Magic Johnson said it last year, and he may say it again this year, but, regardless, it was true then and it would be true now. Soon after Magic's comment, Les issued a statement that the Rockets will continue to build around Yao and TMac. Yea, Rah, Siss Boom Bah! Go Team! How much more of this baloney are you up for? Magic spoke the truth, in your heart you know it, I know it, the rest of the NBA knows it (why do you think the eyes of every team in the league light up when they play the Rockets?), and the American people know it. I think even the players know it. I think Morey knows it. Only Les, never accused of being a "quick study" in basketball matters, doesn't know it. It may not be the right time to dismantle this team and retool, but it is growing close. It is not that Yao has failed. It is not that TMac has failed (debatable). But, together they do not form a foundation on which to build a contender. When the foundation is cracked, nothing works on top of it. There are many reasons why this duo didn't make it happen in the long term, but in my mind, one of the keys is that you cannot build a team around two players who have passive temperaments, low energy levels, and fragile bodies. It takes so much energy for either of them to "get going," there little bursts of activity can't last long. Yao often looks disinterested, but I think he really is, but TMac often looks disinterested and he likely is disinterested. Now add in the supporting cast. Most are not quick, athletic, or good shooters. Several are well past their prime. When a player like Wafer, who barely made the team, looks like an All Star because he can jump, run, and shoot, you know there is a talent deficit. Expectations-wise, the Rockets take you high (No one said Les is not a good salesman), Performance-wise, the Rockets take you low. I am long suffering fan, but the clock is ticking on this bunch, and it is ticking loudly.
It worked when he was healthy, but he is on a serious decline....at some point you just have to recognize he is what he is... And move on. DD
When did it work? This duo has never made it out of the first round of the playoffs. Kobe/Shaq they are not.
When T-Mac don't have luxury of health,he can't get himself even running on the floor like he used to do.That's the main problem that destroys the T-Mac/Yao core.Also,he's on a sharp decline since the back spasm hit him the second year he was traded here. We'd better move on without him unless there's probablity that he could get back to his ol' self.But I doubt it.
Yes, the overall pattern has been clear to me for awhile now. This team will compile a decent regular season record, maybe not as good as last year, but the longstanding tendancy to play down to the level of the competition and lose to bottom feeder teams indicates a lack of competitive fire and a good bit of laziness. Also, long and athletic teams just eat the Rockets alive. Yea Rah Sis Boom Ba! Go Team!
Tell us something we don't already know please. I think anyone can point out problems but what can you do about it? You can try to trade Tmac and Artest but do you really think you'll get anything of value for them? There are 2 and 1 years left on their contracts respectively so you are probably better off just waiting. Also, last time I checked, running, jumping, and shooting well usually are the attributes of a good player.
This is it. This is the year. If they don't get into the playoffs and look like a serious championship team then it's time to start making some phone calls.
After this season, I think you have to retool around Yao. What to do with TMac's 20,000,000 contract is a bit of a problem. They have to diminish his role and fade him out. The Rockets need to get bigger and more athletic: they have too many "duplicate" players, Hayes, Landry, Scola, Dorsey. They need a dead eye shooter that can run and jump. They need a Sura-like player to pair with Yao.
magic was right, but ummm not to go off topic here but how many posts do i need to make my own thread?? i mean wtf i saw a kid that jus registered this jan. and had 11 posts make a thread and i cant??
Entering the season, I don't know the exact figure, but the Rockets had won something like 20 games in a row with both Yao and Tracy in the lineup. McGrady looks somewhat healthy now. In 1 game, Yao played terrible. Let's wait at least a few more games before proclaiming, officially, that the experiment has failed.
Like I said some time ago, hope springs eternal, and with the Rockets it has to. Yeah, we will keep watching, keep attending games, buying tickets and jerseys because we are addicted and can't stop, but at least I want to be conscious of how stupid I am. Magic was right...... last year.
thing is . . . it's past failed. the culture of the team is defined by failure. every question is about what it will take to win. every failure is over analyzed and blame assigned. the playoffs question is so large now that it is the defining attribute of this team. do you really think a team that is so defined by a culture of failure will somehow magically change its ways? that doesnt happen until the people change.
I pretty much agree durvasa. It was only the 3rd game when we were really healthly. The fact that we lost all those 3 games is ridiculous, but we will need time to mix it up together. Yao had 1 terrible game. It is just one game, after missing previous 2. Not a very big deal. T-Mac looks pretty healthly, he is starting to feel his legs and he is playing better every single game so we can only expect him to play even better. Obviously there are NO REASONS to be optimistic, but let's wait and see. The talent is there, hopefully we will stay healthly as well.
Who's the finisher? Tracy? Yao? Just who is going to make the game winning play that launches the Rockets into the second round?
i hate to say it but magic was right, its time to make a trade, and i tell you one thing Yao is staying.
When tracy and ron were out Yao was growing into a real leader.He stepped up made two big plays in the win up at boston. He had 3 or 4 big games in a row. You had the role players doing their jobs like wafer and rafer,You had a winner/leadership with barry. Real chemistry was present Now you have Yao sorrounded by, me first personal agenda losers. You associate with energy like this you become that,It will consume you. And it ain't about stats or talent. It's about chemistry and really knowing how to close the deal in crunch time.
