Rafer and Tracy. Tracy 5-22 with a bad shoulder and Rafer 4-16 with just bad shooting. That just sucks. What's positive it's better to do this now then in playoffs.
JVG commented on this. He thought it was a message to the team not to go through the motions at the end of the game.
Tmac and Rafer cannot play together. They don't fit with each other well! In this situation, Rafer has to go!
The sad part is even if they shot 19 for 38 (making an extra 10 shots), we still would have lost by 5.. Not only did the Spurs shoot the lights out, they limited our 2nd chance points too. They outrebounded us by 11, which is something we normally do to weaker teams.
It's not a today thing. It's been this way the past 10 games... since the Hawks game, when everyone noticed the offense went south. If you evaluate the 17 games the Rockets have played since Yao Ming was out, the first 7 were superhuman ... the streak was at 19, the offense was rolling, the defense was consistently superb. The Rockets were hitting 49.7% of their shots and holding opponents to 39.1%. Insane. The big reason? Rafer and T-Mac. T-Mac was hitting 50% of his shots, scoring nearly 25 points a night on 20 shot attempts. Rafer was incredible too, hitting 48.5% from the field (16.7 points on 14.1 shots). Combined they took 40.5% of the Rockets field goal attempts. The last 10 games? As a team, the Rockets hit 41.6% of their shots and their defense has gone south as opponents hit 45.6% of their shots. Now focus in on Rafer and T-Mac during that stretch. T-Mac is at 35.3% (14.3% from long range), scoring just 20.1 points on 21.8 shots. Rafer is at 33.5% shooting (35.3% from long range), scoring 15.9 points on 16.4 shots. Combined they took 47.8% of the Rockets field goal attempts. The only reason the Rockets have 49 wins is because of these guys, but their inconsistency is a dagger. Just too much pressure on the defense to win -- you're not going to be able to hold teams like the Suns, Jazz and Spurs to 70-80 points every night.
Both, McLady and Skip to My Miss had plenty of opportunities to drive to the bucket and get fouled. You don't just keep shooting jumpers trying to get back in the game. I truly think Shane being out hurt the Rockets D in the 1st Qtr. McLady has to step up and play D for us to win.
That was unbelivable. They way Rafer and McGrady played..... They gotta focus, especially tmac cause he was takig good shoots.
I think it was more of our sorry defense that cost us though it woudln't of hurt if we made more shots. Man, i can't remember our defense giving up so many uncontested shots.
Where were you fools during our winning streak not too long ago? Where have you been hiding until now when Tmac is having tough time? Your only purpose to come over here is to bash Tmac, correct?
Exactly why peoples expectations are out of whack on this board. Whatever team we face in the playoffs is going to be more talented. Pure heart and hustle goes only so far as everyteam is hungrier during the playoffs. We are the underdog no matter which team we face in the playoffs EVEn if we have a higher seeding. I'm not saying we can't win, i'm just being realistic. I'm just going to enjoy the ride and be proud of the teams effort. And for all of you guys dogging Tmac consistently just keep this in mind. Can you name one other team in the league that would have 49 wins this year in the insane west after losing (arguably a top 10 talent in the league)? I don't even think Boston could win 50 games if they were without KG for 35 or 40 games.
Our shooters are streaky, just get used to it and hope they get hot come playoff time, cause seeding doesn;t matter this time.
whats the point of a board if all there is only pure joy and jubilation? DO you come to the bbs to get a massive orgy of pure joy??? He just made a simple comment about how pitiful our gaurds have been playing lately and its well warranted... If you can somehow support Mcgrady shooting 35% from the field the past 10 games, you are truly on his nuts...
Not only did we shoot horribly, we also played horrible defense. Our pick-and-roll defense fell apart every time down, Ginobili picked us apart from the inside and out, and no one on our team can stop Duncan.
Well said. Rocketsdream goes through severe depression every time after the Rockets lose a game. He would come over here to pointlessly swear at anyone who dares to say anything negative about the team. This guy needs help with his mental health.
