Although I followed along mostly in chat, I didn't see the game. Anyone care to elaborate on how the Rockets held Rasheed to ten points, 5-12 shooting? I understand Wiz had a big game, and assuming Rasheed was guarding Walt, expending all that energy on defense can hamper your o-game. We always complain about how the Rockets can't stop franchise players with our weak frontcourt. This seems to me like a potentially good case study on ways of limiting the other team's go-to guys. Is it simply offense is the best defense? Doesn't seem like it since except for Wiz, and maybe Willis and Rice, none of the other Rockets had a particularly good game.
I don’t really remember the specifics but it seemed to me like the Rocket’s really didn't "hold" Rasheed to ten points. Rasheed just didn't seem to care and settled for perimeter shots. He occasionally took it inside where he would score with ease. I kept thinking to myself he could kill us if he felt like playing. To me he just didn’t seem interested.
The Rockets played solid help defense on Wallace. At one point he got frustrated and got a technical called on him, but that's Sheed being Sheed. Cato finally woke back up and played some nice D in the 2nd half and got on the boards. Nice defense by the Rockets last night overall.
Sometimes Rasheed forgets to be more assertive. I don't think Rasheed got frustrated over anything the Rockets did - the announcers were saying that he said something to a teammate that got overheard by a referee - I have no idea how that constitutes a T but whatever. I think everyone was upset over an offensive foul (allegedly a BS call, I don't know because the TV situation in Portland absolutely sucks and we only get to see about 1/3 of the games on cable) on Wells on a potential 3-point play just as Wells was taking over the game. Instead, the basket was wiped away, Wells and Wallace get T's, Wells goes to the bench with his 4th foul, and instead of a 1 point game it's a 6 point game and Rockets start making more 3's. That was pretty much the difference in the ballgame right there on a night where it seemed everyone was happier to be back from a long road trip than playing a basketball game (which tends to happen for whatever reason).
Rasheed Wallace is an excellent talent but just is a headcase/mentally fragile. For whatever reason, he allowed himself to get taken out of the game last night. When Sheed asserts him against the Rockets (last yr for instance), he's very tough to stop, but when he takes himself out of the game like last night, you see the results. I think I can only remember one play where Sheed made a nasty spin move into the paint and finished (this was after that stretch of technicals High Plains is taking about if I remember correctly.) Other than that, Sheed was just settling for long range shots and pretty much letting Bonzi dominate the offense. I seriously thought that this would be the season where Sheed would become a consistent 20-10 type force and cement himself into the same class as the top big men in the game. He has been very inconsistent, and the most disturbing sign is that he is shooting a measly 44% from the field. My conclusion is that its a mental issue which may hinder him from ever becoming the player he could be b/c the talent and ability are there. I guess Sheed is just going to end up being decent but nothing special.
Yes, at first it seemed Rasheed was going to kick it into gear right after that 'T', but he just had that one play and that was the extent of it. Other than that, he was allegedly smiling and joking with the refs and just having a gay 'ol time.
I agree with Freak. Even if Wallace had the most composed mind during deadballs (i.e., never got technicals) he would not be in the class of Garnett, Webber, Malone or Duncan. Sheed does a ton of things pretty well on the court, but he lacks any single phase of his game or skills that are so outstanding he can be consistently dominant offensively. I am beginning to think actually too much is expected of him, that his "talent" is overrated, and those that think the only thing holding him back is his knucklehead factor are missing the boat. He probably could be a consistent all-star PF with better habits and more composure, but under no circumstances could be considered the best PF out there.
Sheed is out of it in Portland, he could have dominate dand Portland would have won by 10. He Kills the PF's down low and with our small lineup, he should have dropped 40 on us. Let's trade Kenny Thomas, Cato, and Langhi (I want a trade; to where the NBDL-development league) to Portland for Sheed.
He's shooting a"measly 44% from the field" because too often he settles for outside jumpers instead of bringing it inside. In the first quarter, I saw a time where Cato played good defense on Wallace out near the baseline and Wallace shot up a brick. That play in particular was actually good defense, but I also saw a time where Wallace spotted up behind the 3 point line and just let one fly. We Rockets fans always grumble when KT does this, and I think in Portland they probably do it whenever Wallace puts up an ill-advised long range jumper. For whatever reason (good defense or poor shot selection), Wallace wasn't going inside very often, which is reflected in his sub-par offensive performance.
Everyone wants Sheed to be the go to guy....except Sheed. It's a case of having the physical tools but not the mental ones. Sadly, his career will probably be one of unfulfilled potential. Not entirely unlike Derrick Coleman. In the 3rd. quarter I believe Sheed played 11 minutes without a field goal attempt...some blame may go to his teammates but...you have to demand the ball..if you have any leadership qualities at all.
I agree fully with Toast and Rim Check on this one. I dont buy this stuff from Desert Scar that Sheed does not have the talent to be special. You've gotta be kidding me. The guy is 6-11 with long arms, is very explosive, plays inside and outside, runs the floor like a gazelle, and can score from so many areas on the floor. Talent wise he is in the same class as the other stud 4s, problem is the guy doesnt have it mentally. Whether its that he's mentally fragile or just doesnt care enough to assert himself night in and night out, Sheed is being held back by something other than talent.
if he said to Wells something like "don't worry, the ref is a 'f-ing' (insert favorite offensive piece of anatomy here) who don't know ****" then i think that would get a tech I've said this in a game and got a tech for it, but damn, it was worth it!
I'm not a fan of Rasheed Wallace, but his talent is immense. HE has shooting skills, physical talent, and heighth. If he had Rudy, Larry Brown, Riley, or George Karl for a coach-who knows his limits? I think he is on par with Webber, but his mental power is less than Garnet and Duncan(who I think is an athletic center). I respect Wallace, and he may still develop into a top 4. Look at Weber 4 seasons ago- I thought he was wasted potential. He later bloomed under Adelmen in Sacramento. Coaching for this guy could make all the difference. I wish we had him at the 4.
