When the Rox were on top in the midwest I knew it wouldn't last. Then of course you have posters saying the Rockets will contend for home court advantage in the playoffs only 13 games into the season. LOL! I predict in no less than 3 weeks the Rockets will be at the very BOTTOM of the midwest standings---yes, behind Memphis---and the rockets will miss the playoffs this year. Now I am really starting to see just how strong the west has become. The rockets didn't do enough in the offseason to keep up with the rest of the west and that's why they're tanking. "but we got Van Gundy" getting a defensive-minded coach that can't even coach 80+ points a game isn't going to win you very many games. "but it's not the coach's fault the players can't shoot" It is when the offense only consists of two plays and your team has the worst assist numbers in the league. "but we've got the best defense in the league" Um...that was against the clippers, the bulls, heat, magic. You see how the #1 defense fared against the blazers, jazz, and kings just as recently as last week. "Doesn't matter if we score 80 as long as we keep the other team to less than that" see previous answer. I say again, ---the rockets will miss the playoffs this year.
The players CAN shoot. Their seeming lack of shooting ability stems from several causes: they do not pass in order to get an easy shot; they do not set screens and picks so teammates can get easy shots; they do not push the ball up the court; they do not run fast breaks very well eliminating easy jams and slams; and they do not go inside until the clock indicates "do or die" time. Blame who you will, but those are the facts.
So you bash posters for making predictions after only 13 games but now that we've had a whopping 15 games you are making predictions of your own? But of course your predictions make sense because they are of the negative variety while those other poor, misguided, foolish posters had the lack of judgement to dare and predict something positive for the team that they are fans of, right? With fans like you who needs enemies?
It's because most people don't even want to waste the time to bother making a reply to troll material like this.
I forgot to add your predictable rebuttal in my original post. The reason why I can make a prediction about the season after 15 games, is history. Missing the playoffs for 4 straight years automatically qualifies my assertion as the default viewpoint would it not? That's how I am able to make my prediction after 15 games and those others predicting the rockets vying for homecourt advantage after 13 games were groundless.
Go read the forum guidelines Clutch is trying to come up with ... and you'll understand the few posts to this thread. Panic posts and bipolar reactions to the Rockets winning and losing are such a waste of most of our time. The only thing intelligent you mentioned was that other teams in the West got stronger, and we didn't do as much as other teams. Perhaps you are right about that. I was dissappointed with the lack of off-season moves. But, I think the addition of JVG was excellent, and he wanted to see what he had before trading anyone, which makes sense. There are a number of games we would have lost last year to lesser teams that we are winning this year, and JVG is clearly better at coaching intelligence. I love Rudy, and would rather have in at the helm if we were going for a championship, but that's not where we are at. The Rockets did a good job of improving our bench from last year, with Pike, Griffin and Wilks, and JJ was a great replacement for Rice, and we got under the salary cap, and gained an exception which will allow a variety of trades we couldn't do before. I'd like to see if JVG can teach these guys some basketball intelligence, and how to play the game smart. There's been very little of that for many of these younger players, which is our biggest problem. Our problem isn't talent, it's intelligence and skill. Losing Griffin to his troubles was a big loss, and I hope we eventually get some value from our investment somehow. I have the feeling that Mobley will be gone by midseason, and perhaps Mo, and even Cato. Mobley's got great heart and athleticism, but not the basketball intelligence we need for synergy with Yao.
There's a big difference between finishing out of the playoffs and finishing at the bottom of the midwest division, even behind Memphis. History gives no support of that particular prediction. Your post is no less knee-jerk than the people you bash in it. Perhaps making predictions after frustrating losses is not the best timing.
Hate to disagree with you thumbs but I just watched a team of so called "players who can shoot" brick their way to 19% shooting in the 2nd half in Seattle. Those ARE the facts.
I actually agree to a point with silentfan... I don'e expect playoffs, but hope they make it. Most of the problem is that a lot of fans expected playoffs, and got pumped about home court and the finals after a 5-1 start. Time will tell, but I do not, for certain, see us winning the Midwest by any means. And Hillboy has it right too. The facts lean as of late to a no round, or at best a first round exit. Unless you look at the bright side, figure something up on a spreadsheet, and think we'll win 52... you've got to be realistic, and hope for the best while witnessing the current worst. It's a tough fanaticism, but some fan's gotta do it.
It's always better to finish strong, than to start strong. Let's see what happens... We still need to make some trades.
Just to clarify, I meant to say "in no more than 3 weeks" instead of "in no less than 3 weeks." I'm sure you figured out what I meant by that hence your reply. I was thinking "in less than 3 weeks" but I got the wording all mixed up. hehe. Regardless, let's just put our forum "bragging rights" on the line, shall we?
Oh My God! What Rockets need is our SUPPORT, not BASHING. If Rockets win, cheers for them. If Rockets lose, simply support them. They will learn from mistakes and keep improving. No team is perfect, even Spurs or Lakers.
You will change your mind if you have supported this team for 5 years and you see the same problem again and again. That's why you can see a new trade thread every morning when you enter this forum. THE ROSTER MUST BE CHANGED IN ORDER TO SOLVE THE CURRENT PROBLEMS!!!
History states that the Rox are losers, huh? Okay but I don't know how anybody can support a claim this team is worse than seasons past. History also states they barley missed the playoffs by a few games 2 of the last 3 years. History also says that we had a history of losing close games due to unintelligent play down the stretch. If we just won 2 of those games last season, we're in. History also says that JVG is an intelligent coach that implements a system. The type of system that can help a team execute better down the stretch. Given all that history, my bet is JVG (and better roles players) will help this team win 2 more games (figuratively) this season to push the Rox to that next level. Winning the west? Doubtful but there is no strong argument of them finishing last place. One star rating for this thread is deserved.
I'm not sure Silent Fan's prediction will come true, but if you take a look at the Midwest Division's standings, .500 basketball earns you last place and the Rockets seem to be heading towards .500. I'd save your money if I were you. Not a sure enough thing to bet on.
Let's all STAY COOL We're not as good as 8-3 nor as bad as losing three in a row. Pretty tough road trip for a team learning a new coach and system, and for JVG getting a feel for his players. Old habits die hard and we don't have the discipline, toughness, share-the -ball concept, or work ethic needed to compete and win on the road. But under JVG I think it will come.......its just gonna take some time. Also, I look for Cato to move to the bench and MoT to start pretty soon. Still expecting good things this year. D R
I'm pretty sure that one of Memphis, Denver or Utah will slip up and end up .500 or worse this season. All seem to be playing above their heads right now (perhaps with the exception of Denver).
