If you actually watched all of the games this season, you would have noticed that he is getting better in shape. Definitely saw more lifts from him in last couple of games
JVG, you missed the point didn't you. If you can't give the effort and your coming off of this so called debilitating "cough cough" arthroscopic surgery to clean out particles in your knee, then you need to sit down and wait for either your knee to heal or go see a sports physchologist. Effort is effort. All I know is that it's incredible to me that T-Mac can put out stupendous performances and great effort against teams like Boston and Portland, then look so apathetic and fragile against most other teams. An objective person is kidding themselves if they blame his lack effort on an injury. I am as big a T-Mac fan as there's ever been, I have made excuses in his favor for many years. He is an exceptional talent and probably one of the most talented basketball players I have ever seen, but I have finally come to a realization the kid lacks heart. I hope that he can prove me wrong IF the rockets make the playoffs and advance, but at this point with the addition of Ron Artest, if a good trade offer came along for T-Mac that could benifit the rockets I would seriously consider it.
If Tmac is not going to get over minor surgery, this team will not go anywhere. We hitched our wagon to this guy and for better or worse he is driving the boat. Personally, I want him to play when he is playing well, but when he starts that limp or hanging of his head...bench him. DD
DD, You are spot on with your OP. I commend you for be willing to take some bashing for people that can't see the light. I would actually extend the "Slow and Slower" concept to "Slow, Slower, Even Slower and Slower than Molasses". That's what I was getting at a couple of weeks ago with this thread: Speed & Athleticism in the starting lineup
DD, you are completely right in your OP. While the league is moving to a faster, more athletic game with more athletic players, we're stuck with the slow plodding TMacosuarus and Yaoceratops.
I have never been a populist, calling it like you see it means you ruffle some feathers. Who cares? This is an internet message board for Rockets discussion, if we all thought alike it would be a boring place. But some people are more forgiving.....me, I expect greatness. There are some DDingleberries that follow me around and post in all my threads....some are in this thread, I might make a game out of it and see if you can figure out which one's they are....hint...one....might call Tmac a Rheinasuarus. DD
Just jump off the bandwagon already. I'm just trying to figure out how you can be a fan of the team one day, and then all of a sudden because of a loss, you completely turn on the guys and say we can't win with yao and tmac as the leaders. The only logical explaination is that you're overreacting to one game in November. That's sad given how long you've been watching the game. I guess that's the society we live in though....so unstable and reactionary.
Look, there are several classes of fans: "Optimistic" fans: We're going to go 77-5 this year; TMac will win MVP, Yao will average 30/15, and RonRon will win Defensive Player of the Year. We'll go 16-0 in the playoffs, easily dispatching the Hornets, Lakers and Celtics. Anyone who doesn't believe this is not a true fan of the Rockets. "Realistic" fan: We're kind of lucky to be 7-5 right now. Our offense is horrible. Our defense is okay but has been pretty bad at times. TMac is injured. Yao is injured. Artest is injured. We'll probably make the playoffs but I expect to be disappointed again since TMac and Yao aren't getting any younger and look to be much worse than earlier versions. "Pessamistic" fan: The Rockets are going nowhere. I've watched them for the last x years and they've disappointed me every time. I wish them luck, but I don't think were going to the post season and even if we do, we're certainly not winning anything there. These are all fans. They just have different perspectives.
Ok heres a completely "realistic" question....Who, besides the Lakers, would beat a healthy Rockets in a 7 game series in the western conference?
A healthy Spurs team? A healthy Jazz team? The Suns? The Hornets? The Blazers? These all look like they have a reasonable chance of beating the Rockets in a 7 game series.
^ There's another fan: "Satiated/Appreciative/Loves the NBA" -- The Rockets have giving me my best sports experience (thanks to Rudy and Hakeem, et al), everything else is gravy. Now we can sit back and watch the sport for sure enjoyment and root for current Rockets players and understand that their desire to win is probably much higher than ours, and their thrill of victory is probably much higher than ours, and JVG's depression after losses is pretty hilarious and makes me appreciate that none of us can put a candle to that emotional distraught. I love this game.
We beat the Suns and the Hornets a week ago with the team in its current "slow and slower" state. The Jazz? I dont know, they're a great team. It would be another awesome series. The Blazers? They have no answer for a healthy Tmac, and I think Battier would shut down Roy The Spurs? I always felt we matched up well against them...but Yeh they could knock us off if theyre on their game, but our depth is superior to theirs.
One regular season win does not a playoff series make .... Also, note that every team wanted the Rockets in the first round last year; the Jazz won the lottery.
I can appreciate that sentiment HP. Sometimes I wish I was a little more laid back about it like you. Unfortunatly I like to vent with my fellow fans here, and sometimes that irks people while others understand and want to discuss it. However, I think everyone is still a fan......that should never be questioned. JVG, No one is giving up, where did I say that? I am just being realistic and calling it like I see it....Tmac is slow, out of shape, and afraid to jump off of that leg. Yao, is also slow and indecisive with the basketball. Any chance the Rockets have deals with them getting over their injuries and coming back strong......I am hopeful, but history has not been kind to them..... All I want is effort...is that asking too much? DD
Im just saying...since were playing so terribly like everyone is saying, we cant possibly get any worse...if at our worst we can beat the suns on the road and handle the hornets, why cant we beat them in a 7 game series? It would be illogical to think we couldnt.
When is the last time we had a healthy Rockets team (mentally and physically)?, that I think is the crux of the matter. DD
