<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">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> Believe what you want, but I didn't think THAT HIGHLY of T-Mac until I saw him lead a team and break out one knight (after JVG told him to be more aggressive) against the Mavs, the first time we met them last year. He scored 48 points that game and was completely well rounded. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post"> 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. 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> Umm now that you understand team chem didn't screw over the Rockets and cause them to be 17-17 last year that is all irrelevant. T-Mac stepped up to the plate and led our team to many great wins. You have watched the Rockets games last year and understand this, right. Oh wait, you live in Ontario. You probably didn't get but 20 Rockets games last year. I saw about 76 of their games on the other hand. (Look at my reply to virve119 for the rest of my answers to your post about preseason.) <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm scared to show my faith in the Rockets? Yeah, damn right I'm scared.</div> Wow. What kind of fan are you. Who wouldn't want to stick next to the Rockets right now? They are a great team with so much potential. Saying they can possibly go 17-17 (excluding injuries) is out of the question. Not after I explained Team chem was not the reason we were in a slump during the beginning of last season. Like I stated above T-Mac stepped up to the plate and led our team to many great wins last season. Real fans (at least fans that live in the city they cheer for) believe in there team. They don't get mad at them for messing up one year. After seeing the Rockets have all those winning streaks the rest of the year, you still have a grudge on them for having a slow start. No body I know that is a Rockets fan is scared to support them because of the fact that they had a slow start last season. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">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.</div> Aww have you not recovered yet? Yea lets play it safe. It is just a game., we all went through that and terrible start last year. We all saw T-Mac not ready to step up to the plate. We saw a guy that had a 62 point game one year ago only get 12-15 PPG on average for the beginning of the season last year. We all felt jipped on the T-Mac for Francis/Mobley trade. Hey guess what, we made it to the 5th seed. Me and just about every Rockets fan don't even care about the slow start last season. If you are stuck on it then thats just sad. Don't act tramatized over a slow start. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post"> 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> Yea, but unlike some people, I watch just about every Rockets games to get my opinion on the Rockets. Maybe you know some people that base there opinion on the media? I don't know any fans in Houston that base there opinions on the media, (at least the ones who are true fans who watch the games that is)... It just wouldn't any make sense. Seems like you are the one that is being irrational, and hypocritical because you most likely can't watch many Rockets games, and claim its possible the Rockets can go 17-17 after I explained what really happened to them last season. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting virve119:</div><div class="quote_post">Since when? </div> Since the beginning of preseason. OPE, you cant watch those games! He knows his role on the rockets, he has been set straight/put in check. He knows damn well he cant mess up this year and screw the Rockets out of a champhion. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting virve119:</div><div class="quote_post">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.</div> Well guess what, he isn't a hot head anymore that asks for shots. In the first 3 games of preseason, he would pass up open 3s and pass the ball. Everyone was telling him he could shoot the ball (when he had an open shot). He is not so hot headed to where he would pass up a ring with the Rockets. No body coming from a team that has no chance (Like Toronto, a team that probably wont even make the playoffs in the east) to a team like Houston that has a good shot to win a Champ in the next few years. He has been strictly pass first in every game. I have missed Astro's World Series games to see every preseason game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dakeem1:</div><div class="quote_post">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?</div> Umm with all due respect to Pippen, MJ (during those years of his prime) didn't need Pippen to win 1 of any of his 6 champs. MJ led the Bulls. He made Pippen look better than he was. I don't even have to explain that whole topic do I? It's Michael friggin Jordon! <div class="quote_poster">Quoting dakeem1:</div><div class="quote_post"> 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.</div> No I don't think you could assume all that just because I know MJ won 6 champs for the Bulls, and not any sidekick Pippen. Pippen could have been replaced with any of todays side kicks like Ginobli. If people can say Duncan won it for the Spurs, then we can all easily say MJ won it for the Bulls. Not some random side kick (ginobli/pippen). <div class="quote_poster">Quoting dakeem1:</div><div class="quote_post"> That rocket lineup is a perfect example of lack of team chem. Good call.</div> Why? The only starter we lost was Sura. He was out for most of the season. Our old chem w/ our old players isn't lost all of a sudden is it? You act as if we can't just bench swift, anderson, or alston if they hurt our team chem bad enough to where the Rockets lose almost (like 21-9) half of our games this season. pffft, JVG is not crazy. Chem will need to be built up w/ the new players, but I don't see any reasons why they would not fit into the line up this year. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting JWohl:</div><div class="quote_post">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> W/E, he watches games in houston, so he knows what I am talking about. They are being to irrational to be called opinions. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post">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 Yes, if the chemistry is bad Houston will lose games like any other team with bad chemistry.</div> Well now, read my recent replies and see if you can question anything I said in my recent posts. Especially the ones about the reason why team chem wasn't the reason we were doing badly this year. Am I the only Rockets fan that pays attention to any of the sideline drama? Watch it on local tv and even a few national tv stations. I am sure most people that watch it locally know about all of this.
Locke, your so weak. You wont get behind our team because of a slow start to last year? You are soooo weak. This is the Rockets forum. Maybe some of you guys would be better suited rooting for the Rapters, or the Hornets. Igotask8board, why would you ever say team chemistry isn't important or doesn't matter? NO team, NO matter how loaded they are can win without chemistry. Look at the US National team, loaded with alot more talent than the Heat, and couldn't win. Ya'll are crazy... and by the way,the Rockets got this. '05-'06 champs! get with it or get out. we don't need anymore fair-weathered fans in here (we got enough at the Toyota Center already)
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pippen: Nothing w/o MJ</div> In 94-94 compaign without Jordan, Pippen averaged 21.4 points, 8.10 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.94 steals, and 1.13 blocks per game on .480 field goal percentage. Wait, there's more, he was .345 percent from three land.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">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> But he was RIGHT!! If you followed the Rockets all year, you would have known that they weren't a playoff team at the beginning of the year. The team they started off with, isn't even close to the team they ended the season with. So technically, if Igotaskateboard predicted we wouldn't have made the playoffs last year, then he was VERY ACCURATE. It wasn't until Caroll Dawson made the key trades that we started winning. Nobody knew that he was going to make those trades, unless you did lol.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting igotask8board:</div><div class="quote_post">Believe what you want, but I didn't think THAT HIGHLY of T-Mac until I saw him lead a team and break out one knight (after JVG told him to be more aggressive) against the Mavs, the first time we met them last year. He scored 48 points that game and was completely well rounded.</div>Yeah, I saw that game as well, but you're honestly telling me that you didn't think nothing of TMac in the first month of last season? Even when he had nights of 30/9/4, 32/7/5, and 23/13/5? Oh, and by the way, all of those games were in Rockets wins. You didn't see TMac's importance to the team even after the team lost two home games to non-playoff teams when TMac was out? That 48 point performance was great and all, but TMac didn't do anything to impress you in the whole month before? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Umm now that you understand team chem didn't screw over the Rockets and cause them to be 17-17 last year that is all irrelevant. T-Mac stepped up to the plate and led our team to many great wins. You have watched the Rockets games last year and understand this, right. Oh wait, you live in Ontario. You probably didn't get but 20 Rockets games last year. I saw about 76 of their games on the other hand. (Look at my reply to virve119 for the rest of my answers to your post about preseason.)</div>If I live in Ontario, does that make me any less of a fan? I guarantee you this: I don't need to see every Rockets game to form my own opinion, and my opinion from last year is surely more credible than many others last year. Don't even try to use your location as a leverage for this debate, because I can wreck you in so many ways it won't be valid. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Wow. What kind of fan are you. Who wouldn't want to stick next to the Rockets right now? They are a great team with so much potential. Saying they can possibly go 17-17 (excluding injuries) is out of the question. Not after I explained Team chem was not the reason we were in a slump during the beginning of last season. Like I stated above T-Mac stepped up to the plate and led our team to many great wins last season.</div>When the hell have I said that I'm not sticking with the Rockets? I said that they are the second best team in the West in this very thread for God's sake. However, how a team looks on paper doesn't mean that they'll win 65 games in a season, I hope you know that. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Real fans (at least fans that live in the city they cheer for) believe in there team. They don't get mad at them for messing up one year. After seeing the Rockets have all those winning streaks the rest of the year, you still have a grudge on them for having a slow start. No body I know that is a Rockets fan is scared to support them because of the fact that they had a slow start last season.</div>I'm not scared to support them, I'm just being rational and being mentally prepared because a bad start is very likely to happen. We might not go 17-17 again, but something like 15-12, or 16-14, can easily happen. If that really does happen, how smart do you look? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Yea lets play it safe. It is just a game., we all went through that and terrible start last year. We all saw T-Mac not ready to step up to the plate. We saw a guy that had a 62 point game one year ago only get 12-15 PPG on average for the beginning of the season last year. We all felt jipped on the T-Mac for Francis/Mobley trade. </div>TMac averaged 20.2 ppg in November of last season. If it's "just a game", why are you acting like your mom got raped? I've seen pit bulls on crack that act more rational than you. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Hey guess what, we made it to the 5th seed. Me and just about every Rockets fan don't even care about the slow start last season. If you are stuck on it then thats just sad. Don't act tramatized over a slow start.</div>Last season was great, I know that and I believe that. However, why can't a bad start this season still translate to something like a 55-win season? It happened last year. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Yea, but unlike some people, I watch just about every Rockets games to get my opinion on the Rockets. Maybe you know some people that base there opinion on the media? I don't know any fans in Houston that base there opinions on the media, (at least the ones who are true fans who watch the games that is)... It just wouldn't any make sense. Seems like you are the one that is being irrational, and hypocritical because you most likely can't watch many Rockets games, and claim its possible the Rockets can go 17-17 after I explained what really happened to them last season.</div>What did you explain? TMac didn't lead the team? Bullshit. TMac led the team in scoring in the first month of last season, and led the team to almost all its victories in that month. I've explained in 2 sentences what took you about 500 words to. And you still didn't explain it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Well guess what, he isn't a hot head anymore that asks for shots. In the first 3 games of preseason, he would pass up open 3s and pass the ball. Everyone was telling him he could shoot the ball (when he had an open shot). He is not so hot headed to where he would pass up a ring with the Rockets. No body coming from a team that has no chance (Like Toronto, a team that probably wont even make the playoffs in the east) to a team like Houston that has a good shot to win a Champ in the next few years. He has been strictly pass first in every game. I have missed Astro's World Series games to see every preseason game.</div> Wow, it's amazing how ignorant you are. Do you not think that the season started off great for Alston with the Raps too? Man, you can't base so much on presesaon play, or else Miami and SA would suck this year (look at their records). Wait until a month into the season, and Alston might show the same side he did in TO. By sayiing that you watch almost every Rockets game just proves Locke's point that you don't have to watch every game to be a more knowledgeable fan, because you my friend are not exactly what many on this froum would call a knowledgeable fan. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Why? The only starter we lost was Sura. He was out for most of the season. Our old chem w/ our old players isn't lost all of a sudden is it? You act as if we can't just bench swift, anderson, or alston if they hurt our team chem bad enough to where the Rockets lose almost (like 21-9) half of our games this season. pffft, JVG is not crazy. Chem will need to be built up w/ the new players, but I don't see any reasons why they would not fit into the line up this year. </div> We're talking about the 90s Rockets with all the superstars like Barkley, Olajuwon, Pippen, etc. Another example of lack of chemistry is last years Olympic Team in case you haven't gotten the point yet. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Umm with all due respect to Pippen, MJ (during those years of his prime) didn't need Pippen to win 1 of any of his 6 champs. MJ led the Bulls. He made Pippen look better than he was. I don't even have to explain that whole topic do I? It's Michael friggin Jordon! </div> Wow, that statement is not only sad, but one of the reasons that few people on this forum take you seriously. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Well now, read my recent replies and see if you can question anything I said in my recent posts. Especially the ones about the reason why team chem wasn't the reason we were doing badly this year. </div> I've read some of your recent posts, and they don't help your cause. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow. What kind of fan are you. Who wouldn't want to stick next to the Rockets right now? They are a great team with so much potential. Saying they can possibly go 17-17 (excluding injuries) is out of the question. Not after I explained Team chem was not the reason we were in a slump during the beginning of last season. Like I stated above T-Mac stepped up to the plate and led our team to many great wins last season. Real fans (at least fans that live in the city they cheer for) believe in there team. They don't get mad at them for messing up one year. After seeing the Rockets have all those winning streaks the rest of the year, you still have a grudge on them for having a slow start. No body I know that is a Rockets fan is scared to support them because of the fact that they had a slow start last season</div> So just because you live in Houston means your a bigger fan than Locke? Ooookay there. Him being cautious and not being a far-fetched homer like you also doesn't mean he's less of a fan. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I've explained in 2 sentences what took you about 500 words to. And you still didn't explain it. </div> It's pretty much a lost cause debating with him and Rock. I almost feel bad for you having to moderate his guy in your forum.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting side45wayz:</div><div class="quote_post">This is the Rockets forum. Maybe some of you guys would be better suited rooting for the Rapters, or the Hornets.</div> Naw man a Rocket's fan is a Rocket's fan. Some are bigger than others. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting side45wayz:</div><div class="quote_post"> Igotask8board, why would you ever say team chemistry isn't important or doesn't matter? NO team, NO matter how loaded they are can win without chemistry. Look at the US National team, loaded with alot more talent than the Heat, and couldn't win.</div> Tell me when I said it wasn't important. Then I will answer your question. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">In 94-94 compaign without Jordan, Pippen averaged 21.4 points, 8.10 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.94 steals, and 1.13 blocks per game on .480 field goal percentage. Wait, there's more, he was .345 percent from three land.</div> Ok you are right, Jordan won the rings because he had Pippen. Still Pippen was always injured (DURING THE SEASON HE PLAYED W/ THE ROCKETS) and missed a good amount of games during that season. It wouldn't be a valid argument to use them as a team that was stacked. -EDIT, Was that not what we were talking about in this thread?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Tell me when I said it wasn't important. Then I will answer your question.</div> Here- <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">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.</div> EDIT- <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Ok you are right, Jordan won the rings because he had Pippen. Still Pippen was always injured and missed a good amount of games during that season. It wouldn't be a valid argument to use them as a team that was stacked.</div> Pippen was one of the greatest players ever and probably going into the hall of fame. To say he was nothing without Jordan is ludacris. Pippen played 79 games that season without Michael, three less than the total possible so he wasn't always injured.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, I saw that game as well, but you're honestly telling me that you didn't think nothing of TMac in the first month of last season? Even when he had nights of 30/9/4, 32/7/5, and 23/13/5? Oh, and by the way, all of those games were in Rockets wins. You didn't see TMac's importance to the team even after the team lost two home games to non-playoff teams when TMac was out? That 48 point performance was great and all, but TMac didn't do anything to impress you in the whole month before? If I live in Ontario, does that make me any less of a fan? I guarantee you this: I don't need to see every Rockets game to form my own opinion, and my opinion from last year is surely more credible than many others last year. Don't even try to use your location as a leverage for this debate, because I can wreck you in so many ways it won't be valid. When the hell have I said that I'm not sticking with the Rockets? I said that they are the second best team in the West in this very thread for God's sake. However, how a team looks on paper doesn't mean that they'll win 65 games in a season, I hope you know that. I'm not scared to support them, I'm just being rational and being mentally prepared because a bad start is very likely to happen. We might not go 17-17 again, but something like 15-12, or 16-14, can easily happen. If that really does happen, how smart do you look? TMac averaged 20.2 ppg in November of last season. If it's "just a game", why are you acting like your mom got raped? I've seen pit bulls on crack that act more rational than you. Last season was great, I know that and I believe that. However, why can't a bad start this season still translate to something like a 55-win season? It happened last year. What did you explain? TMac didn't lead the team? Bullshit. TMac led the team in scoring in the first month of last season, and led the team to almost all its victories in that month. I've explained in 2 sentences what took you about 500 words to. And you still didn't explain it. </div> Never said you were less credible... I commented on each part of your post, and then as I was minimizing and miximizing screens I closed out of this one. I just can't do it again, sorry. It took me like 20 minutes for that reply. Some things I said were, T-Mac was inconsistent at the beginning of the season. He had numbers like 1-11, 6-18, 5-15...I can't remember the other ones and I am not gonna check again... He did not have that scorer's mentality he did his last 2-3 seasons. Yao stepped aside for him, but he did not want to intrude until JVG told him to. ummmm I am sorry If you think I called you less of a fan because you live in another city, I am a Philadelphia Eagles fan. My opinion is just as credible as any hometown eagles fan. Your opinions are just as credible, if not more than any h town fan. what else....umm i guess that is all I could remember sorry.
We do have a very tough November schedule...We play Miami, New Jersey, San Antonio, Indiana, and Dallas ALL ON THE ROAD in the first month...However, the chemistry of this year's team looks way ahead of last year's team in terms of chemistry so I think we'll get off to a decent start...chemistry is VERY important towards a team's success but I do think this team has a good chemistry together, especially compared to last year's team that started the season...
