I predict that the Rockets will win 60 games this year. They made the key additions they needed... Yao is maturing as a player (and getting bigger). Last season, Tmac and Yao were getting warmed up to each other.... we started 17 and 17 and ended up 51 and 31. Imho, we have one of the best coaches in the league. If the chemistry is right, we're going to the ship! i know, i know. I'm singing to the choir. on a different note... I have a friend who used to say Houston should have picked amare over yao... he recently changed his mind.
Welcome to JBB yakapo. While I don't share your enthuasiam, I certainly do hope that I am wrong and we do win 60 games. We are deep at almost every position and have the right mix of youth and veterans. I do think that the team can make a run in the playoffs, but don't rule out a possible 17-17 start again. We have more than a few newcomers and there will be some growing pains before we can take off.
A agree that we sholdn't get our hopes up too much. I agree that we are capable of a 60 win season though I don't see us going to the ship just yet. Although we CAN beat Spurs in a 7 game series, we most likely wouldn't. They are a monsterously deep team too, and they didn't lose any key members from last season.
Thanks for the warm welcome! Houston's last 48 games '04-'05 34-14 San Antonio's last 48 games '04-'05 32-16
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> San Antonio's last 48 games '04-'05 32-16</div> Thats because they didn't play Duncan for some games since they already cinched the number one spot in the playoffs. Meanwhile, we actually had something to fight for in the last couple games since Nuggets were gaining on us.
I think 60-62 games is reasonable but I also do believe that 53-58 games is more realistic...but I do think that this year is going to be somethin serious!! Cant wait!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Welcome to JBB yakapo. While I don't share your enthuasiam, I certainly do hope that I am wrong and we do win 60 games. We are deep at almost every position and have the right mix of youth and veterans. I do think that the team can make a run in the playoffs, but don't rule out a possible 17-17 start again. We have more than a few newcomers and there will be some growing pains before we can take off.</div> HAHAHAHAHAHA. No way man. I know team chem is a big deal, but don't overrate it. I know you are saying it COULD happen (and you probably don't even see it happening, or mean what you are saying for that matter). But the MAIN REASON we were 17-17 during the season was because T-Mac hadn't stepped up yet. JVG asked him to step up when we played our first game with Dallas, and he scored 48 points. I remember T-Mac would get 12-14 points on average until that game. We traded Lue, and Jackson for Wesley, and Barry, and started winning games right after. Doesn't say much about team chem. Team chem in basketball, is when the teammates can play off each others moves, passes, presence. When each member of the team makes the people around him better. It is one of the best things to have when you have it down perfectly. Offtopic, Miami will take it this year. One bad example of "too much potential" and everybody follows. A line up that good simply doesn't need team chem to win a game.
Igotaskateboard, you obviously haven't heard of the Lakers of two years ago or the Suns and Rockets about a decade ago. All had extremely stacked lineups and a couple allstars on each team, but none of them could ever pull it out. Team chemistry is extremely important, just ask the Pistons and Spurs. Btw, Stan van Gundy is on the hot seat right now if his team doesn't succeed, and just look how they are faring in preseason. I know it's not regular season action, but losses to NO and Charlotte are inexcusable.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting yakapo:</div><div class="quote_post"> I have a friend who used to say Houston should have picked amare over yao... he recently changed his mind.</div> Either yor friend is saying that for one of 3 reasons. A) Amares recent injury. He rides Mings jock strap C) Hes an idiot. Honestly I t hink if last year showed anything it was that Amare was clearly the top of his draft class.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting virve119:</div><div class="quote_post">Igotaskateboard, you obviously haven't heard of the Lakers of two years ago or the Suns and Rockets about a decade ago. All had extremely stacked lineups and a couple allstars on each team, but none of them could ever pull it out. Team chemistry is extremely important, just ask the Pistons and Spurs. Btw, Stan van Gundy is on the hot seat right now if his team doesn't succeed, and just look how they are faring in preseason. I know it's not regular season action, but losses to NO and Charlotte are inexcusable.</div> dont mind him, he's a bit of a fanatic. team chem is extremely important. when swift/alston/DA get the desire to win like tmac did... this team will be monster. we'll just have to see how strong their desire is.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Diesel:</div><div class="quote_post">Either yor friend is saying that for one of 3 reasons. A) Amares recent injury. He rides Mings jock strap C) Hes an idiot. Honestly I t hink if last year showed anything it was that Amare was clearly the top of his draft class.</div> i diasagree, for the JVG system Yao is probably better suited. Amare is more of a let loose just score type of player who doesn't play much d which is great for dantoni's style of play. Van gundy is all about the d. amare and van gundy would probably have clashed like he did with steve francis. Besides amare operates great with a good pg, that's the one spot the rockets have been the weakest at.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting virve119:</div><div class="quote_post">Igotaskateboard, you obviously haven't heard of the Lakers of two years ago or the Suns and Rockets about a decade ago. All had extremely stacked lineups and a couple allstars on each team, but none of them could ever pull it out. Team chemistry is extremely important, just ask the Pistons and Spurs. Btw, Stan van Gundy is on the hot seat right now if his team doesn't succeed, and just look how they are faring in preseason. I know it's not regular season action, but losses to NO and Charlotte are inexcusable.</div> Yea I was referring to the Lakers, Sir virve119. EH HEM Offtopic, Miami will take it this year. One bad example of "too much potential" and everybody follows. A line up that good simply doesn't need team chem to win a game. Okay, As for the Rockets, I am guessing you are talking about the one that included Sir Charles "The Great". Well, I don't even think I need to comment on that ALL-STAR line up. Well here it goes anyways. Pippen: Nothing w/o MJ Olojuwan: TOO MANY FREAKIN INJURIES Charles: You can never count on this this guy. Now for the Suns. I am not sure which line up you are talking about, so I am going to say they are no where near SHAQ, WADE, and the reast of the Miami Boys. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting MTran:</div><div class="quote_post">dont mind him, he's a bit of a fanatic. team chem is extremely important. when swift/alston/DA get the desire to win like tmac did... this team will be monster. we'll just have to see how strong their desire is.</div> Call me a biased, iditotic fan if that is what you really want to say. I honestly don't think any of my above statements have anything to do with me being "fanatic", but it's kool to know what some people here think of my posts. Sorry if I came off a little strong there. Now, do you honestly think team chem is SOO IMPORTANT that it could cause us to be 17-17 again this year? Do you think Tracy would let that happen? bad question (03 season for the slow ones). We did only lose Padget, and James, and James even hurt our team chem. At least im not as "fanatic" as some of the Astros fans in downtown. They are STILL CHANTING "We still BEEELIEVE!!!, We will win the next four!" Wow. 3-0 and they still have the guts to say that, even when they know they are wrong. If that isn't fanatic to the extreme, then its retardism.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Now, do you honestly think team chem is SOO IMPORTANT that it could cause us to be 17-17 again this year? Do you think Tracy would let that happen? bad question (03 season for the slow ones). We did only lose Padget, and James, and James even hurt our team chem.</div>Would you have believed it last year had I said that we would get off to a 17-17 start? For all I know, we could start off 0-10. Anything's possible here, and 17-17 isn't absurd at all. Yes, we didn't lose any significant players, but we added at least two guys who will get major minutes, if not start. Both Anderson and Swift have never played with TMac/Yao before. How well do you think the team chemistry would be?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MTran:</div><div class="quote_post">dont mind him, he's a bit of a fanatic. team chem is extremely important. when swift/alston/DA get the desire to win like tmac did... this team will be monster. we'll just have to see how strong their desire is.</div> I think Igotaskateboard is right on point. The Rockets aren't going to start off17-17. If you haven't noticed, this year we ain't got Charlie "Pre-historic" Ward starting as point guard. Tmac knows his role unlike the start of last year. Yao is more polished than ever. The role players are also alot better than last year. So anybody who thinks we're going to start off horrific isn't being realistic. We might struggle a couple of games, but expect us to start off really solid.
Thanks Rock4Life, someone that isn't afraid to have an opinion around here... <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Would you have believed it last year had I said that we would get off to a 17-17 start? For all I know, we could start off 0-10. Anything's possible here, and 17-17 isn't absurd at all. Yes, we didn't lose any significant players, but we added at least two guys who will get major minutes, if not start. Both Anderson and Swift have never played with TMac/Yao before. How well do you think the team chemistry would be?</div> I didn't think we would make it to the playoffs last year, and if we did I believed we would have been like 8th seed. I knew our chem would suck because there was only one guy left on the Rocket's roster (Yao) that acctually played more than 20 games in the season. I am glad to see that T-Mac and Yao play well together. WHAT I REALLY think matters the most when it comes to team chem, is when you have guys like Kobe, J-will, Alston, and Walker complaining over not having enough shots. They usually don't get those shots because it would OVERALL hurt the team (at least what the coach believes), and its not whats best for the team. Alston has accepted his role as a pass first PG, and Swift is doing a damn well job playing his position. They simply can not hurt the team. [streak] I dislike the fact that a few people in this forum are scared to show there faith in the Rockets. I know its just a game...but saying our team chem might be bad enuff to go 17-17 is just retarded. I know some people around this forum have been hating on...[/streak] Nvm...If I sound cocky and like a biased fan in this forum I could care less. You are trying to be a member...nvm all together i dont even care anymore
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting igotask8board:</div><div class="quote_post"> I didn't think we would make it to the playoffs last year, and if we did I believed we would have been like 8th seed. I knew our chem would suck because there was only one guy left on the Rocket's roster (Yao) that acctually played more than 20 games in the season. I am glad to see that T-Mac and Yao play well together.</div>What the hell? You didn't think the Rockets would make the playoffs last year? Is that a lie just to make you seem right on this prediction? Seriously, the Rockets were predicted to finish among 4-6 in the West last year, and you didn't even think they would make the playoffs? I know you love looking at teams on paper, so why didn't you think last year's team would make the playoffs? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">WHAT I REALLY think matters the most when it comes to team chem, is when you have guys like Kobe, J-will, Alston, and Walker complaining over not having enough shots. They usually don't get those shots because it would OVERALL hurt the team (at least what the coach believes), and its not whats best for the team.</div>Lack of team chemistry is certainly not just players fighting over shots. Yes, many teams in the past have failed because of that, but team chemistry goes way beyond that. Team chemistry is also knowing where to be on offense, knowing when to pass the ball and who to pass it to. Team chemistry is also knowing where to be on defense, communicating on the court and remembering plays. New players often take time to accomplish that, and it would cause some bad chemistry to begin with. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Alston has accepted his role as a pass first PG, and Swift is doing a damn well job playing his position. They simply can not hurt the team. </div>This is the preseason, buddy. Do you really think that you can predict how well a player does solely from the preseason? Wait till at least 10 games into the season before you're going to predict how well a team does. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">[streak] I dislike the fact that a few people in this forum are scared to show there faith in the Rockets. I know its just a game...but saying our team chem might be bad enuff to go 17-17 is just retarded. I know some people around this forum have been hating on...[/streak] Nvm...If I sound cocky and like a biased fan in this forum I could care less. You are trying to be a member...nvm all together i dont even care anymore</div> I'm scared to show my faith in the Rockets? Yeah, damn right I'm scared. I put myself behind the team a year ago, and it gave me a 6-11 start. Any fan who has experienced that will have second thoughts about predicting atrocious things when it comes to the team again. If the team goes 12-2 to start the season and I'm wrong, I'm very happy. If we do start off 17-17, then at least I would be prepared. I don't consider any poster in this forum biased, but sometimes rosters on paper and the media can make people say irrational things.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting igotask8board:</div><div class="quote_post">Well here it goes anyways. Pippen: Nothing w/o MJ Olojuwan: TOO MANY FREAKIN INJURIES Charles: You can never count on this this guy.</div> Big Call on Pippen there. He's never won a title without MJ. WAIT!! Hold up. MJ has never won a title without Pippen too. So does that mean MJ was nothing without Pippen? How about other players who never won a title? Are you saying that TMac is nothing? Reggie Miller? Stockton and Malone? Coz they never won championships? That's a load of BS. That rocket lineup is a perfect example of lack of team chem. Good call.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting igotask8board:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks Rock4Life, someone that isn't afraid to have an opinion around here...</div> translation: Thanks to Rock4Life for backing me up in my opinion. Message to idotask8board: They all have opinion you just don't agree with them. If you disagree with what they say that shows that they have an opinion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Alston has accepted his role as a pass first PG, and Swift is doing a damn well job playing his position. They simply can not hurt the team.</div> Since when? Did you not watch any of his games last year? He jacked up so many threes it was crazy. Why do you think he got in all those fights with Mitchell? Why do you think the Raps were so eager to be rid of him after signing him to a long-termer last year? Beacuse he WASN'T pass first, he was jack-up first, dribble second, and pass a distant third. Granted, Houston will have a lot more firepower than the Raps did, so maybe he won't feel he needs to jack up as many shots, but I can't see him averaging anymore than 5 apg.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting igotask8board:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks Rock4Life, someone that isn't afraid to have an opinion around here...</div> lol, just because Locke and others are more realistic doesn't mean they don't have an opinion. You only thanked Rock, because his opinion matched yours. I think the Rockets will do better than 17-17 after 34 games, but I must disagree with you when you say <div class="quote_poster">Quoting igotask8board:</div><div class="quote_post">Now, do you honestly think team chem is SOO IMPORTANT that it could cause us to be 17-17 again this year?</div> Yes, if the chemistry is bad Houston will lose games like any other team with bad chemistry.
