No Battier. Yao+Artest shoot combined 7 out of 30. Yet, we still only lose to the defending champs by 4 points. Honestly, this time can only get better; Yao playing this poorly is not going to happen and Battier coming back will really help contain both Allen/Pierce (or any other duo out there). Even though we lost, I'm happy with where the team is considering the circumstances.
I'm with you. First thing I thought after the game was, we competed.That's all you want right now. BUT...the offense definitely is WAAAAY too stagnant at times.
We only lost by 4 in a game where: - Yao played worse than anyone could imagine - Kendrick Perkins was hitting more midrange bombs than KG - Ray Allen couldn't miss - Celtics were running a layup line - Rafer couldn't find the range if he had the rover parked in his front lawn - We couldn't clean the glass if we had a bottle of Windex and some Bounty sheets I think we'll be fine
as much as how i hated yao's performance tonight, i still believe (ron artest should drive in the basket more than his jumpers. he's too strong to be shooting jumpers in my opinion) Go Rockets!
Maybe Yao just had too much rest during the 2 day off without routinely workout. I don't care as long as everbody keeps healthy.
I completly agree. We were in the game, without Shane, with Yao and Ron playing terrible games we were able to make it a close game. I am optimistic.
Seriously, I don't even know how good our defense can be when Battier returns. It's crazy to know that we can throw a big lineup out there in the clutch (keeping Rafer on the bench during crunch time) with T-Mac at pg and Artest and Battier absolutely terrorizing the two wings (in Boston's case Allen and Pierce). I know it's only talk now, but Battier could be the key to elevating out defense and thus our team in the long run.
Couldnt agree more. I think the Rockets are one of the teams with the most room for improvement over the course of the season. The fact that, as is, they are hanging with Boston on a night where Boston had a good game(win rebounding battle, shoot 50%) says alot about where they are now, as well as where they will be when they get it together.
Rockets will be ready come the playoffs. This type of game though a loss was a good indicator of what the Rockets need to work on to get better.
It does not matter who played bad tonight. I am happier with this team than the last year's one. But overall, you need to play well.
just close all other threads, this one is perfect. lets keep our heads straight, we took them down to the wire and played to 50% of our potential. not to mention overcame a 16 point deficit in one quarter. all heart baby.
if ever there was a good loss... this is it. But come on houston. Ron wouldn't be happy with a good loss, we should be either! Lets kick their ass by 50 next time!
All in all I'm content with our performance so far. The defense has been awful at times but when Battier comes back that should help things. Also, I'm loving the free throw shooting so far. Let's hope we can get ready come April.
Statistically they beat us across the board. They shot significantly better, and Scola and McGrady only played above their average type games (Brooks 12 or so off the bench is going to be the norm). Artest, Yao, Rafer were all below - or well below - par. Dark Knight to come back aswell. Lot of things to look forward to. Having said that, we will need to play better over the course of the ucoming road trip or we might dig ourselves a hole.
