We had T-mac and Yao and couldn't make it past Dallas two years ago. How do you expect T-mac and Yao to get us past Dallas now?????? They need help. And besides Battier, we really haven't upgraded. And We had Sura back then as well. Wow, imagine if we had Sura - what a difference that would be. I mean, Juwon and Mutombo are just older. Head is still green and he's no Cassell. Rafer is useless except for jacking up three's. We don't use Synder, Bonzi is fat, and VSPAN and Novack are bench warmers. We couldn't get out of the first round then...so what's your point? What's really changed? It's not T-mac and Yao - infact, t-mac of then may never be back. Yao is more dominant, but he's coming of an injury and may not be in early season form by the playoffs. Doesn't look good.
That or the players we have don't match the coaching - you didn't mention that. I say it's the role-players. But you know, the coach impacts what players we choose - so the coach is to blame too. When the coach has a style that the NBA CHANGED THE RULES TO ELIMINATE - you know you are in trouble. Gundy ball may be out of date - which is why opposing pg's are ripping us apart. No matter how great the defense is, you can't defend against a faster player on the perimeter. You got to match speed with speed. That's why we can't beat Phoenix or Toronto. We can't keep up, and we're in a different era. The hand-checking days are over.
I'm not sure you know what you are talking about - actually, that's not fair - I'm just not sure I know what you are saying. The regular season is against so many different teams every night, you play your best hand and keep it consistent. The regular season is about your strongest overall hand - because you can't adjust too much over 82 games from game to game. The playoffs are the same team 7 times - do or time. So you have to adjust, and you scout the other team, you have days to plot and strategize. So that's where the match-ups come in. And you don't care about consistency anymore because each game is so important. It's doing anything and everything to win the game, but losing has huge consequences. The playoffs are about playing the best hand to beat a particular team, not your best average hand against the league like the regular season is. Every play still matters though. The game itself is still 4 quarters and most points win.
We have upgraded greatly since the time we last played the mavericks in the playoffs. We are contenders now somewhat. We're much younger, more energetic, and I think absolutely MORE HUNGRY. More importantly, though he's still injury during the first half of the season, YAO MING is a totally different person when it comes to basketball. He's become a dominant force and I'd like to see what the Mavericks have planned to stop him if we face them in the playoffs. Not to mention, T-MAC is playing MVP like basketball. It'll be tough, but it's a possibility this Rockets team goes far. Just wait and see the beautiful work of art when Tracy and Yao are on the court back together again.
You started this thread claiming the high road, that you were just telling it the way it is. This post, which so blithely and deftly ignores all of the progess and positives for this year ... shows who's being delusional. You're attempting now, at all costs, to defend your original premise. Who do you think you're fooling? Do your think no one here had seen Yao's MVP-like play this season before the injury? Or TMac's MVP-like play after the back therapies? Or Deke's and Howard's surprising resurgence (just older... like Deke's 22 boards last night )? Or Head's 3-pt shooting? Or Bonzi's play-off potential? Or our awesome team defense and dependable rebounding? During the game last night, when discussing the poostseason Hubie Brown said exactly what I've repeating... 1) We're getting Yao back 2) Tracy's on fire 3) Our boy's can hit the threes 4) We have AWESOME team defense Any other points you could make pale in comparison to these.
Do me a favor and skip the psycho-analysis / attacks. It really doesn't accomplish anything here. This isn't debate and discussion - we're suppose all be Rockets fans here, so no need to bash people for thier views just because the differ from your own. My post is a response to your's saying Yao and T-mac can carry a bunch of scrubs to the ring. No. They didn't do it two years ago - they need help. The weaknesses at the 1 and 4 are too easily exploited. Hayes and Rafer in particular. Rafer and Head can both hit threes but they are sub-standard at other parts of the game. Particularly rafer who gets beat off the dribble. This is a different league - the best defense is no longer going to get it done because the rules have been changed to neutralize that and favor teams that can penetrate. Other teams will be able to penetrate against us, and can defeat our great paint defense by moving the ball around. On the other end, guys like Rafer and Alston can't penetrate effectively. Rafer misses shots on penetration and he's not a great decision maker passing wise. Head is just not a pg. That leaves T-mac, who will get doubled. And Yao, who will get swarmed when he touches the ball. No - they won't get doubled at the same time, but the defenses are learning that you can't beat the Rockets by forcing their role-players to penetrate or create the offense. Because our role-players can't do that. And in today's league - as Phoenix and Toronto have shown you - great offense can beat great defense. This isn't the NBA of 10 or even 5 years ago. And if you don't get that, you're in for a rude awakening come May. Hey - I'll be happy to be proven wrong. But prove it with facts instead of base slurs which are just a weak attempt to get under my skin. There's no reason for that kind of childish attitude.
Rafer is a good PG...you are harsh on him...look at the offense when he goes outta the game...it flows alot better with him in
saddly, ny'er is right. we're going to beat alot of teams which is getting alot of people saying... yeeeeaaa, look at our great record. but, when it comes down to it, the rockets are second or final round doormats. i think deep down inside most fans know this otherwise it wouldn't even be such an issue.
People like you are annoying. Anyone on this forum has a right to complain and objectively criticize the players. We still stick around with the good and bad times of the team and root just as hard. Sorry we can't all be blind followers like you.
Show me Kyakko's objective analysis, and you have a topic. The negative topics on this board come and go like mood swings. It doesn't matter if we haven't played our true potential with a full squad. There's always a reasonless doubter. I rarely respond this way in these kind of topics, so I'm surprised you've pegged me as a blind follower.
reasonless? You don't think losing at home to the worst team in the NBA, and getting blown out at home by two playoff teams is a cause for reasonable doubt? Ok, be positive, that's awesome. But don't call others reasonless, you're just being unreasonable and creating a lot of negative vibes.
Not a surprise when one idiot agrees with another...and Sir Jack A$$ is the biggest idiot of them all.
********************************************** Cohen owns you New Yorker...... Yeah - our role players are mediocre-but: Rafer Alston is not as bad as you say. He brings the ball down the floor quick an usually has few turnovers. Shane is steady and dependable- He is a fine role player. This is a better team than the '95 team that lost to Dallas in the 1st round. We a have a stronger front line- if nothing else because of Yao becoming the finest-most dominant big man in the league. I have never supported Juwan Howard- T-Mac trade fodder- but he is consistent and has had a good year and provides veteran leadership-he does help. Snyder is strong, quick and athletic- he will be our slasher. Dikembe Mutombo wil get more rest with Yao coming back and he will provide depth. Jake Tsakilidis will also provide six fouls and is strong as a bulldozer. Our defense will get back on track-safe money is on control defense winning in the playoffs. Defense wins chamnpionships- like Detroit and SA. History supports my argument. Ask the Showtime Lakers in '89 and 90. You are right - we are weak at the 1 and the 4 - but it is not as bad as you say. We will probably not win the West- but we have a good chance of getting out of the 1st round. Now that you are Cohen's b**** -dry your eyes and enjoy the season....
************************************ Cohen- Good points all around. Effective argument that holds water. Left New Yorker shedding tears on his keyboard- good job- you're my hero!!!! Props to Yao and T-Mac MVP play. I look forward to the playoffs!!!! go Rockets!!!!! Mr. Cohen- New Yorker lies quivering in the corner -decimated. You own him!!!!
