Hey guys hows it goin, haven't posted inawhile due to lazyness, but thought maybe now I had a partial reason. As a fan in Montana, I have been blessed this year with quite a few televised games already, besides getting that last Utah game along with tonights. I visit this board everyday, and like quite a few, I have noticed the lines of division that have come between a lot of the fans on this board. Because I really don't see or hear too much besides this site and the occasional national broadcast, I really havent made a stance to the real root of the problem for our team. However, throughout the games I have gotten to watch, I have had to say that the least impressive overall member of the team would have to be Francis. It's not like man-boobs or Moochie can coun't, because I'm talking in terms of expectations. I still believe that Francis is the guard for this ballclub, but he does look just lost out there sometimes, especially when we needed him. That last Utah game was weird, the refs were really going ticky tacky. This helped, because it got Yao some points, but it really killed us in the end. But thats really all I wanna say about Steve, I'd rather make some other observations. -Mobley seems different this year to me. Defintely less "heat-check" shots and even some decent passing at times. I remember him making a couple sweet passes in both the last Utah game, while making some nice defensive plays. Guy just really has a nice stroke, and with his contract, seems like a really effective 3rd wheel. -Taylor- Huh? Guy looks WAY thinner than any of last years games. First time I saw him, I was visibly suprised. Looks quicker and like he is trying a littler harder. He may not be a talent on the rebounding or defensive fronts, but at least being in good shape can help. I agree with whoever called him a "blackhole" earlier. He doesn't look to pass much, but really coming off the bench, he should look to score. I really doubt Cato will last another 10 games at PF. Cato- The first and foremost thing I noticed about Cato, is that he is really good at getting deep position under the basket. Although, I do not think I have seen him convert, when he does manage to get his hands on the ball. I dunno, I was just struck by that, at least a few times a game he will get great position. The guards really try to get it to him also, maybe for confidence? Otherwise, it seems like the big fella has been doing a good job, although I think he will be moved to the bench. Nachbar- I have seen Nachbar described as looking "lost" and "confused" on the court, and I really agree. Also, he is one of the smallest looking peole I have ever seen on the court. I have seen no evidence of him being a "slasher" but he seems to hit the 3 semi- consisitently. Yao- When Shaq came into the league, he was most effective when closest to the hoop, his effectiveness was lost with every foot away from the hoop, especially at 15 away. Yao almost seems the exact opposite. Im not saying he is most effective at 18 or 15 feet, but I think that he has looked best when shooting that little jumper or spinning in from the baseline. Sometimes it seems that when he gets really really close, he just isn't as fluent. Piatkowski-Only got to see the Utah game, but man, he kept us in it, I bet he gets some heavy time tonight, and Utah will give him heavy attention. I bet the O flows tonight with him in. Ewing- Well, Again, I don't no too much about the influence he is having on Ming. I have read the Chron articles, but one note, last game or the one before, they went to a shot of Ewing, he has a clipboard in his arms, but spent the entire 10-20 senconds of the shot, staring at a piece of gum. He looked kind of befuddled, possibly lost in the crevice of his finger joints? Van Gundy- I sometimes get my friends to watch Rox games with me, and when they saw Van Gundy one said "Dude he looks like he has been on a Scarface coke binge" One other remembered the Mourning incident and made a joke about being stepped on. But overall, the defense this guy creates in amazing. And truthfully the offense really doesn't seem that bad, although I have stimied at our low scores. Overall- I think Yao does get the ball enough, but he seems to get it stationary a lot, they need to look for him moving toward the basket, not just letting him get position and lobbing it in. Also, I would like to see him shoot the 17-20 ft shot more. He seems to make it frequently and it is a really danger move in Duncan, J O'neal, and even the Dream at one point. Being Pg on this team could be tough, especially with a new coach and system. I bet Steve busts out soon Find a team outside of LaL, SA, DAL and Sac, that has more talent than us on paper. I know paper doesn't mean anything. But maybe, just maybe, we just are starting slow. Let change be happy, and enjoy the game. Unluckily enough I have to listen to the Jazz guys for the game. They really love Kirilenko and I have to agree, he has mad game, but I predict a Rockets win tonight.
His whole first paragraph is about Steve. and your friends right, Van Gundy does look like he has been on a scarface coke binge.
lol, yea that is the state with the face. He is right, I didn't really forget Steve, but I think ALL the emphasis around these parts is negatively on Steve right now is on Steve and I really didn't feel the need to add more. Last night was interesting. Ill say again, Kirilenko is a bad-a$$. Almost looks like a new breed of player. I have watched about 10 Jazz games this year, and I would take him over Nowiztki or Peja. He may not be the O talent of these guys yet, but man. He is one of the most well rounded players I have ever seen. Once again, Cuttino just seemed to hit EVERYTHING. Cato, on one particular play, finally took advantage of his superb positioning. And although I cringed when he took that 10-15 footer. It did go in. MO- Nice rebounding, I thought he was Cato a couple times. And like I had said in the previous post, the O really did seem to flow a bit better when Piat was in there. I think if you put him and Cat with Ming. You really have a huge advantage with the stretching of the D. Also, where was Jackson last night? Boki played hard in his spot, and even drove to the hoop a couple times. But I still think JJ is gonna prove to be a really stablizer on this team.
