View from the Rockets vs. Suns Summer Game

Game 2 of the Rockets! Ok I’m very excited because as last game Griffin when against Gooden who is known as a good player and has a somewhat power game and it was a tough match up for both seeing how Griffin got 23 points and 16 rebounds while Gooden got 27 points and 12 rebounds. But this time this game is against Phoenix and Amare Stoudemire who is known as a physical force and power is all he is known for. So I really like to see how Griffin does against power players because as many have said Griffin’s only main weakness is his strength and ability to post up or defend the post ( I don‘t really count handling ability as a real weakness for Griffin though he’s not that great at it since he isn’t a SF nor does he have to dribble to be effective at the PF position). So let’s see how Griffin does against this “Stud-emire“.

I get there too early and have to watch a very unexciting game between the Lakers and Clippers and I have a hard time trying to get good position since most of the seats are taken for this popular game, and finally find one next to these very loud guys who only cheer for this Mad Dog player on the Lakers, I swear I thought I would loose my hearing because of them shouting in my ear by the end of the game, I was literally scared that he would score cause they would get crazy. I should of just moved but the seats were really in a good spot but who can complaint when it’s just $10 to see all the games. This really long game makes me really pump up to see the Rockets play next though. Anyways, sorry back to the topic.

Warm-up - During the breaks they keep saying Tito Maddox and the Houston Rockets next and Tito Maddox and the Houston Rockets tomorrow, I wonder is he from California because he sure is very popular at these games. The Rockets get on the floor and I so happy to see them. They get in to two lines and start lay-up drills and then jumpers at the ft line and then jumpers out at the 20ft. Out of all the players I’d say Terrence Morris is making the most of these drill shots, every one else is miss one make one, Venson Hamilton looks excited dunking a couple of lay-ups. I notice Eddie Griffin high fiving everyone as he walks to get in the line to shoot. He makes 2 lay-ups, he makes 1 ft jumper, misses 2 ft jumpers and misses 1 20ft jumper in the drill. Morris made a cool looking lay-up looking like he’s going up on the right of the basket to lay it up then pulls it back than putting it back up in the front, it just drops throw without touching the rim. Everyone else just laid it off the back of the board and let it bounce in the rim. Then the team stopped the drills then just started shooting around. Griffin made 2 20ft shots in a row then missed got the rebound back then hit 2 3pts in a row then missed then later got rebound of some else's miss than when back and shot 3 3pts in a row and miss than hit 2 more 3pts in a row then it was game time!

Starters announced in this order was Tierre Brown, out of Venezuela Oscar Torres, 6’10 out of Seton Hall Eddiiiiiiie Griiiiiiiffin (yes said in that manor they announced his name longer than anyone I have ever heard there being announce), out of Maryland Terrence Morris and Jason Collier. Amare Stoudemire does not start for the suns but starting is Alton Ford out of Houston who is matched up at PF.

1st Quarter - Jason Collier gets the tip and it’s Rocket ball, Morris opens it up with a 10ft mid left jumper and misses down the court Casey Jacobson of the Suns misses a long 2 and Griffin tips it out of bounce, Suns inbound and miss again Griffin rebounds goes back down and shoots a 20ft mid left jumper and misses goes back to the Suns and rebounds a Phoenix miss goes back down and gets the ball in the lane and immediately puts it up and hits a finger roll lay-up. Next play down Morris misses a 5ft left jumper. Next time down pick and roll with Brown and Griffin and shoots a mid left 3pter that misses a little too short. Next play Griffin tips out a rebound to Torres who lays it up. Back down to the Suns Ford (who looks big and strong) backs it up on Griffin who (to my surprise) doesn’t give ground and Ford takes a 10ft jumper in the lane but gets fouled by Morris who tries to help (Morris did alter Ford’s shot though). Back to the Rockets Morris misses a 15ft mid right jumper. Next time down Griffin misses a right corner 3pter. Next time down Brown hits a near ft line jumper. Back down to the Suns a point guard is trying to pass it to the suns SF but Morris is doing a great job of denying the pass so the Suns SF goes left than right but Morris beats him either way and the point gives it to another player after killing maybe 10-15 sec in this attempted pass. Back down to the Rockets Collier air balls a layup as it just goes right over the rim from left to right. Next time down Morris gets a pass and right away passes it to a running Griffin who banks in a jumper on the left of the basket about 5ft away. Next time down Griffin holds the ball for 2 or 3secs and throws a fast pass to Torres underneath the basket who goes up and gets a hard foul and takes a few sec to recover then hits 2-2 from the line. Right then Morris is replaced by IA at the 4:35 mark. Down to the Suns Ford air balls a jumper and Griffin gets the rebound passes it to Brown then Griffin runs down court fast and gets the ball back for another 5ft jumper and hits it. Next time down Griffin tries to go for a miss and tips it from the left then to the right then a Suns player gets the ball but Griffin pressures the player and the ball goes off of the Suns player and the ball stays in the Rocket court then Brown hits a floating lay-up. 3:16 to go 17-14 Rockets up, Griffin 9 pts already. Next play back Brown dribbles to the right corner than makes a slight move that gets the double and Brown quickly passes it underneath to an wide open Griffin who looks shock and put it down to dribble but notices he’s still open and turns to face the basket jumps up with both legs and dunks it with two hands hard, it look like Griffin was pulling himself up on the rim to hang a little and his legs were high in the air bent halfway and wide apart (kind of like a Shaq dunk). Crowd goes ahhh and claps. Next time back Torres zips a pass underneath to Griffin who is immediately fouled and goes 1-2 from the line. Back down to the Suns Ford is really fighting Griffin for position but Griffin doesn't back down and forces Ford into a miss 5ft jumper. IA gets fouled bringing it up and automatic ft kicks in and he hits 2-2. Tito Maddox back in at 1:49. Back at the Suns Hamilton fouls Jacobson but Jacobson shoots it anyway and Griffin sends it back down just by putting his hands up and the ball just bounces of his hands like Griffin’s hands were a big wall. Back to the Rockets Maddox sets up Torres underneath but Torres is called for traveling. Next time back Maddox dribbles from the left to the ft line and without pausing in one spot while on the move with this head facing the basket he just passes it to an open Torres for a 3pter but it just misses to long. Next time down Maddox gets to the mid right 3pt line and fakes a three and passes it right underneath the basket to Hamilton but Hamilton bends down and it goes right over his back. End of 1st 23-22 Phoenix up. Griffin 12pts.

2nd Quarter - Phoenix ball to open, Maddox immediately applies pressure defense and does a great job of slowing down the Phoenix PG. Back to the Rockets IA passes a ball intended for Torres but it goes right behind him out of bounce and IA yells to Torres for a few seconds looking very upset. Next play back IA is fouled making a quick move to the basket. In bound to Maddox who runs straight down the middle and again looking like he’s going to shoot it passes it perfectly to an open IA who knocks down a left corner 3pter (this is not an accident Maddox is setting these shots up, he‘s not trying to bail himself out from a bad shot he knows where and who is open, IHO he‘s not even looking to score in these situations it just looks like he is just faking a move to the basket to get players open.). 10:50 to go 25-24 Rockets up. Hamilton is fouled and makes 2-2 from the line. Back to the Suns court Maddox still pressuring hard and gets a foul (he‘s not going for steals and reach ins he‘s just bodying up to keep the PG from moving either directions, this is not a foul that the average fan can tell like those usual rookie fouls when they try too hard to impress by pushing the player around). Stoudemire in and gets the ball about 5ft from the basket and just flies in (he was way in the air) and dunks it with force two hands but it hits the rim and just bounces off hard in to the air and gets a foul too. Crowd just wakes up and goes ohhh. Next play down Maddox flies from the left then down the middle through 4 players and hits a lay-up with two hands swatting at it and gets foul and hits 1-1. Back down Stoudemire gets open underneath and goes up/jumps with both legs at the same time and dunks it hard again and it misses again and bounces way high, Joe Johnson gets the rebound and hits a smooth 15ft jumper from the mid right. Rockets SF Fred Johnson gets fouled shooting a jumper from the ft line and hits 1-2. With 9:32 left it’s tie 30-30. Griffin back at 8:58 to go. IA gets fouled going to the basket and hits 2-2 from the line. Back at the Suns Griffin goes high than back down at the Rockets AT gets open at the mid right 3pt line than pauses for 3-4secs and jumps in the air to shoot but instead passes it in the air to Griffin underneath on the right of the basket who turns in the air and hits the drop in lay-up. Back down to the Suns Johnson is moving left and right of Maddox to get by and Maddox does a good job of holding Johnson from getting in and Johnson is forced in to a miss about 15ft from the basket. Next time down again Maddox runs from the left and straight down the middle of the lane to kick it out while on the move to an open Kyle Hill on the mid right 3pt line who hits it. Back at the Suns Griffin is foul on an defensive rebound and hits 2-2 from the line. Back to the Suns I watch Griffin and Griffin’s eyes are on Stoudemire who is on the left side of the basket directly next to the basket so Griffin immediately puts it body on Stoudemire to box him out and does so moving him back about 3 ft than a Sun misses a jumper and Stoudemire just jumps right over Griffin (really he just when right over him at least a half body higher) and slams the ball down on the rim hard and it bounces way out to another sun who goes right for the straight in the middle lay-in and Griffin just blocks it back down calmly. Next time back to the Suns they try and immediately pass it to Stoudemire and Griffin just punches the ball off Stoudemire, Rockets ball. Maddox receives inbound and goes right at the rim at full speed and gets fouled making 2-2 from the line. Back to the Suns Stoudemire gets the ball about 5ft from the basket and makes a move pass Griffin and dunks it so hard (I mean the force he has on dunks are immense) and misses again as it flies out of bounce and the crowd just goes wild, saying ohhh and wowww. Next time down to the Suns Jacobson goes for a lay-up and Griffin lightly tips it off course and gets the block. Next time to the Suns Stoudemire looks like he’s going to dunk again underneath but Griffin doesn’t let him get by this time and he takes a high 5ft jumper and hits it. 43-36 Rockets up with 5:08 to go. Back to the Rockets Griffin gets the ball 10ft from the basket on the left and makes a quick move to the basket and Stoudemire fouls him, Griffin hits 1-2. Next time back Maddox hits a floater down the middle of the lane for 2. Next time down Griffin gets the ball at the mid left 3pt line and then dribbles inside a little than back and throws a super quick pass inside to Collier who misses a 5ft jumper. Back to the Suns Ford goes for a shot and Griffin blocks it but gets called for a foul. Back down Collier makes a move and gets foul and doesn’t hit 0-2. 46-39 Rockets up with 3:20 to go. Collier gets a foul down at the Suns court and Ike replaces him. Back to the Rockets court Maddox makes a move to the basket and gets him clear and makes a nice lay-up but a foul is called before that and hits 2-2. Next play back Maddox finds a cutting Fred Johnson shoots and gets a goal tend on a Sun. Next play back Maddox misses a 5ft jumper on the right of the basket and the rebound goes back to another Rocket who passes it back to Maddox who is still in the same position 5ft away and pretends to shoot it again but passes it to a running IA for a lay-up. Next play back Maddox does a nice spin move to get free but misses the jumper in the lane of the front of the rim. Phoenix makes a shot and Rockets inbound with 1 second on the clock, the pass goes straight to a Suns player at half court and he immediately shoots it and it goes nothing but net, crowd cheers on their feet, but maybe cause they where hungry for a snack being it halftime. 55-52 Phoenix up.

Halftime thoughts: Maddox is playing the PG very well, Griffin didn’t play too much but still got 17pt by half, Morris opened the game with much confidence and took 3 shots right when he got the pass instead of dribbling for a second or holding for a second (even though he miss them, the confidence was there at least for the first half). During the Half warm-up for some reason Hamilton was out at the 20ft line shooting jumpers and air balling them or bricking them bad. Morris was making his shoots in the warm-ups, Griffin was still calm as ever hitting 3 after 3 almost as if he was unconscious.

3rd Quarter - Brown hits 15ft jumper from the right. Next play back Griffin dribbles from about the 3pt line to about 10ft in and takes a jumper but misses. Next play back Brown zips a pass to Griffin for a 5ft jumper which he banks in from the right. Back to Suns Ford fights Griffin for position and gets it and the pass and goes up for a 5ft jumper and Griffin blocks it with medium force. Next play down Brown dribbles on the Right and Griffin calls for it then runs straight down the middle and gets the pass for a 2 hand hard dunk with is body in a turn sideway to the basket like motion and both legs in the air close together with one higher than the other both bent and hands bent close above his head, with is head bent down (kind of like a Garnett like dunk). Right after Stoudemire hits a jumper over Griffin from about 5ft. Back down Torres hits a 20ft jumper from the mid left. Back to the Suns the Sun’s C holds the ball above his head at the ft line and is about to shoot then Collier in an attempt to block it ends up palming the Sun’s C bold head. Back down Torres hits another 20ft but from the right. Suns miss a jumper than fast break with Brown running it and Morris ahead of everyone on the left but as he gets close to the basket a Suns player comes in the right and right when Morris at full speed gets within 5ft of the basket he passes it behind his waist to Griffin who was right behind him and Griffin takes it up and makes the lay-up by finger rolling it in softly and getting the foul and hits 1-1 from the line. 68-61 Rockets up with 6:12 to go and Griffin with 24pts already which is more than his 23 in the last game which was also his high in the Summer games for both this year and last. Right back down Stoudemire takes a ft line jumper and it banks way high and falls in as some in the crowd say “he didn’t call bank”. Right back down Griffin fakes a 3pt and drives in to get fouled by Stoudemire. In bound to Torres who hits a mid right 20ft jumper. Back down to the Suns Stoudemire backs Griffin back and gets the foul on Griffin as Griffin pushes him back out. Griffin out at 4:11 because of this 4th foul. 70-65 Rockets up. Back down at the Rockets Brown misses and the long rebound goes to Morris who pulls back and hits a 20ft jumper. Next time back Collier gets a foul rebounding and hits 2-2 from the ft line. Back to the Suns Joe Johnson hits a smooth 2pt from the right 20ft area and next time back hits a smooth 3pter from the right again. Brown hits 1-2ft and its 75-70 Rockets up with 2:30 to go. Next time down Brown to Hamilton to Morris who hits a leaning back shot at the rim. Back down Joe Johnson goes right at Morris and Morris forces him back in to a 20ft miss jumper. Brown goes back down and hits a jumper for 2. Back down to the Suns Jacobson hits a long 3pt and it’s 79-75 Rockets up with 52 secs remaining. Brown goes back down and hits a 15ft jumper from the left and it’s 81-75 with :40 remaining. Next time down Brown does a behind the back move which is snatched up by Joe Johnson who passes to Stoudemire who does a fancy move and gets foul. Brown goes back down and lays up a down the middle drop in and the quarter ends 83:77 Rockets up.

4th Quarter - Collier misses a 20ft mid left jumper. Next time down Brown lays up a nice floater. Torres hits a tech on the Phoenix coach 1-1. 84-77 with 11:21 to go. Griffin back at 11:11. Next time down Brown lands flat on this back as he gets fouled in the act of shooting a lay-up hits 2-2. Back at the Suns Collier goes for a steal out to the 3pt line and it leaves Ford underneath for an uncontested lay-up. Back to the Rockets Collier misses a 5ft jumper from the right but hits a 15ft jumper from the right after getting back the ball. Next time back Brown finds Griffin running to the basket and Griffin gets the lay-in from the middle. 90-81Rockets up with 9:02 to go. Collier misses badly a 20ft jumper from the mid left. AI hits a lay-up down the middle. Back down at the Suns Griffin blocks a shot but gets body contact and the foul on him. Back down IA hits a nice turnaround 10ft jumper from the left. Back down on the Suns a pick by a big Suns player causes IA to hit the floor and as he hits the floor he screams out Whoaaa! as the crowd laughs as he smiles. Next time back Griffin finds IA underneath with a quick pass after holding it for 3-4secs without moving but IA misses as it goes in and out. Stoudemire just goes over Griffin and dunks with ferocity and it goes in and out again. Back down Griffin fakes a 3pt and drives in to about 10ft and air balls a jumper from the mid right. Joe Johnson hits a 3pt and it’s 94-90 Rockets up with 4:45 to go. Back down Griffin misses a 3pter from the right than gets a pass back and hits a 3pter from the top of the key. Back at the Suns Stoudemire goes up really high and gets an alley opp and dunks it with major force and makes it. The crowd goes wild even some stomping their feet. As it gets loud after that, phoenix steals it back and makes a lay-up. It’s now 97-94 Rockets up. Griffin gets open outside and hits a 3pter from the mid left and it’s 100-94 with 2:48 to go. Phoenix gets it to a high in the air Stoudemire who dunks it in hard but is called for the offensive foul as he was on top of two of the Rocket players back when he lands back down. Crowd boos. Brown gets it stolen and Ford gets fouled going to the hoop and hits 2-2 100-96 Rockets up with 2:00 to go. Brown hits 20ft jumper from the right and it’s 102:96 with 1:32 to go. Joe Johnson hits another smooth jumper and it’s 102-98 with 1:22 to go. Brown lays it up for 2 and it’s 104-98 to go. Joe Johnson goes back down and does a nice reverse but it just barely goes out but Ford gets it and is fouled making 1-2 and it’s 104-99 with 1:01 to go. Collier is out and Morris is back in. Phoenix gets the ball again and Ford misses a leaning 5ft shot and Griffin goes after the rebound and gets it and Brown is foul hitting 2-2 and it’s 106-99 with 26.1sec to go. Phoenix misses again and IA is fouled and it’s 108-99 with 23 sec to go. Brown lays up another one and with 14 sec left it’s 110-99 to go and phoenix hits a 3pt with 9sec and it’s 110-102 and Brown runs the clock out. End of Game 110-102. Griffin finishes with 32 pts, Stoudemire 12 pts.

Final: Giffin played tough with Stoudemire and held his ground against this 6-10 240 power player(really strong aggressive player). I think Griffin has the strength and ability to play regularly against these type for some time and I think he also intimidated or forced Stoudemire out of position a couple of times. Griffin does look a lot stronger than last year but he doesn’t look much bigger just more built IMO. Probably in the 230lb to (maybe) 235lb range. But he’s done a great job defending the post, he’s not getting pushed around at all but he is getting beat by players that put it on the floor. Griffin plays very well defending players that post up on him.

Eddie Griffin - Very active in this game running around court from left to right very often. Last year Griffin would stay in one place usually around the 3pt line and either wait for the ball to shoot it or wait till someone else shoots it then go in for a rebound or run back. This time he’s moving around not waiting for the ball but moving to getting open for a pass. When players back him down he’s holding his ground and keeping his hands up making it hard for opponents to shot.

Terrence Morris - Didn’t get much playing time at all. He didn’t really do anything wrong except miss some shots. When he was in he was very active and aggressive on defense.

Tierre Brown - This guy is quick but I think he’s been watching Franchise, Cat and Moochie too much in that he holds the ball for quite some time before he passes it and he looks to shoot way more than to pass or create a shot for his teammates. He is great at getting to the rim and getting by traffic and is good in the transition pushing the ball.

Oscar Torres - Hit 3 shots back to back from 20ft out. Guy plays hard and works hard out there though he’s seems like he’s not even in the game. He’s easy to forget out there, but definitely important to the team when it’s close.

Tito Maddox - Maddox had only one real bad pass but it wasn’t off it’s just the player didn’t know Maddox was passing it then and it when right by him. He had only one travel violation and compared to the last game he’s 100% or more better. Last game he couldn’t hold the ball to save his life and dropped it out of bounce or had it stolen, this time he still played PG and had no trouble bringing it down. He did a great job of getting the ball to open players and it didn’t take him more than 10-15secs to get a him or a team mate to get a shot off. Sometimes last game the set up for Maddox at PG too way too long and the clock would be at 5 before anyone took a shot. This time he’s just got the flow going to create quick shots. He’s a real passer and only looks to shoot lay-ups it seems. When he makes a move IMO it seems he knows where he wants to pass it because it’s not stop, he doesn’t stop when he gets inside and then pass, he passes on the move, real quick decision maker in this game. He didn’t take 5-10secs to dribble and decide what to do, he just made moves and create immediately after maybe only 3-4 seconds to think once everyone was in the half court. I rather him run the PG than Brown. He's much more quicker at getting things going.

Mo Taylor - Looks huge, what did the Rockets feed him. He wasn’t that big when he was a Clipper. I almost didn’t recognize him but it was kind of funny to see that he was wearing a red shirt with a bright blue jersey which really resembles the Clippers colors. I hope he's ok to play though, he was one of my favorite players.

Joe Johnson - His shots are smooth, doesn’t hit the rim but goes in sideway, not like it drops in but slants in. Has good release too. Doesn’t force his shots or hesitate, just pops them calmly. He doesn't seem like the type that will score a ton on you and take over just every now and then get you some points when it's needed.

Amare Stoudemire - Went Bald. The guy jumps so high and dunks so hard he’s kind of like a young Kemp IMO. Dunks are about all his offense from this game. He is good at getting inside and getting to the basket. Compared to Griffin he is much more built and his shoulders look a tad higher and definitely
wider and thicker. He looks bigger than Griffin esp. in the chest and arms but same in height. His legs are not skinny but thin. Stoudemire will be a force one day that's for sure. He's very active and agressive and goes after the ball.


All this is just my opinions.

Sorry if it’s a little long everyone : )

 

Haven - Thanks! I'm really glad that people actually read all this, it just makes me feel that much more happy to write it all. I just like to share everything I can remember to everyone. I actually wrote more than this but I when over the post limit.

Here's some other players that where there today too if anyone is interested. Kareem Rush is really hesitatant and you can just feel his nervousness out there. He's not really moving around and he's taking really bad shots. He looks really thin too and gets pushed around easily. Corey Maggette is one built SF. He's got cuts everywhere, he really looks like he's been pumping iron lately. Still is quick and really shined out there knockning down jumpers of crossovers, hitting th fade aways, doing windmill dunks to get the crowd active, doing fancy behind the back passes, just really eveything today. Mad Dog is so active it's like he's everywhere, going for loose balls, tips even going for blocks. Mad Dog is a real energy defense type of guy that just doesn't quit.