everyone says reece gaines deserves a shot, but i feel david hawkins is better.

Hawkins seems not to be afraid to take shots and has a few moves to make them. We will need that in the second unit. Outside shot won't be a big issue when Yao comes out and Hawkins subs in. It was before Sura's job to be the carrier on offense among subs but he's out with Gaines and Nachbar being too timid on offense right now. If Hawkins keeps it up and Nachbar/Gaines don't show up in the preseason I say give him a shot.

 

Hi guys, I went to the game last night, it was my first ever live NBA game. Even if it was only a meaningless preseason but it was still a GREAT experience. I envy all of you guys who live in Houston!

On the game itself, it was obvious that the starting players won't really trying except Yao Ming who tried too hard I think in the beginning, his shot was way off in the first few minutes and went to the ground the save the loose ball a few times which was unnecessary in a game like this.

T-Mac didn't have a single dunk in the game but made several nice passes. There were a few occasions where he could have fast breaked and dunked but he just slowed down and tried to pass first. He is a very efficient player, doesn't waste too many dribbles, he does it for a reason; when he pulls up to shoot, it's beautiful to watch, as he soars into the air with the defender trailing behind or sideways, they can't jump as fast or as high as him, there is no chance to block. He did seem to twist his ankle towards the end though and sat out the rest of the game. When all the fans were chanting "Yao Ming", my friend and I were chanting "T-MAC!"hehe, wanted to see more of him. I hope he is fine and can play in the Beijing game.

Boki was not very good. He actually made his first shot, a three pointer, but it didn't count coz an off the ball foul on someone. After that he just couldn't hit anything at all, wierd.

Ryan Bowen played very good defence and grabbed a few offensive rebounds and put backs.

Mutombo was great, both offensively and defensively. He was quick up and down the court, had a few nice blocks as expected. But it was a suprise to see him sinking those hook shots and short jumpers.

Lue/Ward are nothing special but steady.

Gaines didn't have too many touches, but I notice him often got into open positions but teammates weren't able to pass the ball to him in time. He had a key steal in the dying seconds with the Kings down by 2 therefore totally ended any hope I had for OT! I wanted to see more minutes played!!

Hawkins is also a hustle guy who can't shoot, much like Bowen; so I feel we just need to keep either one of them. Personally I like Bowen better, coz Hawkins sometimes jacked up stupid shots.

Oh, almost forgot the PFs. Howard is a nice palyer, but Mo
Black Hole!!! If he plays like this in regular season game, I want to shoot him.

JJ was the steady, calm influence that's so important to this team when things are not going well. In the 1st Q, rockets couldn't score on several possesions and Kings were scoring at will, it was JJ who drilled the first jumper i think.

That's all from me, oh also now I have a Rockets flag I bought for 10USD now hanging in my living room!!

The replica shirts were expensive as hell, 499RMB or 60 USD; how much is it over there in the US?

 

I would not be opposed to having Hawkins as the last player on the roster. I do worry about our poor outside shooting. Padgett is the only player who can shoot off the bench and he needs to get going.
I would like to see both Gaines and Hawkins get some more minutes against stronger competition as well.

 

Yeah, Barkley and Mobley are really throwbacks to '50s style basketball. Just because I don't share the modern fans obsession with the me first, be like Mike, all sizzle no steak, highlight reel in a loss, Kobe Bryant, Steve Francis, Allen Iverson style of play, doesn't mean I am some kind of basketball snob. I think there are types of player that are going to put up numbers and get voted to all-star games, and there are types of players that are going to help you win games, and that these are not neccesarily the same thing.

 

i agree with u ...i thought he was outta control too....driving and then jacking up layups...missing free throws too... it looked like jvg had to calm him down a few times

 

1. McGrady
2. Yao
3. Howard
4. Lue
5. Jackson
6. Mutombo
7. Padgett
8. Bowen
9. Nachbar
10. Gaines
11. Sura
12. Ward
13. Taylor
14. Weatherspoon

Fourteen guarunteed contracts. Room for one more player. Boki and Gaines won't be cut unless they shoot at someone. I just don't see what impresses you guys so much about Hawkins that you think we should give him a few hundred grand to be our 15th man. If we need someone to brick outside shots, we have Boki for that. If we need someone to score inside, we have Howard, Yao, and Taylor. If we need someone to hustle and rebound and defend, we have Weatherspoon and Bowen. And as a backup swingman, I don't think he's as good as Gaines or Bowen (or Sura when he comes back).

Maybe we're watching different players or different teams, but I just wasn't so impressed by Hawkins' current ability or potential down the road that I thought it was necessary to sign him. And I am rooting for the guy, since I watched a lot of him with the Owls, but I don't think he's a necessary piece.

 

I hear your message loud and clear.

 

Wow!

I had to do a double take on that!

 

I don't think we'll be signing anyone else. I think we'll probably leave a spot open for 10 day contracts. If Yao or Deke gets hurt, Pig Miller to the rescue.

Every other position besides center, we're three or four deep. Not always a great 3 or 4 (PG, SG) but deep none the less.

 

You shouldn't have....

 

Well, I guess you knew all along what most of us "Francis haters" were alluding to when we raged against him?

Or was Sam just pulling our chain? The Jazz subvert...

 

It takes a superfish to recognize superfice

 

I still couldn't let it go on...subvert or not. You're positions still were illogical.

In the end, I still wouldn't let someone from the outside (you) sabotage the Rox by trying to convince others that "Francis" was the way to go. There still are *others* that really did believe that Francis was the golden goose; distracted by shiny objects, I guess (while Sam was pilling on the gold chains).

They were just misinformed. Just wanted to make sure YOU didn't misinform them even more. All is good. The turnover machine is gone; "gansta ball" or not (that's besides the point).

 

I have no idea what you are talking about. I'm just glad we are finally rid of these streetballaz. We need pass first players who know how to play a team game. A true 1 in hand is better than two in the bush. Somebody like Brent Barry would be ideal. They are ruining the NBA as we know it as well as society. We need fundamentals. Leave no child behind.

 

Heh heh...

Whatever you do. Please don't be a Bush supporter. It would break my frick'in heart!

 

have u seen reece play he could be one of the quickest players on our team

 

Reece Gaines has not looked good so far. He plays out of control. He needs to learn to use his speed in bursts and quit running around aimlessly.

As far as Nachbar, he hustles but he can't buy a basket. If he doesn't step it up quick, I wouldn't pick up his option.

 

i think hawkins could be a really good player. he was i think fourth in the nation in college scoring 24ppg. he also kept us in the game by scoring much needed points towards the end. kinda reminds me of mo taylor with the "instant offense". he just bullbozes his way towards the paint. i'm saying with some coaching from van gundy, he could be a soild pickup.

trust me.

 

junsaho, those were some very good comments. I'm glad you liked the game.

 

Hawkins is very talented but unfortunately he is plagued as a "tweener" with no true position...he has the size of a shooting guard but his game is that more of a power forward...I love how he gets to the basket and his knack for scoring and I do think he'll have a decent shot at making the team but if he does, he'll be a lifer on the IR...