Who lost the game? Every single player who missed a free throw. If one of the misses goes in, then this is a win. Oh, and Allen Iverson cost us the game. I wonder if anyone would be blaming Moochie and Rudy if he makes that last shot - which he almost did
MOOCHIE & RUDY & the REFS!!!! Rudy, "ok, we're gonna run that special dribble play we've been practicing all season. Whos up for it? Moochie? ok, lets do it! 1-2-3-BREAK!" p.s. Again we become the refs' bieeyatch!
I haven't said much since the season started.( mind u) I thinking I have had a nightmare dream of this yr. Rocket season. Hoping that I might wake up from this, but that was the biggest Bone Head play I have seen this season. Lord what did I do to get this????????? Maybe Roxs have a strong finish to make the playoffs!!!!!!!!!
I say it was all Moochie. Rudy T's called plays right out of a timeout usually don't lead to points but they are never that bad. I can just hear Rudy in the huddle saying: "Mooch, just hold the ball untill you hear the buzzer then heave it to the rim so it looks like an attempt". I'm thinking now that its more Moochie's fault that every time he has the ball we waste almost all the clock and end up turning the ball over. My friend noticed yesterday that whenever Moochie gets the ball, his teamates start walking instead of running up the floor. That has become Moochie's style. He doesn't even attempt to fast break. That was the one thing I liked about Tierre Brown. When he was on the floor, the team ran at every opportunity. Now I know he is a bit raw (with turnovers, shooting too much) but is Mooch that much better right now than Brown? Tierre should take Moochie's spot in the rotation till Moochie decides to run all the time.
Well I know Rudy doesn't say that. However, it is Rudy's job to make sure it doesnt happen over and over again. Doesnt he have the authority to bench players if they are playing stupid?!?!?!! I say it is Rudy's fault for actually calling a play for Moochie and then Moochie shares the blame for the stupid play.
Well of course the thread wouldnt exist and we would be cheering for Mooch like when he hit the last second shot over the Knicks...the thing is, that last second shot was a wide open look created by a well executed play and a nice assist by Francis, while this one was a total waste of 24 seconds with no "play" just an ISO, a bad shot, and a prayer that went unanswered. I have to agree with Teelo though...I noticed last night (again) that the Rockets REFUSE to push the ball. Since when did we become a half court team? We NEVER get out on the break...in fact we NEVER run. I recall one particular play (where we got a turnover) where the whole team was walking or jogging up the court except for Francis and EG (who was running full speed) and the sixers. Francis was so shocked that someone was breaking he passed through all of Phillys defenders to try to reach the streaking EG (who was open) of course since the rest of our team wasnt even at half court...it was very easy for the three or four free defenders to steal the pass. Why dont we at least try to run...even if we have to stop short and set up the offense? At least maybe it would tire the other team a little more and possibly confuse them enough that they arent totally set up on defense and we can quickly create an opportunity. I am confused...I thought this would be a running team...even more so now that we have no old men playing AT ALL...but we are more half court than weve ever been. And it sucks!
Is it possible that the half court slow down mentality of the old days (with older players) is sewed into the fabric of this team so tight that even with younger quicker players we remain slow? Or is it the chemistry that has been delayed because of all the injuries? Or, dare I say it, is it Rudy? Don't know myself but if we are going to be a sorry team at least I would like to see some running and using of the young athletic players we have.
I hate to tell you guys this, but Moochie wouldn't have held the ball until the final seconds if there was a plan in place. I highly doubt Mooch just decided while on the floor that he would wave off the play and hold it himself for the final shot. Yes, he could've started making his move earlier, but I think Rudy and the Rockets as a whole are still a little shellshocked by what happened in the WCF in 97. Remember when we were tied with the Jazz, and had the ball with 22 seconds? Clyde made his move too early, missed, and you know the rest. Ever since then, I can't remember the Rockets shooting too early when having the ball in a tie game scenario with under 24 seconds. What's really sad is that a team with Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley gave it to Moochie Norris when the game was on the line. You can't blame Mooch for that... he's just doing what comes in from the sideline. He's a role player, and a damn good one, but there's no excuse for him to be the primary creator on that play when Steve and Cat are both on the floor. That's the fault of poor coaching, not the players.
