Living in NYC, last night was one of the few chances to see the Rockets play. I listened to the first half on the radio, and watched the second half on TV. A few comments: * In the first half, WFAN commentators Mike Breen (also of NBC) and John Andariese were very critical of the Rockets' offensive style. Andariese in particular was very vocal about his distaste of the isolation offense. Andariese commented (twice) that the Rockets should watch the Knicks and learn something about ball movement. Andariese wondered aloud why Mo Taylor wasn't getting the ball more in the post. Since I wasn't watching the game, I had to take their word about what was going on. This was, of course, when the Knicks were running up a 13-point lead. * The second half was a beaut to watch ... my favorite play was when Steve Francis crossed up Childs and drove for the sweet finger roll lay-up. On TV, Marv Albert and Walt "Clyde" Frazier praised Olajuwon and Francis' play, while Mobley drew mixed reviews for his penchant for out-of-control offensive fouls. During the Rockets' second-half run, it seemed like every other Rocket except Mobley was making a concerted effort to get his teammates involved, but that's just my observation. * Allan Houston might have the sweetest stroke in the league. So fluid. * At the end of game, after Stevie made his move on Ward and put the jumper up (and one!), the MSG cameras panned quickly to Allan Houston, who looked very disgusted. My guess is that he was disgusted that Steve attempted the shot, because he was glaring at him pretty hard. * I listened to the postgame show on the radio, and Spencer Ross and John Andariese interviewed Shandon Anderson. Andariese said, and I quote from memory: "I'm not trying to put you in a spot here, but I have to ask you... Do you think Cuttino holds the ball too much?" And there was a brief pause, and Anderson said, "Well, that's part of his maturing process, he's only a third-year player, he will learn." I thought that was interesting. Anderson also said that the Rockets players were laughing in the locker room at halftime, upset with their play but not overly concerned with the deficit and confident enough to make a nice run in the third quarter. That's why I love this team. You could never imagine Van Gundy allowing the Knicks to even smile at halftime had they been down by double-digits. It was an entertaining game...
Without a doubt. When Allan Houston shoots, hummingbirds flock to Madison Square Garden. ------------------ "Breaking up is hard to do...[with] everyone trying to make it a parting befitting all the professionalism that came before. Trying to find that Olajuwon graceful fade one more time." Scott Howard-Cooper (Sacramento Bee, ESPN.com)
Thx. Nice info. ------------------ PrEsident of The Danforth Langhford FAN CLUB... He IS our future All-Star Small Forward
About the shot at the end of the game. I don't think Steve would have shot if the Knicks(possibly Houston himself, I don't remember) hadn't tried for a steal. He would have just let the time run out. So, Allan Houston can look as disgusted as he wants. ------------------ Kenny Thomas had a foul called on him in the Western Conference Finals.
... but it looked like he intentionally missed the free throw that followed ... to make it a perfect 100? Yeah! Baby! ------------------
Francis said in the paper today that everyone in the huddle told him to go for 100, and that he missed the FT on purpose. He actually tried to bounce it off the backboard, but his motor reflexes wouldn't let him miss that poorly.
I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS IS SUCH A BIG DEAL. THERE ARE LOT'S OF DISGUSTING LOOKING PLAYERS IN THE NBA. WHY PICK ON ALLEN. ------------------ "Stranger things have happened, but none stranger than this" - Commentator after a parachutist landed in the ring of a Holyfield fight
The Knicks had a streak of 33 straight games of holding the opposition to under 100 pts snapped at the end of January by Milwaukee. That was a record. Getting over 100 pts against the Knicks apparently meant something to to the Rockets or Steve. ------------------ "what if my aunt had balls?" -- in one fell swoop, bbs member verse expresses his dislike of "what if" scenarios and shows he has far too much idle time on his hands.
Rudy T on the Knicks D : I use the Knicks as a model for my team," says Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich. "They buy into defense. They compete on every possession." See full article : http://www1.nba.com/knicks/news/streak_010124.html?nav=ArticleList ------------------ "what if my aunt had balls?" -- in one fell swoop, bbs member verse expresses his dislike of "what if" scenarios and shows he has far too much idle time on his hands. [This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited February 07, 2001).]
That may be true, but in similar circumstances, I've often seen the point guard dribble the ball out at half-court to run out the last few seconds. Francis kept moving forward, so of course they had to guard him. Maybe he really wanted to get 100 points. ------------------
