After an expected loss to the defending Champion Detroit Pistons, the Rockets headed in to Wednesday's game confident -- and ready. Yet, our inability to beat the fronting defense, in order to get Yao the ball, was what killed us. After T-mac's solo effort -- in vain, the Rockets begin the season with 0 wins, and 2 losses -- warming the bottom of the Western Conference. We now look to rebound against a Memphis team -- whom we've struggled against, winning only 1 of 3 games against them last season. I ask you now, where do we go from here? A new point guard is what I'm pulling for, but I've heard strong conviction for a "Dump Jeff, Hire Phil" campaign. Many people have also wanted new PFs, and Center insurance, since Dikembe did not play against the Raptors. After Boki's great start against Detroit, he slumped in Toronto. Jim Jackson, is beginning to take some questionable shots, and Charlie Ward is just.. Charlie Ward. Yao Ming, whose elbow, supposedly, has hurt him to such an extent to where he is struggling to get 20 points a game. Who is to blame here? Yao, for not taking over? T-mac, for not getting Yao involved? Our Role players, who aren't sticking to the game plan? Jeff Van Gundy, who just won't let Yao and Tracy -- play the game? I know it's only 2 games, but what happens when its, 5 games? Can we risk being 3-2, as weird as that sounds? If we lose one game, were under .500. What about 10 games? All-Star break? Is that something, with the new Divisions, we want? Do we want to be fighting for 4th place with the Hornets? If you think about it, we went from one of the youngest teams (second I believe), a few seasons ago, to now, one of the oldest teams. I may be pessimistic, but seriously, how else can I show optimism? This is totally opinion-based, so please, no jumping out at each other. What are you all's views for the season. Is a 50 win record, doable with the team we have now? Again, these aren't my views, but I'd like to see what you all think. Just my 2 cents.
Two problems on offense. First, the Rockets are taking way too much time setting up screens and playing off them. Eventually, the clock runs down and the ball handler usually has to create his own shot, which isn't a good decision. Secondly, it goes along with the first comment...the Rockets don't crash the boards when they know it turns into a one-on-one situation. Once it's obvious that the clock is running down, all I see is Ming hitting the boards...and he's hurt...so there's no reason to expect him to pull down 15 boards with a bad elbow. Defensively, the killer is the double teaming. Sometimes, I don't see why the Rockets' players would even resort to the double team...but it leaves alot of guys open...and this could be the case against the Kings on Saturday. If so, Peja will have a field day at the three... The Rockets can be really good...but with the first two games in the books, the problems are becoming too obvious, and already being exposed greatly, especially with all the easy points Detroit put up from the Houston mistakes. I love Yao...but the man is going to have to become a leader and let everyone, including McGrady, know what's wrong. I think he's aware of the problems, and I'm hoping JVG is too...so maybe we'll see great improvements when Sacramento visits Houston in a couple of days. :thumbsup:
i wouldnt worry too much about the rockets losses. i still believe that Yao and T-Mac can pull this off. if the role players do their part then everything is gonna be alright with the rockets :thumbsup:
One, this is only after TWO games...I really dont like it when people criticize a team after two games... Their main problem appears to be defense...I didnt get to see the Toronto game but against Detroit they gave up way too many open looks and were atrocious at closing out on shooters... Offensively, they have a lot of new players so of course it will take time to gel and get it together...after 25-30 games or so, we'll see what kind of team this really is...plus Sura will be a huge addition...Van Gundy's offense takes a while to learn, especially for PGs so its not gonna click exactly right away...
maybe when houston trade t-mac away, or limit his shots, then the rockets have big chance to win just my $0.02 thought.
Hey if we want phil ..get him now while he's still on vacation. Look what happened to larry brownie..we came to him too late and he picked the better team...now we get stricto van gundy..do u guys know what steve said ? he said he wouldnt wish it on anybody the restrictions that was put on to him from van gundy...what type of restrictions is this van gundy giving to his players? steve is such a great player who can adapt so well yet under van gundy no one is meshing from his complicated ideas. Just play basketball..i hope tmac won't have a fight with van gundy..he looks like he's less patient than francis. i gotta admit i miss steve..yes this damn early i already miss him ..just my $0.20 cents
hey yanix, is the "Invictus" in your signature in reference to the poem? It's one of my favorites of all time.
Well, I don't think that we should be discussing firing our coach two games into the season. The Kings started out with a 0-2 record, and I don't see any Kings posters saying they should fire Rick Adelman. Not that I'm criticizing Rockets posters, but it's just that it's a bit too early to be discussing coaching changes. Van Gundy is not a bad coach either, it's just that he's putting too much of a focus on defense IMO. He's spending so much pratice time on offense that our offense is suffering. None of the players look like they know what to do on the court except dribble out the shot clock. However, I think with time, Van Gundy will realize that it's best to just let Mac and Yao play their game, and will loosen up the offense a little. When that happens, we'll blossom.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting l2emix:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't matter anymore we just beat Memphis!</div> One win doesn't mean we can just relax and take it for granted we'll make the playoffs. Yao is still our main man, and he played even worse than in out first 2 losses. We relied on the power of T-Mac for this win. If we can't count on our go-to guy (thats Yao) then something is very wrong. I think there should be a change of plans, andI've outlined that in a thread i started. check it out.
I'd like to restate that the opinions that I posted are NOT my own, just some I've found from various sources, and decided that they would be suitable. We won againts Memphis, but from my view, we shouldn't be packing out the cigars yet. Though McGrady had a good game, Yao Ming continues to struggle, leaving us in a bad position when we face a better team. Charlie Ward saw limited minutes in the second half, it seemed JVG wanted to push the ball up, and let Tracy take it the length of the court. You guys talk about patience, and why start blaming them now.. but why should we not expect such a high standard for our players? Why can't we criticize players for being in a slump -- as optimistic as I am that Yao will dump 20 a night, he isn't doing it right now, and that is something that bothers me personally. I could care less if McGrady had 30 points that game -- hes a shooter, he can pull himself out of a bad spell. But Yao is different, he has lost his confidence, and the only way he can regain it is a big game. But our schedule doesn't get much easier till after we play Memphis at home. I am not a supporter of the 'Dump Jeff, Hire Phil' campaign, nor am I in favor of totally reshaping the team. I would love another point guard, and a pure shooter too. Daniels and Vlad man, as much as I hate Radmonivich (sp?). But do you all think that the trade has affected Yao as a player? Don't you all remember the low post screens, that would end in a backwards, over the shoulder pass to Francis or Mobley, followed by a lay-up? Or the turn-around that Yao used to dominate with? I know the Memphis game was a little touchy, in terms of the refs no allowing the game to progress at all -- but do you all think Yao is uncomfortable in the system? I'd again like to say, that I do not agree with all the thoughts in my post, just tid-bits I found from various threads, and other sites. So, what's it gonna take for Yao to get it going again?
I think we should really judge Yao once he gets that cast off. After the game he took off the cast and just threw it on the ground. So maybe the cast is bothering him? An itch in his elbow? When he isn't injury plauged anymore I'll start watching seriously. But for now he's just another player who will contribute on the court.
