True. But there is also the risk of Webber missing one of his FTs as well. Let's say he misses one, they would need to foul us immediately, in which we would need only 1 FT to seal the game. Not like it matters and I agree the defense wasn't good, but the key to fouling them is not giving them the chance to tie the game.
by fouling instead of just straight up defense, to me, shows me that they don't have enough confidence in their D. i think it was a good move by van gundy to let them play straight D instead of fouling. good learning experience for the rockets. don't worry folks, they will pull through come playoff time.
What really irks me is how it seemed as if when Barrett was in there, he could actually hang with Bibby due to his quickness. We simply had no answer for Bibby tonight and that is why we lost---so I question why not play a guy more suited to guarding the type of player Bibby is? Sura, Wesley, Strickland were all getting smoked---Barrett could hang, why not give him the opportunity to prove it?
I love how the announcers made it a point numerous times to note how T-Mac backed off a bit on Webber on the shot attempt. They make it sound like it would have been a better idea to be all up in his grill and risk fouling him during the shot attempt then to try to make a player that is notorious for NOT being clutch make a big shot.
It can now be revealed. The Rockets front line subscribes to: Tough loss, but I like that they fought back and I love Padgett's contributions. Can't win 'em all. I will take Webber jacking up a three every time. I would like Yao to assert himself when he is not the focus of the offense, but I want world peace, too.
Tough loss. Aside from the fact of whether to foul or not at the end of the game, I didn't think it was bad defense. Who's the one guy who was out there for the Kings you would want taking a three to tie the game if your the opponent? Chris Webber. Give him alot of credit as he hit it with TMac's hand in his face. Would I have put them on the line before a shot was even attempted. Yes. But, I'm no NBA coach and this is not something that gets used alot in the league anyway. But, IMO, if your up by three with just seconds on the clock, I make their worst three-point shooter on the floor beat me. Tonight, he was able to do just that.
Lots of small things could have made a difference in this game but at least the team fought back when they were getting beat. Sura's air-ball layup was ugly
If they would have passed to YAO more than once in OT and the end of the game there may have been a different outcome. How many stupid 3's were jacked up and YAO gets one pass and turns it into a 3-point play.
All things considered, after a night's rest, it was a very entertaining game, almost like the playoffs. Still disappointing, because the Rockets were right there to win it and didn't. Unfortunately, Ming has taken Francis' place as the team's most frustrating player, but for vastly different reasons. Francis' decision-making could cause you to chew steel; Ming's apparent lack of desire and hustle has a similar effect. He may care deeply, he may feel a fire within, but he looks on the court like he going through the motions. What is clear, during "crunch" time his teammates have minimal confidence in him. His shot was off after he made the first two, but slapping at potential rebounds, not catching passes, or not holding on to balls just looks so weak. Ming can thrill you occasionally, but he mostly disappoints, and considering his size and abilities, that is just sad.
The plays that killed besides not fouling Webber: the phantom jump-ball called when Barry was the only one who had control of the ball, the missed oppurtunity when we had the 3 on 2 break at the end of the game and the players made one too many passes
Yao should at least account for 50% of the loss. I hate he played like a pupil rather than a man. How about playing like you want the ball and care about the win? Tmac missed ton of shots but still played like a true star while Yao would simply disappear. This guy is very frustrating more often than not.
It's JVG's system not Yao Ming himself that is transforming him into a role player. If ROX wants to become a legitimate contender, they need a coach who knows how to use correctly both Ming and Tracy.
Your arguments just conflict each other. How come it's YaoMing's fault when his teammates don't pass him the damn ball!!!!
I was at the game last night and I don't know what the reason was, but the crowd was into it more than any game I've been to in about 5-6 years.
How could you not disappear when your teammates can't or won't pass you the ball when you appear to be struggling. On the other hand, T-mac will get the ball even if he keeps on bricking it. T-mac can always or be allowed to shoot himself out of a slump, unfortunately Yao can't.
Maybe the difference between TMac and Yao is that TMac has established his super star status with his past record while Yao has yet to earn the respect of his teammates.
hangxy, it's Yao's fault for not wanting the ball more. Can you honestly say that Sura would not pass Yao the ball if Yao was vocal about it? It doesn't matter whether or not Yao's having a good shooting night, as long as he asks for the rock, he'll receive. Unfortunately, all too often, we see Yao get off to a slow start and then be content to be a meek roleplayer for the rest of the game. That's not the kind of mentality an allstar should have. Yao needs to be a self-motivator to survive in this league but he isn't one. It's only a matter of time before fans dump him and all his endorsements cuz the bottom line resides on the court.
