I keep hearing that Shaq puts a lot of effort into improving his FT shooting. LA players have said that Shaq works hard at improving his FTs and that it is not uncommon to see him hit 20 in a row during practice. The problem is during game time. His mind just cripples on him. Nick Van Excel said that Shaq gets a bad rap for not practicing when in fact he does. Nick the Quick and EJ say the problem is psychological. Also, Phil Jackson is supposed to be working with Shaq so that he doesn't lock up at the line because the big guy really does have a nice touch on his shot and it makes no sense that he performs so poorly. After one game this season Jackson refused to comment on Shaq's FT woes because the whole situation is embarrassing to him despite the self-deprecating humor Shaq spews in public.
Wow, a $20,000 fine! That's more than Shaq got for hitting Barkley! Gotta say on the replay, lol, I felt kinda sorry for that old ref - Chuck was chewing him out and he looked like he was sort of a broken man. BUT I'M WITH CHUCK ON THIS ONE - A DEFINITE NO CALL. Wasn't much of a foul; otherwise, they should have called the foul on Mobley going for the winning shot at the end of the game. He was fouled too. We would have won then too had they made the call. Screwed twice! I think it's unfair to say Barkley would be complaining if one of the younger players had gotten this foul on Longley instead of him. Blinebury isn't always right - unless he's talking about Pippen, lol. Actually, all Barkley has said about the new generation concerns the beepers, t.v. and showing up late for the plane. He has not to my knowledge downed anyone for their play on the court. All he has said about our team was early in the season that we were kind of bad and made a lot of mistakes. Rudy also said we kept making the same mistakes over and over. I think Chuck included himself in that analysis. That is not blaming anyone. Also, I don't think the Rockets are viewed as a top-tier team. We know they are a lot better than their record. Other teams probably just think all they have to do is play hard in the 4th quarter. Sadly. But I have hope because we played great against Phoenix. Freaking free throws killed us.
Phoenix didn't win, we lost. Missed free throws. And Charles, I'm sad to say, got suckered into the stupid foul by Luc Longley, for crin' out loud ! WIth 3 seconds left, and leading by one, hit the shot or scramble for the ball, but don't stick your arm out into the lane fool...
CB is right, that SOB definitely screwed the Rockets. That ref Mathis was fired becuase of his ethics and now he is back in the league. What a sucker.
Barkley is selfish. He got the foul because he was trying to get 1 more rebound because he wants to win the rebounding title. Then, he is so pissed off at his dumb play that he blames the ref for the game. What a joke. This is Barkley-ball at its finest!
