we need that "dude" eventually. every other team has that one dude who knows is going to get the ball down the stretch. we have the talent to stay with any team for 3.5 quarters, but then we need that "dude." if you look at all the better teams in this L, they all have one. we don't. we have different guys step up every game. and we hope that detroit pistons formula will work for us.
talent-wise we are. every position except SF (shane), very good bench, very good defense, improving offense... on paper, we can do it. but let's see how these guys do in the playoffs. if they win a series, they can have hte confidence to do more. take it one game at a time rocket fans.
last yr. the year before. 04-05. i mean, we were top 4 weren't we? our average victor margins those year was around 5. best in the L was usually around 7. gotta do it in the playoffs.
As someone mentioned, KGs team was not crap. Also Kobe did nothing for his team but dog them until last season. Remember Lakers PHX game seven? Kobe basically did nothing the entire game, he simply quit on his team. Why do you think Kobe is #1 in players poll when asked who do you 'Not' want to play with.
well, taking into account that we are playing well without mcgrady and can move him and maybe pick up a contributing superstar. this means that we can basically keep our roster intact and add an ace. so, if the detroit formula works for us this year, then we wont have to worry about fading out like detroit did after their championship. maybe a miracle will bring brandon roy or kevin durant to us.
I like all of what you are saying, but I believe what we are missing is the ability of this team to make adjustments. That's what makes teams great. Right now, I can't say we can adjust to every playoff team. Utah ate us up with okur and boozer stepping out against yao and derron is just too big for brooks and lawry. Another incident that i didn't like was the way we let nash erupt for 30 in the second half due in large to that high pick/roll. We have yet to play San Antonio with this new squad and I still think we either need to play Cook and Mutumbo more if thats what we are going to answer the Lakers' size in the middle. We look great right now, no doubt. I am just not yet sold on weather this team can effectively adjust when teams expose yao on D.
The team is becoming somewhat gritty, which is likely the result of Artest, Scola, Barry, and Battier. Yao has never really shined in the playoffs, but neither has Battier. But, I know this, grittiness is a big issue in the playoffs. Tough, hard nose, physical play is critical, plus a boat load of talent, and a good bit of luck. Teams like the Rockets are unpredictable, if they get hot at the right time, who knows. If I was betting my life savings, I likely wouldn't bet on them. But I don't place bets anyway. Getting a favorable draw in the first round, homecourt, and going into streak mode might make them a big surprise. Wouldn't that be fun!
Defence wise....You know I really don't think Deron (Jazz) is any Chris Paul besides the strength, so AB needs to show that he can guard good guards like that on a consistent basis. In fact, I would want the rockets to face the Jazz in the first round.
If we play tough D, shoot a phenomenal FG and FT%, hit a lot of 3-Point Shots, get to the line early and often, stay out of foul trouble, stay healthy, keep turnovers to a minimum, and score more points than the opponent--consistently--then anything is possible.
