Just got home from the game and thought I would share a few thoughts about the game. First the American Airlines arena in Dallas is the nicest arena that I have ever been in. I really hope the new arena in Houston is as nice. Second, someone please tell Les to check out the Mavs dancers…damn! They looked good in their little two piece suites tonight. We really need to get someone to work on the Rockets dancers uniforms. Now onto the game. While watching the players warm up Eddie was shooting almost all threes. His shooting touch was not any better in pre game warm ups than during the game. As a matter of fact none of the Rockets looked very crisp in pre game warm ups where as the Mavs looked really good. I thought Eddie looked really good tonight. He played defense on Dirk most of the 1st half and basically shut him down. If Eddie had been sinking his shots he would have been all world tonight. And as far as Eddie’s height he looked just as tall as Dirk when he was standing next to him. I thought Steve played his worst half of ball tonight. He made some of the worst ball handling decisions that I have ever seen him make. I don’t know what to say about Cato, he just looked dominant all night. Unfortunately for the Rockets it looked like they followed Francis lead in the 1st half and just did not play the way the can. You could really see the frustration on Steve’s face. At the half I was sure the Rockets were going to get blown out but when they came at for their shoot around they looked like a different team. Balls were dropping and they just looked a lot sharper then in the pre game shoot around. Mobley and Steve both looked much more comfortable in the 3rd quarter and Steve in particular really did a good job running the team. When Steve kicks it into his own gear he really looks unstoppable. I could not believe how Eddie seemed to swat everything that came his way and Cato! Someone please tell me of a center outside of Shak that is playing better than Cato at the 5 right now. Unfortunately the game changed for good in the 4th with about midway through the quarter when Steve made a bad pass and it was stolen by Nash who then made a three at the other end of the court to bring the Mavs to with in one point. You could really feel the momentum swing at that point and the crowd was just going nuts. Cuban had these little clappers at every seat in the arena and everyone was just screaming and making so much noise with those little clappers that it became hard to even think. Of course everyone knows how it ends. I could not believe how so many of the Mavs fans left the arena with about 5 minutes to go and the Mavs up by just a couple. This had turned into a hell of a game that was going down to the wire and all of a sudden tons of people started leaving with over 4 minutes left in the game. I’m sorry but that just crazy. Other observations: 1. When Steve cranks it up he is as un-stoppable as any player in the league but he just makes too many bad decisions that cost us a valuable possession. I think more than ever that Francis should be a two and not a one. 2. Shawn Bradley sucks. Even with 6 points and 10 boards he is the worst player in the league. Cato really made him look bad. 3. Eddie Griffin and Kelvin Cato are turning into a dominant front court. If both continues to develop then watch out. Even though Eddie did not shoot very well I thought he may have had one of his better games as a pro. I know Dirk respects his game now. 4. On the way to the game tonight Mark Followell the radio announcer for the Mavs games was interviewing Don Nelson and he asked Nelley if Steve Francis was the toughest man to guard one on one off of the dribble and Nelson replied, “No that title belongs to Mobley.” I thought it was really nice for him to give props to Mobley.
Nice comments, crash. I was at the game as well, in section 310. The first half was definitely atrocious. Seeing the Steve Francis airballs was painful, and hearing the jeering from the crowd was even more painful (especially with me attending while wearing my Steve Francis jersey). But, as bad as the WHOLE team looked in the first half, we were only down by 13-15 points. In the bathroom, at the half, some random Mavs fan with the worst mullet you have ever seen decided that taking a piss was as good a time as any to say, offhandedly, "Rockets are going down." With the Mavs up 15 and playing good basketball, I am sure you can appreciate the nuts (no pun intended) it took him to say this while pissing next to me. All I could think of to say back was "Basketball games have TWO halves, jackass." Thank god the Rockets backed me up. Griffin was nice tonight. It is hard to see him bricking so many 3 pointers here lately, but you know he will shoot his way out of his slump eventually. The nice thing is that, with EG, even when his offensive game is not stellar, he can still provide superb rebounding and shot-blocking, just like tonight. In regards to the American Airlines Center, I absolutely LOVE it. The outside has a classy look to it that makes for a old timy feel. The inside almost feels like a hotel at times, with the narrow hallways and clean, white walls that extend on forever. But the whole design gives a cozy feeling that I believe the designers intended. I hope the Rockest arena looks this good when completed. Also, for anyone else who has been there, does the AAC look a GREAT deal like the Ballpark at Arlington to you?
I think you guys are giving Cato a little more credit than he deserves, offensively at least. How hard is it for ANYONE in the NBA to catch a ball and dunk it? Seriously? Cause that's the extent to his offensive prowess. What you NEED to do is give credit to your guards, 'cause without their penetration Bradley doesn't have to leave Cato to contest a layup.
Plenty of credit has been given to the guards. What the guards have been doing lately is what they have been doing all season, and I salute them for it. What Cato is doing, regardless of how "easy" it is, is something that he hasn't done consistently ever, through his whole career. And that is hustle. He has worked noticeably harder all season to get rebounds and position himself well in a fashion as to best aid the team. Lately, that work is finally showing fruition, and his rebounding and blocks have gone up. As a result of that, his points off of put backs are going up, and I think that Steve and company are trusting Cato more. Honestly, I can't remember the last time Cato bobbled an easily catchable pass. That statement alone is amazing to me, as it was not that long ago that Cato lost easy passes out of bounds or to opposing players 2, 3 even 4 times a game. I don't know exactly what changed. Griffin starting, Kevin Willis teaching, Glen Rice encouraging, Rudy saying just the right things, who knows? It doesn't really matter. What does matter is that the huge oaf that has been perenially overpaid on our team is finally earning his contract, and I LOVE watching it.
Isn't that arena flipping great! My first time there, I spent the whole first half just looking around. The media stripe around the middle is great. Kudos to whoever came up with that idea. Griffin is a stud.
Cato deserves all the credit he is getting. I said earlier that if he takes that momentum into the off season and do the skill drills, look out below. I have seen him post up and he can get to the basket every time, he just has not finished. What if he does? And do not say in my dreams, because what he is able to do today, including the biggest of all, mental focus, nobody could have predicted it. Go Cato!
That is also why I am very confused about the approach with Langhi and Collier. I can understand that you cannot expose too many people at one time, but to have written them off, that is premature, reckless and irresponsible. Of course, that is, if what is reported/suggested/offered/speculated is accurate!
I was at the game also, section 205 platinum. Damn what a boring first half. I thought baseball can be hard on the eyes (at times), but that 1st half was just aweful. All the airballs and watching Steve dribble into 3-4 defenders to only cough up the ball. Several times, the defenders just took the ball right out of his hands (as he was falling towards the floor). My review: Cato - looked to dominate, the maverick fans in my section were hoping somebody would take him out (literally, as in hockey), but why did Rudy keep benching him? Griffin - looked bad shooting 3's in warmups. He probably hit 1 out of 30, that just continued into the game. But damn that boy can block!!!! This just confirms that Rudy needs to let him play the post, and find easier ways to get baskets. All players need some easy shots, to get back into a groove. The 3 point line is a hard way to find your shot. Steve - bad play decisions, several times had Griffin or somebody else near the basket on a fast break, but instead slowed it down and made the pass to Cuttino (for a miss 18ft +). He did come alive in the 2nd half, and nearly handed us the win. But what was up with the airballs. Cuttino - looked okay, but he shot a few shots that barely hit the backboard (far side). As easy as Nash slashed to the basket (untouched), Cuttino never could find his way (to the basket). Moochie - non factor, he usually find a way to hit some easy shots (but not tonight). The 3 guard line up did nothing, but take CATO out of the game (STUPID). TM - even in warmups he could not hit a shot. He really needs to turn his attention to being a defensive specialist. COLLIER - I am usually the worse critic of Collier, but to anybody else at the game, the boy could not miss from 15 ft (during warm-ups). He must of shot 10 shots in row (nothing but net). OSCAR - Where the hell was he? I dont remember his playing time stats, but we needed some offense (for most of the night). PLAY OSCAR MORE RUDY!!
Cato is looking for the positioning necessary for the guards to get him that slashing pass we see that lead to the flushing as Worrell calls it. Cato should be applauded for that! He is finally beginning to get it and realize his "fit" into this offense. Cato is has also become active at the boards, because he is looking for the feeds and naturally moves to the basket on most drives; whereas, previously he would end up out of position most of the time. Yes, it is easy to catch and dunk, but gettting into position and having the timing with the Guards is the hard part and I have to say that Cato has mastered this. And, this is exactly what the Rockets need from him. Nothing fancy....just get into position and give us a high percentage shot!
Last time I checked a dunk counted 2 points. Do you want him to back off and shoot short jumpers or sky hooks? I remember when people would say the same thing about Shaq. He has since developed a better all around game. Cato can shoot free throws better though. Get off the guy scoring the best, easiest way he knows how. os
Why does Steve Nash look like a woman up there? Also, has anyone else noticed some new wrinkles to the Rockets offense. They have a new play where Griffin passes the ball to KT in the post and a couple of other new ones. Slowly, but surely, more of an offense is developing as Rudy and the team get more practice time.
