ClutchFans Game Thread: Sonics @ Rockets 2/22/2005

One of the few times I remember T-Mac coming up small. I wonder if his back isn't bothering him more than he lets on, he has been really inconsistent since about 5 games before the ASG.

Rox played great D but they can't expend that kind of energy every night. We really missed Sura's rebounds and I would say that was the difference maker this game. CD needs to find someone quick to fill Sura's shoes. I think the season hinges on finding an adequate replacement for Sura if he is out for the rest of the season. We will know by Thursday.

 

If I were Yao, I would REFUSE to get interviews after the game.

On the other hand, I feel lucky that this were not a playoff game.

Just imagine in game 6 in the playoff against the Sonics. We were leading 3:2 and got them at home for game 6. And we lost the game on a string of BS calls at the end of the game. That would absolutely suck.

BTW, I feel confident taking these Sonics in the playoffs. They have no answer to Yao. If healthy, Sura should help getting some of those long rebounds. And TMac should find a way dealing with those athletic forwards (ala Rashard) that he will face in the playoffs.

 

The Sonics didn't miss Fortson as much as we missed Sura.
Bobby would have provided the toughness that we needed.
We are looking vulnerable without him. T-Mac needs to take the ball hard to the rack and to finish or get to the free throw line.
Yao did well and played with aggression which was encouraging for us.

 

unfornately, I bet you 'll see a new but similar version of tonight game in playoff.
I just feel sb needs do sth to complain to NBA!!!

 

That was a horrible job by the refs. The calls on Wesley and Yao at the end of the game were ridiculous. I cant believe they called those fouls on OUR home court.

We really need a PG in here fast if Sura is out for an extended period of time. Not only did we miss Sura's offense but also his passing, defense, and maybe most importantly his rebounding.

I dont usually give to many props to opposing players but I have to give some to R. Lewis. Played great defense on T-Mac down the stretch and really took T-Mac in the post.

 

BTW, what has happened to Padgett's shot?

Missed a layup.

Airballed 2 3s. Missed another jumper that was not even close.

 

maybe he is a little rusty. He better get that shot back because if he's not hitting his 3s then he can really be a liability out there on defense.

 

the officiating wasnt just bad. that would mean that we would get the benifit of several questionable calls as well. We got absolutely nothing all game. Every questionable out of bounds went to them. Every BS call. Really, if we made a list of close calls and seperated them into calls that helped us and calls that helped them, the contrast would be amazing.

The inconsistencies were the most harmful thing:

Evans hooks Howard, no call. Yao hooks James (didnt touch him too much), and its, "get your tall Asian ass off my court."

They call tons of touch fouls in the first minute. Then they call nothing for 2 quarters.

Tmac tries to jam one, and radman sticks his hand through the frikkin hoop to block it, no call. Deke stuffs Radman and gets called for a foul. Prolly the best block i've seen from him in a while.

Sonics bigs push and shove all night long, helping them crush us on the offensive boards. Deke slightly pushes Collison on a rebound, and they're shooting FT's.

Bowen gets annihilated on the Mutombo free throw, yet Wesley gets called while hustling for the ball.

Crawford was calling fouls on plays that he clearly couldn't even see. Padgett and Lewis are facing the other way, yet Crawford can magically see through them and tell that there was a foul, while the 2 refs with the angle don't blow the whistle.

James barrels into Yao with reckless abandon on an uglyass post move, and they call Yao for a foul. Yao gets hammered early on while shooting a layup and they don't even give him freethrows.

Where's the love, or even the smallest semblance of respect?

We definately choked, committing a crucial turnover (or was it a foul? they never showed the replay). Deke choked on the FT, and then Barry choked on the 3. But the Sonics wouldn't have been close if it werent for the one sided officiating. I could prolly go on, but what's the point.

 

Everybidy hates rockets and yao the media, the refs, everybody!!!

 

You actually think Yao can play 48min?! That's pretty funny.

 

I remember there is a guy's sig is B.Lee's words, ask ppl to be sharpless like water. That's what JVG need. I respect the guy all the time but hate the stone head of him. Is there any rule says yao ming must be benched at the beginning of 2q. is there any rulle says there must be a player named PG on court?

recall this game, we have about 10pts lead at beginning of 2q. Yao ming is red hot, his teammate are willling to pass him the ball and most import 1 foul only. sonic have no time to alter their plan to defense yao ming. So let yao play for 5 mins more. gain some margain, get sonic players on foul trouble. bench him the remain 2q and 70% of 3q is Ok for me. Instead the smart choice, JVG choose the hard and regular one. bench all starter except TMac to kill time. results are,Tmac run out of gas in last a few mins. 10 pts game become 1 pt until yao were back. bench score 22/5 . Our bench players are good in shoot. but If there is no offsense threat insider, how can u expect these guys can get wide open shoot?

Tmac played a PG's role at 3q. but strickland still on court. mind JVG, strickland is a no factor on both ends. as CCTV commento said:"it is like rox play 4 payers against 5. they leave a PG who do not handle ball there."

 

Tony Parker vs Strickland/Barrett. That may be the most lopsided matchup tommorrow night. There's no way Ward can be worse than Rod Strickland. Activate the dude and put Weatherspoon on the IR, or at least try to see if Gaines is a decent rebounding point guard who can help on the perimeter rebounding.

 

I watched one of the Chinese national team's game in the Olympics, and I think the point guard play tonight reminded me of the the PGs on that team.

 

Crawford == The man kissing LAKERS' ass every minute !

 

Liamrock, one word for you: STFU!

 

I really wounder can we find someone better than rod? I think anyone play in cba should better than him. AB at least is fast and can hit sometimes.

 

EU is selling arms to China. G.W. may have put out a call to the referees telling them to strongarm Yao. Make China's #1 sports athlete look bad. The officiating on Yao has become a sign of the deteriorating relationship between the US and China.

Germany isn't exactly cooperating in this manner too. Dirk Nowitzki may get hammered tommorrow night without any favorable calls.

 

whenever Crawford on the court, Yao will be in trouble, with his rockets too

 

No way after tonight JVG starts Strickland, best squad on the floor tonight was Wesley/Barry at G. The Rox need to field the best possible team for all 48 minutes tomorrow, that will be a tough game.

 

Rod 7/40. Who signed him? for what?