It's simple. you said if tray fakes an injury, it's viel and end of humanity. now that yao is faking it, it's for the teams sake and it's ok. it's all danndy. but something dosent addup.
McGrady is a great player, an amazing talent. I don't question that one bit. It is his leadership and effort which come into question at times....not always...but at times...... Good teams do not fold in the 4th quarter as often as the Rockets do....good leaders take those games over and will their team to victory.... Tmac is still a work in progress as far as that goes.....in my consistent opinion. DD
Because you keep responding. No problem, I will REALLY let it go this time. I promise no more responses to you in this thread. As for McGrady, I have been hard on him a few times and some didn't like it. Believe me, I KNOW for a fact that he and Yao are still a 'work in progress'. I am not giving either guy a pass, even though I do like them on a personal level as players and people. I just don't like it when people are unfair to them. I also think people have been unfair to Kobe a bit, although he definitely did a lot more than McGrady or Yao have to bring it unto himself.
and there's a reason tmac coasted on defense mostly. but when he had to play, he did => playoffs. shut down big dog -> small puppy. shut down the dirk diggler -> dirk choker. next -> shut down AK47 -> water gun.
I think both Yao and Tmac are NOT REALLY INJURED and the team is resting them. Which is a team decision. I think Tmac got benched last game for lack of effort and the team then took a look at the situation and said "you know what, let's rest both of them" I think Tracy's bit caused the TEAM to think a little more long term....which is a GREAT thing...... But...IMO, that is NOT what happened in the GS game.......I believe Tmac was benched. That is what I think....completely consistent..... DD
exactly took the mavs to 7 games? the same team who went to the finals the next yr w/ the same core. took the #1 seed pistons to 7 games? the same pistons team who won the NEXT yr? like i said, tmac's teams have OVER-ACHIEVED more than anything.
I agree he is a monster in the playoffs, but don't you wish he played that hard during the regular season more often too? I mean we would be looking at homecourt advantage and a possible deep playoff run. But by coasting so often during the regular season, it eventually bites the team in the butt, not to mention sets a really bad example for the other players. As a leader Tmac should be setting a better example during the regular season.....ala Jordan, Bird, Magic, Hakeem, guys that hated to lose...... What ever......Tmac is a heck of a player.......I just wish he had a stronger competitive willpower..... DD
See this is where we diverge..... The Mavs were a 4 seed that year, and due to a more concentrated effort they have become the best team in the league. The Rockets were a number 5 seed that year, and last year they got a pass, but this year.....still a number 5 seed even with a much better supporting cast and a much better Yao..... IMHO, the team is treading water...... DD
again i wish he would too, but there is the back. look at how he looked after that dallas game and that was one of the few games he played w/ "playoff version" tmac. he went all out from the FIRST TIP. during the reg. season he has to pace himself. that's why i wonder what kind of monster we would see if tmac never had any back problems? i think he would train just as hard as kobe and u see a monster ever game. but if he plays like that, his career will be short. as much as i like tmac, he won't ever reach his full potential (in terms of stats... in the reg. season) b/c of his back. he won't ever play 82 games. it is what it is. the back is huge on tmac.
I really think we're prematurely resting out stars here...as of right now, Utah is clining to a 5 point lead, if they lose tonight - then this game is another lost opportunity to catch the Jazz and get home court advantage. I also don't like the idea of whimpering into the playoffs. I understand resting the stars for 1 or 2 or even 3 games...but this just seems a little early to me.
u can't look at it like that. we're a 5th seed but everyone had us losing in 5 game to dallas. ppl who pick us to win are the ones who pick the "cool" underdog pick. they had more talent. more offense. more dpeth. more athleticism. another superstar (yao wasn't a superstar that year). that was a very big gap. this yr, it's a small gap. if tmac doesn't help the rockets win this yr (if yao performs the way he has been), i would be very disappointed in tmac. but that's if yao shows up every game.
again, that's why i don't fear utah. they're just as frustrating as us w/ the ability to put teams away. but we have 2 superstars to their 0. as long as tmac brings his shooting back to normal, i'm very confident. and rafer and others do their part would be decent too.
I think the Rockets could have been a higher seed this year, and should have overtaken Utah. The Rockets biggest issue is mental toughness, they fold too often under pressure and when challenged. Teams will double Yao and Tmac and the Rockets don't have another player on the court who makes the other teams pay for this .....I am not talking about shooting necessarily but rather someone to attack the basket who can create for himself and others. Honestly, I think if the Rockets would have kept Mike James instead of Rafer, this team would be 5-9 wins better this year...... So, I see some good and some bad, thus sort of equalling out. DD
that's not slacking i say. it's more "pacing." he'll just dominate for stretches of a game. that's why i say relax. in the playoffs, there's no time for "pacing" yourself b/c u only have a series to advance. u don't have 82 games.
The sad thing is that Utah has lost the last two, .....the Rockets could have had homecourt back in their hands. Oh well....Utah is beatable.......and we will have the two best players on the court...... DD
