Rockets find finishing touch tonight but have more to fulfill

Great last second shot by JJ to close the game out tonight, and there is no dening Kelvin Cato just momments earlier with a nice bucket and a free throw that gave JJ a chance to pull it out. But by no means did the Rockets play effective or efficently tonight. Lets just say they were extreamly lucky to get this victory at home against the worst road team in the NBA.

Now I know Jim Jackson has been Mr. Clutch just about the entire season, but I think in order for this team to become a serious contender in the west, two things must happen. Both Yao and Steve MUST start finishing better on the offensive end of the floor.

For Steve to get better at this he must first start learnig how to finish plays to end quarters. I can't remember the last time Steve has executed a play to pefection with under 10 seconds remaing in a quarter. Steves biggest problem is when he drives to the basket, and fixing it wouldn't be hard for him if he would just keep his eyes on the rim when releasing the ball. Steves other problem is when he gets up in the air and has no where to go turn so he throws up a bad shot. This, I believe is where most of Steve's turnovers stem from.

Ming's situation is a bit more complex. This might sound crazy, but I think Ming's size is what is holding him back from finishing plays at times. Ming is the type of player that needs to be set in his shooting stance in order to be effective. This could explain why he is a good spot-up shooter and has a great free throw percentage. For Ming I think it's all about balance, and I believe this is why you see him bring the ball down most every time he recieves in the post. The reason I think he does this is to gain control of his body so he'll be comfortable in his shot.

 

I don't think Yao's strenght is wear the problem lies. I think he just needs to play with more passion at times. Another ding on Ming is he might play to unsellfishly. I like team basketball as much as the next person, but I think the Rockets would benifit greatly if Yao touch the ball atleast ten more times a contest. I would also like to see him look for his shot quicker when he gets position down low. A player of his size should not have to work for a shot as much as he does.

 

There is absoultley now way in heck that you replace Francis with a journeyman point guard and get better results. I think Mark Jackson has already proved that to us all.

I guess the point I'm trying to get across that Francis and Ming are both athletic freaks of nature that need to tweek their games a little bit to help them finish off plays. If only Yao could learn to finish like Hakeem and Francis like Maxwell. That would make me fell alot better about the two.

 

If I were grading Mark to this point, I would give him have to give him a C-. The guy is just too slow to be able to keep up with all of the high ociane players in today's game. So what you have is a guy, who in his old age is still a pretty good assist man only because he hasen't lost his vision thanks to Lasik, but is way too slow to d-up, and has to use a pick so he can get a good look on a suspect jump shot. No Thanks.

 

I must admit getting the ball out of Francis's hand's in the wanning moments of each quater might be a good idea, but why is so difficult for him to finish around the rim? I am also asking myself the same question about Yao.

Could it be as easy as Ming speeding his game up, and Steve slowing down?

 

Thanks SJC too bad the thread itself isn't worth reading.

 

Hey SJC, maybe they will use it tommorow.

Great game by Steve and Cat tonight. Francis really played controled basketball and very much within himself tonight. And It was also nice to see him and Cuttino knock down clutch shots. I guess they both deserve the Finishing tag tonight.

I just hope JVGrumpy doesn't say anything negative tonight. I don't how he could with a record setting fourth quater and all. But hey, we are not called the drama queem dream team for nothing.

Go Rockets!!