Easy Does It: Rockets Approaching Relaxed Schedule
by Tom Martin on Jan 12, 2012 5:47 PM CST
in Random Commentary
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PrintWave goodbye to the tough opponents, Rockets fans. They're merely a sunset in your rearview mirror. Now, we enter Fun January, where the Rockets hit the road just twice and play host to a handful of the dregs of the league. It's a well-timed break for the good guys -- they seem to be hitting their stride just in time for the cupcakes.
Cupcakes, however, do not serve their tasty purpose unless devoured properly. If the Rockets let their guard down against lesser opponents as they have in the past, we're in for some frustrating basketball. So, let's hope Kevin McHale and crew prove that the sub-.500 record is merely a reflection of a tough schedule. They've certainly played better than a three-win team.
Here's what we're looking at in the coming weeks:
HOME GAMES (Road record in parentheses):
Sacramento: 4-7 (1-4)
Portland: 7-3 (1-2)
Detroit: 2-8 (0-4)
New Orleans: 3-7 (2-3)
San Antonio: 7-4 (0-4)
Milwaukee: 3-6 (0-6)
Washington: 1-9 (0-5)
New York: 6-4 (3-2)
Minnesota: 3-7 (1-2)
ROAD GAMES (Home record in parentheses):
Washington: 1-9 (1-4)
Minnesota: 3-7 (2-5)
Look at that. That's just glorious. That's a piece of winning a la mode with a cherry on top.
Even better, the two teams Houston plays that are legitimately scary (Portland and San Antonio) are far less scary when they're away from home. The Rockets also get Milwaukee, Washington and Detroit at home. Combined, those three teams are winless on the road.
If you're looking for a few key games, I'd peg January 19 against New Orleans and January 28 against the New York Knicks as two games to watch. The Hornets have always given Houston trouble (though I suspect without David West and Chris Paul they'll be far less intimidating) and New York has put together a solid early road record.
Overall, the Rockets should aim to emerge from January with a winning record, 11-10. I'd understand three losses against this bunch. Also, if you'd like to make a difference, go to as many of these home games as you can and cheer and do other stuff.
(Put it this way: If Terrence Williams doesn't see the floor this month, against these teams, it's over).
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Marcus Morris was just carried off the court in a d league game
not related to this post, but thought I would mention it
by twinkilling0303 on Jan 12, 2012 5:56 PM CST reply actions
Dude has been doing well down in the d league
was hoping it was just a rolled ankle
by twinkilling0303 on Jan 12, 2012 6:10 PM CST up reply actions
That is quite a beautiful schedule...
hopefully we can do something with it.
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 12, 2012 5:56 PM CST reply actions
I think after this stretch.
I can finally decide to root for either draft position or playoffs. That’s somewhat of a lie because I find it hard to root for the Rockets to “lose”. This looks like a 8-3 run, anything less than 7-4 and I’d be disappointed.
Sonicsgate: A movie about how the Sonics were stolen from Seattle.
I don't think I trust these Rockets to pull it together.
As painful as it is to say it I feel like these Rockets are vulnerable to every team just because inconsistency is our selling point.
by BD34 on Jan 12, 2012 6:20 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Looking at that group of games
I expect them to go 5-6 or 6-5, some of those teams cause big matchup problems. Or maybe I just wouldn’t mind them losing to end the plan of beating bad teams and losing against good teams.
by twinkilling0303 on Jan 12, 2012 6:38 PM CST up reply actions
Inconsistency against whom?
The top teams in the league? How is that inconsistency?
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by Tom Martin on Jan 12, 2012 6:40 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Inconsistent individual performances across the board.
And top teams in the league, let’s look:
12/26 Magic – 9 point loss
12/29 Spurs – 20 point blowout win
12/30 Grizzlies – 20 point blowout loss
12/31 Hawks – 11 point win
1/3 Lakers – 9 point loss
1/4 Clippers – 28 point blowout to the Clippers
1/6 Thunder – 15 point loss
1/7 Thunder – 3 point narrow loss
1/10 Bobcats – 12 point win
1/11 Spurs – 6 point OT loss
Duplicate Games:
Spurs – 20 point win and a 6 point OT loss. That’s a point swing of -26
Thunder – From a 15 point loss to a 3 point loss, a swing of -12
Now, when we’re talking consistency, I would expect far less double digit point differentials in losses, more so I would anticipate better margins of victory or at least closer ones in our wins. What I see in our head to heads repeated is a crazy swing. I’m not content to use the schedule as a crutch against inconsistent performance.
by BD34 on Jan 12, 2012 6:50 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
actually
going from a 15 point loss to a 3 point loss is a swing of +12
but yeah, this team is inconsistent. also, you ignored the injuries in our backcourt (martin, lee and lowry have all been affected) who make up the majority of our offense.
I'm honestly basing most of my opinion off the Spurs.
We kicked their ass then we lost in OT with only the loss of Lee and the Spurs dealing with the loss of Ginobli (A more critical component to their team than our loss to ours, in my opinion). I mean even throughout the game it gets painful to watch the inconsistencies that keep hammering us.
It's not just inconsistency from game to game
it’s 5 or 6 minutes stretches. They’ll play a great 6 minutes, then totally implode the next 6. Sometimes it’s the 2nd team offense, sometimes it’s rebounding…the list could go on and on.
by twinkilling0303 on Jan 12, 2012 7:15 PM CST up reply actions
I'm hoping this will all stabilize
When McHale figures out that Scola can’t play down the stretch or defend centers. Once Dalembert is on the court for most of the game we should have a lot more defensive stability.
If Scola isn't in down the stretch
who scores? Because Martin sure isn’t capable of that kind of production at the end of games, the pick and roll with Scola is really their only option.
by twinkilling0303 on Jan 13, 2012 9:12 AM CST up reply actions
It is a worry
Young teams like this are often inconsistent and it is a sign of their maturity when they get consistent and don’t lose games to “easy” opponents.
"Do not panic, all is well" Kevin Bacon in the parade scene in the movie Animal House
by mjdinhouston on Jan 14, 2012 7:55 AM CST up reply actions
I donno we will struggle but we could do it
This season will be a mess for all teams looking at one of my fantasy teams i got 5 players on DTD getting into the playoffs could come between a couple of teams the top teams Lakers, Trailblazers, OKC, Spurs probably the Mavs then teams that could make it ROCKETS, Clippers, Grizz, Golden State, Jazz, Kings, Nuggets.
basicall i dont think suns, minny or hornets are involved in the chase thats alot of room for error with high chances of injuries
This
(Put it this way: If Terrence Williams doesn’t see the floor this month, against these teams, it’s over).
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I think we'll go 7-4, It'd be nice to beat the teams we should beat and compete with the better teams.
Dallas and Houston fan making it work. Gig 'em!
Dwight about to get 40 and 20
Man I would do anything and I mean anything to get him in a Rockets uniform.
by TheDream34 on Jan 13, 2012 12:03 AM CST via mobile reply actions
We could always re-do to the Gasol trade
Having a Pau and Dwight frontline ought to convince him to stay.
by TheDream34 on Jan 13, 2012 12:14 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
And we give up Jeff Adrien for the numbers to match.
Dallas and Houston fan making it work. Gig 'em!
11 Winning Streak here we come!
Who am I kidding? We have no right to look down on any other team, nor do we have the goods to say this will be an easy schedule. I’m looking at below .500 regardless of how “easy” these teams are supposedly. Call me pessimistic, but I’d rather root for 11 straight losses. It’ll make my mind up on total rebuild and a good draft pick.
Sorry guys, Rockets fan whose optimism is falling short.
Sincerely,
“No more Chuck, no more luck.”
by lucnguye92 on Jan 13, 2012 6:16 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
I didn't say we'd win 11 straight games.
The Dream Shake ...on Twitter.
"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak
I wish the Rockets could start winning and becoming like the Nuggets/Blazers. I’m jealous of fans of those teams.
As long as McHale keeps this as the current line up we have a good chance
BUT he needs to close with it as well. NO MORE SCOLA AT THE 5 PLEASE!
With an easier schedule, playing at home, and getting some practice in, I think the Rockets will end January on a very high note.
i wonder how effective it would be to limit scola to just the first half
and spot minutes in the second. it’s obvious his conditioning/age is such that he cannot last all four quarters any more.
I dont think its about the age/conditioning down the stretch at all
Its trying to defend someone bigger than you. Thats takes away all your energy and makes you ineffective on offense. Simple as that. Keep him at the 4 and he will be fine at the end.
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