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Tough loss... but we will come back, and we are playoff bound

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by The Cat, Mar 11, 2001.

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  1. The Cat

    The Cat Member

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    Let's look at this realistically folks. This game would've been nice to have-- move to just one back in the playoffs. But can you really be extremely disappointed in the loss? You're playing without probably your 3rd best player and your starting center in Hakeem, who the Suns would've had no answer for. You're playing on the road, in a hostile environment, on the second night of a back to back. This was not a game that we definitely should've won going into it. It hurt like hell to lose, but we'll come back. Anyone who thinks a game like this is the season is an absolute moron. And the Rockets didn't fold down the stretch either... every single time the Suns came close, the Rockets responded. Right up until they were royally screwed on the last play of the game.

    Guys-- we played a good team tonight, when we were tired, on the road, not 100%, etc. It was a huge game and we hung in there. We should've won, but things happen sometimes. Nothing to be ashamed of. We gave it our best, and we proved we are a playoff capable team. Hopefully we can get the W next time though. Guys-- we are 2.5 games out of the playoffs and Minnesota has a practically impossible schedule looming ahead. We will still make the playoffs. BELIEVE IT!

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    "We're not settling for just getting in the playoffs." "We want a higher seed. There's no doubt. We expect to get in."-- Steve Francis

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    #1 The Cat, Mar 11, 2001
  2. Heath

    Heath Member

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    Yeah - you're right - we do believe it - in fact we already do believe it in Valios thread [​IMG] (If you do not pay attention to Turns post [​IMG] but he his disregarded anyway)

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    We can reach our destination, but it's still a ways away.
     
    #2 Heath, Mar 11, 2001
  3. DieHard Rocket

    DieHard Rocket Member

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    The thing that worries me a bit is the effect this will have on the team...in order to make the playoffs, we've got to keep winning games like we've been doing. Indiana isn't exactly going to lay down for us, and we've got a big one against San Antonio next weekend...that will be a big game for us. Hopefully the guys won't dwell on this too much.

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    #3 DieHard Rocket, Mar 11, 2001
  4. ZRB

    ZRB Member

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    I keep forgetting that Hakeem was not playing. If he comes back soon, I might start to believe. When is Hakeem due back?

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    Re-elect President Gore!
     
    #4 ZRB, Mar 11, 2001
  5. ROCKETBOOSTER

    ROCKETBOOSTER Member

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    This team will not even come close to making the playoffs as long as Walt Williams and Moochie Norris are our fourth quarter forwards.

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    [This message has been edited by ROCKETBOOSTER (edited March 11, 2001).]
     
    #5 ROCKETBOOSTER, Mar 11, 2001
  6. ZRB

    ZRB Member

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    You are right on Rocket Booster. If Bullard had been healthy, I'm sure he would have been in too. Hey, why didn't Rudy put in Langhi? That would have made the lineup even worse, which is obviously what Rudy was shooting for.

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    Re-elect President Gore!
     
    #6 ZRB, Mar 11, 2001
  7. pooh222

    pooh222 Member

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    I'm just having problems being positive after this loss. Yes, they were playing without Hakeem, and he could have made a difference, but the Rockets had the freakin game. This loss HURTS, big time. Losses like this will come back and really haunt the Rockets. I hope that they make the playoff, that would be great, but losses like tonight I feel will prevent them from making it.

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    #7 pooh222, Mar 11, 2001
  8. crash5179

    crash5179 Member

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    Sorry but I can't complain about Rudy's coaching tonight. The team was obviously ready to play. Mo and Cato both looked like they were ready to play but both got into early foul trouble. Cato was never the same.

    I thought his rotations were fine tonight. I just think we went up against a veteran team that is full of players that are experienced in big games. We have none. They also got some big brakes with some awful calls by the refs. I could point out the calls but we all saw them.

    This was a heart breaker but certainly not the end of the season.

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    #8 crash5179, Mar 12, 2001
  9. ZRB

    ZRB Member

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    I can only hope that the Rockets will benefit from what was essentially, postseason experience.

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    Re-elect President Gore!
     
    #9 ZRB, Mar 12, 2001
  10. R0ckets03

    R0ckets03 Member

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    I'm with you Cat! [​IMG] F**K the Suns! We will get our revenge when we make the playoffs over them. I do believe in my Rockets! And I KNOW they will make the playoffs. Todays game was not a "make it or break it" type of situation.

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    #10 R0ckets03, Mar 12, 2001
  11. RocketMan Tex

    RocketMan Tex Member

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    The Rockets had to have that game with the Suns in order to have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. It will be very difficult for them to make the playoffs now, and it will be more difficult the longer Hakeem and Bullard are injured.

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    "Blues is a Healer"
    --John Lee Hooker
     
    #11 RocketMan Tex, Mar 12, 2001
  12. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    Phoenix did not have Penny Hardaway. No excuses, we choked again.

    3 straight chokes against quality opponents.

    This team is only going to the golf course in April.

    No playoffs, not this year...too young and stupid.

    On the positive side, they are growing.

    DaDakota

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    Go Jazz *

    http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011403.html
     
    #12 DaDakota, Mar 12, 2001
  13. RocksMillenium

    RocksMillenium Member

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    This team is still in th playoff hunt. What's with all the negativity, it was ONE loss, I mean my god!

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    Rocks2001 in disguise. . .
     
    #13 RocksMillenium, Mar 12, 2001
  14. Sane

    Sane Member

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    the cat, I agree with most of what you are saying. looking at the three teams' schedules, I'd expect the Rockets to make it in. but that's not what this game was about. This game was about the availability of the seventh spot instead of the eighth. Now, that's not something we can have. We're gonna fight long and hard for the eighth spot. But more importantly, i bet the players are devastated. they're absolutely CRUSHED by the loss. Who's to blame? Mobley, Francis and Mo all had big games. it wasn't anyone's fault, the refs ripped us. And, like I said, the squad's morale has plummeted indefdinitely. Aside from that, Phoenix now have the confidence to win at least 3 more games than they would've had they lost. this loss brings the self-esteem down for the Rox, and ALSO sky rockets the Suns into seventh. their schedule isn't as bad as Minnesota, and I see them getting the seventh. here's to hoping the Rockets get the eighth spot, but let's hope this game didn't affect the players' mentalities too much.


    GO ROCKETS, STAY CONFIDENT!

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    #14 Sane, Mar 12, 2001
  15. Sane

    Sane Member

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    BTW, I was thinking, and it would be really great if we had a countdown to the next Suns game on the frontpage or something. I can't wait to tear them up. if you think Steve was huge this time, watch how he blinds kidd next time. Hakeem being back will free up so many players on so many plays, and if they go man to man against us, well then they'll be in HUGE trouble. I seriously think the only way to stop a fully healthy Rockets team is with 5 extremely above average one-on-one defenders. No other way.

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    #15 Sane, Mar 12, 2001
  16. RunninRaven

    RunninRaven Member
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    Bless you, Cat, for your positive threads after a loss such as this one. After the game, I was fuming and cussing and ready to kick my dog if he so much as looked at me funny. Similarly, I was single-handedly ready to proclaim the Rockets the worst team in the history of the world, swear off all basketball, and become a monk in some backwards third world country, so I would never have to see, hear, or even read about a loss such as this one.

    But after I calmed down a bit (thank god I didn't actually see the game, but just read the chat), I realized that this was not the end of the playoff run, and it is not at all unlikely that the Rockets could make the 8th seed.

    Reading threads and posts like yours, Cat, always calms me down and helps me realize that there is still hope. I wish I could have that unfailing optimism all the time, but I guess borrowing it from you will have to be enough... [​IMG]

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    "all your base are belong to us!"
    "you have no chance to survive make your time!"

    [This message has been edited by RunninRaven (edited March 12, 2001).]
     
    #16 RunninRaven, Mar 12, 2001
  17. Toast

    Toast Member

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    It ain't over yet.

    We get today to b!tch about what should have been, but we need to focus on starting a new winning streak.

    Still not quite 3 games out. I like our chances, as long as we keep playing to win.

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    Founding Father of the
    Refs Suck Club
     
    #17 Toast, Mar 12, 2001
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