IMO,one of the most important things about this team is that we can go "small" to match up with other teams (Dallas, Phoenix, etc.) but yet still cause mismatch problems. If teams go "small" against us, it actually will be to our favor in my opinion. We could put Battier at the 5, McGrady (4), Wells (3), Snyder (2), Rafer (1) or MANY other combinations. This team has depth, yet has size too! That, I think, is why this team SHOULD compete for a trip to the NBA Finals. Depth + size + athletism = Team that goes deep into playoffs
well going into the offseason i thought we needed a few things: 1. perimeter defense 2. shooting 3. size and athleticism 4. depth 5. a 3rd scorer well i think they addressed everything. what i like about this team the most is that it's a complete team with very few weaknesses. we could use a shot blocking 4/5. that's about it. i just can't wait to see them in action.
what isn't there to like? this is probably the best team we've had in nearly a decade. we have alot of shooting, great defensive players, alot of athleticism as well as character. we have a couple players with alot of fire in them, like bonzi and kb, to make up for the loss of sura...who I, like others believe will retire. the best thing about this team is, if yao or tracy goes down for some time, we can STILL win games, and a fairly large amount of them.
I like the fact that we have two of the greatest superstars in the league and we have built our team around them by getting role players that can do what we need and we also picked up a scorer than help us win in case that ... somebody goes down for a week or two ... i probably shouldnt have said that last part but i do feel that way just in case it happens
Just the thought of a dominating Yao and Tmac, together with players like battier and wells just make me hope for a special season!
The Rockets should do well in the rebounding department with Yao and Bonzi. If Hayes can step up to increased minutes, the Rockets will have a stranglehold on defensive rebounds. Battier needs to be able to box out his man when he's the PF. Yao was dominant towards the end of last year. Battier and Mcgrady should make it easier for Yao to continue his dominance.
The role players. I can't stomach another year of Richie Frahm, Keith "I can't make layups" Bogans, Ryan Bowen, and the likes logging more than 5 minutes of crucial playing time. We got proven players like Battier and Bonzi, a young core of role players in VSpan, Head, Hayes, and Novak. If this team can stay relatively healthy *knocks on wood* it should be a watchable season.
I like the fact that we are gonna win the championship this year. Count on it. Bet on it. Look forward to it... Its coming
What I like about this team is that its built for the Playoffs and a deep run. I don't think anyone wants to play us in the playoffs as we are a matchup nightmare. We can run and probably have two of the top 10 half court creators in the league with Bonzi arguably another top 40 creator especially in the half court set. We have Youth on our side with able veterans and some players like Battier and Howard that are good leaders and vocal. We have a pack of attack dogs in Spanoulis, Bonzi and Snyder that play with emotion and lots of fire to go along with the more laid-back demeanor of Yao and Tracy. FLEXIBILITY: We can go from a big lineup of: T-Mac/Bonzi/Battier/Howard/Yao to a Small Lineup: Rafer/T-Mac/Bonzi/Battier/Yao to a defensive Lineup: Head or Snyder/Bonzi/T-Mac/Battier/Yao to an offensive Lineup: Spanoulis or Head/Bonzi/T-Mac/Novak/Yao to a spread the floor lineup: Head/Jacobsen/Novak/Battier/Yao We have the youth, experience and talent to win everygame.
I disagree. I think all 3 of the top contenders can match up with the lineup above. As a matter of fact I think all three contenders can match with anything we throw out there. They aint top contenders for nothing. The same reason you think they can't stop the rockets, the rockets also have to stop them.
I like this team, because potentially it is one that will be able to play great basketball at both ends of the court. It has experience, talent and youth! It is hoped that JVG will give all a chance to blossom to the best of their abilities and that the young [Novac, Lucas, Spanoulis and Hayes] will not be sufficated because JVG likes players likes Howard and Padgett. Potentially this team will bring the fear of God into the Hearts of all their opponents as their defensive power will stifffle the offence of many a strong hearted team. By the All Star Game in Las Vegas, I expect them to be the dominent team in the NBA. The 2006/07 Rockets will bring joy to the hearts of all Rox Fans everywhere, especially after last season being such a Pitts.
1) SIZE OF CORE PLAYERS 2) EXPERIENCE IS BETTER 3) SHOOTING IS IMPROVED 4) REBOUNDING IS IMPROVED 5) DEFENSE IS IMPROVED But, from last year it is easy to improve in all the categories
i like the flexibility and versatility of the lineup. I also like the toughness of players like bonzi, battier and snyder
Pretty much at the top of my list also. Add Spanoulis to that list as well...he's going to be a nice little spark too I think. I've been playing my season with these guys on NBA 2k7 and I've used so many (successful) lineups it's ridiculous. They match up with anybody (on the game anyway).
