The Rockets...

[23]

Re: The Rockets...

What is Rafer Alston going to do to Chris Paul?

That's Houston first problem, relying on a career backup talent to run the ship

[Fiasco West]

Re: The Rockets...

When Yao was out last year, T-Mac was who they ran their offense through and it looked much better than when Yao was there. Same with when T-Mac is out and Yao is who they run their offense through. The offense is just much better. I've noticed when Artest is having the offense run through him, he is much better and looks good. He takes much better shots.

I noticed last year too that when one of them was out, analysts would mention how much better the offense looks when one of them is not playing. That's because the offense is being ran through one guy. And the other players all know it and play off the one guy.

That's why I say that they need to designate one guy as "The Man" and the other as the sidekick or the guy who is going to be the man to go to when the other guy is resting.

Right now, all three defer to each other far too often. It's like they take turns on offense at times. This doesn't let any of them get into any type of rhythm. And I think that plays aren't being set up for really one man, and this makes it harder for them each to score individually.

I agree and its really obvious Artest makes Tmac Less aggressive and vice versa when they are both on the floor...add Yao to that and they both defer to him.

Artest will help the team loads if he can backup Battier and lead the second unit...thing is...will he accept that role of coming off the bench even though he'd still get his minutes. I mean someone should just tell him Manu has been coming off the bench.

Chemistry on offense is still the MAIN problem above all else. It will get better. The chemistry from Yao and Mac didn't carry over from last season, i'm sure those two played about 20 games IF THAT last season under Adelman, we saw the team chemistry get better after January, so maybe that is why i'm so patient. I've seen what Adelman does night in, the littler lineup experiments he does in a nightly basis in crucial times in a game and sometimes we lose those games. In the end I think these guys really want to win and some won't mind coming off the bench, they just don't understand eachother yet.

Our second unit is more efficient than our first, we have a big 3 but Artest defers to Tmac and Yao too much. I think he's trying to prove he's not a ball-stopper and he's the team player, but I'm pretty sure he will come off the bench when Battier comes back.

[Streets]

Re: The Rockets...

One thing I haven't liked about Adelman this season is that he often pulls McGrady when he's hot. I remember one game (maybe Portland or Boston?) T-Mac was having a killer third quarter and was on fire. Adelman rested him for most of the 4th hoping he'd come in fresh and finish them off.

Problem was, T-Mac had since cooled off, lost his rhythm, put up some bad shots and we lost.

Tonight, Mac had it clicking, and Adelman left him on the floor while resting Yao and Artest. I like doing this for any of our guys (but especially Mac who is a complete rhythm guy). Who ever is on, leave them in and let others get a breather. The extra time is not going to kill these guys.

[X*Cell]

Re: The Rockets...

What is Rafer Alston going to do to Chris Paul?

That's Houston first problem, relying on a career backup talent to run the ship

honestly. I think Aaron Brooks is much much better than Rafer Alston. At least the boy can shoot. Alston builds a house everytime he shoots.

[J.R. Locke]

Re: The Rockets...

Slow....may be the slowest team in the league.

They need to try to win every game in the 80's.

[Brankles]

Re: The Rockets...

It's the beginning of the season, players are coming off of injuries, the Olympics and are playing with new teammates. Battier has been hurt the majority of this season, Rafer is too streaky, Artest is all over the place, and TMac isn't playing at his best.

Give these guys a month or so, some chemistry and trust building, and I think they will be a force. They have shooting, defense, role players, star power and a solid coaching staff.

[X*Cell]

Re: The Rockets...

It's the beginning of the season, players are coming off of injuries, the Olympics and are playing with new teammates. Battier has been hurt the majority of this season, Rafer is too streaky, Artest is all over the place, and TMac isn't playing at his best.

Give these guys a month or so, some chemistry and trust building, and I think they will be a force. They have shooting, defense, role players, star power and a solid coaching staff.

If you think about it, they are never NOT a force. They have always been capable of beating top teams and making schedules difficult for teams that have to play them, but it's that 1st round hump they can't get over. I agree with you in that we need to give them a month or so, and they may turn into a team with 2nd round abilities, but honestly... is making it to only the 2nd round good enough?

[Brankles]

Re: The Rockets...

If you think about it, they are never NOT a force. They have always been capable of beating top teams and making schedules difficult for teams that have to play them, but it's that 1st round hump they can't get over. I agree with you in that we need to give them a month or so, and they may turn into a team with 2nd round abilities, but honestly... is making it to only the 2nd round good enough?

They can win the championship. They have all the tools for it and might be the deepest team in the league, it's just a matter of them gelling and staying healthy.

If you look at this team the past 4 or 5 years, they've had some of the worst luck out of any NBA team when the playoffs roll around, especially when it comes to injuries.

[GoodVela]

Re: The Rockets...

What's the latest on Steve Francis? Is he injured or are the Rockets doing what the NYK's are doing with Marbury?

[Fiasco West]

Re: The Rockets...

What's the latest on Steve Francis? Is he injured or are the Rockets doing what the NYK's are doing with Marbury?

Some type of injury, don't know when or if he's going to be back or how serious it is.

[23]

Re: The Rockets...

quad surgery this past year and he's still rehabbing

[GoodVela]

Re: The Rockets...

Courtesy of RealGM:

Tracy McGrady aggravated his troublesome right knee against the Thunder on Monday night and could miss time after undergoing an MRI on Tuesday. "My knee gave out on me," McGrady said. "They told me if I was to go back in, and they saw me limping they were going to take me back out. I was like, "Well, that's what you're pretty much going to see.' My knee is feeling right. I hate to do this, but I'm going to get an MRI tomorrow and until, further notice, I'm going to have to shut it down."
Just a week ago McGrady went to a doctor in Phoenix and after a brief examination and visit, was told that the best course of action was to play his way back into strength and shape.

[Streets]

Re: The Rockets...

Courtesy of NBA.com

Battier, McGrady practice for Rockets


Posted Nov 18 2008 8:51PM

HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier practiced with the team for the first time on Tuesday, but Ron Artest and Yao Ming skipped the workout after leaving Monday's win over Oklahoma City with sprained ankles.

Tracy McGrady also practiced Tuesday after re-aggravating his sore left knee in Monday's game. McGrady was going to have an MRI on the knee, but decided with team officials that the test was unnecessary and practiced instead.

The Rockets play Dallas on Wednesday and Artest and Yao said they would be ready by game time.

Battier has been bothered with inflammation in his left foot for months after offseason surgery. He said Tuesday that he needs a few more full practices before he's ready to play in a game.