ClutchFans Game Thread: Panathinaikos @ Rockets 10/11/2007 (PRESEASON)

bench

 

Did you catch ads that KFC in China cares about health, encouraging people to eat healthy food. Wahahaha. Pigs can have two faces.

 

the thing I'm noticing ... Rafer is better now that his job is at stake

Anyone else notice that?

Or maybe he's just being utilized a lot better since he's best on the break. He's making some awesome passes out there.

 

Scola was very impressive. I think he's a perfect fit.

 

wow...So who looks bad so far?

Nobody

Sub par, however:

Lucas, Snyder, Reed.

Who has shown nothing?

Landry and Butler

I'm loving it. Lucas brings in alot of energy. I'd be hesitant to cut him, even though we probably won't see him in the regular season. Francis really got into the offense the second half. I think he has his rhythm back but its too early to tell.This is gonna be tough figuring out all the minutes, since Rafer's still the best guard out there, but I don't think the cuts will be as hard as many of us think. We can cut or trade those 5 players and I would be fine with it.

 

Scola was 8-10!

Were most of his FGs just easy point blank shots? Or were they from jumpers and post-up moves?

 

Well, Rafer only is shooting the ball, what, 5-6 times a game. If he keeps doing that then only his strengths are going to be emphasized--and when he does start to suck it up his shooting won't kill us like last year.

We absolutely have to keep Harris.

 

It was a good mix of everything.

 

Scola shot nearly 70% from the field in Europe (He was 10th on the leader board for FG %, so clearly this stat is skewed), even so, he is a very efficient scorer.

 

Did you see that sequence where he faked out like 3 players for the layup?

 

illegal d or defensive 3, over in europe zone implemented which causes those techs

 

next thursday = real preseason game..

 

I guess Vspan can be T-Mac all he can be in Greece.
I do not miss him at all at this point although I liked the guy. And it seemed Rox players said a lot good words and blessing about him balling at hometown.

 

for future reference will this webstream always be playing rox games for the season? or was it only showing because they were playing panathinaikos?

 

If JVG's watching, I am sure he is like damn pissed. When Tmac and Yao went down both one time, our offense featured Bonzi and we almost beat Boston. Remember Rybo used to be our PF, and we were all pumped.

Well, on the other hand, JVG is poor at managing personalities. So with so many talents and so little PT to go around, the team would probably implode under his reign.

 

Keep:
Yao,T-mac,Bonzi,Scola,Head,Alston,Francis,James,Battier,Hayes,Harris,Brooks, Mutumbo

Cut/do whatever to:
Landry, Reed, Butler, Snyder, Lucas, Novak

Although, perhaps Butler should take the place of Brooks..balance out the forwards/centers - guards

 

Variety. Top of the key jumper. Baseline 7 footer. Dunk off a put back. Fast break layup. Blah blah blah. He was as impressive as he could have been. Scola reminds me of a smaller version of Oberto but has tons more game on offense. If defenses don't respect Scola, he will kill them! He looked a lot more comfortable out there compared to Tuesday. Unless he hits a wall in the preseason, it's safe to pencil him in as that starting PF. If you ask me, the only question remaining about the starting lineup is PG: MJ or Rafer.

MJ or Rafer! I can't believe I put Rafer as a possible starter. I definitely give the edge to MJ.

 

What a game from Scolazo, I really think he's going to be something.

Yall hear clyde call him a perennial all-star?

 

I didnt think francis was that bad.i thought he was just starting get the hang of the motion offense at the tail end of the game. i think he'll be fine.i still see him being a very good combo guard off the bench.

Positives

Alston. i've been saying it from day 1. rafer is at he's best when he is running the floor and looking to creat. thats why he'll thrive under adelman. i'm glad as hell we didnt trade him for nothing.

Scola just keeps getting better. 8 rebounds was a big positive. i see him as a great role player who can even be a borderline star.

Mike James. he was relentless. attacking the rim. creating. just great. this guy still has great game. if anything he looks more mature and plays under more control then he's last stint here. getting this guy for howard is a bargin of the highest magnatiude.


However we gotta take into account how inferior our opponents were. even a nbdl team would beat them. the real test will come against dallas on the 18th.

 

My comments for the night:

First, Scola was fantastic. I'm going to buy a friggin' Scola jersey tomorrow. Are they out yet? I just love how he plays. He's everything we needed; he plays tough, he plays intense, he plays smart. He's even good at that jumper and finishing around the basket. His defense was considerably better than I expected too. I love how he takes those charges. I tend to agree with Bill and Clyde; it's going to be hell getting to our basket with Scola and Battier taking charges and Big Yao waiting to swat you if you manage to get beyond them.

On a related note, I love how we have four guys who are all out hustle guys in Battier, Scola, Hayes and Harris. I hope Harris makes the team. These guys are a gigantic step up from the days of hustle guys like Flyin' Ryan Bowen. These guys are legitimate NBA players who play every bit as hard as Bowen did. I love it.

As for the point guard situation, when you look at the combined stats of Alston, James and Francis tonight.... I'm thinking keep them all. It looks good.

Lastly, I want to say that game was rough for Panithinaikos. Those poor guys were playing a team that was bigger, stronger AND quicker. If that isn't bad enough, the poor guys had to play with the NBA rules they're relatively unfamiliar with. It's no surprise that we got to the line so much, nor is it any surprise their coach had to be escorted off the floor. I really felt for those guys. They played hard and it really shouldn't have been anywhere near as bad of a loss. I think the Rockets would still probably beat them in Greece playing by their rules, but not by more than 10 or 15 anyway.

Oh, and poor Batiste! 6'7 and having to guard Yao! Ouch!