Denver, Warriors, Mavs and to some extent Phoenix have flawed rosters. The adjective that applies to this team is overachieving. The Rox are close to getting to the finals, Moreys timetable was never to get to the finals this year otherwise he wouldn't have traded MJ and Bonzi for BJ. He made the move for cap flexibility for next year, the Rox window in the Yao/TMac era is closing so Morey needs to move quickly.
I got to give it to them as well. I hate losing but this loss was not dissappointing. Our Rockets played their hearts out but are just clearly outmanned. I expect them to win game 5 and still holding out for the best.
Might sound strange but I feel even more confident about our chances now than I did when we were down 2-0. This team, undersized, and its 3 best players running on 65% max laid it out on the floor tonite. I didn't even lose any sleep over this loss. They coulda come out like the Nuggets and Suns did and quit. But we hung tough in the loudest building in the league with all odds against us and went down swinging. We're taking the fight to them, and there is no reason I feel we can't extend this to a Game 6 and see what happens from there.
Agreed, you gotta love "gutsy" win or lose, but "shooting" is another story. Too many streaky shooters whose averages really want to fall to around 30%. In this league, that is a prescription for extreme frustration. I didn't get to see all of the game, but some of the Rocket's misses were amazing, like hitting the backboard a foot away from the basket. That is some amazingly bad shooting technique. And the free throws, inexplicable. But, definitely, an "A" for effort.
It's a damn shame that this team won't get more credit for all it has done. Since the Yao injury we have basically run ourselves into the ground trying to remain competitive, AND on top of all of that we have actually looked like the better team out there against Utah in my opinion. Sloan and the Jazz take their leads and make their runs by churning out a continual rotation of fresh and strong (steroid-driven?) bodies to continue the process of grinding us into mush. Bobby Jackson and Luther Head have really let the team down with their below-the-basement level of play; they probably have playoff +/- stats in the -10s. But with both teams at full strength that team is not better than the Rockets.
We haven't lost a game fully healthy since Dec 23 against Detroit. And even that holds an asterisk cause both T-Mac and Yao left that game early. Before that we lost to Orlando in the 19th.
Yeah, it's always nice to see the efforts of T-Mac + 4 Ryan Bowens on the floor. But you arent going to beat anybody thou.
While we would like to think we can win game 5 at home, I think the Rockets find a way to lose this game. IMO, this game is no different than game 7 at home last playoffs...which we also lost. I applaud the Rockets effort and heart...but they are coming up short in almost every game. It took a miracle to get the one win in Utah...even though we have been playing them tougher than they probably expected. As we have seen, this game is also about who gets the breaks during crunch time. Unfortunately, that seems to be Utah getting most of those breaks. The one thing we harped about (FTs) as one of the keys to winning before the series...is basically why we lost game 4. This team is just coming up short. It takes a full team effort with a lot of players hitting shots to win. We just missed so many damn shots in game 4 in addition to FTs...that I'm just frustrated by it all. Good luck, Rockets. You're going to need it.
I've actually liked watching this series, particularly the last 2 games. The blood vessels are going to pop in the collective heads of all the QQers but I actually like watching playoffs that Utah plays in. Sure they're annoying with the AK flops and the bull**** calls and the homecourt intimidation (which CLEARLY works) with the refs. But I'll be honest and say I love how Boozer and Deron Williams play. They're NBA stars with old school workmen mentality and the physical play is a throwback to the old days of the NBA playoffs in the 80s and 90s. NO LAYUPS. Utah is uncanny in the balls it ends up with... it's not pretty but it's an interesting basketball to watch in the playoffs. It's a war and they play dirty but how sweet it will be when we finally get over that hump. Add to that what Houston has done. This is a deeply deeply flawed team. Basically 1 guy who can score in Tmac, who himself is hurt and deeply flawed. Add to that 3-4 role players squeezing everything they have out of their limited abilities... a 100 year old ex-all star holding it together through sheer will. and a stable of young untested guys who have talent but are not quite ready for prime time. If you just sit back and appreciate the basketball, what houston has done is amazing and if you're a fan you got to be proud. Every game is like college ball... every game is like watching your 12 seed taking on a 5 seed where your 12 seed actually has a chance to win through sheer work and determination. This series is 1-3 but could easily be 2-2 (save an Okur push in the back to grab that board). If rafer had played it's no stretch to say it would have been 3-1. I just heard Michael Wilbon on ABC say based on what he's seen the series is coming back to houston for GAME SEVEN. My personal opinion is the same as it was before the series began... it's going 6 games... but that it's even going to game 5 is amazing... considering what this team is dealing with
Here, here. It's hard to be upset with this bunch, even thought the FTs are killing me. If, IF, we are healthy next year, we will be fierce.
Let's take a look The Rockets have alot more UPSIDE that the Jazz The Rockets are IMO better . . however less experienced players Boozer and Dwill are the best on their team We don't have anyone of their caliber . . I can grant that T-Mac - in theory . . they have no one of his caliber on there team To me . .they simply execute better, make less mistakes and play dirty get Ref help S.Battier Versus A.Kirilenko L.Scola Versus C.Boozer D.Mutombo versus M.Okur T.McGrady versus R.Brewer R.Alston versus D.Williams --------------------------------------- The bolded ones are wins for the Rockets 2 out of 3 - that does not seem VASTLY superior I think Scola will learn and get more respect next year I don't think Boozer is more talented in as much as more experienced If we had Yao . . he is more talented than Okur . . . but I am just going as is BENCH L.Head versus K.Korver B.Jackson versus R.Price C.Hayes versus M.Harpring A.Brooks versus M.Almond C.Landry versus P.Millsap -- Call this one a HOMER call M.Harris Versus J.Collins S.Novak versus C.Miles I think Landry and Brooks' Upside is great they need more experience korver is Novak with a slight bit of Defense BJax - is feast or famine but I think his experience can be good Harpring is a dirty player and flops - He has a better jump shot than Chuck but the only other difference is he gets more Ref Respect than Chuck Call me. . *stupid* or *blind* or a Homer but the difference between these two teams is not that great As Jim Rome would say . .. SCORE BOARD 55 wins to 54 Three injured starters and a 4th one out and they can barely beat uss????? but I'm to beleive they are VASTLY SUPERIOR TO US TALENT WISE????? SCORE BOARD!! The rockets are a few Free throws and bad Calls from being up in this one 3-1!! to the VASTLY SUPERIOR TALENT OF THE JAZZ???? Rocket River
