http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/jack_mccallum/03/24/insider/index.html ROCKETS: B- HOUSTON ROCKETS: This could easily be a C team, which it will indeed be if it somehow misses the playoffs. But I think they'll hold on and improve on last year when a 43-39 record kept them out of the postseason. If Steve Francis was playing better, the Rockets would be battling for first in the Midwest instead of scrambling to make the playoffs. I'm kind of stunned he gave the lakers a B. I would say they deserve a C at most in terms of "living up to potential". --rhad
i'd agree with that grade. we've shown that we're capable of competing with the top teams in the league, but we're just as likely to lose to the cellar-dwellers. we are consistently inconsistent. and that sucks. and i blame it allllllllllllllllll on francis.......
I don't really care about the report card grade but I think the Rockets have gone through a lot this season. Every team has injuries but during a good portion of the 1st half of the season we lost MoT to a shoulder separation and then the "drug" use that they later took back. It still kept him off the floor for 6 games longer. Then the EG fiasco. As a Rocket I never really saw all the potential people here speak of but no doubt he could of helped the Rockets on both ends of the floor if he had his head screwed on straight. Also the transition of coaching philosophies has had an impact. I'm not trying to make any excuses for the Rockets but they've really had to go through a lot to the point where we're relying on mid to late 38 year old players to come off the bench and produce for the Rockets who have been bigger impacts than I personally could imagine. I never thought Spoon would be a guy we'd actually use off the bench. Or that we would actually sign M. Jackson before March 1st. Then the Oakley signing where it just seems too soon to see if he's actually been helpful to the Rockets, although I did love the thuggery he laid down on the Trailblazers late in the 4th on Damon Stoudamire and just the hacks he put on anyone in his general vicinity and I even more so liked it when he was swinging his elbows fighting for a rebound and had this swagger in his step when he would step up to the FT line. I hope he instills some of that attitude in Yao and teaches him how to get down and dirty with players like Dampier, Potapenko, Jerome James, Ilgauskas, etc.
This is what I have been imaging, what the Rockets would be like IF Steve can provide 20pts a game consistently with 42+% shooting? We all know he did that prior to this season, he can do it again. The question is will he be able to do that as a 2nd offensive option? So far this season, he showed he could in some games, but wasn't up to it in many other games. We'll have to wait to see his performance for the rest of the season and in the playoffs.
NEW YORK KNICKS: This is one of the grades I could hedge on; they will be an A if they clinch a postseason berth (I think they will), and a C if they don't. But one thing is for sure: They were an F before Isiah Thomas took over for Scott Layden as general manager. _________________ Its official - this reporter has no idea what he is talking about. An "A" if they clintch a berth... in a conference where having a winning record gets you home court advantage ?!?!?! excuse me... but someone needs to tell this guy what that four fingers said to the face
If Francis manages to score around 20ppg at a 42% clip again, it would imply that he has improved his midrange jumper and 3-pt range, which would, IMO, make him a top 5 offensive player in the entire league. It remains to be seen if he can reach that level.
but i have to say... wow... he really made his team better through those trades. that was just awesome... he took an overpayed and underperforming team and brought in some stars. even trading KVH for Thomas was good. Thomas is not that far a step down. plus, they get Nazr MOhammed... who is MORE than servicable at center in the east. if i had the link to the beer picture i'd post it right now. brilliant!
Well consider that most people viewed them and Utah as definete lottery picks who would struggle to win 20 games and you would understand why their grade is so high
Where were they on most ppl's mock standings on most of ppl at the beginning of the season? Where are they now? Enough said.
How are the Rockets a C? Didn't most of these publications have the Rockets 9th or 10th in the West? And the Rockets scrambling for a playoffs spot? In the all important loss column the Rockets have a 6 game lead AND have the tiebreaker over Portland and Utah, and I'm not sure about Denver. The Rockets are at least tied with Denver. Considering the majority of publications had Memphis, Portland and Phoenix battling for the last playoff spots with the Rockets having a chance to "steal" an 8th spot, I think the Rockets deserve at least a solid B. Either way, I'm just happy the Rockets are headed to the postseason.
well if your going in terms of actual performance on the season then no, denver does not deserve anything less than a D in terms of expectations I guess though I'd definitely give an A to Utah , everyone was predicting the worse season almost in history compared to whatever season the sixers lost all those games
Not necessary from 3pt range, but consistent midrange catch & shoot. By my observation, Steve had many open shots opportunities in the games we've played, but he somehow chose to give up the shot, instead of taking a few dribbles before started a much difficult shot. All he need is just catch & shoot, simple & accurate. Hopefully, he can come to understand that no point will be awarded for the degree of difficulty.
