ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Spurs 12/13/2003

[dback816]

TD shoots 2-10 and scores 8 we still lose? gg nuff said

[bottlerocket]

AGAIN....CUT ALL THE PLAYERS AND FIRE ALL THE COACHES!


I UNDERSTAND WE CANNOT WIN EVERY GAME BUT AT LEAST COMPETE. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?

[acrophobia98]

I don't know. We lost the game in the first and the third quarters. Obviously, we were not prepared in the first quarter. The first to blame was Yao, who was horrible in both offensive and defensive end. We simply could not defend the pick. When Nest got out to the perimeter, Yao lost him. When Tony Parker and Emanuel did the same thing, Francis lost them, leaving those guys wide open all the time.

Yao played very well in the second quarter and brought us back close to the end of the half. In this quarter, Yao had seven points, two blocks, one assist, and two changed shots.

You know what, Francis took over in the third quarter. He didn't score in the first half. In fact, he failed to attempt much of the half. He decided to do more in the second half. He took most of the shots in the third and missed most of them plus a technical. When the game was out of reach, he made 2 out 14.

We made the game look closer in the later part of the fourth quarter when our starters played against their garbish players during the garbish time. Does it mean our starters were in fact garbish players?

Strangely yet honestly, Cat did not play poorly. He has been our hottest shooter in the last few games. But he was allowed to shoot only seven times. Great way to share the ball, man.

:( :( :(

[saleem]

Our players lack fundamental skills. Defending the pick and roll is a hard job but defense is still easier to learn than offensive execution. Some sort of a motion offense needs to be implemented quickly utilizing each individual's strengths.
I think JVG is trying to break the bad habits which is fine but hasn't figured out how to get the best out of the players.
Unfortunately things are looking bad right now with no solution in sight.

[gospursgo]

I hate to say it since I think he's a very capable player, but I don't know that Steve Francis is really going to cut it in Houston. Don't get me wrong, he's a big talent and he can help someone, but he may need a change of scenery.

This is Francis' fifth year in the league. Most guys with his ability don't need five years to figure it all out, but Francis seems to think that the team's success is solely tied into his shot attempts.

At this point, maybe the philosophy is to build around Yao, not around Francis and Yao.

For my sake as a Spurs fan, don't change a thing. :D

[Severe Rockets Fan]

Originally posted by gospursgo
I hate to say it since I think he's a very capable player, but I don't know that Steve Francis is really going to cut it in Houston. Don't get me wrong, he's a big talent and he can help someone, but he may need a change of scenery.

This is Francis' fifth year in the league. Most guys with his ability don't need five years to figure it all out, but Francis seems to think that the team's success is solely tied into his shot attempts.

At this point, maybe the philosophy is to build around Yao, not around Francis and Yao.

For my sake as a Spurs fan, don't change a thing. :D
Thank you Spurs fan. Its nice to know that others outside of Houston see the problem with Steve and don't just worship him because of his 'mad skillz' :rolleyes: .

[ArtV]

Originally posted by gospursgo
I hate to say it since I think he's a very capable player, but I don't know that Steve Francis is really going to cut it in Houston. Don't get me wrong, he's a big talent and he can help someone, but he may need a change of scenery.

This is Francis' fifth year in the league. Most guys with his ability don't need five years to figure it all out, but Francis seems to think that the team's success is solely tied into his shot attempts.

At this point, maybe the philosophy is to build around Yao, not around Francis and Yao.

For my sake as a Spurs fan, don't change a thing. :D

Maybe we will...

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. ``We are in a bad way right now. ... We have to rebuild the foundation of our team.''

[Charvo]

Originally posted by ArtV
Maybe we will...

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. ``We are in a bad way right now. ... We have to rebuild the foundation of our team.''

You ain't kidding me. Even Van Gundy is capitulating to the thoughts of rebuilding this roster.

[Visagial]

I agree with Nova, at least last night, Cat should have gotten way more shots. He was often double teamed though behind the arc so that might have something to do with it.

[ArtV]

Originally posted by Charvo
You ain't kidding me. Even Van Gundy is capitulating to the thoughts of rebuilding this roster.

I should have included the link http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2003121324

[striker]

Do you think Francis is very tradeable? I don't think many teams these days want to take on long-term, high dollar contracts unless they're getting a franchise-type player and inspite of his nickname I don't think Francis is truly a franchise-type player who can make a team, any team.

[Charvo]

Originally posted by striker
Do you think Francis is very tradeable? I don't think many teams these days want to take on long-term, high dollar contracts unless they're getting a franchise-type player and inspite of his nickname I don't think Francis is truly a franchise-type player who can make a team, any team.

I think the Knicks will take him.

[striker]

Knicks drafted Milos Vujanic in 2002 and were hoping to bring him over this year. He's was a highly regarded PG then and has since exploded and most regard him as the best European player period, any position. I would think they have Vujanic in their PG plans and wouldn't be too excited at taking on Francis, his big contract, and his shaky PG skills.

[pchan]

I would love to see francis be traded if that's the only way to keep the him from having the ball and running the offense.
I think steve is too egocentric, he needs be known that he is on the court at all times. when steve is having a good game, You Know it, and steve will make sure you know it, when he's on the court.

IN the second quarter, yao was on a roll, he was grabbing rebound and doing some nice works inside. When steve came back in, I think he basically just dribble dribbles and shooots.. pick and roll.. and just dribble right into the defense for a layup, the offensiv flow just completely stopped.

Steve's potential is only his running and jumping ability, but that doesn't mean nothing on the basketball court if steve can play some simple basketball.

I am not trying to bash steve, but is he wants to be a leader, he needs play like one. Play smart and play unselfish, if he really wants to win.
Otherwise, just step aside.
Just don't say you want to win and be a leader but you don't play the right ways.

[fanwq]

Originally posted by trungvo
I was at the game tonight, and despite the poor performance by the team, I think things will get better. Yao played very aggressive, especially trying to get position. Unfortunately, sometimes all his hard work wasn't rewarded as our players couldn't or wouldn't give him the ball. I think a lot of that has to do with spacing and just pure basic fundamentals in terms of being able to pass each other the ball. The team still hasn't really learned how to play with each other. Sometimes everyone looks lost out there, could be a result of trying to learn a new offensive system. I think if we had a true point guard, it will certainly help. I am now convinced that Steve would be so much better and more comfortable at the 2. Unfortunately,that means Moochie running the point and I'm not too thrilled about that. Our defense is good, but seems to tail off as the game progresses, especially our perimeter defense (or lack thereof). Do any of you guys think that we might pull off a trade to bring in a point guard???? and if so who could it be????
Yes,Rockets lost a lot of opportunities to pass the ball as quickly as possible like Spurs who always shoot in open and comfortably instead of hurry shooting.