Post Game Quotes 04.13.05

http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Post_Game_Quotes_041305-138734-822.html

ROCKETS HEAD COACH JEFF VAN GUNDY
(on the execution at the end of game) "I thought the execution of both teams over the last 4 or 5 minutes was at a very high level, and I thought both teams acquitted themselves very well in a very hard fought game."

(on the pick and roll play between Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming) "Tracy
(McGrady) is a very gifted playmaker. He sees the floor incredibly well and made a really fine play."

(on making the extra pass when the team's winning) "The play (when the team
was) up 3 (pts), Tracy (McGrady) comes off another pick and roll, and they
(Grizzlies) did a great job trapping it and he trusted Mike James in the corner. Mike (James) had made 3 before that, but he had been struggling shooting the ball until that time (during) this game, and to trust you teammate and to put it (the pass) on time and on target, again says a lot about (Tracy) McGrady. That's how you have to play. You can't dictate who's going to get the shot...defense dictates who get the shot."

(on trust between players) "I can trust, but I couldn't make that play (the pick and roll between Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming), and that's where Tracy's
(McGrady) greatness lies. There are a lot of guys who can score and there are a lot of guys who can pass. There are very few who can do both and who are willing to do both."

TRACY McGRADY

(on the Rockets's giving up the lead in the 4th quarter) "That's how it's been for us when we get a comfortable lead. I think that one thing I'm most impressed about is that in the 4th quarter we did a great job of executing on offense. We had patience, everybody got into their spots, we did a great job of getting the ball inside. We found open guys on the pick and roll and we made the right plays down the stretch. With that being said, we shouldn't have been in that situation."

(on the Rockets's preparation for their remaining regular-season games) "You have to be in the right frame of mind if you want to win. We're just trying to gain confidence and get into a great rhythm. The most important thing is to take care of our home; we have 3 more games at home and we haven't been playing as well at home. We've gained some confidence on our home court and we just have to build up our momentum."

(on his ability to get his teammates involved tonight) "That's what I do.
When teams run a double-team on me, my job is to go out there and make the right plays. They tried to blitz me on pick and rolls, but I was able to get around the big guys and I was fortunate enough to find my guys in the right spots and they were knocking down shots. When it's rolling like that, I don't have to score that many points."

MIKE JAMES

(on the importance of the win tonight) "We are trying to play good basketball right now. We are trying to use the last few games to get prepared for the playoffs. We're not trying to wait until the playoffs start to start playing good basketball. So, right now, we're focusing on what we want to do when the playoffs come by playing hard now."

(on the Rockets being a tough team to beat when they're making their outside
shots) "Guys are starting to get more confidence now and guys are stepping up. It's just time to play basketball. Now is the time to get focused and prepared."

(on his 3-point shot late in the game to seal the victory) "I was prepared for the shot. I always know it's a 50-50 chance with everything. There's a 50% chance I hit or miss. I was prepared when the ball came to me, I already had my feet set, I knew that as soon as the ball comes, I'm not thinking, I'm letting it go."

JON BARRY

(on the Rockets's preparation for the playoffs) "We have a lot to prove to ourselves, especially here at home. I think it's worked out great that we've had such a tough schedule on the road and we have 4 games at home against quality opponents. We want to establish our home court. We need to win at home and we have to be a better team at home. Tonight was a pretty good step."

GRIZZLIES HEAD COACH MIKE FRATELLO

(on the game) "Houston was really sharp early and they executed on the offensive end and defended very well. We tried to hang in there in the first half but it just wasn't working. They (Rockets) were cohesive and on the top of their game."

(on Mike Miller's play) "Mike Miller obviously had a fantastic game. I'd call it great rather than just a nice game."

(on the key to the game) "Houston made huge 3-point shots at the end of the shot clock and that was the key. Yao (Ming) was very, very good and Tracy
(McGrady) was very unselfish with his game and Mike James had a big game off the bench."

(on his team's play) "We can't keep having turnovers and breakdowns on the defensive end. We can't just smack people when they go by and get in foul trouble as early as we did."

(on the Rockets) "Houston has done a terrific job. They have been hit with a lot of obstacles like Juwan's (Howard) injury and the whole team should be commended for the job they have done all year."

PAU GASOL

(on Mike Miller's play) "He brought us back and made a lot of key shots and played a very good game."

(on his team's positioning in the playoffs) "We still need to get another win and get the pressure off our shoulders. The schedule didn't favor us and we are trying to fight through it and get ready for the playoffs. We are a deep team with a lot of talented players."

(on the Rockets play) "They are playing well and with a lot of confidence.
They are a very balanced team with guys that can make threes, a post-up player in Yao Ming and T-Mac (Tracy McGrady) runs their team and sets everyone up."

LORENZEN WRIGHT

(on defending Yao Ming) "It was a lot tougher tonight.This is the most he has scored against us this year. I think 12 points was his previous high against us this year. The difference was he got more touches and he played longer."

(on the Rockets) "They have a very good team with a lot of good guys and veteran players. They are playing really good basketball."

MIKE MILLER

(on his play in the game) "It doesn't mean nothing because we still need to get one win and we didn't get it tonight. The bottom line was we needed to make a run. My teammates did a good job of getting me the ball and I tried to make something happen."

SHANE BATTIER

(on defending McGrady) "It takes a young man to chase all over the court after him. And know, I am not young."

(on Mike Miller) "We let Mike carry us and he single-handedly took over the game in the third quarter. Mike has been one of the stabilizing factors for us all year. When a guy is that hot you screen for him and get him the ball and he made us look good tonight. Mike has had a fabulous year."

(on the Rockets) "Houston did a nice job executing their offense. Yao Ming did a nice job and so did Tracy (McGrady). They got the job done in the last five minutes and that was the difference. Mike (James) has played well for them and has been the third top scorer the last couple of months. He hurt us in the first half and made a big three in the fourth quarter."