How did Sura do?

Well, he's not a defensive liability (Lue) and he looked really good getting the team involved. This guy hustles like crazy and I think he'll get the nod ahead of Ward for pg once he's in shape.. which shouldnt take too long.

Lets go rocks!

 

It looked like the Rockets wrore his *** out tonight. Did you guys see how red his face was?

 

Sura definitely showed his ability to contribute in all areas. He pressured the ball well, maybe a bit too physical since he's isn't used to the no hand check rules. He penetrated well, made some quick and timely passes, and provided energy the team was lacking.

He's our eventual starter. His ability to penetrate will take pressure off T-Mac and his quickness to grab long rebounds will help out Yao and whichever soft forward is in there. More importantly, he will have to be the spark that gets the starters going.

 

Sura looked really good. Needs condicitoning and just seems to need to get back in the daily 'groove' of playing.

He clearly offers some things the team lacks which would mainly include rebounding and a slasher to the basket. Also his height seems to bode well vs. some jump shooters that burn us.

He did foul out of the game but I think he can be a really effective combo with Tmac and Yao and others.

 

Sura looked tired, but he was probably red from the tanning bed.

 

sura bust his butt tonight and gave it 110.I think all of our players should look tired after a loss not looking like you can't wait to get to the club.I respect anybody that has passion and bust there butt for something,if he keeps it up it will pay off.

did you see him diving on the floor?thats the stuff I miss from last years team.maybe this can rub off on everybody.

 

I agree that Sura added a certain spark. I can't wait till he get's his wind back.

 

He did great! He got everyone invovled, dived for all the loose balls, and even got some fast break points! It was amazing, seeing the rockets fast break for once. He looks like he will help a whole lot. He helped bring their lead from 15 to 3. If he started, we'd prolly have won the game.

 

Sura is an athletic heady player, he is exactly what the team needs at the PG position.

Now all we need is a rebounding athletic 4 to help mask Yao's deficiency in foot speed.

DD

 

yup. Get rid of Mo. Spoon and Howard backups.We need a big athletic power forward...

And I would like to get a good small forward..making Jimmy and Padgett and Nachbar (if we resign him) backups..Ryan Bowen is still there too.

Or sign Mobley (I wish) and move Tmac to the 3.

 

Absolutely! It is a nice start. Personally I was amazed how well Sura did on his first game back.

 

Not to mention Yao's deficiency in the heart area.

I absolutely loved watching Sura last night. I can't remember the last time we've had a player like him. He didn't screw around with the ball. He knew that if the rock was in his hands, he needed to make something happen with it, and for the majority of the time he was in there, he did. Maybe he really is the X-Factor. Of course, if we continue to have a 7'6" stiff wasting up space on the court, then I'm not sure it will matter.

 

I think the opposite, I think he cares too much, he is so frustrated right now by the foul trouble, his lack of playing well, and is letting it get to him and causing him to play worse.

Yao understands what is going on out there, and he needs to simply ignore the naysayers and just play ball. He is playing far too tenative, and it is effecting his every move on the court.

Watch his facial expression when he misses a shot, or gets a cheap foul, he is exasperated. Yao needs to shrug it off and just play hard...if he fouls out....so what....play hard and aggressive and it will all work out.

DD

 

DD, you make a good point. In fact late in the game if Yao only has 3 fouls or something like that he tends to play even better because he knows he has some fouls to spare. I agree with DD here, Yao DOES care a lot. And he is just too tense. He just needs to go out there and play and not think too much. Just play, dont think. Maybe he needs to wear a garter belt. Just remember the rose goes on the front!

 

I have never supported or advocated the use of steroids or other performance enhacing drugs but Yao could use some now. In terms of stamina I think he is the absolute worst in the league now.

Free Yao and pass him the steroids. Yao biggest bane remains his stamina. I am starting to think that it will never improve throughout the course of his career. I really feel bad for tmac now.



Yao could also use a Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal combo sucker punch on another player to enhance his image as well.

 

That sounds like it is a coaching problem, though. Too much negativity?

It appears that Yao reacts negatively to negative reinforcement, which seems to be JVG's coaching style.

Remember when Mr. Mean took over for Rudy and kept screaming at Yao, and Yao's production dropped significantly?

 

Everyone keeps saying this but how do they explain his improvement from his rookie year under 'nice' rudy to 'mean' JVG in his second year?
It's like, since we are losing everyone is trying to blame something or anything they can think of.
BTW, Yao's old Chinese coach was suppose to be really harsh when he was with the 'other' Rockets was he not? I don't think people give Yao enough credit for handling criticism. He's done it his WHOLE LIFE, how is this any different? Yao's in a slump, he'll pick up like he always does. Calm down people. Sheesh.

 

SJC,

You will not get me spending one single syllable defending JVG, the man is a cancer and I will never believe his way works.

Nothing wrong with pointing out problems, but you have to temper it with praise as well.

JV Grumpy is a BIG part of the problem.

DD

 

I think there IS something to this. Everyone reacts differently. Some players like to have a FIRM hand on them. They like the disciplinarian approach. Some players though prefer positive reinforcement.

As a manager, you have to identify how to motivate each player. Eveyrone is different. It is your job to push the right buttons. What works for one guy is not necessarily going to work for another.

I have a feeling that JVG does HIS approach with everyone. And it is clear that it doesnt work as well with Yao.

With that said. Yao needs to try to rise above it. It is not ALL on the coach. Yao has to SELF motivate himself. It is the players that can SELF motivate that drive them to greatness.