After watching his game intently for the last few weeks, it has become clear to me that Mobley is simply a terrible passer. He is so focused on scoring, that if he is stopped, he has no idea where any of his teamates are on the floor. Against Charlotte he tosses 2 against the scoring table in about 3 minutes. Tonight against Golden State he telegraphs passes that lead to 3 Turnovers, and a couple of near turnovers. Mobley works very hard on his game in the summers, maybe it is time for him to work on his passing. As for Steve, his handles are not as good as he THINKS they are, he fancy dribbles into about 2 turnovers a game. Once these 2 guys learn how to take the easy play over the fancy play, they will be devestating. Here is hoping that I will live that long, afterall I am already 37, and it could be YEARS before they learn. DaDakota
You're right about the stupid play, but in Steve's defense he's not that bad of a ball-handler. As for Cat...........
I don't think DaDa is saying Steve is a bad ball handler. He's just saying Steve's ball handling ability is not as good as he thinks it is ... As for Cat ......
Watched third quarter and the bad plays were when Steve or Cat dribbled into a crowd and then put up a prayer or a bad pass. Then they'd come back and make up for that on defense or next trip up the floor on offense. It's frustrating to watch. Even when it works it looks awkwards at times -> that Steve dish to KT standing two feet behind him for the layin. But I'll take a victory no matter how goofy they look at times. The last couple of minutes were sweet.
Rudy T needs to work with Steve, Cuttino and Moochie regarding turnovers. Rudy just doesn't seem like he is interested in his job anymore.
the thing with Steve is that nobody can dribble as well as what he is trying to accomplish. crossing over 3 people can't be done. He's got good ballhandling skills he just trys to use them way too much. When he figures out how to take 1 or 2 dribbles and pop the mid-range j, he'll be even more of a monster.
DaDa, I agree with you that a lot of Cat's passes put the recipient at a disadvantage, and Steve does the same thing, too--ever notice how sometimes Griff won't be able to get off a shot because he has to readjust to a pass, and the defense has time to catch up? Well that happens often enough, but about the two he put in the scorers' table a couple of nights ago, those weren't entirely his fault. The guy on the weakside needs to recognize that Cat didn't have the angle for the skip, and float up a little--that's why Cat threw it--there should have been someone there.
Agreed. I don't think he's as intense as he was back in the mid-90's. He's content to watch Moochie dribble out the clock and have Mobley heave up ugly off balance shots. Rudy needs to wake up and realize that in order for us to succeed Cuttino and Moochie need to play under control. I remember watching Phil Jackson shake his head in amazement after seeing Cuttino's ridiculous shot selection a few weeks ago.
Did you guys see that play last night where Cuttino started showboating with Richardson guarding him, and threw up an airball. They cut to Rudy on the sidelines and he was about to explode, he was yelling "Pass the Damn ball" So you see, Rudy does tell them, it just takes some players YEARS for it to soak in. DD
Hil has a lot more respect for the NBA to let his team play playground basketball. Even the Lakers with Shaq and Kobe realize a team game is the way to win in the NBA. I swear there are h.s. teams with more control. I like the new athletic game but eventually Rudy has got to hold his ground and make these guys execute plays not circus shots.
I've noticed the same thing DD. I didn't see it in last night's game but I've seen it before. Every once in a while you can catch a glimpse of Rudy yelling at his players and you can see that he's trying to get them to do the things that many fans complain about. Most notably... pass the damn ball! I've read his lips several times this season and seen those words come out. I think Rudy's a smart basketball coach and he teaches these guys the right things. But, he can't get out there on the floor and do it for them. What is he supposed to do?
Trade them. Seriously, if players refuse to follow a coaches directions, they don't need to play for Houston. Either that, or if Rudy's the problem with lax discipline, bring someone in who can maintain control. When a coach loses control, a team can fall apart.
You have to take the good with the bad and hope it's good enough to get you into the playoffs and beyond. I would bet the coaches went hoarse telling Hakeem not to go for silly steals (usually after he made a bad play and turned the ball over). Hakeem always used to get cheap fouls that way trying to make up for a bad play. Was he not listening to them? Should we have shipped his butt out of town because he had a listening problem? All I'm saying is RELAX, no one needs to get fired or traded. Sure be frustrated that the team/players don't seem to be maturing or playing up to your expectations. Let them get healthy, give them time to gel. I mean they are still a very young team. Besides who are you going to trade for?
UTRocket, Very nice post. I agree, but it is nice to have a place to vent, so my wife doesn't get to hear my frustrations. DaDakota
UTrocket, I understand the "they are young" argument to an extent, but these guys are making millions; they have personal trainers, cooks, etc. They live like royalty. Is it too much to ask for them to learn the game, become more disciplined and professional? And how many years should fans expect to wait for these guys to mature? My word, these Rockets are frustrating to watch, win or lose. Otherwise, stop charging for the games.
Have you noticed Cuttino will dribble the ball, he has 2 players wide open next to him but he will decide to throw a pass 20 feet in the middle of the key to his gay buddy Francis? Cuttino has skills but he has got to be one of the dumbest basketball players. He doesnt have a team game. Its nice that he can do all these crossovers but one day he will understand that it wont win you games.
to his gay buddy francis, or to his GAY buddy FRANCIS3 why you gotta post stuff like that?? ever think that may be something they have been running at practice?? ever wonder if its a call?? maybe Eddie is hung over and asked them to please avoid passing to him. did you ever notice that when that pass works it almost always results in a layup and a foul. which is much better than passing to another player who is a lesser playmaker than steve. nuff said, PEACE
haha everyone in the nba knows that these 2 pass the ball to each other the most and the gay buddy thing, im not saying anything is wrong with it, but we have evidence these 2 could be gay. If someone would show this young gentleman the 40 pics of francis kissing mobley and the picture of mobley posing for playgirl ( Showing his nipples)... I would really appreciate it. lol
