That Mavs game was really a bad note to end our season on, but had it gone the other way spirits on this board would be way different. I am excited about the playoffs because right now our record is 0-0 just like the other 15 teams in the playoffs. We have to win just as many games as any other team to get a ring. I feel that this "big 3" run isnt over, more that it just began. We never had supporting cast, or a 3rd scorer until this year. And guess what, we found both. Landry showed us he wasnt a rookie one hit wonder and Von Wafer showed much promise. Scola cemented his spot at the 4 and chuck hayes improved his offense (even though its not great, he is better than what he was) and is still consistent on defense (where is real value is). Aaron Brooks is greatly improved from his rookie season and now has a lot of experience under his belt, and we also got another young point guard to complement him. Yao also showed us he can put in a full season of work. Midway through the season, I started a pretty controversial thread, and like I said I would revisit the topic at the end of the season and comment on my predictions and how they fell through. I couldn't find the thread, but I do remember my 6 points pretty well. 1. Yao is a star center, but not a centerpiece for a team. 2. Ron Artest is overrated. 3. RA is not the coach for us. 4. Rafer will be missed. 5. We will not succeed without McGrady. 6. (honestly forgot) 1. I touched on how we were financially tied with yao (how much revenue he brings to the rockets). And I still stand by my word, a lot of our decision making with yao will have a lot to do with the connection of the big market he has. However, I saw this year how effective he can be when he stays healthy for a season. This was his best defensive season by far, and he proved me wrong. I didn't think he was quick enough to be a defensive presence, and i was right. What I was wrong about was he learned how to use his size to be a dominant force under the basket. I feel like Yao still needs to work on his scoring down the stretch (4th quarter) and his conditioning. But I will eat my words on this one, I underrated Yaos value with our team. He is capable of leading us to a championship, it will take a little more time. 2. This is where I don't really think I was wrong. He is a great asset to our team, but he is not any more valuable than Tracy McGrady. His turnovers, dumb shots, and poor choices hurt us. His hustle and physical presence help us. I like him on this team, but he isn't as big as an addition to this team as we first thought (or at least I thought). Overrated? Yes, valuable? yes, do i want him back? definately. 3. Rick Adelman did a hell of a job this year with all hte drama and injuries. That being said, he adjusted his schemes for Yao and our team. He is learning everyones roles and putting people in a position to suceed. At times he made bad decisions (playing time in crucial situations etc.) but he did decent enough. I would love to have him back next year, although I still think his style is best suited for another team. 4. Rafer Alson will be missed- I still stand behind htis in a way. Rafer's defense wasnt great, but it didnt make us suspect to top tier pgs because he would contain them. AB is a defensive liability and lowry is suspect at times. In that aspect Rafer is missed, but his attitude at times and us getting lowry, that is why I am glad he is gone. I agree with the trade, but I will acknowledge that some of his services we could still use. 5. I made this statement, and I stand by it. When I say suceed, I mean a championship appearance. In order for us to get there, we need a guy with "it". A guy who can score when covered, a guy who hits big shots in the 4th, and a guy who not many teams can claim they have an equivalent for. McGrady was our mvp last year, and could have been this year if he was healthy. I pray for a healthy return next year and a solid attitude. I think this was a positive year because we filled some big holes: Outside scoring beside yao/tmac, role players, depth, athleticism etc. The problem is, we lost our mvp from last year. Take a look at some of the playoff teams and their best player: Lakers-kobe cavs- lebron magic-dwight etc. Without them, they are nowhere near a playoff team. We accomplished so much without McGrady. When McGrady comes back healthy (and if) along with everything we gained this year, there is not one team in the NBA that can stop us. Imagine last years McGrady added to this lineup going into the playoffs... that is a championship team, and that is a team that the rockets havent been able to field since the mid 90s. Get excited, because it is very possible, we arent a few holes away, we are a rehab and an attitude adjustment away. And be excited even more, because this season isn't over, we still have the playoffs ahead of us. We have a lot of unproven guys on our squad who could step up and be heroes. You never know what could happen, and right now is the best time to be a rockets fan, go rockets! (please refrain from making this a tracy mcgrady thread)
