Darn...I only read half of the game by play-by-play given in the chat room. I had to go to sleep and I was going to leave it on. I had just begun reading about the 4th qtr when I accidently disconnected myself. I lost all of it. All I know is that we won, and some scrub stepped up. That's about it.
Eddie was designed to be the main man. He was very aggressive on both ends. If he could finish better, that would be a monster game for him. Cato had less rebounds than Maddox? We thought he had become the new specimen. Just hope that this was an off night for him, not a "back to the old self." Collier played much better than Cato.
With 27 points it looks like to offense finally showed up in the 4th Q. It is going to happen in every game. Some player or players will just go off. That is what offensively explosive is all about. How you like the defense? Points against! Blocks! Def fg%! Do not tell me our defense is not heading in the right direction.
I thought the game was pretty ugly tonight, but there were some highlights. Amare is athletic as they come. I don't think he'll get as many dunks as last night but still an impressive athlete, but he's only a bit younger than Eddie. Boki looks to be getting more comfortable out there and playing more natural. I know he missed a shot when he was really wide open but it really looked like he measured that one. I do that at times when I play. Tito looked better than Tierre tonight. He handled the press better and really tried to set up the offense. I hope we end up keeping Oscar, I didn't realize he could dribble like that and he played a solid game. I'm excited about this team!
I think the Rockets bench did great. Even though they have a lot to learn, the mistakes they are making can be improve in a short time. Even though the game was missing our starters, i really enjoyed the battle between Taylor and Amare. Amare seemed to prove in pre-season that he will go strong to the basket and use his best skills well. Can't wait for tonight.
With a few preseason games behind us I would like to give my opinion of what are 8 to 9 man rotation should be. Ming Griffin Rice/Thomas Mobley Francis I think even after MoTaylor 5 game suspension is up he'll be better coming off the bench for us and provide a lost post threat again 2nd teamers. Then you would have Moochie, Cato, TMo. Nochbar and Maddox will be getting the scrub minutes. Nothing against Noki but TMo really looks strong so far and there's a definite logjam at small foward. How about this as a 2nd team Cato MoTaylor Rice/TMo Boki/Torres Moochie
Not on this team is there going to be a 8/9 man rotation. Presently a rotation of 10 excludes Tmo; so it has to be 11 or 12. Think outside the box. Less minutes but more production per minute playing aggressive on both sides of the court or actually, all over the court. Concieve playing the game at a feverish pitch for 48 minutes. Picture using a different starting lineup (frontcourt) on back to backs. I am dreaming of a scenario where for the first 19 minutes of the half, Francis and Moochie set and maintain a pace that would remind you of Kidd. Run Run Run. Every possession. And then for the final 5 minutes of the half you bring in fresh-legged Brown for more speed, instead of trying to nurse and protect a lead. Make the opposite stagger into the half. The same concept (dream) for Ming, Cato and Collier on Shaq.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/scores/20021017/houpho.html 25 min 3-5 FG 3-3 FT 3 rebounds 6 assists 4 turnovers 2 steals
