Can anyone beleive that after five games Dream is still kickin ass? He leads the team in boards and blocks, is second in steals and is fourth in points. Does anyone think he will pass Mo in scoring before the season is out? Even with a Rockets loss tonight Dream still had a great game (not counting the turn overs). Has anyone really beleived Hakeem would keep this up? I keep waiting for for the clock to strike twelve and for Dream to turn back into a 38 year old man with bad knees, but I'm starting to beleive that it's not gonna happen. Now I'm starting to wonder when he's gonna go off for 30 pts 15 boards 10 blks and 5 steals kind of game. I know we don't have long left to watch Hakeem play ball but it sure is great to see some glimps of the young Hakeem again. The Dream Lives! ------------------
Did you see those "fadeaway-fake, pivot-up and under-fake, spin-fadeaways" that he did on DeClercq? He did it like, twice, made 'em both. Reminded me of when Dream bamboozled David Robinson. ------------------ The best is yet to come. Go Rockets!
Dream was the only thing that kept me feeling good during this terrible game. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
In Hakeem's last five games: 16.8 PPG 13.2 RPG 3.2 BPG 2.6 SPG Shooting 58.3% OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!! GO DREAM!!!!!!!!!! ------------------ Dream Rejects Every Attempt Made
The only thing annoying, is that he could have been doing this all year. Do you think the Rockets playoff chances would be better if Dream came out to play like this from the start of the season. YOU BET !! Oh well, better late then never. I personally believe he is playing for next years contract. DaDakota ------------------ If Mankind evolved from monkeys and apes, then why are there still monkeys and apes?
The Rockets had better find a way to resign him. They will be in for a rude awakening if all they have is Cato next year. They could go from being a 41-45 win team, to being a 35 win team again. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
Hakeem completely takes us out of our guard focused offense. Whether Hakeem is hitting his shots, or not, does not concern me. What concerns me is his unwillingness to stay out of the block at all times if necessary. A Night like last night is a perfect example. The only way to combat a heavy trapping swarming Defense like Orlandos is to run an assortment of high picks and isos from the uppermost parts of the key. You can not, I repeat, cannot run these while Hakeem is on the same side of the key. Last night to "reward Hakeem early" are younger guys forced numerous pasess to the stubborn Nigerian, or had to either drive around him, or worse yet, begin their move from their least favorite side of the floor. These obligatory first quarter, first couple of play, post ups are not beneficial for the team and sometimes - like last night - will completely put us at a disadavantage for the rest of the game. ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROCKETBOOSTER (edited February 17, 2001).]
Smarty, they have been doing that during the winning streak. Just didnt work last night because of the magics zone defense and Tmac dominated the rockets weaker smaller guards. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
All teams need a post up inside presence. Hakeem provides that. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
What? This is not 1996. Are we still trying to figure out how to beat the Seatlle Sonics system? Certainly not. Mobley and Francis eat zone defenses alive, weve been doing it all year. The whole offensive focus should be run through these guys from the begining, burning swarming defenses alive. Everybody saw what Mobley did in the second half. Why wasn't Mobley utlized to the max at the begining of the game?(God-awmighty. Mike Miller was guarding Mobley!) I'll tell you why. Because obligotary post-up plays are to be established first to reward an respect a prideful Olajuwon. This has to stop. Offensive wise, thats this teams crappiest myth. Nothing disturbs me more than to see Mobley or Francis being forced away form their natural side of the floor, or having to heed their first natural offensive inclinataion because of a 7 foot teamate between them and the basket. Arghhh! ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROCKETBOOSTER (edited February 17, 2001).] [This message has been edited by ROCKETBOOSTER (edited February 17, 2001).]
The Rockets have easily played their best ball with both the inside and outside game working in harmony. See second half against Knicks, the game against the 76ers, the game against the Pistons and the game against the Wizards. Dream domitated the paint on offense and defense in those games made crisp outlet passes to Steve and Cat and as a result we had more fast break oppertunities in those games because of dreams play. Against the Knicks they had completely shut down our outside game until Dream kicked it into gear in the 3rd. From that point on we completely dominated both ends of the floor on the inside and outside. Its a good thing to because Allen Houston was hitting everything he threw up that night. There is no question that the Rockets are a much better team when Dream and the Backcourt bring their A games. There is also no question that when Dream is dominating inside it opens things up outside for Steve and Cat. There is also no question that when Steve and Cat are hitting from the outside that it opens things up for Dream. So to say that the way Dream has been playing the last six games takes us out of our "guard focused offensive" is rediculous. Besides I will take a balanced offense with a good outside and inside game any day over a strictly "guard focused offense". ------------------
Myth: You can't have a post player in a guard oriented offense. Truth: Having a variety of options can only enhance a team's offensive capabilities. If one weapon isn't work, try another. It does help that Hakeem is capable of working out of a high post, and can hit jump shots when he's not posting up. Likewise, Mobley and Francis can both hit the 3 and the mid-range jumper when Hakeem is in the post. Nobody is denying that there can't be some conflict. But other teams have made the same scenario work very well (the Lakers and Celtics of hte 80's come to mind). In other situations, everything has disintegrated (why Ewing plays for Seattle). Personally, I don't want to see Hakeem posting up often except to 1. establish the post, 2. take the defense out of rhythm, or 3. in an attempt to score some points when Mobley and Francis aren't hitting. If Hakeem is willing to follow that standard, I think everything will be fine. ------------------ Why is it that everytime BC defeats a major conference opponent, that opponent promptly goes on a losing streak? PS. Notre Dame sucks
Dream has finally taken the rebounding load for the Rockets , Maurice Taylor is a fine offensive forward but we all know he cant rebound like a Charles Oakley or even Anthony Mason . Dream's boards went down ever since Chuck came to H-Town . I think He has realized the Rockets need him more than they have a in few years . Francis' assists have gone down though , Which means He wants to take more shots . ------------------ click here to see a legend Houston Rockets fun facts Kelvin Cato Enjoys Pretending to lead the league in rebounding and Injuring himself .
