Why in the world would E.G. be sitting through most of the fourth quarter, with the game on the line??!! Has Rudy lost his mind? Norris and Morris play most of the fourth!! Did I really see that? Is Eddie injured? Did he foul out? What about Eddie taking the open threes from the corner that Morris missed...the difference in the game? I am utterly amazed. I can't believe it. I am seriously angry! Winning this game would have given the team a real boost.
TMo did an awesome job of nailing the open 3s, as well as his solid rebounding and defense. It pisses me off that Rudy seems to look for ways to lose.
Although I loooooove EG, I understand why Rudy benched him. He wasn't exactly having a good game, having 4 pts and going 0-4 from 3pt line. Despite those numbers, it's not like TMo was doing any better. Another great call by Rudy.
Kidrock, It is great to see Morris "coming out" and getting decent numbers, but my word, he has had very little p.t. this season. E.G. has been coming on strong, has posted consistent numbers of late, has showed signs of allstar potential AND HE SITS DURING THE FOURTH WITH THE GAME IN REACH? What was that?
WHY IS TM heaving (4) 3-pointers up anyway? Is Rudy trying to groom another Rookie into the Robert Horry type? Eventhough EG did not have a good game from 3 point land, he at least has shown that he can hit them.....has TM? Our shot selection sucks, and so do the coaches for not finding ways to make easy baskets (clue: ball movement)
Rudy likes those SFs who shoot 3s, he's trying to mold them into him instead of Robert Horry. I feel like TMO played an awesome defensive game and his shot will come very soon. I've been looking at his game by game stats with Maryland with Steve Francis and his stats were much better than Stevies during the NCAA tournament. I feel like one day, Stevie will help him become a great player.
I think it was a lesson game for EG, he was getting OWNED by Kenyon, and Rudy saw that TMO was playing him tougher. I do wish that Rudy would play Willis and Cato at times when the other team is going inside so often, but, overall a nice game by the Rocks. TMO hits that late 3 and we win. DaDakota
EG didn't have it going from the outside, but he did have it going on from the inside. But for some unknown reason the Rockets never pass it back in there to him. I can see EG's frustration starting to show with not getting the ball. He's trying to make an effort to post up but the Rockets won't pass it to him. As for EG not being in there in crunch time, everyone knows EG is money in crunch time. Remember the Philly game. He didn't do so well in the beginning of that game either but in the 4th Q almost brought the Rockets within a win. That was a horrible decision by Rudy. You know what, I'm sick of Rudy. I said give him one more year to prove he can get this team on the right track back to the playoffs, but now I say can this idiot after this season. The operation, style of play, and management of this team is a joke.
TMo was making blown defensive assignments. He gave up the baseline WAY too often to Jefferson, as well as going for steals that weren't there, which led to layups. TMo also wasn't able to grab key rebounds, which turned into 2nd chance points for NJ. TMo was not contributing anything at all really.
EG was schooled hard by kenyon today. You would think that eddie would have something to prove to NJ after they traded him for jefferson and company, but he just backs down like he did in Jersey. I hope this isn't his personality. As I recall,when he was in high school he showed the same behavior when he and Darius Miles had a showdown and Miles beat him down hard. He doesn't seem to step up to the challenge. As for your sig DaDakota...every species evolves. Just as we evolved from another lesser species, apes(not monkeys...they are another genus all together...you can tell because they have tails and apes don't), other lesser species evolved into apes. You should consider taking a genetics course.
TMO Misses two HUGE three pointers that could have won the game. But he stole a rebound and put it back in to cut it to 1. I think in the same situation Griffin hits at least one of those threes. He has been able to hit in the clutch. He just seems to handle the pressure better than Morris. Griffin was only 2-9 with 4pts 5bds and 2 TO and NO blocks though. WTF was Mobley thinking shooting a three 5ft behind the three point line. Given he did have a career night and was on fire... But still - where was Griffin??? They showed his face and it looked like his mom had died or something. I never doubt Rudy but WTF was he thinking? What was the shot clock at when Morris missed his last three? The Rockets were only down 1 and should have taken it inside where they got to the line 33 times and made 28 (84.8%) Kenyon Martin stepped up. Super Bright Spot for The Rockets. Kelvin the Terminator Cato - 17pts 10bds(5 O) and 4 blocks. The Franchise was money tonight also. He did a great job on Kidd. Kidd only had 7pts and 7 assist (avgs 10 a night) also had 4 TO's. Kidd was 2-11 on FG's.
So Griffin was schooled; give him a chance to come back and redeem himself. Good grief, no matter what, your best players are in the game when it is all on the line! Duh!
Guys...IF TMO is ever going to be a part of this franchise's future, how else is he going to learn but by playing? Veteran's earn their pt based mostly on production, but it's detrimental to apply that standard to rookies. Your initial evaluation is based on talent, college production, and attitude...if you decide that, based on those things, a particular kid is part of your future, then you've got to go through the growing pains with him, which are more painful with some than others...not every kid is an instant success. Especially when we're not exactly favorites to be hoisting the trophy come March...It seems odd to me that some folks expect so much so soon...it's not like this is football. Give the kid at least half a season of significant pt before writing him off, or decide that you are a superior talent evaluator than the Rockets brass, and they never should have acquired him.In terms of sitting EG for TMO...it was one game. Relax, it's a long season.
Wow, I did not realize that we were back to thinking that man evolved from apes. Not a religous person? huh?
I agree that rookies should play. But 2nd round picks should not be playing 35-40 mins a game, especially in crunch time. I would like to see TMo play around 20-25 mins a game. That is plenty for a 2nd round rookie. I give him the label 2nd round rookie, because he has played like one this year.
Hey barbdoug, religion smidgion. Darwin was right. But if you buy into creationism than maybe we should talk about this bridge I've got for sale. Its sweet. Oh and as for Eddie yeah he had a bad game but I think some minutes in the fourth are called for considering he's our future. But to the Terrence Morris (I won't call him Tmo) haters I think he had a great all around game except for the shooting thing. Weirdly he seems to have a beautifull stroke. I'll call it right now Morris is eventually gonna be the next Clifford robinson but with good charachter. Until then he needs to stay after practice to practice shooting. All in all I'm proud of the way we played but the loss doesn't sting so much since I've accepted we're not making the playoffs. In the race for balls we definitly won tonight
Who cares. In the long run, we'll be happy T-Mo was put in those situations rather than Eddie, because eddie doesn't need it as much. T-Mo needs to build up his confidence, and playing time will do that. It's not like we're headed for homecourt advantage. We're trying to get some things out of the way this year, so we won't have to deal with them next year. Here's to hoping T-Mo continues to get minutes, and we don't risk losing EG to injury (knock on wood).
We're not REALLY tanking, now ARE we? LOL! I think that management knows we aren't making the playoffs now. So, in the interest of what is best for developing a championship contender, it really is best to develop the players you think are going to be your future. Next year, we'll be in the playoff hunt, and its better for Morris to get game experience now, instead of waiting until we're in the playoff hunt, when the risk is too high to play him. If we lose, and get a better player for rebuilding in draft or trade, I doubt anyone will cry too hard. The Rockets management obviously believe Morris is here for the long haul. I believe <a href="http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28038">Oeilpere is dead on with this point.</a> We're not TRYING to tank, we're doing what is best for the rebuilding of this team to become championship caliber. If that means we lose games while we train our young players, and develop the core team, then at least this year, when we aren't going to make the playoffs, <b>that makes more sense!</b> The priority now isn't so much to win games, as it is to build a championship contender, while trying to win. Perhaps we are showcasing a player we are ready to trade, or just giving a rookie game experience, especially when the game is on the line.
This doesn't fit with the fact that Steve and Cat are playing 40 minutes per game, especially since Cat is injured. Why arent' we developing Oz and Brown?
