Man, and I'm trying to think of a reason NOT to be exciting about this win. We didn't really take it to the paint, but if you can make the shots on the road, you have to think we'll be able to make them at home. We played Rockets defense. Roy started off strong but then wasn't a factor. Aldridge wasn't a factor at all (which shouldn't be the case the whole series). The thing I liked the most is we were able to score without Yao on the court or without the ball in his hands. And the other thing I liked was that our role players beat their role players. Usually role players do good at home and bad on the road, but it was the opposite for us. Brooks and Scola both had nice games. And when the Rockets are a good home team, and the Blazers aren't really a good road team... I have to like our odds.
no we don't have as much points in the paint as the blazers since the main guy on our team who does that only played 25 minutes. Also we got 12 more ft's than them, and we actually penetrate and forced some calls our way.
Man, AB had a great game! I live in Eugene, OR. Most of my friends were getting pissed off while I was having a great time. Whenever Brooks scored, everyone in the house still cheered.
perfect game, LITERALLY. i don't know how we can play any better than that. hell, even brooks played like an all-star tonight. we need these types of games to beat the lakers though. portland sucks.
That tells you more about our defense if anything. They had 50 points in the paint to our 32 and they still only shot 41%. I'm not really worried about the outside shooting. We wern't jacking up shots because we couldn't go inside, we were jacking up shots because they were going in. If you are hot, you keep shooting. People make it sound like they were able to keep us from going inside and we got lucky shooting. And we were 8-21 from the 3 point line... thats an average night. Most of our "outside shots" were actually semi-open shots inside the 3 point line. Its a HUGE difference from the GoldenState-esque "jack up 3s and hope they go in" offense. Usually if you can get shots inside the arc but outside of the paint, you are talking about a pick and roll where AB/Lowry pulled up for the jumper, or a pass went out to Scola on the wing for a jumper. We're talking about taking what the defense gives you, classic Adelman style. And you have to feel good about the near 30 FTs taken that game. While, you don't think thats going to happen every game, you have to feel good about how the Rockets got their points.
i've decided to ignore every post/thread by users who chose random letters and numbers for their names. it makes life much easier to read only those post who come from members who have pronounceable names. thank you Rockets, for not ruining my weekend.
Yao hit some jumpers from 15'-17' tonight. If he can make those consistently it's going to create huge problems for whoever the Rockets are playing.
Its hillarious to listen and read blazer's fans reaction on their paper. If anyone wants to see and read their comments. Click on this link! http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/04/rockets_drop_blazers_10881_in.html
Clearly, AB's been reading the GARM. After hearing countless calls to come off the bench, some from a retired Blade Runner, he pulled up his shorts, squinted at the basket, and got down to business. Kudos to our Mister Brooks.
Have you noticed though? Down the stretch he's been able to make that shot with consistancy. That MIGHT be how we defeat fronting. They can't front him, defend the pick and roll, AND get out to contest that jumper.
I`ll tell you guys .. even though its only 1 win .. but u guys really impressed me today! WOOOOW that was a big statment game from the rockets and im sure some teams recieved the msg already!!! I thought this would be much closer than what the score shows (with the rockets prevailing) but MAN THAT WAS REALLY BIG!, Congrats for rocket fans i really respect ur team and they showed the blazers what the playoffs are all about.. WOW
Very true, but it shouldn't be the only weapon the Rockets use against the fronting defense. Change it up. One thing I've noticed with Yao, if he's making the easy five foot hook/jumper he's also making the long jumper. If he's missing the shots inside the post he's missing the 15 footer.
I read earlier this week how Roy said whenever he faced houston and got by his man he'd worry too much about that man trailing behind him and yao stepping up in front of him, and he said he was just going to not worry and just play/drive. I noticed tonight he did worry though, he would get by ron only to have yao step up, and roy would stop, look back to see where ron was and then would be stuck, had to pass out. Hopefully he never figures it out.
