ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 10/30/2007

Battier's got big ones...

 

Walton's hook was money. Definitely the play of the game.

 

My record of never seeing Rafer make his patented "tear drop" is two years running and intact.

Frankly, this may seem crazy, but Mike James was the difference. TMac and Yao had All Star games, but the bench was key. If I were Steve, I would work out extra hard because he won't be on the bench for too much longer. Aldeman just needs to get a good dose of Rafer. Yes, he made a clutch three, but it should be clear after two years, a deep playoff run is not in his future.

 

Pretty good game. They're still learning the system, so I'm not too concerned. I'm actually quite happy with the outcome. T-Mac started slow, but then again, didn't everyone else? He still finished shooting 50% from the field and 80% from the line, he showed he trusted his teammates, and was rewarded by Battier's Big Shot (capitalized for effect). Yao was his usual amazing self, but showed that he needs more time to adjust to life in the perimeter. Patience is going to be a virtue that many of the fans are going to need to possess in the first month or two of the season.

 

MORE game photos........

 

Tmac got double teamed in 4th quarter, But Yao didn't get enough touches in low post until very late. One touch in low post for Yao in 3rd quarter. Only 2 FTs for Yao in 2nd half despite refs blew whistles all the time really showed that.

Even when Rockets was down two with 24 seconds to play, the ball went to Alston intead of Yao, resulting a TO.

 

I too have never seen Rafer make a tear drop. Has anyone?

 

The game:
-T-Mac and Yao were great; did everything the team needed them to do (including playing heavy minutes and making freethrows)
-Role players played well - James, Battier, Bonzi, Hayes
-Feel bad for Adelman, who has to play Rafer and his 1-6 shooting knowing no one else will able to handle the ball or be willing to pass it (Yes, I'm taking a shot at James and his 2 assist and 3 turnovers)
-All in all, it was the first game and the we can only get better as time goes on: enjoy th evictory.

GARM:
-Funny how all the Rafer haters are in one thread bashing Rafer, and the Francis lovers are defending Francis in another thread.

Finally:
-Thanks Luke Walton for our 1st road victory on opening day since the 80's!

 

hey pryuen, great pictures but there are other players on the team...

i'm a little concerned about the mini-collapse at the end, lack of poise and composure - hopefully adelman will take care of that

otherwise a good solid start to the season, the team looked good, despite t-macs slow start he looked pretty smooth and scoring is going to be really easy for him, i'm a fan of using yao at the elbow, but with the exception of a couple of slick passes he seemed a little lost there - adelman should camp him under the basket more while he gets used to playing at the high post

how great was it see the rockets with a decent bench? mike james and bonzi will be awesome this season, especially bonzi

i saw stevie lying on the floor the entire game, i really want him to become a part of this team and his talent should catch up and put him in the rotation - i just hope his attitude doesn't prevent that

 

Yeah, I'm a bit concerned about Yao getting his touches in the post, many times he would try to fight for position only to see the ball reversed, and I saw at least once where Yao was calling for the ball and was ignored.

McGrady didn't get shots in the 4th, but by the end they were trapping as hard as they could to try to force turnovers (and unfortunately McGrady did indeed turn the ball over like that once).

 

Im not upset about the win...Its just the way we won that really pissed me off...especially with the talent on our team there was no way this shouldve happend but it did...just like the last time we played the lakers, Kobe got hot and started giving it to us and we barley escaped...ugh typical rockets...i guess some things dont change

 

kobe is a lil girl...... so many whistles blowing and when they arent hes like "WTFFFF!!!!!!!"... bonzi needs more PT.... and mike james is definitely not a pass first pg i mean he runs down the court on a fast break and then takes a three (missed) cause theres no place to drive to the basket?? nonetheless good performance from him.... had a nice reverse in the first half.

 

Rafer = player of the game















For the Lakers.

 

My apologies Pryuen, I just saw T-Mac's pictures go up. Great work.

 

Of cource he would had the chance if he did not turn the ball over or trip himself.

He did not had his legs all game long. He looked so tired.

 

ya i've seen some. but i'd say his fg % on tear drops is about 20 ...
he made one big one against the spurs once. bill worrell called it something different though because it was extra high and it splashed the extra nice. it was a regular season game against the spurs w/o yao but w/bonzi and we won.

 

This should be a poll tomorrow; I don't think he has ever made one. Maybe someone has actually seen him do it. An interesting piece of trivia.

 

Man...I started seeing flashes of the Tmac "13 in 35" game against the Spurs. Everyone filing out, losing team getting layups and free throws, and the dread BONEHEAD turnover at the end with the shot clock on your side.

All Rafer had to do was hold on to the ball...no need for dribbling, no need for a pass. Take the foul and hit your free throws. Devin Brown was the Spur who spun and lost control of the ball into Tmac's hands with under 15 seconds left. We all know what happened after that.

Rafer is good at getting Yao good shots. But he cracked at the end. If this trend continues, put James in at the end of games.

Francis needs to grow already. Welcome back parties are great. Now support your teammates...you are not Franchise. You are Steve Francis. If he wants PT, he needs to cut down on TO's and pass more.

The Rockets need to cut down on turnovers overall. The Rockets won by a bucket. The Rockets had a lucky bucket earlier in the game that went in off Luke Walton.

If you look past the turnovers that could have been easily prevented, the Rockets played a solid game overall. It just seems like Adelman hasn't figured out his rotation yet. I could be wrong though...he might have been playing matchups.

Most important thing is the Rockets got the win. Bring on Utah!

 

go put on some glasses. he turned the ball over once at the end when walton stripped him. where the hell was the ball for the first 10 mins?

 

I've seen him make a couple -- but I watched about 80 Rox games last year.