Rockets

It's funny how things change. Last week, people were already looking to the second round and this week everyone thinks we're done for the year. But don't cue up the Gone Fishin' pics with Kenny Smith just yet.

Since the home team has won each time, things bode well with 2 of the last 3 games at home. On the flip side, we've been horrible on the road while the Jazz has been at least respectable in our house.

So what do the Rockets need to do?

Well for one, Jazz big man Mehmet Okur has commented that he's been able to predict exactly what Yao Ming will do each time down the floor based off where he lines up. Obviously, Yao needs to change things up and most importantly stop putting the ball on the floor. If I had a nickel for every dribble attempt that Okur knocked loose from Yao.....

Tracy McGrady could also help out by driving to the hoop more. This is Tracy at his best and it also gets Chuck Hayes involved and keeps his man just a little closer to him. Too often that defender has left Hayes open to double other Rockets.

If the outside shot is not falling then they need to consistently feed the ball to Yao on the low post. If he can get it going then give Juwan Howard a chance on the blocks. Yeah he's sucked it up thus far in the playoffs but I think in the distributor role he can at least find an open man effectively. At the very least, post McGrady up a couple times a half.

The key is to be aggressive offensively. We've been way too passive and it will get us beat if our shots aren't falling. They were falling in the first 2 games and we got lucky playing passive. Now that the shots aren't falling our passivitiy is being exposed. It's up to us to change that.