RealGM

Well, a little over halfway through the regular season.

After 44 games the Rockets stand at 29-15: their best record at this point since Hakeem was in his prime.

So far we've dealt with injuries and players trying to figure each other out. The team has looked like they can beat anyone; but then like anyone could beat them (See the OKC game for examples of both).

There are a lot of issues to work out, but the fact remains that there is a whole lot to be positive about. We have young, promising players. We have two guys who are in the conversation for best at their position. We have great cap flexibility and all of our future draft picks (minus one of our future seconds...but we have plenty of those from others).

The Rockets Front Office will likely be very active in the next few weeks (as usual). Very curious to see what happens next.

Two big games coming up this weekend.

...not just pointing that out to get someone to start a game thread or anything...

I will just say this. There is no doubt in my mind that the biggest drag on this team this season is the whole Asik situation. He's played in only a handful of minutes at his intended back-up C spot, and hurt the team forcing them to start him at PF early in the season.

Going in to the season our bench unit looked GREAT, one of the best in the league with Asik and Lin coming off the bench. Our defense with Dwight out is HORRIBLE, and I do not think we will contend this year if Asik does not play nice. I remain highly skeptical that he will.

The curse must of been lifted, I mean we got Dwight Howard. I think Mr. E should make the GT.

Done!

And I agree with BayBaller that the Asik situation has been the only real negative so far this season. I'm still hoping that he comes back and buys into this team and this system.

the basketball gods had to have some kind of curse lifted cause rockets NEVER, i mean NEVER!!! get any prime free agents. since i been watching nba, rockets' best fa's are rafer, shane, STRO SHOW, and ariza. stro and ariza lasted one year. now the rockets trade for harden, and sign dwight howard? i dont even know...

im amazed they can have a 29-15 record halfway into the season the way they're playing. they've shown in spurts they can be an elite team. rockets have a bunch of positives going for them,. they can only get better, esp when the injuries stop (and asik's sore vagina heals up

but im really critical of them. eve4n with the injuries they can do a lot better then they've shown. mchale said it last week, that they dont run a lot of plays. thats a huge problem. they have the players to keep them from resorting to a lot of one on one basketball. u cant expect much from our shooters if they're told to just stand around the 3pt line. this one on one stuff isnt gonna do much in the playoffs

the rockets have as many things going for htem as they do going agaisnt them. coaching staff, dwight not demanding the ball when he doesnt his shots, harden hogging the ball till 1-3 seconds left , injuries, maybe a lockdown defender tho we should wait till offseason about that.

i think a new head coach will solve a lotta problems. mchale cant coach a contending team. i want the rockes to find a new head coach this offseason. keep mchale if they can, as lead assistant, and some of his own staff. he's great off the court, but when it comes to gametime he has too many flaws. finch is supposed to be that guy, wtf happened there? maybe they move him to head coach.

i give the rockets a b. not a b- or b+, just b.

If they can only get rid of Mchale and Sampson and get a coach like Phil Jackson. This team will be a championship caliber. However, with Mchale and Sampson, this team could easily be a first round exit in the playoff. Just think which team could we really beat in the west in the playoff with the knuckhead Mchale.

victorhe wrote:If they can only get rid of Mchale and Sampson and get a coach like Phil Jackson. This team will be a championship caliber. However, with Mchale and Sampson, this team could easily be a first round exit in the playoff. Just think which team could we really beat in the west in the playoff with the knuckhead Mchale.

no.

is not just the coach .,,, we need alot more to be a champioship calibe team ..

a new starting point guard ,,,a starting pf/yes i know tjones is playing very well im not sold ,,,, better bench 1-5,,, need a new coach,,, wingdefender,,,, morey has work to do ,,,he needs to fix hes mistake of signing lin and asik this is what is killing us we can not even make trades

rocketsballin wrote:i think a new head coach will solve a lotta problems. mchale cant coach a contending team. i want the rockes to find a new head coach this offseason. keep mchale if they can, as lead assistant, and some of his own staff. he's great off the court, but when it comes to gametime he has too many flaws. finch is supposed to be that guy, wtf happened there? maybe they move him to head coach.

Agreed. Something other minor thing still seems to be missing though, not sure what.

We need time. Time to gel. You don't put a team together quickly and expect that they will figure out how to get things done over one training camp.

There is off court chemistry. The team doesn't seem super cliquish. We are not paying the tax.

We're winning 60% of our games. If we get to 40 wins before 20, then we're doing okay for our first year with this squad.

If we could've trotted out Asik yesterday with Dwight for spurts, it would have been a very different outcome. Again, they need to play together, which hasn't been possible for awhile.

Looking at our first round matchup, it seems that we are most likely going to be the #5 seed (either with or without homecourt advantage) or #6 seed. If we're the #5 seed, our opponent is going to be either Portland, LAC, or Golden State. I like our odds in all 3 of those matchups, especially against the Clippers. Things get a bit dicey if we're the #6 seed, since that means our opponent will either be San Antonio, Oklahoma City, or Portland (or possibly Golden State). We have a decent shot against the last two, and I think we'd lose to the first two.

Of course, I may not be taking McHale's poor coaching into consideration as much as I should. McHale overplays several players, thereby weakening our bench and weakening those players (Parsons and Harden in particular). It also means that our team is technically trying harder during the regular season, and will make a less discernible leap in basketball quality than our Western Conference peers come playoff time.

However, I don't think y'all are looking at things in a realistic-enough light with the doom and gloom predictions of a first round exit. Playoff basketball is always a game of matchups, and I think we're more likely to make a 2nd round exit than a 1st round exit.

000001 wrote:

victorhe wrote:If they can only get rid of Mchale and Sampson and get a coach like Phil Jackson. This team will be a championship caliber. However, with Mchale and Sampson, this team could easily be a first round exit in the playoff. Just think which team could we really beat in the west in the playoff with the knuckhead Mchale.

no.

is not just the coach .,,, we need alot more to be a champioship calibe team ..

a new starting point guard ,,,a starting pf/yes i know tjones is playing very well im not sold ,,,, better bench 1-5,,, need a new coach,,, wingdefender,,,, morey has work to do ,,,he needs to fix hes mistake of signing lin and asik this is what is killing us we can not even make trades

Why does Houston need a new starting pg?!?!?! Beverley plays awesome D(covering up for Harden's lack of effort). He's also an incredible rebounder for his position. Finally, he allows Harden and Dwight to do their thing. As a bonus..check out his contract..only 800k this year..and 900k next year. I challenge you to find a better value at starting PG than Pat Beverley!

victorhe wrote:If they can only get rid of Mchale and Sampson and get a coach like Phil Jackson. This team will be a championship caliber. However, with Mchale and Sampson, this team could easily be a first round exit in the playoff. Just think which team could we really beat in the west in the playoff with the knuckhead Mchale.

It seems like Phil wants power in the front office like Pat but since we've got Morey already, that'd be tough. Karl, Van Gundys are available. Jerry Sloan would be nice, but I don't know what he thinks about all those stats thingy.

ChokeFasncists wrote:

victorhe wrote:If they can only get rid of Mchale and Sampson and get a coach like Phil Jackson. This team will be a championship caliber. However, with Mchale and Sampson, this team could easily be a first round exit in the playoff. Just think which team could we really beat in the west in the playoff with the knuckhead Mchale.

It seems like Phil wants power in the front office like Pat but since we've got Morey already, that'd be tough. Karl, Van Gundys are available. Jerry Sloan would be nice, but I don't know what he thinks about all those stats thingy.

Do not lile Karl, Stan or Sloan but gladly take back JVG, eventhough he has been out the coaching a little to long for my taste. Or the Bulls should fire Thibs

zapatasblood wrote:

ChokeFasncists wrote:

victorhe wrote:If they can only get rid of Mchale and Sampson and get a coach like Phil Jackson. This team will be a championship caliber. However, with Mchale and Sampson, this team could easily be a first round exit in the playoff. Just think which team could we really beat in the west in the playoff with the knuckhead Mchale.

It seems like Phil wants power in the front office like Pat but since we've got Morey already, that'd be tough. Karl, Van Gundys are available. Jerry Sloan would be nice, but I don't know what he thinks about all those stats thingy.

Do not lile Karl, Stan or Sloan but gladly take back JVG, eventhough he has been out the coaching a little to long for my taste. Or the Bulls should fire Thibs

Well, these are all the proven coaches that are available. What's wrong with them? Or do you think we should stand pat?

ChokeFasncists wrote:Well, these are all the proven coaches that are available. What's wrong with them? Or do you think we should stand pat?

I think Carl is terrible or at least when playoff time comes around. Stan to me is just meh but I can only assume Howard and Stan can not work together. And I just got think this team would fit Sloan type of basketball, I hate with a passion, been out the game for a long time, I hate him, extremely old, I hate him more than life itself, his style of play seemingly comeback to bite them in the playoffs, and but the way have I said I hate the son of bitch. By the way people just might troll you for the Sloan thing. No I do not want McHale to remain and next year Ihighly doubt he is here after next year. Me I think the Rockets should look to College ranks if they do not go after JVG or THibs if the Bulls fire him.

zapatasblood wrote:

ChokeFasncists wrote:Well, these are all the proven coaches that are available. What's wrong with them? Or do you think we should stand pat?

I think Carl is terrible or at least when playoff time comes around.

I'm not a big fan of him but he got the Sonics into the finals and got Sam-I-Am etc into the eastern conference finals, only losing to AI, wasn't that bad.

Stan to me is just meh but I can only assume Howard and Stan can not work together.

It seems to me that their relationship is one of love-hate, tough coach, make the best out of him kind. In the thread I created in the Magic forum, http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1300909 people are saying that if Dwight matures, he'll get SVG back because it's the best for him. Well, we don't know and we'll see.

And I just got think this team would fit Sloan type of basketball, I hate with a passion, been out the game for a long time, I hate him, extremely old, I hate him more than life itself, his style of play seemingly comeback to bite them in the playoffs, and but the way have I said I hate the son of bitch. By the way people just might troll you for the Sloan thing.

I understand. I hated Phil the same way you did when he was coaching (now it has cooled down a bit) but if he wants to coach this team I'd reluctantly but gladly say yes. So, agreed, Sloan and this team could be good fit but comes with a LOT of baggage.

No I do not want McHale to remain and next year Ihighly doubt he is here after next year. Me I think the Rockets should look to College ranks if they do not go after JVG or THibs if the Bulls fire him.

It's extremely risky for a young contending team like us to try something like that. I don't think it's a good idea......Thibs is a long shot, he might stay and even if he leaves there will be many teams wanting his service.

So I guess we're on the same page here, don't want to stand pat, JVG is good, Sloan is the best in b-ball terms but not emotionally, SVG depends on Dwight, Thibs of course is great but that's a looooooooooong shot!

Well, it's not how you start the season. When was the last time Rockets made it to round #2?

ChokeFasncists wrote:

zapatasblood wrote:

ChokeFasncists wrote:Well, these are all the proven coaches that are available. What's wrong with them? Or do you think we should stand pat?

I think Carl is terrible or at least when playoff time comes around.

I'm not a big fan of him but he got the Sonics into the finals and got Sam-I-Am etc into the eastern conference finals, only losing to AI, wasn't that bad.

Stan to me is just meh but I can only assume Howard and Stan can not work together.

It seems to me that their relationship is one of love-hate, tough coach, make the best out of him kind. In the thread I created in the Magic forum, http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1300909 people are saying that if Dwight matures, he'll get SVG back because it's the best for him. Well, we don't know and we'll see.

And I just got think this team would fit Sloan type of basketball, I hate with a passion, been out the game for a long time, I hate him, extremely old, I hate him more than life itself, his style of play seemingly comeback to bite them in the playoffs, and but the way have I said I hate the son of bitch. By the way people just might troll you for the Sloan thing.

I understand. I hated Phil the same way you did when he was coaching (now it has cooled down a bit) but if he wants to coach this team I'd reluctantly but gladly say yes. So, agreed, Sloan and this team could be good fit but comes with a LOT of baggage.

No I do not want McHale to remain and next year Ihighly doubt he is here after next year. Me I think the Rockets should look to College ranks if they do not go after JVG or THibs if the Bulls fire him.

It's extremely risky for a young contending team like us to try something like that. I don't think it's a good idea......Thibs is a long shot, he might stay and even if he leaves there will be many teams wanting his service.

So I guess we're on the same page here, don't want to stand pat, JVG is good, Sloan is the best in b-ball terms but not emotionally, SVG depends on Dwight, Thibs of course is great but that's a looooooooooong shot!

Sorry but just think you don't understand. To be fair I did say it was my hate but this Houston almost a whole. Their biggest rival has been and will always be the Sloan led Jazz. With their toeing the line of dirty play and Sloan was the leader. Karl was just a rappest and Stockton was flopping karate kicking threw the paint a$$. Harping was just the worst.

zapatasblood wrote:

ChokeFasncists wrote:

zapatasblood wrote:I think Carl is terrible or at least when playoff time comes around.

I'm not a big fan of him but he got the Sonics into the finals and got Sam-I-Am etc into the eastern conference finals, only losing to AI, wasn't that bad.

Stan to me is just meh but I can only assume Howard and Stan can not work together.

It seems to me that their relationship is one of love-hate, tough coach, make the best out of him kind. In the thread I created in the Magic forum, http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1300909 people are saying that if Dwight matures, he'll get SVG back because it's the best for him. Well, we don't know and we'll see.

And I just got think this team would fit Sloan type of basketball, I hate with a passion, been out the game for a long time, I hate him, extremely old, I hate him more than life itself, his style of play seemingly comeback to bite them in the playoffs, and but the way have I said I hate the son of bitch. By the way people just might troll you for the Sloan thing.

I understand. I hated Phil the same way you did when he was coaching (now it has cooled down a bit) but if he wants to coach this team I'd reluctantly but gladly say yes. So, agreed, Sloan and this team could be good fit but comes with a LOT of baggage.

No I do not want McHale to remain and next year Ihighly doubt he is here after next year. Me I think the Rockets should look to College ranks if they do not go after JVG or THibs if the Bulls fire him.

It's extremely risky for a young contending team like us to try something like that. I don't think it's a good idea......Thibs is a long shot, he might stay and even if he leaves there will be many teams wanting his service.

So I guess we're on the same page here, don't want to stand pat, JVG is good, Sloan is the best in b-ball terms but not emotionally, SVG depends on Dwight, Thibs of course is great but that's a looooooooooong shot!

Sorry but just think you don't understand. To be fair I did say it was my hate but this Houston almost a whole. Their biggest rival has been and will always be the Sloan led Jazz. With their toeing the line of dirty play and Sloan was the leader. Karl was just a rappest and Stockton was flopping karate kicking threw the paint a$$. Harping was just the worst.

I do understand. The thing is, he's a good coach, he's a good fit with our roster and he's available. Sometimes one's gotta make this kinda decision to help improve the team and win. I mean, let's say in 1997, would you trade Maloney, a young player for Stockton, who's a little bit pass his prime? That might have put the team on top. And that was a while back. Well, I hope Morey makes decision based on basketball, he wasn't here yet back then and he's the one that makes the decision. (well of course, Les was here and he might have a say!)

Maudlin17 wrote:

000001 wrote:

victorhe wrote:If they can only get rid of Mchale and Sampson and get a coach like Phil Jackson. This team will be a championship caliber. However, with Mchale and Sampson, this team could easily be a first round exit in the playoff. Just think which team could we really beat in the west in the playoff with the knuckhead Mchale.

no.

is not just the coach .,,, we need alot more to be a champioship calibe team ..

a new starting point guard ,,,a starting pf/yes i know tjones is playing very well im not sold ,,,, better bench 1-5,,, need a new coach,,, wingdefender,,,, morey has work to do ,,,he needs to fix hes mistake of signing lin and asik this is what is killing us we can not even make trades

Why does Houston need a new starting pg?!?!?! Beverley plays awesome D(covering up for Harden's lack of effort). He's also an incredible rebounder for his position. Finally, he allows Harden and Dwight to do their thing. As a bonus..check out his contract..only 800k this year..and 900k next year. I challenge you to find a better value at starting PG than Pat Beverley!

They have one, hes just not starting..... I like Bev but hes not really a PG....he does though add a lot to this team. He simply makes plays on d on a team that plays so little of it