We will make the playoffs, we will finish 4th, and here is why..

This has been the most unimpressive 4-game winning streak in recent memory. While we've had a double digit lead for several games in a row, I just don't feel like we're playing that great.

Against Portland, we were fortunate to win that game. I thought that they outplayed us. WAS, DET, and NOH are just really bad, and those games ended up being much too close for my liking.

I'm not saying that we're a bad team, but I don't think we're any better than last year's team. Too many players just aren't stepping up like we need them to. In particular, Patterson and Dragic need to be much better.

 

Some people say that it's a sign of a good team when you can play badly but still win

 

I dunno man. We almost blew the game last night because of our bench and because of McHale. Sticking with Bud for too long and throwing Adrien out there randomly. Then not playing Parsons who was playing great.

So that's two of your reasons down the ****house.

 

Or a sign that you're playing a really really really bad team.

 

Maybe on the road but home games against scrubs should never be this close.

 

I look at the Rockets relative to the other teams in the West and wonder how in the world you could possibly think we'll finish 4th.

 

We have a better chance of finishing 3rd than 4th tbh. This division went from being the best division of all-time last year to being very mediocre.

 

Our bench has been playing horrible lately. Only Lee and Dragic (Bud once every 4 games) do anything. I thought we were going to have some really good depth but man they are horrible. I honestly think Bud has given all he had to give and should be traded. I don't know if he lost his confidence or what but he doesn't drive to the basket, never cuts to the basket, chunks up 3s and makes a 1/3 of them. Mchale needs to light some fire under his ass. We will come no where near 4 in the West as it is now and if our Bench doesn't get better we won't even make the playoffs.

 

Then how is it as a 5 game winning streak then?



I do agree though...but if they beat the Spurs on Saturday...well.....

DD

 

I like the way our starters are playing, everyone except for Luis. For some reason last night it seemed like he had almost no confidence in his shot and was not able to get good positioning on his man in the paint. This also wasn't the first game I noticed the trend. I'm afraid he might be regressing or being super tentative on offense, which is the main reason he's out there for.

I also am weary about the bench, I know PPatt is still getting back to game shape and trying to find his rythm but as mentioned Dragic and Bud need to play a lot better for us to consistently win, Courtney has been doing his part before and after the injury.

Overall we have a good team but a lot of our players still need to get their timing and shot down.

 

Hmmm ... better.

5 wins in 7 nights is pretty good.

 

Remember, it doesn't work like that.

Each of the 3 Division winners is guaranteed a top 4 spot, and you're still positioned by overall record.

 

Several times before, Scola has looked pretty ordinary at the beginning of the season and picked it up by the end. It takes him some time to heat up or something. I'm mostly expecting that to happen again this season.

But, I still think we're struggling to just get into the playoffs. 4th is out of the question.

 

To those thinking how "unimpressive" the win streak has been.....

If the Rockets can play that bad, and still win games against bad teams, then when they actually start playing good and getting production from their bench, then they will be that much better.

IMO the 4th through the 10th spots in the West are wide open. Are the Rockets in that conversation now?... no, but can they be.... Yes.

They still need someone else to really step up and really expand their game. Also, I think the backup Center spot is a real glaring hole in the roster. If Dalembert sprains an ankle or something worse... there goes the season. Also, you cant expect him to be able to play 38 min a game.

The Rockets must make a trade to upgrade at some point before March, after that Id be very interestd to see who they end up with, and if that move will be enough to move them up in that 4th to 6th spot in the West.

 

Good analysis by the OP. I'm not sold on McHale, however. We have a very good core group of players and the chemistry since adding Sam has been great...but McHale scares me with some of his moves. An NBA coach can really cost you games and I fear McHale will cost us some games a top drawer coach would win. Hope I'm wrong.

 

Damn NO is gonna rock then....

 

These are the 7 teams that I think will almost certainly have a better record than us by season's end:

Lakers
Clippers
Thunder
Nuggets
Blazers
Spurs
Mavericks

After that, you still have the Jazz and Grizzlies which should probably be favored to make the playoffs over us as well.

Even if we some how manage a .500+ record, making the playoffs will be difficult. Perhaps that will frustrate the owner and some fans, but I don't mind at all.

 

I have never seen the bench so bad. We won't be able to keep it up playing our starters this much.

Scola looks like he's not trying. Fatigue is not the answer. Time after time he has a chance to get in between his man and the ball; it's actually probably less work to position himself that way, but no, instead he skirts to the side and lunges an arm out squeemishly trying to tip the ball out while at the same time allowing lay-up after lay-up. This is the consistent way he plays defense now. I know Patterson is sucking, but maybe Scola would get the message if we benched him a couple games.

On the positive side, Lowry and Martin look like they're develop a great chemistry in terms of Lowry knowing exactly where Martin is and where Martin likes to shoot from (aka sweet spots) at all times. Although the defense is not quite there yet, you can tell that it has the POTENTIAL to be much better than last year, and that's primarily due to 1. having a coach that actually cares at that end; and 2. Sam Dalembert, obviously.