I am not sure if the problem is that we're not competing, because we clearly are competing and hanging in there with every team we've played so far pretty much. However, and the more worrisome aspect, I have noticed that the Rockets as a whole completely collapse in the clutch and start making tons of mental mistakes that end up costing them games (the Bulls game was only the last exhibition of this). I think JVG is unto something when he mentions that some of the guys in the front court are not playing intelligent, or are making too many mistakes that cost the team wins in close contests. The way I see it, we could've had at least 3 wins or so without McGrady if we had cut down on our mental mistakes in the last few minutes of the fourth. I think our problems go way beyond McGrady's absence, and I still think regardless of the progress or lack thereof made this season wholesale change will come about again at the end of the season (some inevitable moves will be made when you have DW, JB, Moochie, and others coming off the payroll). Anyways, I am going to the game tonight and will cheer my arse off
Who cares about these teams? We want to belong with the Spurs, Pistons and Heat. The Spurs have been above 500 the last 2 years when they play without probably the best player in the league (Duncan). The Heat advanced to the WCF without Shaq. They have Shaq, but no Wade, and also probably stay above 500. No question Detriot without Ben Wallance or Billips is still repectable. Few years ago Sac lost Webber yet still played at a high clip. Jordan left the Bulls at his peak and the Bulls were still a 50 win team the next year if I recall. None of these teams are great without their best player (e.g., capable of winning a title), but they were still good teams. With a fully healthy squad, including Tmac, we are a very good team. But a great team could certainly afford to lose a great player and still be respectable. IMO it is painfully obvious the Rockets don't have enough talent in the roster. Even at our healthiest, a team like the Spurs or Detroit in a 7 game series will make it too hard for Tmac to beat them alone, and the rest of the guys just can't hold their own enough. The Rockets are going to need some better players around Tmac and Yao to win the title.
You sum it up nicely. To all those people who are harping trade Yao or this or that, put down your pipe & get real. T-MAC will NEVER play an 82-game season.
Our schedule was very tough before last night. But if we had had Finley, Spree etc. backing up Tmac then we should still be a decent team. Take Tmac off the team, you have to start Ryan Bowen. Take Yao off the team, Deke/Howard don't seem too bad. Tmac said it best in his after-game interview, Tmac-Yao depend on each other for success even Tmac is a much better player. Just take a look at Kobe's Lakers or Tmac's Magic and you know that kind of team is nothing special.
last time nash was out, suns lost five in a row with A. Stoudemire, S. Marion, Q. Richardson, J. Johnson. I just don't understand why blame on Yao when giving him so little help.
