Will the Rockets make the playoffs with the Current Roster?

It's funny that you talk about the playoffs, but want to fire JVG. JVG's system separates Houston from Phoenix and Seattle...in the playoffs.

By the way, it's a system that needs to be developed in the course of a season -- not something that miraculously appears come playoff time.

Because the system takes time to develop, I agree that Houston needs to make roster changes soon.


University (How soon is now?) Blue

 

1 of 2 things need to happen.

Trades.
Either a PG or PF

Coaching
Different approach with current roster.

I dont think it can happen with current roster, and current coaching style.

JVG is trying, the last 2 games have been more up and down.

 

It's still too early to tell...

 

That is the kind of mediocre (wait til next year) thinking that will lead the Rockets organization into wondering what the hell happened during these crucial years of the franchise when they really could have turned the corner & worked towards a dynasty. Instead we get this...

Roster needs a few different pieces yes, but the main piece that is missing is a true leader as coach.

 

From http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/marty_burns/12/16/burning/index.html

Marty Burns' take on the Rockets slim playoff chances

Why are the Jazz, Rockets and Grizzlies sweating?
It's still early, but three clubs expected to make the playoffs in the West appear to be in serious trouble. The Jazz (10-13), Rockets (10-12) and Grizzlies (9-15) are all struggling big-time, and losing valuable ground in the standings. While there is still plenty of time for each to right the ship, this year's uniquely competitive situation out West leaves them in danger of being left out in a numbers game. The problem this season is that there are too many good teams in the West, which means that everybody except New Orleans and Golden State is in the playoff mix. Meanwhile, the rise of the Sonics and Suns this season has essentially already taken two of the bubble spots out of play. As my SI.com colleague John Hollinger points out teams that start out as hot as Phoenix and Seattle have this year nearly always end up at least making the playoffs.

If history holds up, the postseason situation in the West looks pretty set for spots 1-6. We can safely assume the Spurs, T'wolves, Kings and Mavs are going to be there. Most likely the Suns and Sonics will be, too, even if they cool off or get an injury. That leaves just two slots open for a bevy of teams that include the Nuggets, Lakers, Jazz, Rockets, Grizzlies, Blazers and Clippers.

Right now the Nuggets (13-9) and Lakers (12-9) hold those last two spots, and they both have reason to be optimistic. Denver has proven talent and appears to be a team on the rise. The Lakers have a determined Kobe Bryant and should only improve when big men Vlade Divac, Brian Grant and Slava Medvedenko get healthy. Barring injury, neither of those clubs is likely to fall off dramatically. That's why Houston, Utah and Memphis should be very worried right now. Expected to make the playoffs this season, they are now facing an uphill climb. Even if they get their acts together, it might be too late in this year's ultra-competitive West.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com.


As it is pointed out in the article it's gonna be tough to get into the playoffs this year. But I still think we can make it. The season's still long. Our expectations for this season should not be too high, though.

 

My plan if the other teams comply:

Trade JJ for Nene

Hope Sonics want Dikembe. Trade Dikembe for Vladimir Radmanovic.

That right there gives you 2 guys who can be a long part of the Rockets' future.

 

hmm. I believe the Rockets can make the playoffs. With all things considered, we are better than Portland, Denver. They are the teams that will fight with us over the playoffs spots. This is a long seaon, and I think some teams cant' sustain the sucess they are having now. Given we make some changes, who knows? we might even have a much better record than last year

 

Actually I don't really think we are better than Portland or Denver, we are in fact on par with them. The reason being is that we have 2 stars and a bunch of useless players. Portland and Denver have capable players on their respective teams, not great but not exactly bad either.

However, if the Rockets were able to get some capable players, I bet you they would leap frog all those teams. Therein lies the problem. As we all know, it's going to be extremely difficult to bait any teams into taking our garbage and giving us something of value. You have to look at our current team and be realistic. Who in the hell would want Lue, Ward, Howard, etc., not to mention the ridiculous contracts some of these players have?? I think we're handcuffed right now, and management is going to have to pull things out of their asses to get this ship righted.

 

with the current roster yes, with the current coach no.

 

thats not completely fair in the west this year. i don't belive we would be doing any better if we had mike d'antoni or nate mcmillan, who have the two best records in the league right now.


we are handcuffed by our bad contracts. mo, JH, spoon, and ward.

ward and JH aren't getting paid too much, but their contracts are too long.


the only way out of this is to trade these guys the first chance we get. even if its for nothing but expiring contracts, or to the nets for a TE.

 

Mike D'Antoni is 572 times the coach that Jeff Van Grumpy is...

 

the teams that are winning right now have chemistry. they all get along and really like eachother.

i don't see that with our team. maybe its because of the trade, but they see eachother 7 days a week. after a couple of months of that can't they become friends?

not a chest bump or ass slap in sight.

ive noticed sura and tmac allways seem to be talking and laughing together out of timeouts. i know sura and ward go way back. mo and yao and boki are all friends. but everyone should be friends with everyone on a team. thats the only way to win a team sport.

the sonics have it. the suns have it. the spurs have it. the heat and pistons have it. and we are VERY far from it. i attribute our success last year to our team chemistry. steve, cat, cato, and mo had played together for 5 years. steve was/is good friends with yao.

it may take some time and some player changes, but we will get it. it doesn't even have to be this group of players. yao and tmac have the next 7-10 years together. everyone else can be gone and replaced if need be.

 

No

And I've said this for a long time.

 

#1 Priority:Get a Bruiser to handel Yao's back
danny fortson

#2: Add Solid SF, because JJ, is not getting any younger and everyone else sux.

#3:Fire JVG. Rox need to draft a player with personality

 

60% chance of not making the playoffs.
25% chance of landing the 8th spot.
12% chance of landing the 7th spot.
3% chance of any higher than that.

 

are these vegas odds, or just your opinion?

 

That's why you should beat teams that you are suppose to beat (hawks, knicks, bobcats). Imagine if the rockets beat these three scrubs, our record would be much better than the nugs and the lakers. Thats why TMAC and Yao should bring their A-game together always. No excuses. every freaking game. Why, becoz their teammates suck and they a grumpy coach.