ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets vs. Sonics 10/10/2003 (PRESEASON)

Anyone note that Moochie got 6 assists and 0 turnovers? He has improved gradually in these 3 games.

Keep it up, Moochie!

 

yes he did look good, his almost made dunk driving from the three point line and then streachinf over 3 players for a dunk was daring!!!!!!!! Super-star right there.

 

Yao's Stats are JUST GREAT!!! 8/10 FG, 4/4 FT, 10 REB and 10 pts..... perfect way to start!!

 

did Yao make that shot? that's over 7'1 Jerome James! who said Yao can't jump?

 

Looks good in the new duds.

 

HOUSTON ROCKETS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OFF REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
J. Jackson F 28 2-8 1-3 0-0 0 3 4 0 1 2 4 5
E. Griffin F 27 3-12 1-1 1-1 0 9 2 1 1 1 2 8
Y. Ming C 30 8-10 0-0 4-4 4 10 1 1 2 3 0 20
S. Francis G 34 4-9 1-2 10-12 1 4 3 1 1 4 1 19
C. Mobley G 30 7-8 0-1 0-1 0 3 2 0 0 2 2 14
B. Nachbar 18 3-5 0-1 0-0 0 2 1 0 0 3 3 6
K. Cato 23 2-5 0-0 0-0 1 3 2 0 1 1 3 4
M. Norris 27 1-5 0-1 3-4 1 4 6 0 0 0 1 5
G. Muoneke 11 0-0 0-0 1-2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
J. Amaechi 7 1-2 0-0 2-4 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 4
M. Wilks 5 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Totals 31-65 3-9 21-28 7 41 21 3 7 16 17 86
.477 .333 .750 Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 16(15 PTS)

Actually, Mobley's stat is good as well. Jackson might be still feeling his injury. And I don't know what happened to EG.

 

chronicle recap of the game

Yao finds comfort zone
Game comes easier in second year for Rockets' center
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The buzz in the arena -- even if the arena was a quarter full and sitting in North Little Rock -- was familiar. Yao Ming still doesn't need to be introduced to inspire screams.

The buzz was back. But it was different. Yao was different.

Yao made his preseason debut Friday in the Rockets' 96-86 loss to the SuperSonics on Friday. He showcased the usual array of gifts that made him the heart of so much of the Rockets' hopes, to say nothing of a major reason Jeff Van Gundy became his coach.

Along the way, he offered a healthy reminder of his repertoire. He grabbed an early rebound with one hand and put it back up in a smooth jumper without even needing the aid of his left hand. He slammed home one drive. He made the smoothest of turnaround jumpers. He flashed spin moves to the basket.

When he was through, Yao had made eight of 10 shots for 20 points with 10 rebounds. But as he considered his progress since joining the team just five days before, he couldn't help but consider the progress since the last time he made his preseason debut.

"I couldn't do anything worse," he said in perfect, clear English, "than I did in my first game last year.

"I feel much better. I have one year under my belt."

A year ago, his head was spinning. Voices were screaming from every direction, asking for just a little more. In his first minute on an NBA court, he was sent crashing hard to the floor, a welcome to the NBA delivered forcefully by David Robinson.

The challenge of getting to know a new coach and a new system seemed minor by comparison.

"Every year there are new things to learn," Yao said. "It takes time to get adjusted. I had to get into a game to do that.

"I've learned a lot in the practices, but I need some time to get used to new things. The game is a very important part of that."

Yao said he does feel "some tiredness" from his summer training with the Chinese national team and his play in the Olympic qualifying tournament. Since, he has flown from Harbin, China to Shanghai, China to Tokyo, to Los Angeles, to Houston, to Portland, to Seattle and finally to Little Rock.

"I thought it would effect me," Yao said. "Being a professional player, it's something you have to deal with. You don't know what is going to happen, like when you pass the ball.

"I think it gave me more difficulty. I wouldn't go as far as say it was frustrating."

The Rockets would have no trouble calling Yao's struggle "frustrating," especially while struggling to grow accustomed to a new system.

"This is no one's fault," Van Gundy said. "He was serving his country. Is it ideal? No. Is he ideal? Yeah."

Besides, he seemed fresher than he did much of last season, at least as at home in the Rockets' offense as most of his teammates.

That offered enough to support the popular argument that Yao did not get the ball enough last season and would be more of a focal point in Van Gundy's offense. Van Gundy has repeatedly disputed that notion, arguing that Yao got the ball as often as he was able to battle for low post position.

"I'm going to learn in Mandarin, `paint catch,' " Van Gundy said.

"The deeper the catch, the better. He is by force a finesse guy. He has to combine force with finesse. I'm trying to get him deeper, lower. He's very willing, and when you're willing you're a good learner."

The translation will have to include an explanation that the `paint' is vernacular for the lane. Yao did post deeper than he often did last season.

"My teammates helped get the ball to me deep, very deep," he said.

Yao, who took 9.8 shots per game last season, took 10 in his 30 minutes Friday.

 

1) Steve didn't pass up many shots!
He shot 12 FTs. Together, he had the most attempts of all Rockets. There is nothing wrong with that though. If I recall, except for 1 ISO (when he fell on his face ), most of his shots were taken in the flow of the game. He put in some efforts on the defensive end too. In general, his play was good.

2) The real scary part was that Cat only took 1 shot in the 1st half. He really made an effort to defer to other players. For a stretch I didn't realize he was in the game!! JVG had to make a point to get Cat the 1st shot of the second half!

3) EG played a good game, despite missing a lots of shots. He hung aroung the board and snatched rebounds out of the air like I've not seen before.

4) Yao posted much deeper than he used to. It didn't look like he could be moved out as easy either. His stamina can still improve. He sucked air hard at the end of 1st but looked like he got a second wind later.

5) As a team, we played well but not great.
We could knock down more shots but that will come.
Our defense had some lapse. We allowed the open outside shots but we defended the PnR better. We actually cut off most penetration. Yao did not pick up many cheap fouls helping out.

We are still not where we should be but we will get there.

 

Has Yao's rebounding technique improved or is he still tipping the ball back to himself as it comes off the basket and is he still keeping his hands down and letting the defender slap the ball away from him?

 

Did anyone notice that JVG was trying to save Yao:
1) Yao did not line up for FTs at the offensive end.

2) After an opp's made basket, Yao turned and walked up court early most of the time. There was a conscious effort to let someone else throw the ball in.

 

Maybe a little.
He tipped the ball to himself a few times but he actually stole those rebounds from the opp. then.
I think he kept the ball high or at least away from the opps. I don't recall them stripping the ball from him.

 

first half, he didn't even bother going after the ball, just stood there. I think after half time he finally started going after those rebounds.

Oh yes, and he really needs to hold his arms up like Duncan when he grabs those rebounds. For god's sake, he's 7-6, who's going to be able to take the ball from him if he did that?

 

I thought EG played very well. He did miss quite a few shots, but he was putting up high percentage shots. He was getting some great looks at the bucket, but the ball just wouldn't fall. Still, I am very optimistic about Griffin after seeing him so far in this preseason.

 

He sucked air hard at the end of 1st quarter so he didn't go strong after many rebs then.

10 rebs in 30 mins is hardly slouch though.

 

I concur. Those are good shots and they will fall. Tonight, it seems he didn't concentrate at the basket when he took some shots.

I am happy with EG's play so far.

I said it a few days ago. If they are allowed, the Rockets better give him a contract extension before his game really breaks out. It will cost them a bundle if they wait.

 

Sportscenter on Rockets uniforms: "hideous"

 

We are still not where we should be but we will get there



So true......so true

 

Ah, they are just damn jealous! Well, I thought the white uniform wasn;t that good but it was the bad camcorder pictures that make it look bad on media day. The white uni look really nice and so is teh red. The Uniform looks great in MOTION!

 

I was curious...how is eddie's shot looking. Last year he got some of those same good looks, but his form made them bad shots because it was so flat, with such high velocity, and with so much spin. Is his shot still like that, or has he made an improvement and the shots just didn't fall?

 

Cato II? no thank you... I like his play so far, but he still has plenty to prove before he earns his big pay day.