ClutchFans Game Thread: Pacers @ Rockets 12/23/2003

London'sBurning · Dec 23, 2003

Just out of curiosity I'd like to see Mobley and Francis sit and just see how vital they are to this team despite their deficiencies in the mental part of the game. Mobley's actually been playing pretty smart ball throughout the season though so not so much him. I'm more curious to see whether Yao would take over leadership roles with Francis and Cat in street clothes. It'd be an early sign to see whether Yao is capable of taking over leadership roles of this team or not. And if not ready, will he show some potential to in the near future, or none at all. Granted you can't judge a players potential over game it'd still be an interesting test to see.

ttstk123 · Dec 23, 2003

Zone them in! Wonder if JVG will use zone tonight or stick to his usual man-on-man D.

Zone defenses give Pacers fits
They have struggled, splitting past 12 games, as opponents switch from man-to-man.

Ron Artest (left) of the Pacers tries to tip the ball away from Zeijko Rebraca of the Pistons. Artest has struggled from the field, shooting just 9-of-31 over the past two games -- AJ Mast / The Star

By Mark Montieth
mark.montieth@indystar.com
December 22, 2003

The Indiana Pacers' trouble with zone defenses is such that one of their players is openly griping and another NBA coach is poking fun at them.

It's an unusual circumstance for the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference (20-8), but it's where the Pacers find themselves today as they head into a much-needed practice session. They'll have plenty to talk about and even more to work on. They've won just six of their past 12 games, and have struggled to score against zone defenses that are sprouting from opponents.

Minnesota, which built a 36-point lead during Saturday's 102-80 victory at the Target Center, played zone almost exclusively. Detroit, normally a man-to-man defensive team, used one at times on Friday, when the Pacers had to rally from a 10-point deficit in the final nine minutes to win. Orlando went with one almost exclusively in defeating them last Wednesday. Indiana hit less than 40 percent of its field goal attempts in all three games.

Saturday's difficulties moved Ron Artest to shout at the coaches late in the first half. It was originally thought that Artest was complaining about coach Rick Carlisle's persistent calls for post-ups, but Carlisle and others on the team said Sunday that Artest wanted the ball more often.

Artest repeated a complaint in the locker room after the game when a Minneapolis radio reporter opened the interview with a statement about the Timberwolves' inspired performance.

"This style we're playing is so boring," he said. "It's hard for us to play those (Western) teams when we can't go back at them the way they come at us. Especially when our shots aren't falling.

"We're in first place in the East, but it's not real fun playing this style of basketball. At least not for me. I don't like playing the style we're playing."

Artest has hit 9-of-31 shots over the past two games.

Sunday, Carlisle considered Artest's comments as heat-of-the-battle overstatement.

"You build the system around the style and abilities of your best players," Carlisle said. "Ron and Jermaine O'Neal are our best offensive and defensive players, and Ron is having a career year.

"Ron was obviously disappointed with the loss to Minnesota, but it's important for me as the head coach not to overreact to comments that may have been made in the heat of the moment."

The Pacers did not practice Sunday, and Artest was not available for further comment.

The Pacers have lacked the perimeter shooting to force teams out of zones, and haven't moved the ball well enough on a consistent basis to penetrate them.

They acknowledge some uncertainty in their execution.

"We're struggling with the zone," said Austin Croshere, who scored 15 points against Minnesota for his third consecutive game in double figures. "Anytime your offense is struggling, you get back to the basics. But a lot of times when you're playing against a zone you don't know what that is. You're so far removed from the college setting."

They realize, however, that they're going to continue to see them given their recent struggles.

"Until we're able to shoot our way out of it, we're going to see it every single night," O'Neal said.

Golden State coach Eric Musselman, meanwhile, fired a shot at the Pacers over their approach to zone defenses in comments to a reporter from the Contra Costa (Calif.) Times.

Speaking of Orlando, the Warriors' opponent last Friday, Musselman noted the Pacers' difficulty against the Magic zone. Indiana hit 6-of-26 3-pointers in their 94-90 loss to Orlando.

"We don't want to do what Indiana did, which is stand around like High School Harry and pass the ball above our heads until the shot clock is about to expire and then jack up a long perimeter shot," Musselman said.

High School Harry?

"High School Harry is when the ball stays above your shoulders and goes from one man to the next man to the next man, and your knees are not bent," he said. "Finally, as the shot clock is about to expire, somebody hoists up a 3. That's High School Harry."

The Warriors had their own struggles against Orlando, losing 119-93.

"We're struggling because we're not shooting the ball," Carlisle said. "It's something we obviously need to work on (today) in practice. Our ball movement can get better and I know our shot-making will improve."

Call Star reporter Mark Montieth at 1-317-444-6406.
Click to expand...

Frodo · Dec 23, 2003

Rockets: 89
Pacers: 87

Friday · Dec 23, 2003

Dec. 23 (Updated: 11:53 a.m.) - After missing Monday's practice due to illness, both Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley participated in this morning's shootaround and will be in tonight's starting lineup.

http://www.nba.com/rockets/

leroy · Dec 23, 2003

Rox 95
Pacers 87

JohnP · Dec 23, 2003

rockets 87
Pacers 73

zongt · Dec 23, 2003

rockets 93
pacer 85

sup123 · Dec 23, 2003

i have a feeling this is gonna be like one of those spurs and rockets games. Both teams struggle to score and play good defense.

Blatz · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by Blatz
Audio Link

WIBC 1070 am
Click to expand...

Is anyone using the audio link above?

Last night I was able to listen to their live stream. Now I keep getting this error message....Is anyone else getting it too?

"The server encountered an unexpected condition which prevented it from fulfilling the request."

Donatello · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by Blatz
Is anyone using the audio link above?

Last night I was able to listen to their live stream. Now I keep getting this error message....Is anyone else getting it too?

"The server encountered an unexpected condition which prevented it from fulfilling the request."
Click to expand...

I don't think it works.

Manny · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by Blatz
Is anyone using the audio link above?

Last night I was able to listen to their live stream. Now I keep getting this error message....Is anyone else getting it too?

"The server encountered an unexpected condition which prevented it from fulfilling the request."
Click to expand...

I get "WMP cannot connect to the server. The server name may be incorrect or the server is busy."

Thanks for trying tho.

Charvo · Dec 23, 2003

Yao better stop with this boxing out garbage on the boards and actually go for the rebound. Artest and Foster got the rebound by sneaking under the box out.

TECH · Dec 23, 2003

I think Yao would rather be a point guard. He seems to like to pass the ball out all the time.

WNBA · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by TECH
I think Yao would rather be a point guard. He seems to like to pass the ball out all the time.
Click to expand...

He sucks or Rockets offense plan sucks

jlwee · Dec 23, 2003

Looks like rockets r having problems scoring 30Pts by half time again......this SUCKS

Charvo · Dec 23, 2003

This is a bad team. I'm getting a headache watching this garbage.

Charvo · Dec 23, 2003

what's up with all the bricks today?

TECH · Dec 23, 2003

At the rate we are fouling Oneal, this game will be over by midnight.

sup123 · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by WNBA
He sucks or Rockets offense plan sucks
Click to expand...

yao does not suck. When he gets the ball he is usually doubled team. But when he usually has a good shoot no one feeds him the ball. I seen this over and over. Steve doesnt seem to want to pass the ball! GET A DANM POINT GUARD CD!!!

RocketFan007 · Dec 23, 2003

After watching the first half, I really think that this team has got to be shaken up. This is just pathetic...

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