1. No single player dominated. They're looking more and more like a real team for the first time in 5 or 6 years. All contributed, even Boki (2 for 2 and decent D). Cato was stout, as was Taylor. 2. Jackson will be instrumental in our success. He played mistake-free ball; as you would expect from a veteran like him. He's a good defender and a nice shooter. 3. Yao might live up to his big expectations. He is playing differently than last year. He is still hesitant, but it's early in the year. Yao easily has the potential to put up 30+ points on nearly every team in the league. Simply, he's dominant. PLAY OF THE GAME: Mobley had an awesome steal/dunk, Francis had a highlight dunk-attempt, but YAO PUT NENE ON HIS A*S on a blocked dunk attempt. They called Yao for the foul, but Nene had to be helped off the court. Ming showed his power and Nene never again tried to muscle him again.
I agree, that play was awesome because it seemed to symbolize Yao's new attitude. He was sending a message, it was a pretty rough play. Also, I think Yao gave away some rebounds to Cato (he did not go for them when he realized Cato was around to secure them). Regarding the play of the game, Cato's two alley-oops were also great.
Yeah, but Yao ruined it all by offering to help Nene up. He should have bent over and done the finger wag in his face. Ah, but Yao is ever the gentle giant.
It was a great game and a great effort, but I dont understand this. "All contributed, even Boki (2 for 2 and decent D)." Did you really see tha game? Boki's defense was pathetic. Carmelo totally lit him up. JJ was doing a good job on Carmelo but when Boki came in, he made Carmelo look like an all star. Boki looked uncoordinated, porous on defense, and frankly, not NBA caliber.
I've watched the game twice and I have to disagree with your opinion. There was a 2-on-1 fast break where Andre Miller passed off to Carmelo for the dunk over Boki (nothing Boki could do), there was a 3 pointer that Carmelo hit as the shot clock was running down but Boki contested that shot as well as anyone can without fouling, and there was another one or two instances where he hit Carmelo in the face while guarding him. Don't know about you, but to me, that's not lighting someone up.
My three from the game: 1. The Van Gundy effect was striking; offensive and defensive schemes looked great compared to last year. 2. Moochie was horrid. 3. The Step squad made the power dancers look like garbage. Evan
I don't think it is called hesitant. He is now more composed and whenever he gets the ball, he feels no hurry in contemplating his options. That's confidence I say. Well, I don't know. I think if you get knocked over by somebody and then that somebody still offered to help you up, the mental effect is much stronger on you, that you are not ever going to be able to muscle or even threaten him. It's like pouring cold water over an angry man (just got knocked over), and it washes away all his courage and determination.
I think the better question is did you see the game? Boki hustled and looked good on both offense and defense last night.
thanks Crash, somethime i do not know wich poster to believe ( i can't watch to many games). so i'm glad that you also reported, i trust your view
huh? Boki's defense has been shockingly better than expected. Which is not to say it's been excellent... but from comments by the coaching staff, insiders, and his occasional action last year, I was expecting him to be incompetent on D. He's not. He's average to slightly above average. He puts forth effort, has better lateral quickness than some suggested, and there's nothing wrong with his positional sense. I didn't see anybody lighting him up yesterday, unless you're counting a 2 on 1 fastbreak, in which case... what the hell do you expect?
- Have to agree with the JVG effect;first time I see good passing and real game plays for years. I just couldn't believe what I saw. - Boki did a good game all around and had confidence in taking his shots. His three was contested, in transition and at good distance, he still took it without any hesitation: swish... The only thing you want him to improve is his lateral speed but he does think on O, provide a lot of effort on D. It is not like Melo had a good game, so the JJ and Boki combo is good. And if you have D worries ar SF, wait for Adrian Griffin, you won't be concerned a lot longer. Very good SF spot - I wonder what Moochie is doing on this team: either he goes into some wild driblling in the key among a flurry of defenders and looses the ball, or dribbles for ages and holds the ball waiting to start the play while one or two of his players are open! You really wonder what he is up to :-( I think we should get a real veteran bck PG and leave him on the bench for mascot and cheering stuff or for garbage time , he is a costly cheerleader, but this is what he does best on a BB court. - Steve amazed me, his game has changed! when he goes for the hoop, it is now well timed. Very good passing too. - Mobley is more like an uncontrolled offensive spark, it is sometimes needed, and sometimes you wish a more built offense, especially when leading by big margins. When Pike is back this will be ok. Very good SG combo here. - As far as front court: at Western standard!, can be very good with more blocking outs. Yao,Cato, Taylor and Braggs are good at what they do. Front court combo will be even better when we attain cruise speed there and Padgett gets in the mix.
Boki played good D and he is now the best shooter in the leauge 100%. As far as Yao, when you knock someone on their ass you don't need to wave a finger in their face but you also don't need to waste your energy to help them up, unless you really knocked the sh*t out of them more than expected.
' WRONG word!!!!!!! Yao is 'GOOD' not BAD his attitude to play strong Basketball should in no way be considered that he has anything but the best intentions. Bad NO Good YES!
Hey. I thought you were in Germany..how do you watch the games? lol...Boki best shooter in the NBA! haha..Padgett is #2 then! Let's see...I thought he played good defense and he hustled too. Boki seems athletic...and fast...and he actually made 2 shots in a real NBA regular season game! He is not a bust! He did have 5 fouls though.. It is great to know that our team seemed more balance to people...everyone got to score. 6 guys in double digits. Beautiful...on 47% shooting..but against the Nuggets. Cato and Yao have been great together so far..Yao is a much better player. He missed a free throw though!
