I got nothin'

by grungedave on Jan 3, 2009 11:35 PM CST in Random Commentary Comment 14 comments

The Rockets are a mediocre basketball team. That's the truth.

And the truth hurts. Yes, I know we played hard tonight... without Artest or Battier and with Von Wafer having cramping issues. Plus Tracy McGrady was a spectator for this game (then again, even when Tracy's been on the court this year he's been mostly a spectator.)

Speaking of Tracy, I always thought centers were the position most likely to all of a sudden just "lose it" - but McGrady is done. We should have done the Kobe trade a year ago. And if that wasn't an option, we should have taken whatever the Chicago Bulls would have offered. In fact, maybe they'll still give us Kirk Hinrich and some spare parts for McGrady (?). Pretty please?

There are exactly two players on the team playing well right now. Yao and Scola. And because Scola is too nice to demand the ball, he's being ignored in the offense. Wafer is up-and-down. Brooks is in a shooting slump. Rafer sucks. Artest is visibly frustrated with his teammates and the referees. Adelman is still asleep (seriously - Carl Landry was PERFECT tonight, and yet Adelman only let him play 18 freakin' minutes. That is inexcusable.)

Sad to say, but the Rockets are once again on pace to limp into the playoffs and be unceremoniously shown the door 6-7 games later.

Show some heart, men. This time last year the team was finding itself and gaining confidence. I see the exact opposite attitude this year. With Rafer bitching about everything and McGrady slowly becoming a cancer... we need someone else to be a jolt of energy and right the ship. Like... now.

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MUTOMBO!

I wouldn’t say limp to the playoffs, unless you’re talking about health. We’re prone to have sluggish 1st halves and then explode in the 2nd half.

I don’t see why it won’t happen again this year. As long as we can avoid season ending injuries from any of our major players, we’ll be fine.

The Hawks are now 15-2, and one more quality possession from us and we win. This was without T-Mac, Artest, Battier, and Mutombo.

by goingforthecorner on Jan 3, 2009 11:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jesus, dude...

The Rockets are a mediocre basketball team. That’s the truth.

What? Yeah, when T-Mac, Artest, and Battier are all injured, sure. But, even then, the Rockets dropped 100 points on the Hawks and almost sent them to overtime. And Brooks had a good look at the basket, it just rimmed out. Think about that – with two starters out, along with our 6th man, the Rockets gave the Hawks a hell of a game.

And, as Bring Back Novak pointed out earlier, the Rockets are at roughly the same point they were last year after the Philly game. But now they have more tools on offense and won’t need a 22 game win streak to make the playoffs.

Don’t be so freaking emo about this. Our players will get healthy, we’ll make the playoffs, and we’ll roll the bones from there. I mean, the way Rockets fans have been acting, you’d think we were 11-24 right now.

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 4, 2009 12:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I think we’re a bit above mediocre. And for us, it’s still early. We’re like the Oakland Athletics, always start slow and finish well late. But think about it – we’re 21-14. At this point last year, we were fighting for .500. I think we’ll be ok. But I do see what you’re saying, Dave. We do need someone to give us some energy. I thought Von played well tonight, but it’s tough to lay a lot of weight on his shoulders.

by Tom Martin on Jan 4, 2009 12:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

RIP

The Perfectness of The 100 Rule. At this point, it still works at home. And almost works overall. I can still reference it.

by Tom Martin on Jan 4, 2009 12:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'd be frustrated if I were Artest, too

Playing hard through pain while T-Mac mails the season in.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 4, 2009 1:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

LOL it's sour grapes from a Magic fan!

At least your team improved since the T-Mac trade, even though it took some time. Too bad you have Cleveland and Boston in your way for the Finals.

by goingforthecorner on Jan 4, 2009 2:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Please don’t send Tracy to Chicago! IF the Bulls actually make the playoffs, I’d like them to have a chance in hell advance past the first round!

"It's not how you enter your sport, it's how you exit." - Dr. J
http://myspace.com/eme0916

by dfjmed on Jan 4, 2009 1:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it's not the record that concerns me

This time last year the Rockets were below .500, yes. BUT – and this is the key difference – they were at least trying to run Adelman’s offense. And the moment Yao called everyone out as “soft” the team started playing amazing basketball. This year? No one is on the same page. If Yao calls them “soft” again, there might be a mutiny.

I’m not being emo. I’m being realistic. The Hawks are good, but not great. The Rockets should have won this game, but they keep having mental breakdowns. It’s becoming routine. And THAT is the concern.

by grungedave on Jan 4, 2009 8:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

totally agree grunge

this team is better than it’s playin, bottom line. We need to step up the intensity now! I’m sure the best gm in the nba will figure out what buttons to push in terms of trades to spark this team. My worry is that Adelmann is on the downside of a coaching career and doesn’t seem to have the passion to lead this team.

I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. ~Rogers Hornsby

by kdog on Jan 4, 2009 9:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

passion

is the key word there. I completely agree.

by Tom Martin on Jan 4, 2009 11:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree too

What the hell happened to everyone?? I hate to hate on TMac, but i think hes the source of the lack of passion on this team.

And the fact that during the last 4 or 5 games, Adelman has done ABSOLUTELY nothing to gain any of his players respect. I mean, our starters go in, have a solid 1st, lose the lead in the 2nd, our backups bring us back in the 3rd, and then Adelman lets our starters finish even though it should be whos playing better, not who gets paid more.

If I were a Rocket, seeing that my coach is not benching TMac for his lack of effort, why should I even try then?

by fiddycent on Jan 5, 2009 12:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

the Rockets are gonna give me an aneurysm

lets see…. loss to Cavs at Cleveland (that’s fine), loss to Hornets at NO (alright…), 2OT win over severely underhanded Jazz (a wins a win right? even if we blew a 10 point lead), loss to a castrated Wizards team at home (ok that’s not acceptable in any case), close win over Bucks (ok), blown out by Raptors (WTF), and choked against the Hawks (….) a stretch where we’ve lost 5 out of 7, a stretch where we’ve struggled to close games out, a stretch where McGrady just doesn’t exist at all anymore. This was the season when we were supposed to win the Southwest division and maybe even the West. Now I’m starting to have doubts whether we’ll even finish ahead of fricking Dallas.

by SnakeScipio on Jan 5, 2009 1:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

it happens in the nba frequently as we all know

Adelman could be losing this team guys right in front of our eyes. At some point in an NBA season the players will all sit around and really consider if they feel their coach has the “it” factor, basically does he know what the hell he’s doing, does he have a grand plan.
I think the answer is clearly no with Adelman…. there is no plan and he’s coaching from the seat of his pants.
This team could have already quit on him and we don’t know it yet. I think our gm and club management really need to stick their noses in the locker room and get a good sense for this fast. Read players body language, interactions with coach at practice, willingness to give 110%…..
I think this is a real issue that could be affecting the rockets.
I’m interested if anyone else feels the same?

I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. ~Rogers Hornsby

by kdog on Jan 5, 2009 8:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs