What David Aldridge said about the Rockets inconsistancy

Why when Rudy or the team say the same thing they get blasted?

 

Because many in this deal are hot-heads and figure it's easiest to blame only one person. Rudy had never (other than last year) had this problem as a head coach. Yes, it's his job to adjust. That takes time. We all know we can beat the Lakers, Jazz by 30, Spurs, Kings, etc. It's the players job to stay up for the Cavs and Heat.

It's obvious that maturity is the problem this year. Did anyone actually think we were going to win the ring this year? I hope not because it ain't happening. I am as big of a fan as any of you. However, patience is the key with this team. Next year it will get better (probably a 5 or 6 seed). In 2005, the Rox will be back among the elite 5 or 6 teams in the NBA, fighting for the division with Dallas and for home court advantage.

 

Let's be postive about this. I would rather have to develop consistency rather than try to overcome a lack of talent or lack of chemistry.

We would probably be in more long term trouble if we didn't show frequent flashes of greatness and get a good number of wins against quality opponents.

We have a ways to go, but I believe we are on the right track.

 

Yep, it's a lot better to be able to beat the good teams and lose to the bad teams than the other way around.

 

I agree. See 1999. The Rocks killed every scrub and lost to every playoff team consistently. This new foundation means they are getting better and have not peaked.

 

Interesting take....at least we know we can compete, but to me that makes it all the more frustrating to lose to the Heat, Bulls, Knicks, Clipps, Grizzlies, of the world.

I mean, if they just had the decency to respect ALL NBA teams they would have a much better record, and we would not be scrambling for a miserable 8th seed.

I hope they make it, and learn to treat all teams as their equals.


DD

 

Well at least the Suns lost to the Bulls!

And the Nets lost to the Cavs!!!

Well.....yes. His answer was pretty conspicuous. Patience.......

 

DD, I agree that it is more frustrating losing to the losing teams. But if we consistently lost to the good teams and beat the bad teams, that means we don't have the talent to compete among the elite. Since we do win against good teams, we know that the talent level is there. It's a lot easier to correct complacency against crappy teams than to overcome the lack of talent against winning teams.

We have winning records against 7 teams of .500 or better (Lakers, Kings, Suns, Bucks, Celtics, Sixers, and Magic); and have losing records against only 3 winning teams (Mavs, Jazz, and Pistons).

To me, the roller coaster ride means that we can beat any team any day. It's just a matter of time we can be among the better teams in the league with this current core.

 

Relax Dakota, every team goes through this. Remember the Sacto team or even the Lakers team that would get swept by the Jazz each year? We will be good, just give us time, even though I know it can be extremely frustrating for all Houston fans.

 

I agree that youth is our biggest problem ...

... but, as others are noticing, the Yao phenomena is a big part of the problem. The lesser teams are getting "up" for Yao, and all the pseudo-playoff atmosphere surrounding his arrival in their town. With all thier local media swarming, a win against the Rockets, and showing up Yao somehow, is now VERY BIG, and we underestimate having to play that hard every night, underestimating the adrenalin flow of our opponents.

That's why repeating a championship is often so hard, since everyone plays them hard the next year, as if they are in a championship game, for bragging rights. Well, now, beating Yao's team, gives teams bragging rights, if they can win, because they beat the "next big thing."

And we don't have the character to win night after night, taking every game serious.

Another problem, is that the guys are so athletic and talented, that they depend on their talent to bale them out, rather than disciplined stick to a game plan. That's why when they get ahead, they let the other team catch up, and play to the level of their opponents, and at times I think they just enjoy the competition, more than winning. Sometimes they pull the pan out of the fire, sometimes they don't. High risk. We need to become ruthless ... and put games totally out of reach.

 

The 8th seed isn't miserable. What's miserable is not making the 8th seed 3 and possibly 4 years inna row!!

 

Excellent points, Sherlock!!!

 

so that mean we wont be miserable untill after next year after we dont make it again..... this is what you mean right???

but the team needs consistency and a killer instinct to try and crush each and every team

 

I think what he means is the last 3 years have been misery. the rocks never made it. and now, this year, if the rocks dont, it will be 4yrs.

 

Is this the consensus then? Personally, I think youth is the 2nd biggest problem, the biggest one, perhaps a byproduct of youth, being the lack of fundamental decision making skills by most everyone on the team except Yao. Sadly, the problem is exacerbated byt he fact that our youngest players, i.e. Griffin, and most likely Nachbar through watching/practice are "growing up" thinking this is actually how NBA basketball is suppossed to be played.