ClutchFans Game Thread: Clippers @ Rockets 3/9/2004

Of the 3 inside-out offenses in the Western Conference, who has the worst outside shooters? Today the Rockets escaped a bullet because the Clippers are not a good team. Most teams can get away with collapsing down on Yao without fear of the Rockets' shooters firing it away from outside. Steve had a good jumper in the 2nd half. Even JJ and Cuttino started hitting the jumper in the 2nd half. However, I'd put the Rockets' core of shooters below the Spurs and even the Lakers with Luke Walton turning into a good 3 point shooter. Of course, it could change with Steve consistently hitting the jumper, but one game does not make a trend.

 

LOL

 

Actually a lot of fouls were not called, believe it, otherwise at least 1 more should have been fouled out.

 

i think the turning point of the game is JVG pulled Cat out and insert M.Jax as a point and moved Francis to 2. Without Cat shoot ill advised shots and bonehead play plus Francis shooting the light out...we eventually led the game.
Good move by JVG...

 

But I just enjoy this kinda atmosphere.It's real game!

 

Now the Rockets get the job done to hold their 7th seed. Now it's the Wolves' turn to hold their 2nd seed.

Let's pray for Wolves together. Go Wolves!

 

we took 4 3ptrs in the 2nd half. atack that basket. we were relentless going to the hole, i love it.

 

He is getting more respect these days.

However, his running dunk in the 2rd quarter was definitely fouled by Kaman. And at least two other shots were clearly fouled by the Clippers. But no calls.

It is frustrating that the opponents cannot use "hack a Yao" strategy. The guy is automatic from the FT line.

 

It shows us how far Yao has come in a little less than 2 years that 19/10 games are now "underwhelming" and an "off night". It's very encouraging.

 

I agree that the rockets could use more shooters, everybody always can, but..........


We are 4th in the league in 3 point shooting, behind only Sacaramento, New York, and Seattle.

The Spurs are 7th.

Lakers are 19th.

 

Could it be that officials are starting to give Yao better treatment after the last 3 games? If you just look at Yao's 4-12 shooting, I don't think anyone could've guessed 19 points. But the guy was drawing the amount of fouls we normally expect from Shaq.

Stevie has played pretty well for a nice stretch of games now. Dare I say, that he has turned the corner? Oh man I hope so, but will reserve judgement until after the season.

Overall, I'll take the win. Not a pretty one, but considering the Rockets' tendency to lay an egg after a big one, this isn't so bad.

 

That's exactly what I meant. I counted at least 6 obvious fouls not being called for Yao alone. Otherwise...25/10

 

Yao may have shot bad tonite, but those two power dunks were something to behold.

 

SF3 has played well for 4 games now, with great games against Minny and Clippers.

 

The 4 for 12 is deceptive in that he was hacked on 4 or 5 of those "shots" with no call. Even the Clips commentators were saying "chris got away with one there...." It was ridiculous. Luckily he was getting calls at the end.

It's so stupid. The refs totally took him out of the game early. What's he supposed to do? He didn't get frustrated and he came out in the 4th with a lot of heart and energy.

 

I just know that if the Rockets' outside shooters were so highly regarded by NBA coaches, defenses wouldn't be collapsing down into the paint area like what happened tonight especially in the 1st half.

Stats say the Rockets are good shooters, but NBA coaches defend the Rockets like the team is full of brickers.

 

oh man .
19/10 is a bad game? that must be a diamond standard out there.

Consider FTA is 11-12. even i have not watched the game. I know the tight defense of Clipper cause the 1/3 FGA of YAO MING.

 

I was pretty close.

DD

 

The thing is, when showing a Rocket's shooting for the night you can't factor it to the lowest possible. 4-12 was horrible shooting. JJ had no touch either. SF finally had a great game.

BUT, Yao got his stats through the FT line, which does count as points and so are very important. Heck, with out the 11FT we would have lost. But Yao couldn't it any FG's tonight.

But hey, a win is a win. And I am happy our two stars combined for 43pts.

24 for SF, and 19 for Yao. I will take that any night.

 

Back in the Hakeem days, teams continuously doubled Hakeem and dare the likes of Kenny Smith, Maloney, Horry, and Elie to beat them from the 3pt line. And we had a pretty good group of outsider shooters back then.

Coaches will always take away the inside game, ever since Riley made an art of it back in NY. Especially teams that have no chance against the Rockets otherwise. It's not difficult to find 3 point shooters off their mark for one game. But it's impossible to rely on Yao to miss inside the paint.