We played two top ranked teams in the league and did not go quietly. I still can't believe what we did to PHX with our top guns out. I'm very proud of the fight we put up (was Rafer on crack tonight when he put up 29?). Jeff Van Gundy has proven that his defensive strategy works and he most of the time seems to make the proper adjustments when needed. No changes have to be made to this team, we just need all of our weapons reloaded (Tracy/Yao/Bonzi). No doubt in anyone's mind we could have won both games. So to the rest of the NBA....I feel sorry for you when we are back at full strength.
Heart and pride are things you just can't teach at this level. You either have it or don't. There are plenty of talented teams that DON"T have it (Cleveland, Denver, Indiana), but we not only have it, but we're very talented as well. I think it speaks a lot to the coaching. We all may disagree with tactics of Van Gundy's style of play, but you can't argue that players play their butts off for him.
This is pretty much how I feel about the last couple of games. Yeah, it sucks to rack up a couple of losses, especially with the Lakers stealing one in San Antonio tonight, but that's how it goes. 16 of our next 21 are at home, and by my estimation there are only 2 of those 16 at home that we shouldn't be clearly favored to win (Dallas and Miami w/ Shaq). After that stretch we hit the road a little bit but Yao should be back by then, and in that case the road doesn't scare me one bit. I think we'll be alright.
Love the thread title, and agree 100%. My mate goes for Phoenix, so it was a little back and forth between us about this one, and although I predicted a win (never have, never will predict a loss for my team no matter what), I honestly wasn't expecting a win. Particularly with no T-mac to go with no Yao. However, if I would have taken a 9 point loss before tip off. After all the negativity that goes around after losses, it's great to read some positive vibes. I think this team, even without the Big-2, is starting to gain some mental toughness and testicular fortitude. This season I feel we have the talent, pride, intensity and passion to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. Bravo to the Rockets, to Rafer for his T-Mac impersonation, to JVG for refusing to give in and doing everything possible to win short of pulling on some Nikes and getting out there himself. Props to Chuckie for some tough offensive rebounds in the clutch and for Bonzi for giving some glimpses of what we can expect on a more consistent basis when he is fully fit again (yes, I'm confident that will hjappen whilst he is still wearing Rocket red). Tough game for JHo, JLIII - but they will get it together and we will bounce back against the Nuggets!! Bring It On!!!
I am so proud of our team. The Phoenix game was not carried on Fox SW in Beaumont- college- Baylor / Kansas St shown. I went to the Laker game In Hous.and watched the Dallas game on TV-this team has heart and played competitve with Dallas until the 4th-out of gas. A tough schedule with injuries has proven this team's fortitude-and guts. We will be awesome with Yao Ming back and Bonzi in game shape. Looking forward to late March run with a full head of steam for the playoffs. We will be that special teeam getting better and better in late mar and thru April for the playoff run!
twas a great game except the last q. as what jeff said in the press con, the passion was there but they lost their focus in the end..
I agree it was two games to be proud of.. It is starting to look like our guys are developing some real fight which will stand us in good steed in the playoffs. It was good to see Bonzi coming back. He looked glad to be back.
Considering our top two offensive players were out, we played very well. Hopefully when Yao and TMac are back, we can get back at them.
I was extremely proud of the effort put forth by our guys out there. To put themselves in a position to win with out their 2 big guns was a huge statement IMHO at least.
I've hated Alston's stupid shots for a long while but recently he was really good, and he deserved a lot of credit for last game. I wish he can find his pass more often. Bonzi showed he can play, too bad he coulcn't get more minutes. Howard, Deke and Battier were ok. But JL3, man, hes like a mini-Alston at Chicago, when he made his first two shots, he suddenly found that the ball was glued to him. Bill should get his minutes, this team needs a real PG, not a couple of points.
Just repeating everyone else, but I agree.. our roleplayers did an admirable job of staying with the Suns until the very end. They had a serious chance to steal this one and gave it their all. The key will be keeping up this kind of intensity once Yao and TMac are back.
I agree. Furthermore it isn't definitive proof of anything other than on those nights the other teams won. We got revenge for Utah's beating us, and now the next time we play PHX. we will need to take some revenge again. We are even in the season series with Dallas, and are definitely capable of beating them again as well.
They play hard, they play with heart, you have got to respect that. I am very proud of the team. I wish the management would make a move to give them some help. And of course, if everyone can get well....
This team is showing that with a solid backup point guard and Bonzi and Snyder returning to form that they can get by without Mac and Yao, at least for awhile. I'm not tripping, they'll be alright.
