Still rather new to the message board, but alllow me to vent my frustrations on this season.... My problem isn't with Steve, Rudy, KT or any of the people that seem to take an undue amount of flak on here. My problem is with all the idiots on here of ZERO basketball intellect, most of whom have probably never played the game, who continue to criticize when there are conditions here that their pee-brains obviously cannot comprehend. First, to put things in perspective: Shaq and Kobe are arguably two of the most talented and dominating players to ever be paired together on the same team at the Peak of their careers... It took Shaq 8 years, and 4 years together with Kobe to win their first title. This would only be Franchise' 4th Season. He and Yao will do it in half that time. And lets not forget that he missed the majority of last year with various ailments, which means he has played the point guard position a grand total of 2 1/2 years in his whole life. If you know anything about basketball, the requirements for a point guard go beyond passing the ball or deferring the shot, it has more to do with being a floor leader and getting your team mates in synch with the offense. With all the players that have shuffled through this lineup during his tenure and the fact that we have tried to completely revamp the offensive scheme, his development at this position should be praised. Give credit where credit is due. Once he learns the game plan and his team mates better, the fact that he is remarkably talented and athletic (and has demonstrated his ability to step up in the final seconds) will only lead to great rewards and many spectacular memories for this team. People on here seem so patient with Eddie G to let him develop, but Steve's has had a far greater task on his hands. He's almost there. And lets also not forget that while it has been 7 years since we last held the title during this re-building period; it took the Lakers 12 years to rebuild between title runs (1988-2000). Let this be a testament to Rudy T and Carol Dawson for their ability to scout and develop young talent. And also give Rudy T credit for being able to change his game plan to conform to the talent he has. There is an unbelievable amount of Young talent on this team right now, but there are still only so many minutes to go around. You'll notice that none of them are grumbling about their minutes, so they obviously have faith in Rudy and his grand scheme for this team. How people can criticize someone who has done so much for this organization, and who has already proven his methods successful, is beyond me. What we are all seeing, as frustrating as it may be, are the growing pains of a ridiculously talented bunch trying to learn and adapt to each other and to the system. Because of all the injuries we had last year, this is really the first time these guys have ALL played together. People are still trying to find and understand their roles on this team. And these are things that can only come with TIME!!! This isn't a matter of one player coming into an already established system, this is an entire team coming together in a new entirely new system. It will happen, so until then, ease up. The constant threads of Steve can't play point, KT sucks, Give Yao the Ball, play MoT/Eddie G/Boki more, etc... need to come to an end, so the impartial fans who truly love this TEAM can appreciate and enjoy what is enfolding before us. And also (somewhat related though), can we PLEASE do something about the fan support at games?!?!?!?!?
Very good post. I, for one, am very happy with the way the season is progressing. Learning and developing is a "process" that takes time. There will be ups and downs. A lot of folks seem to base their evaluation of "the season" on each game. I do not. Come playoffs, no one will want a piece of this team. In Rudy and Rockets we trust.
Thanks for the post theguent. You have said practically everything I feel about many of the posters on this message board. ~ kountzer ~
The thing is guent that some of the posts that you are calling idiotic, actually would HELP the team get to that level more quickly. Magic Johnson won the championship in his rookie year, and Larry Bird did not need 12 years to get his. People have a right to criticize, and some of us have even played and STILL play the game. The problem most people have with the Rockets is that they make the SIMPLE game of basketball, much much much HARDER then it has to be. I don't mind the criticisms at all, but I do know that calling the people on the BBS IDIOTS is a good way to be escorted out of here. If you don't like critical posts, don't read them. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen....and any numerous other cliches I can come up with.... In essence, deal with it, and toughen up !! DD
theguent made some very good points. It took a while for Shaq and Kobe to click. There is no reason to expect SF and Yao to become a tandem in 20 games.
I agree with a lot of his points. However, he is contributing to the spread of negativity by criticisizing THIS BBS. It is ok to make good solid points, without being an A$$. DaDakota
THEGUENT, have you been watching, listening, and/or following every Rocket game since Francis and Mobley have been playing together? No one who wants to be taken seriously would not acknowledge the incredible athletic talents of both players. They are great leapers, they are "cat" quick, living "highlight" reels. BUT, going one on five at critical points in a game, ignoring wide- open players, leaping into a crowd, and throwing up a prayer that usually doesn't get answered has absolutely nothing to do with adjusting to a new system or new players. Neither does tossing lazy passes into the hands of defenders, nor dribbling yourself into a turnover, nor playing "if I feel like it" defense. And they commit these fundamental, basic, "everything we were taught not to do at basketball camp" mistakes, over and over, game after game, year after year. Result: Rudy shakes his head, puts his face in his hands, and wipes his face with a towel. The broadcast teams both TV and radio make comments like, "No Steve No, PASS THE BALL, I can't believe they just did that, etc, etc." Fans get extremely frustrated and get called "haters." Call me what you want, but I HATE THAT MOBLEY AND FRANCIS CONTINUE MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES OVER AND OVER. They are at once the keys to success on the team and the keys to the team's problems. After a while, one can only conclude that their desire for recognition, their streetball instincts, their one on one style of play gets the best of the them and they simply can't or won't stop doing things that hurt the team. This is very frustrating TO MANY SERIOUS FANS who post on this board.
I agree. We've seen some great motion this year against the best teams in the NBA, but we just can't sustain it game to game like the best can. We have it. I've seen it. We can do it. Sustaining it is about continuing to learn how the NBA defenses are adjusting to you, and learning how to do it from the opening tip to the end. What we need to learn is not beyond our ability, because we've seen it. Enjoy the growth. Appreciate how long it can take to beat changing NBA defenses especially now that zone is allowed. It is all beautiful to watch. Loses are pain for the players/coaches. It is still all entertainment to me, and the reward is sticking it out with the team to see them celebrate their wins. This team does not gripe. Only griping teams make me mad as a fan. We should always count our blessings every year we don't have major griping between the stars.
The problem most people have with a criticizing fan is that they make the SIMPLE task of being a fan, much much much HARDER then it has to be. Just support the team Good, Bad and yes even Ugly.
Xcharged, You do know that the meaning of the word "Fan" is derived from Fanatic, don't you? People who are fans cheer when their team is doing well, and b**** and moan when it is doing badly. It is part of the fun, and a good lesson in life. DD
I think as fans we have the right to express our opinions. That's what the BBS was created for. The Rockets are our team. I'm a native Houstonian & have been with the Rockets since I was a kid and Sampson was a rookie. No player is bigger than the Rockets as a team and I want what's in the team's best interests and that is to win ball games. Many of the criticisms I've seen are perfectly valid and some are misguided but criticisms are merely opinion of which we're all entitled to in America as long as we aren't doing it in a way that slams our fellow BBS members. As a Rockets fan, I look at the Rockets as a company of which I am a shareholder who has a right to express my opinion.
To the first post. I like Rudy and Carol, but getting the first pick in the draft doesn't take skill or planning or anything like that, it was luck. Imagine what this team would be like if we didn't have Yao. Rudy's career has been saved, so I agree that people should be more patient, but lets not give the Rockets too much credit for getting Yao.
Great post Solid. I don't know what it is Guent does for a living, but if he thinks the game of basketball is so complicated that fans can't comment on it, something tells me it involves a lot of heavy lifting. This is basketball we're talking about. Most of the players, incapable of speaking in complete sentences, are ablel enough to run a play and read defenses. Compared to this, fans, at the very least, can post about passing to the open man.
Speaking as a fan that didn't miss one game last season... I think we can all agree...this season has been very entertaining and promising compared to last. So it might take another season or two to work out the kinks...I'm not going anywhere. go rockets
The original post is lame! I value everyone's opinion on this board without be-littlement, its fun to read what others are thinking. I dont have a doubt in my mind that everyone hear is a rockets fan through thick and thin. I do think it is not wise to be critical of them when they screw up. Ya know its like raising a child when he/she does something bad you dont praise them for that cause then they think it is okay. When the rockets screw up, I am critical of them, that does not take away from the love/support I have for them. The only thing that bugs me is the fan that is unrealistic IE:Rockets will win the championship this year. Its not that I wouldnt want them to win, but Im not counting on it happening. If it does then I will be the first to meet everyone else on Richmond. Rudy isnt the greatest coach and Steve and Cuttino combo has not been the best thing since sliced bread. Do they have the potiental? Hell Yes! Have they proved themselves enought to be called it? Not clearly so. DaDakota is a realistic fan that I agree w/ for the most part, some others here act as if the rockets cant do no wrong? Then question others IQ when we are critical of them. If you call that being a fan, then I guess I am not one!
Has it occurred to anyone that being criticized is part of the job descriptions for pro sports players and coaches? Why are we paying millions of dollars to these guys? We make them the objects of our cheers and our jeers, our love and our hatred. It beats being the gladiators in Roman arenas. The reason why we are addicted to this board is the opportunity to b**** and argue in psuedo-intelligent ways. We are a bunch of fanatics who like to delude ourselves to be knowledgeable enough to disagree with the "professionals." The only person here we bow down and worship without any reservation is Clutch, because he is the reason we can do all this. To criticize the criticisms here is as contradictory as burning the American flag and claiming it's a form of free speech. The flag IS the symbol of free speech! That said, I agree with many of theguent's points about the positive prospect of the team. That doesn't make the growing pain any less frustrating, though. If you've ever been a parent, you know what I am talking about.
You make good points, I'll give you that, but I agree with DD in that you are just adding more negativity to the board. There are a lot of people on this BBS that hate the team one game and then praise them the next. Every team has fans like this as does every BBS. Although a lot of them are speaking nonsense in their opinions they are still just that...opinions. And sometimes they, well everybody, make some real valid points in there analysis. I hate the haters also, and even if we were to win the title this year they would be talking about who we need to get rid of before next year. It comes with being a fan and being a part of a BBS. Even though I did enjoy your thread and you did make good points...I dont see it changing anything......POST ON!!! ~JB
