[SLAM ONLINE] Game Notes: Rockets at Clippers

abc2007 · Nov 8, 2008

http://slamonline.com/online/nba/2008/11/game-notes-rockets-at-clippers/

Game Notes: Rockets at Clippers
Rockets win but ’still have a long ways to go.’
by John Krolik

Pre-game

The Rockets’ locker room, thanks to the crew of reporters there solely to cover Yao, had the benefit of making me look relatively un-awkward. For this reason, I spent most of my time in there.

– Luther Head backed up my theory that teams coming off losses like the heart-breaking one the Rockets had just suffered to the Blazers actually like getting to play a back-to-back, as they get to go right out there and get a win the next night.

– When asked how he adapted from being a featured scorer on a fast-paced team to being a spot-up shooter on a slow-paced team, Head responded he knows he might only get 3 or 4 shots a game to prove himself, so he treats his 1st shot in practice like it’s an in-game shot.

– Okay, this will sound cheesy, and I actually predicted it, but it’s true: Ron Artest is an absolute prince. Absolutely the best guy I interviewed, and there was no second place. Could not have been nicer or better for quotes. I got to him after he was done being surrounded by Yao’s mob, and I apologetically asked him if he could stand another question; he said absolutely, asked me to sit, asked my name, who I was with, was just a pleasure all the way through. I didn’t feel comfortable in a locker room until I talked to Ron Artest.

– When asked if a game like the one last night stayed with him, he said it’s happened to him so many times that he can get over it, no problem.

– When I asked about the adjustments needed for TMac and Yao, he said he didn’t make any consciously–he just went out and played.

– When I asked about the combination of him and Shane Battier, two of the League’s best perimeter defenders, he said he looked forward to Shane coming back so they could give each other rests, but absolutely predicted they’d fight each other over who got to guard the Kobe Bryants of the league.

– When I asked how he’d stop Baron’s Clippers from trying to run, he said he’d stay low to the ball and above all, hustle, which he says is his no. 1 rule. I was actually talking to Ron longer than I was supposed to stay in the locker room, and he never seemed bothered a bit, and gave me a good-natured handshake and eye contact when I left. Trying to describe just how cool Ron Artest is in person would be like trying to explain how big Yao Ming is in person.
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Game

– Yao Ming got a HUGE cheer during player intros. Massive. A good one-third of the crowd is distinctly Pro-Yao.

– Meanwhile, Ron Artest got easily the most vehement and pure boo. How Dare They.

...
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Post-game

Back to the Rockets’ locker room, and Ron Artest, who is surrounded by a gaggle of reporters on the Yao beat. I squeeze in to hear him say that he doesn’t consider his role to take a lot of shots, that he doesn’t count how many threes he takes in a game, he’s just going to shoot it if he’s open, but that when Yao and TMac aren’t in the game, he has to pick up the slack. When asked about the trade, Artest says he’s just glad to be playing basketball in the NBA, and he’d know what he’s saying there. He says he’s still not pleased with his own performance or the Rockets’ performance. When asked about the Rockets’ title expectations, he says “You always accept the challenge, but we still have a long ways to go.”

As we leave and everyone says “Thanks, Ron,” I meekly say, “Thank you, Mr. Artest.” Artest then stood up, made eye contact, shook my hand, and said thank you and Best Of Luck With My Career. Ron Artest: God.
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Rockets Jones · Nov 8, 2008

Nice find, good to hear about Artest!! Sad to hear about Head though, especially considering the praise he got from players, the coach and Morey during training camp and the pre-season. I know he gets abused on defense, is small and cannot pass very well but at least he would drain those wide open threes others clank *cough Rafer*. Also, RA said Head is the best at making cuts which is exactly what his offense is all about; you think he's keeping Head on the bench since they're not running his offense?

durvasa · Nov 8, 2008

Barry has not played that great the last few games. He's struggled noticeably on defense. The two times he had the ball in a PnR situation against the Clips, he turned it over. If Barry's play doesn't improve, Head might just get back into the rotation.

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[SLAM ONLINE] Game Notes: Rockets at Clippers

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