perfect than the team stinks - smacks of instant gratification syndrome to me.
You think after 5 years I DON'T have a bias? Some people think personell change is good, some people hate it. Some people think that players change their games, some people think they don't. You seem to be in the camp that thinks personell change is bad, and players will change their games. With either path, the goal is to change from bad to good.
My mother says to get a job But she don't like the one she's got When masturbation's lost it's fun You're f***ing crazy!
