Of course it comes down to the lead dogs. They are the ones who have to elevate their games. Yao did not do that. Turnovers up, shooting down. Rebounds - what's a rebound? At the end of the day his regular season numbers were pretty similar to his numbers vs. Utah.
McGrady just simply didn't bring for enough of the series. He teased us and himself with the second half of game 1 and then with the best post-season performance of his entire career in game 5. But he's a superstar and that type of aggressive, winning, confident basketball should have been what he delivered in most if not all of the series. Instead he played that way only in short spurts and not at all in any of the three games in Utah. He left he and the team no margin for error. He didn't even begin game 7 until his team was down by 16 in the second quarter. But like Yao, when you look at his numbers (other than putrid shooting), they weren't far off from his regular season work. The last 2 games in Houston, he averaged 27.5 pts, 14.5 assists and shot 46% from the field, yet the team won just won of those games.
So in the end it's fair to spread the blame all around. Just keep this in mind - since they lost to Utah eveyrone is trying to figure out what went wrong against a team that nobody was ever worried about. A team that you were never trying to gauge your talent level against. So maybe the ball bounces differently and you squeak out a win in this series. That doesn't make the Rockets any closer to the Suns, Spurs or Mavs - who have their own problems.
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The Rocket is going to New York. Just think about this in a baseball context. So in other words the Astros will have to now find a way to compete in the 17 or so games Clemens now won't be pitching for them. Is that really a big deal? They're an average team without him and they were going to be an average team with him - all that changes if and when the offense decides to give them a little more , which it looks like they might be ready to start doing. The pitching has been well above average - they've kept the team in nearly every game. The bullpen is an above average unit, especially with Lidge settling in again to a strong set-up role (more on him below). If Pence and Scott can become legit hitters and Lee and Berkman do what they are supposed to do, then the offense will likely be fine. If Phil can find a few more spots to best utilize Lamb and Loretta while they're both swinging a hot stick, then all will be well.
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Message to Astros Management on Lidge - Do not move him from his current role. Garner should be commended for his work in the so far successful resurrection of Lidge. In his last 8 appearances, Lidge's ERA has dropped from 10.13 to 4.40. His line is sparkling: 9IP, 7H, 1ER, 2BB & 14 K. Wheeler is still perfect since being thrust into the closer's role. 7-for-7, despite allowing HR in each of his last 2 outings. Qualls is still somehow able to go out there seemingly everyday and still be effective and Rick White is about to return. If they complete the sweep in Cincinnati, they'll return home Friday at 17-17 as they begin a 2-game set with the D'backs. I'll call it their second opening day and let's see how they do from there. By the way, the 'Stros are 2-0 since Clemens announced he was coming back to the Yankees.
------ WEX
------ WEX
2 comments:
I'm very disappointed in the Rockets season. I knew that Utah would be a very close series, but I really thought home court would make the difference in this series. I was wrong.
Maybe it is JVG. Maybe his offensive scheme is just unimaginative and the Rockets will only be a very good team but not a great team. I don't know.
If JVG is back next season he has got to play some of those young guys Snyder, Spinoulis, Lucas, and Novak a lot more during the season. I see how Nachbar is playing in New Jersey and I feel that he was totally mismanaged when he was a Rocket. The Rockets could have used his agressive cutting to the basket in the Utah series. The Rockets need to find out what these guys can do. If the team drafted or traded for them then why not? what's the deal with that?
The Astros are the Astros. The season is way too long. Who knows what they are going to do until about 20 games left in the season. Wake me up when we get there or start swinging for the fences now.
As for the Rocket, well the Astros organization was playing just as many games as Roger so to beat him like a pinata is silly. Both he and Pettite are gone because the organization felt they could win without them plain and simple. I don't think they were very serious if they were hoping for hometown sentiment to kick in for Roger especially after they let Andy walk over an option year.
Lidge looks great, but too expensive in the role he is playing for the team. He's defininitely trade bait. Seems like the team is trying to prop him up a bit and will likely throw him in to close a few games later and then dangle him out there like a reconditioned car for whatever they can get.
All good points. JVG must show some faith in young guys or convince mgmt to get new players. (really he should be more involved in player acquistion.)
I think you're right on the Astros and honestly if they can hit a little and get a lot more from Jennings, Wandy, Woody and Sampson then they will certainly be in the hunt for the wildcard with the 20 games to go that you suggest. Don't think Lidge is going anywhere during this season. Yeas he makes too much, but it's a one-yr deal so just keep rolling along in the same role if its successful - that's what I say.
Rocket is free to do whatever he wants.
---- WEX
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