I couldn't agree more (SI midseason review of Rockets)

by grungedave on Jan 21, 2010 12:52 PM CST in Random Commentary

SI.com did their midseason report cards today.
Here's what they had to say about the Houston Rockets:

Grade: A

Houston Rockets

To be a Rockets fan is current bliss. No pressures or inflated expectations, no pecking-order adjustments for prima donnas; just hard-nosed, synergistic team play. Shane Battier is antithetical to the All-Star Game but an All-Star nonetheless. Fourth-quarter monster Carl Landry deposited three of his teeth in Dirk Nowitzki's arm and missed one game. Tracy McGrady was sent packing so Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza could continue their backcourt chemistry. Throw in 6-foot-6 center Chuck Hayes (a.k.a. the Chuck Wagon), Argentine banger Luis Scola at power forward and fire-hydrant guard Kyle Lowry joining Landry off the bench, and you've got a team that is five games over .500 despite losing its top three scorers from last season. That the Rockets have played a Western Conference-high 23 road games and a league-low 12 games against the weaker East makes their success all the more impressive.

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I must say - I couldn't agree more. The team has exceeded all level of expectations. McGrady is gone (and he's not coming back). There's no longer a Rafer for me to have to worry about every day. I do miss Crazy Pills and Von, but.... the additions of Chase and Trevor and our Aussie friend aren't bad substitutes.

The only other team to get an "A" was the Memphis Grizzlies. Oh, and the Durants got an A+. It's fair.

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Agreed overall...Rox have done more than the expected...

I wonder if we can continue like this throughout the 2nd half of the season?

by sarppeva on Jan 21, 2010 1:41 PM CST reply actions

ehh

depending on what your expectations were coming into the season, and i think with a team like the rockets you cant really give them a pat on the back until the fat lady sings, i’ve always felt like they’ve already proven they can win without yao and t-mac, the chemistry was always there, so i dont really understand how people even some “fans” were counting them out, if you expected them to be ass, then i guess they are great, if you expect them to make the playoffs, i wouldnt be so happy

by mcgadget on Jan 21, 2010 3:32 PM CST reply actions

well

I predicted 45-48 wins. Right now, the Rockets aren’t on pace to achieve that (though the easier second-half schedule should help), but I’m pretty happy with where they are now. Besides, the playoffs-or-bust target is probably asking too much, given the strength of the WC this year.

The Dream Shake

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 21, 2010 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

Actually, going solely on record so far, the Rockets are on pace for 46 wins.

That ignores everything else, of course, but solely going by the method of doubling their current record, they’re “on pace” for 46 wins.

by DribbleHooper on Jan 21, 2010 4:49 PM CST up reply actions

good point

I thought I read 43 wins this morning.

The Dream Shake

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 21, 2010 4:51 PM CST up reply actions

You probably did...

…where they were taking other factors into account. By example, Ball Don’t Lie had the Rockets with a 47-35 record for whatever reason.

by DribbleHooper on Jan 21, 2010 5:06 PM CST up reply actions

Definitely exceeded expectations...

…but now my expectations include the playoffs. It’s going to be a very entertaining 2nd half of the season in the West. Every game will matter for the teams duking it out for the final few playoff spots (HOU, NO, OKC, UTAH, PHO, POR & MEM are all within 3 games of each other). So that means a bad week for the Rockets, and the could fall from the 7th or 8th seed right into the draft lottery. Hopefully there won’t be any injuries in the second half…and I really hope that Adelman has a few tricks left up his sleeve. It really seems that other teams have made adjustments, especially guarding against Brooks and Landry at the end of games. Being that we aren’t about to blow anyone out of games, I hope our coaching staff is making some adjustments as well to prepare for the home stretch.

Does anyone think that sometimes, using the tallest lineup we can muster, we might see the Rockets version of a big lineup (with Andersen, Scola, and Landy on the floor at the same time)? Just a thought. Andersen seems like a pretty good outside shooter, so he doesn’t have to clog up the lane…but they might be a better rebounding lineup in those crucial stretches when we need to box out and keep the other team from getting extra possessions.

by ReverendRocket on Jan 21, 2010 4:50 PM CST reply actions

I don't miss Ron or Von at all

I got so tired of them jacking up 3’s all the time. When they’re on, they’re on. But when they are off, they are OFF, and they will keep shooting until they are on again (which never happened that game),

by displacedHTOWNfan on Jan 21, 2010 4:56 PM CST reply actions

McGrady is gone (and he's not coming back).

you just had to add that little comment didn’t you..

by lawlruschang on Jan 21, 2010 5:20 PM CST reply actions

I'm not expecting a tearful "You had me at $23 million." reunion at mid court, are you?

by Xiane on Jan 21, 2010 7:27 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

that name sounds familiar, "lawlruschang"

Clear Lake?

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Jan 22, 2010 4:31 PM CST up reply actions

How many teams can compare to the Rockets ......

The Rockets have $44 million in salary that will never touch the ball (meaningfully) this season, yet they are contending for a playoff spot in the VERY competive WC (McGrady – $23.5M, Yao – $17M, Cook – $3.5). Can any other team in the NBA make such a claim??? I don’t think so. I relish to think what Daryl Morey can do with the $27M from McGrady and Cook to improve this team. GO ROCKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by BleedRocketsRed on Jan 21, 2010 5:27 PM CST reply actions

Nobody comes close, except maybe Portland and OKC.

Portland because of all their injuries, and OKC is just cheap for all that talent. That will change, but not yet.

by Xiane on Jan 21, 2010 7:29 PM CST up reply actions

Memphis maybe, too, and Sacramento soon.

by Xiane on Jan 21, 2010 7:30 PM CST up reply actions

Amen to that

by ReverendRocket on Jan 21, 2010 7:37 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Lets see. You have lost 5 of the last 8 games and covered 1 spread in that time period. I agree that watching GOOD basketball is a joy. Have not seen anything that qualifies. By the way no troll here. Lived in Texas 23 years bouncing between Houston and Austin. This team has zero spark right now. You are not a good shooting team and you have started letting people walk on you in the second half of games. No one even here can exactly understand Scola’s minutes or why Miami scored 115 points against us. or why we keep letting people take us to OT recently.
At one point people were frightened of this team. Its been a while.. the most sad thing is listened to people talking happily about Tracy being gone. He would be the guy who said he would resign cheap because he liked the town and he would be the person who could get calls and pass the ball. I know its humorous watching Brooks going 5-21 when he is a very average shooter and should be passing the ball and of course that is something the manager should be talking to him about but from a distance it seems as though everyone is content to play bad and be pushed around.
I AM NOT CONTENT. Tracy seems healthy and we really do not want to lose that money coming off so it seems like we start by bringing him back and then splash water on peoples faces till they wake up and become dangerous again.
If possibly i have woke you guys up that would be a good thing. Have posted this site along with Blazers Edge as elite and watching this is making me ill.
It would be nice with the Spurs very Tired right now if we took advantage and WON a game against a good team.
Got to go now but hope you have regained consciousness.
GL

by catseyetwice on Jan 22, 2010 12:44 AM CST reply actions

Agreed.

The nice start is good.

But that doesn’t mean we haven’t dropped off slightly and that we could not play better

by VBG on Jan 22, 2010 1:58 AM CST up reply actions

Let's see if I can break this down.

Because I never learn.

WE aren’t the Rockets by the way, just some fans. Can’t tell who you’d be a fan of, SA? Dallas?

So, lessee…
1. Houston hasn’t played that great lately.
Yes, and what have you read here that disagrees with that assertion? I’m taking a longer view and saying the toughest schedule in the NBA wore the team down, and they looked stale and flat, but that should improve with more rest and some home games. Who knows, maybe it won’t.

2. People are happy TMac is gone.
Well, some are. Some are simply relieved the drama seems to be over. Most are just sad at the way it turned out. Of course we’d like a healthy and productive McGrady. But remember, Tracy was unwilling to play his way back slowly. He played all of 45 minutes of real game action and despite looking slow, rusty and defensively inept, demanded he should receive more minutes right away. He learned otherwise. There we stand.

3. Why are you acting upset that the Rockets get a favorable review in a recap of half the season? 8 games is a bit less than 20% of half a season. There Rockets are 1 game under 500 on that stretch – oh the horror! What’s to wake up from, or argue with? Every team goes through rough patches in the season, unless they last too long it’s not such a big deal – its a long season.

So you’re pessimistic, fine. We’re a bit worried. But listen you can join such analytic luminaries as Charles Barkley and Jalen Rose, plenty of room on that bandwagon these days.

by Xiane on Jan 22, 2010 4:04 AM CST up reply actions

You're confused, catseyetwice

You’re mixing your "you"s (as in You are not a good shooting team) and your “us” (as in why Miami scored 115 points against us). Make up your mind. Are you a fan of the Rockets or not? My guess is you’re a fence-sitter; you go with whoever is winning in Texas.

We are not blind to the flaws of this team. In fact, we are harder on them because we follow all their games. It has not been a perfect season, but hey! it doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate and enjot where we’re at.

Besides, it was SI.com which gave the Rockets the rating. Take up your beef with them

by RoxBeliever on Jan 22, 2010 5:42 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Let's figure out what you're really saying.

“Waaahhh waaah the Rockets are mean to T-Mac Waaahh waahhh so not fair for him they’ll such without him Waaaaaaaahhhhhh.”
Whatever. The bum’s gone, and the Rockets are better for it.

Minnesotan Rockets fan

by Barragan on Jan 22, 2010 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

covered the spread?

Who gives a shit about the Rockets failing to cover the spread.

I’m not in Vegas. Nor is this a gambling blog (though I may have to reconsider that).

I thought the Rockets would be 5-10 games under .500 at this point. So to be winning at the current rate is one hell of a pleasant surprise. No one here expects them to win the Championship this year…

by grungedave on Jan 22, 2010 12:51 PM CST up reply actions

My favorite part of this post

is the when he implies he just rocked our world with this incredible new knowledge, and that this will have some sort of real effect on the world.

The Dream Shake

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 22, 2010 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

Rec'd

2/3 OF THE EARTHS SURFACE IS COVERED BY WATER, THE OTHER 3RD IS COVER BY CHUCK HAYES

by DREAM34 on Jan 22, 2010 6:43 AM CST reply actions

The other 3rd is cover(ed) by Chuck Hayes

NICE!!! He is our “DAVID”, so when Goliath brings it on, NO WORRIES.

by bigalshouseoflove on Jan 22, 2010 8:22 AM CST reply actions

First not sure I understand the fan concept but I lived a long time in Houston and I do want the team to do well. Now I do not think the team is better minus Tracy, I do not like what seems to be weak management recently and I do not like seeing the Rockets beaten up or looking bad playing teams that they should dominate.
I have not forgot watching Artest as a Rocket take far too many shots when he was not hitting and he was surrounded by people that were which cost the team wins and unity but
Adelman never to my knowledge spoke to him about it. Hence when I see Brooks do the same crazy stuff my first thought is sit down and let Lowry play.
I do think Tracy could upgrade the teams very average shooting.
In the teams current flow they may not even make the playoffs and I repeat having a NAME player on the court can help on free throws plus I think he could easily make defense against the Rockets much tougher.
I think and hope this site is read by the people of Houston and might reach management. That is the point of the post. An attempt to move the team in a better direction.
I understand the early part of the season was tough but that should make the team TOUGH. Not a clay pigeon for the Heat to walk on or the Spurs to get well playing. I am worried about a loss of direction here. What I would like is more direction here on ways to help the team get better one of which would be Tracy back home. GL

by catseyetwice on Jan 22, 2010 12:18 PM CST reply actions

“Adelman never to my knowledge spoke to him about it”

Really? To my knowledge Adelman has never kissed his wife, either. I’ve never seen him do it.

by Metalate on Jan 22, 2010 2:28 PM CST up reply actions

To my knowledge,

Adelman has never spoken out about the genocide in Darfur. THE MAN IS A MONSTER!

The Dream Shake

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 22, 2010 2:34 PM CST up reply actions

Blah Blah

“I have not forgot watching Artest as a Rocket take far too many shots when he was not hitting and he was surrounded by people that were which cost the team wins and unity but
Adelman never to my knowledge spoke to him about it.”
You know, I think there was a reason why the Rockets pretty much made no effort whatsoever to retain Artest’s services. Just a thought.
Frankly, given how utterly insane the West has become (we all thought it was tough with 9 teams battling like crazy for the playoffs, and now it’s 11) I wouldn’t completely freak out if we miss the playoffs at this point, and would pay more attention to our record. We break 43 wins overall, and I’m content.
And no, Tracy does not make the team better, and for all purposes and intents, he isn’t a Rockets anymore. Can you people just get over it at this point?

Though I’ll admit, the thought that adding McGrady will improve our FT’s makes me laugh. The Rocket’s FT percentage has gone way down as we’re missing a certain big man who gets fouled a lot and makes them a lot. Just a thought.

Minnesotan Rockets fan

by Barragan on Jan 22, 2010 2:43 PM CST up reply actions

I'm an optimist...

…so I’m holding onto hope that we might see T-Mac back on the team/bench this season. But I’m not holding my breath. It seems he’s burned this bridge to the ground. I do think the team could use his scoring talents, but there’s no question his attitude would be a big distraction. So I’ll continue to root for this undersized bunch of overachievers. Still not convinced a trade will happen since he’s only played in 6 games in about a year. But if DM can get someone notable for him, I’ll be very impressed.

by ReverendRocket on Jan 22, 2010 6:24 PM CST via mobile reply actions

dude

tmac being on the bench isnt the rockets fault..
its tmac’s fault for sucking at public relations…
i agree id like it too if he was actually going to play.. but he isnt
btw tmac isnt the tmac he was back in the day after getting surgery…. he lost the first step.
still good at passing, but failed at defense.. he does not make us a better defensive team.

overall his attitude is the problem. and because of his attitude he does not amke us a better team

by AlDe2356 on Jan 22, 2010 7:15 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

this, ftw

by grungedave on Jan 23, 2010 3:04 AM CST up reply actions

SI is the same publication....

… that declared the Rockets were “throwing in the towel on the season” by trading Rafer Alston last year, so one should take anything they say in regards to the NBA with a scary large grain of salt.

by Former Poet Laureate on Jan 23, 2010 8:44 AM CST reply actions

T-Mac only 11 million now

Guys,
Half of the season is over. T-Mac only has 11 million left on his contract. I sure hope we can trade him for something good. We still need a dependable scorer late in games. We need to see if we can get David Lee or Chris Bosh.

by inquisitiveman on Jan 23, 2010 10:44 PM CST reply actions

Anything good is a bonus

I live in California so I’m not up to date as far as locally with the team as a lot of ppl on here. However, I get to watch a lot of Kings games and they are an exciting young team. I am a die-hard rockets fan and I had made peace with the fact that anything good from this season was a bonus. The team has their stars out and they are just going with it.
However, I like the pieces parts:
1) Ariza has had ups and downs but is asked to do a lot and won’t be in the future. It’s good for him to develop so that once Yao comes back and whoever else they bring in, he will be a great look.
2) Budinger was/is a huge steal. He is athletic and is really finding a role on the squad
3) I love the PG situation. Brooks and Lowry are a great combo who each bring something different.
4) Landry has played well, the rest of the league has caught up with him to some extent but he has given us a lot.
5) Scola seems to be our most productive player, night in and night out. He has reached his ceiling but I like his effort.
So, with all that, I am looking forward to the day after the deadline to see what the team looks like. Whether it’s Kevin Martin or Iggy or nothing. It is painfully obvious that this team needs a go to, which is the sole reason we lost game 7 to the Lamers last year. I for one, hope it’s Joe Johnson, he is a great player, top 10 in the league. Morey likes him too. I’m not sure about cap situation and all that but I would let Scola walk if need be. Re-sign Brooks and Lowry now, then get Johnson this summer. Yao and Joe plus all the rockets already have is one amazing team.

Logan Loya

by twiceisnice9394 on Jan 25, 2010 4:23 PM CST via mobile reply actions