After the watching the first quarter...

RP,

I was gonna start a topic entitled HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM, but you basically beat me to it. And I agree with your analysis (as I have been posting since the season started: 5-1 record a house of cards etc.)

This team is not going anywhere with the current makeup and mindset. Basically our inside game is 1) an overachieving 39 y/o center, 2) Glenn Rice who has been a major no-show to date in all phases of the game, and 3) KT who is an overachieving tweener trying to play the 4 spot. Boy do we miss Mo Taylor, partially because of his offensive presence, and partially because of the lack of depth now that KT is forced to start.

But more than anything this team simply DOES NOT COME TO PLAY EVERY NITE! We simply do not have the mental toughness and discipline to win consistently over an 82 game grind. For most of our games this year, we simply play to the level of the competition....witness nail biters against the Lakers, Clips, and Atlanta. There is talent to roll offensively but we're too dependent on the perimeter game.

RT/CD MUST make some changes at the 3-4-5 spots. Cato is a disgrace and deserves to be cut, so let's just write him off. Griffin should start at center because he represents what future we have if we are to improve. Yeah, he'll get pushed around and make mistakes. But it beats watching him jack up 3 pointers like that is his NBA future. Let him stay close to the basket and do what he does best, rebounds and block shots. And he'll get some points from putbacks and close-in shots. We either need to start Walt (instead of Rice) or move him for a hard nosed inside player who will bring toughness and leadership. No one in their right mind will take on Rice and his contract. I haven't written him off yet but I badly misjudged him; he has really lost his quickness and his legs, and it's killing his shot and his ability to defend or rebound.

It's pretty UGLY now, hope to see some changes in personnel, mental approach and offensive schemes. Our assists are down but it is not simply because we are not shooting well. Somehow we have replaced the pass with the dribble. And, one more thing, hyperdribbler Moochie is the worst offender and is another no-show so far.

Guess I feel a little better now.........

 

like any team, the Rockets are going to have their ups and downs. DO you think people in Dallas are jumping off the bandwagon and yelling fire after we blew them out and put a wooping on their guard combination. Let's give this young team till the All-Star break. As much as this has been said, we are still getting a feel for each other. Let's hope we can rebound tonight. My prediction: Houston 99 Portland 95