You didn't see the game? Artest was a beast. He just took over the game in the 4th. Got to give the guy props... the Rocks have a good defense, but he was just killing us. As someone said, it was like 1 against 5 and he was kicking our butts.
RICK ADDLEMINDED IS AN IDIOT! This guy doesn't have a clue what he's doing anymore! Ultimate props to Novak for pulling the team's fat outta the fire, in the wake of RA's ineptitude.
This can never be execuse for his poor efficiency. He earns 20million from 70(or less) games. What's your logic?
you can't blame our 4th Q meltdown all on rick... tracy had some terrible turnovers that lead to fast break. rafer had easy shots, that he had made in the past 3 Qs, but didn't make yao's defense against miki moore and bibby, pick and roll was terrible, even when miki moore can't shoot. our point guards, (brooks included) did terrible defense on bibby, so once passed, yao had to guard them, and brad miller or miki moore was open. tracy had ill-advised shots novak had some terrible defense, which once led to brad miller making a 3...
Whatever else, you have to love how after Novak's three-pointer, Battier immediately rushes downcourt and gets into a defensive stance. It's like instinct for this guy.
Thank you man~ You speak out what has long been in my head, though I know you are crazy about T-mac's basketball (I were the same as you )
if he still quit for 20 or more games,and still play 70games,that is mean we will enter the NBA final.
I'll freely admit I havent read any reports. And I did mention he could have gave support out the camera's view. Just went off what I saw. It could have been Rafer and I would have said the same thing. It can go bad either way - make a judgment off what you see while watching the games, someone says well "reports say that __" or they bring up stats against your judgment. When you base judgment off writeup and stats, someone says "have you even WATCHED the games?" If thats the case of McGrady doing that, then super and I stand corrected
You're last assessment is right. If you look closely Battier wasn't celebrating either. In Hilltopper's post game video, Shane says that after Novak hit that shot he knew not to celebrate too early b/c there were two seconds left on the clock. Battier said he and Tmac looked at each other after the shot knowing there was still business to take care of. They were already thinking of how to play defense on Sacramento in the next possession.
Battier actually said in the Chronicle article that at Duke they taught the players not to celebrate before time runs out since it's just a waste of energy.
Hey guys since I can't make a thread about it Clutch City marathon is on ESPN Classic right now! Finals game 4 against magic
Just watched the last quarter and boy what a game, it showed some really great things but also some major concerns. Good things: - Start out aggresively - FAST BREAK !! This was something in my opinion that was missing and we should it more often. McGrady or Rafer need to take charge and run that fast break like the old Rockets in the 90s used to do - Defense in the first three quarters, even McGrady was staying with his man, hand in his face at times and going for the ball. - Rafer Alston with some great baskets - STEVIE NOVAK aka the new CLUTCH man ala Maxwell aka our new Bullard - McGrady's play at the end - Yao Ming & Battier played solid games and what a block by Battier in the 4th Concerns: - McGrady not willing to come through in the clutch ? I can't blame him because he wasn't hot that night but he didn't want to take a shot at all. When he drove to the basket Drexler & Worrell both said why doesn't he shoot it. He could've easily banked it home off the glass but was more concerned with passing. Everytime he got the ball in the 4th he wanted to pass it which is very rare for a guy like T-mac - No penetration at the end - Reluctant to shoot, not just T-mac - Settling down when they have a big lead, one of the worst 4th quarter collapses ever Now i want to also give the Kings major credit for their defense in the 4th, it was like the old Rockets or Hornets with their swarming defence. Artest was all over T-mac with his hands and don't even start on Yao, they really outhustled us in the 4th but we had fate on our side to win this. I hope T-mac hasn't lost his confidence and the team will come out stronger than ever. Let's go for 10 in a row or even more !!
