Rockets.com: Postgame Quotes

http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Post_Game_Quotes_110604-122091-34.html

Post Game Quotes 11.06.04

ROCKETS HEAD COACH JEFF VAN GUNDY
(on the Rockets' comeback) "Actually, we had a good start and a big 2nd half. They're (Sacramento) a good team. We had a hard time guarding them and a hard time keeping them off the foul line in the 1st half and they were quicker to the ball, they out-rebounded us. But even in the 1st half, when we were struggling offensively, I liked the shots we were getting, and we were sticking in there. When we were down 15 (to start the 2nd half), I don't think anyone should discount the 4-5 nights to find the will to win that game. We could have easily given in. I think it says a lot about our guys and I like their fight."

(on the play of Charlie Ward) "The one thing I love about Charlie is that he's got poise and he's got courage and so whatever Father Time has taken away, he can't take those 2 things away from him. Stepped up and shot confidently, had the courage to make or miss and I really like that about him."

(on the numbers of three pointers the Rockets have shot) "I think that's out of the norm (29 3s). Again we're putting around Tracey (McGrady) and Yao (Ming), more shooting but it's shooting more than penetrating. Our team's speed is not what's number one on people's scouting reports, so I like the fact that Yao and Tracey keep trusting, keep passing and live with the results. And I love that."

YAO MING
(on the win) "It's good to be home."

(on his success in the 4th quarter) "I felt really good and I think that our team chemistry was really good as well. We just kept fighting because we didn't want to lose our home opener. I felt tired at times, but I think everybody's tired. We seemed to get a little bit stronger mentally."

(on the Rockets' playing 4 games in 5 days to open the season) "It's something you have to go through. Maybe we'll have a lighter schedule at the end of the season."

(on this game being his most aggressive thus far) “Well, the season is only four games old. It’s still going on. We’ve got 78 games left - a long way to go.”

(on if his arm has been bothering him) “I got injured three days before the season started, but I think it was good (Saturday). It didn’t really bother me. Hopefully Tuesday it will feel the same way.”

(on how he was able to get such great position down low) “When Tracy
(McGrady) is outside, he’s very quick and he was shooting pretty well. When he’s shooting like that, people have to put more defense on him. That might get them to move their big guy and I can do the dunking or get nice position. That makes me feel very comfortable out there.”

(on if he was surprised that Kings played behind him rather than fronting
him) “Maybe it’s because they didn’t have a really big guy. Brad Miller and
(Greg) Ostertag are very strong, but I have more muscle this year, too.”

(on if this team is starting to come together more) “Tonight we played very well - we took care of the ball with low turnovers, had a lot of assists and played like a team with good defense. Even if they scored over 100 points with the overtime, we played good defense to beat them in the overtime.”

TRACY McGRADY
(on the win) "It was big, man. It shows great character in the team. We came out and played hard, we executed and we played some great defense. After they (Sacrament) made their run, we didn't hang our heads. We came back and toughened up a bit and came out victorious."

(on Yao Ming taking charge in the 2nd half) "That's the Yao that we need to see every night. I was impressed. He's 7'5" and if he gets that ball and has control, he can shoot that ball right over people. Once he has it rolling, it's going to open up a lot for us. And if they single-team him, we'll just let him go to work, just imposing his will on the game."

(on the play of Charlie Ward) "He struggled a little bit in the 1st half. I got him a couple of easy looks, but he didn't knock them down. In the 2nd half he stayed with it and knocked down some big shots for us and got us back in the game."

MAURICE TAYLOR
(on the win and it being the home opener) "I think that it was obviously huge for us. First of all, because we got to see the real Yao (Ming) for the 1st time this season. I think it was a team effort, but at the same time, it was a hard-fought game. We were down and we rode Tracey (McGrady) back into the game and Yao pretty much took it from there. I think nobody could really generate any offense for us. Charlie (Ward) stepped up huge down the stretch and hit some huge 3s. We rode Tracey when we were down 15 and from that point on, Yao got us the 'W'."

(on the play of Yao Ming) "I feel like he has the talent to (replicate what he did tonight). I think that it's him believing that he can do this every night and he can dominate every night. I always have faith in him. There were a couple of times when the ball touched my hands and I was open, but you pass up a good shot to get a great one when you've got the big fella. I think he can do that every night."

(on the Rockets' defense) "I think we played well tonight. With the exception of (Mike) Bibby, we made it hard for them. Mike obviously made some tough shots and he shot the ball real good, but other than that, we were on our toes defensively down the stretch."

CHARLIE WARD
(on his performance in overtime in his first game in Houston) “It’s a blessing to be able to be back in this type of atmosphere. I missed being in that atmosphere and getting that opportunity. I’m grateful that coach stuck with me, and I was able to knock down some shots. Overall, I thought we played very well after coming home in a back-to-back situation.”

(on the level of confidence he showed in overtime from 3-point range) “That’s my mindset. I know that all night (my shots) were either short or long. I knew that I just had to relax and step up and make them, and I was able to do that.”

(on the team limiting turnovers and taking care of the ball in this game) “It was a very conscious effort on our part, but those other teams that we’ve played tended to close off the passing lanes more. Sacramento was more laid back, and we were able to get the ball inside and maneuver the way we needed to maneuver. It was a great win for us. Hopefully we can repeat this on Tuesday.”

KINGS HEAD COACH RICK ADELMAN
(on the game) “It was a tough loss. Their two main guys got it going and we couldn't do anything to win. It's not enough (that we played better), we just have to do something to get a win.”

(on Ward's 2 3-pointers in overtime) “The two times he (Ward) got the three's we made a couple of mistakes defensively and he made two big shots.
You've got to give him credit, he knocked them down.”

(on the King's play) “We played much better as a team but we didn't make our opportunities. I see improvement but we need to get a win. We have have to get some consistency in the way we play. We have to get someone off our bench that will be consistent. Bobby (Jackson) is obviously our leader but we have to get contributions from other players.”

CHRIS WEBBER
(on his final shot attempt in overtime) “I just missed it and I guess that is all that matters.”

(on the King's play) “We played really well and it was a big difference from our first two games but it is not good to come home with another loss. It hurts because we played our hearts out. If we play like this all year, we will be in good shape. We had our opportunites offensively and it felt a lot better. Mike (Bibby) was really involved early in the game. We need to be more ourselves and have fun and it felt a lot better tonight.”

(on the Rockets play) “It's really hard to tell after just a few games what they are going to be like. They are a very solid team and they will have to create an identity with their style of play.”

PEJA STOJAKOVIC
(on the game) “It was a good effort after our first two games and we were in a position to win the game. Yao was unstoppable and he made big shots to win the game. We did play better as a team. I hope my shot is starting to come around.”

MIKE BIBBY
(on the game) “It was a big loss for us. Houston came out and hit some big shots. We played a lot better but we have to carry it to the next level.”

(on the Kings play) “I think we were out there having fun and we were playing loose as a team and that is when we play our best.”