ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Warriors @ Rockets 11/9/2002

Jamison is 6-8, and Thomas is 6-7. I actually think it would be the perfect matchup, so long as Kenny is up to it after his recent injury.
Heypartner, you really think it would be better to match Hawkins up with Jamison? I've always believed that being active offensively is one of the keys to defending your man well, because he would have to spend energy defending you too. In that wise Kenny should get the nod. Having said that, I think Hawkins' offense may be better than many people think. He's just been a little timid offensively so far (except in the game against the Raptors, I think), probably because he's a newbie in the team.

 

gs state should spend a little time on bourbon street tonight after the game with no. that would get them ready for the rockets tomorrow

 

okuseinde,

I agree that Kenny should guard Jamison. I mentioned Hawkins merely to stay consistent with the current lineups and to respond to the Griffin vs Jamison matchup. Griffin might get some time on Jamison, but I'd rather have him continue to battle PFs and provide help D on Jamison....which should also allow him to help on Jason as well.

 

rockets=102
warriors=90

rockets cannot lose this game. hakeem will be there. i know that YAO knows who hakeem is and what hes done for this team, and what position he played. i think he'll prolly play with more confidence. maybe something like 10 points 8 rebounds 3 blocks. francis and mobley should play well.

 

All I have to say is God bless Hakeem Olajuwon. Great. Legendary. Honorable.

 

In a report I read, it says Ming discussed with Rudy how to use center against the zone using his experience in the international play (they use zone all the time), and the team practised that afterward. I don't want to open a new thread, so I guess I will just mention it here. I hope we can see more high post action with Yao Ming involved in this game.

 

Rockets 101 - Warriors 94.
I am a homer and will remian one. Lets hope something else going here (beyond Francis and Eddie a bit). Maybe Hakeem will help Yao unlesah his potential..........

 

The Dream will shake Yao's hand and the torch will be passed. Yao scores 26 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 blocks, and 1 steal. Then averages 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks for the season, helps Rockets to playoffs, and wins ROY.

 

I hope that Hakeem Olajuwon gives to good advice to Yao Ming since he has been through the same stuff. He should talk to him about blocks in which Hakeem has been best at.

Anyways, this is a must win game for the Rockets. It will be a very special night for a person who has meant a lot to this city.

 

Judging by his article, Francis is going to go out and absolutely massacre the Golden State Warriors.

If we can somewhat contain Jamison, and Mobley can score enough to keep Richardson busy, then we're sure winners.

Mobley will get his, but let's hope Richardson doesn't ruin Francis' honoring Hakeem game. I think KT, if healthy and willing, can play Jamison fairly well.

 

Yeah I think everyone will be really pumped for this game. Has Hakeem ever made any comment about helping coaching Ming. If the media hasnt asked him yet they will tommorow.

 

If GLen Rice does not start tonite a shoe goes through my televison. If Hawkins starts, and plays considerable minutes you can book a loss. Some genius said once that he is the Anti-Rice...as if it was a good thing. It's not. We don't need a defensive specialist in at the start of the game, we need a third option so that SF and CM don't get into an iso rut. Glen will score if he gets enough touches...I dare anyone to defy that with facts. You'll find yourself at his rookie year with lackluster proof. We need to start a 5 that blow up out of the gates...defensive specialists are for later in the game, to contain players if they catch fire, if you team has a lead...not to gaurd brent barry for..what was it...35 minutes??? FREE GLEN RICE> and for god sake FREE YAO MING!!

 

Let's see now..........Yao MIng..........5 to, 5 fouls, 5 asst., 10 reb. 10 blks. & 19 points



Pucker up, BARKLEY!!!!!

 

Rockets vs. Warriors Preview - November 9, 2002
by Trevor Mitchell, rockets.com


-INSIDE SCOOP-

Four games into this NBA season it should come as no surprise that Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley lead the Rockets in scoring. Francis is currently the second leading scorer in the league averaging a blistering 30.3 ppg, trailing only Tracy McGrady of Orlando. Mobley's 23.3 ppg ranks him 11th on the list. Even with the backcourt tandem putting up career numbers the Rockets offense has still struggled. Excluding a bright performance from Eddie Griffin Tuesday night against Seattle, every member of the Rockets frontcourt has struggled offensively. The core of the problem can be summed up in one word - injuries. The rash of preseason injuries that the team endured has carried over into the regular season and slowed the progress of Kenny Thomas, Glen Rice, Moochie Norris, and Terence Morris.
"I don't like that we are not completely healthy yet, " said Head Coach Rudy Tomjanovich. "It's frustrating. Guys have been working hard to get back, but having game experience and chemistry is part of the process. Unlike any other sport, the chemistry of a basketball team changes just by adding one guy." Rice and Thomas struggled in their first regular season action last Tuesday while Morris, who looked so good in the preseason, is still on the injured list nursing an ankle injury. With Maurice Taylor having to miss the first five games due to suspension, and 7-5 rookie Yao Ming still going through his maturation into an NBA player, the Rockets are in need of consistent play from its frontcourt to take some of the pressure off Francis and Mobley.

Going into Saturday night's contest against Golden State the Rockets have taken advantage of their break in between games by participating in three intense practices and getting those nagging injuries treated. Look for Thomas, Rice and Norris to get more playing time against the Warriors. "The best thing a coach can have is practice days. Moochie has looked well and I thought he provided a spark for us and had some of the most inspiring plays last game," said Tomjanovich. The addition of healthy players should give Mobley, who leads the NBA at 44.3 minutes per game, a little extra rest.

After losing four straight games before visiting New Orleans Friday night, Golden State comes into Compaq Center struggling in the midst of a six-game road trip. The Warriors are ranked 28th in team defense allowing 101 ppg, compared to Houston's 86.3 ppg. Even with this in mind, the Rockets are not taking Golden State lightly. Tomjanovich added, "They're a very big and aggressive team and for the past several years been one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the NBA." Center Kelvin Cato, who is averaging 10.8 rpg, is the physical force in the middle for the Rockets.

The Warriors are led by forward Antawn Jamison and second year guard Jason Richardson who both have the scoring and athletic ability to remain in any contest. However, going against the quick defense of the Rockets and the league's second most efficient player Francis, who is coming off a 33 point, 11 rebound, nine assist performance against the Sonics, Golden State will definitely have its hands full.

-WHO'S HOT-

Rockets - Steve Francis stands as the NBA's second-leading scorer at 30.3 ppg ..... Eddie Griffin nailed all three of his 3-point attempts against the Sonics ..... Cuttino Mobley has connected on 19 of his 21 free throw attempts ..... The Rockets stand fourth in the NBA in blocked shots ..... Mobley currently leads all NBA players with 44.3 minutes per game.
Warriors - Golden State leads the NBA in blocked shots ..... Erick Dampier is shooting .640 from the field ..... Guard Gilbert Arenas pulled down 12 rebounds Tuesday against the Spurs ..... Antawn Jamison is averaging 24.0 points per game ..... Former Rocket Oscar Torres has connected on three of his four 3-point attempts.


-WHO'S NOT-

Rockets - Yao Ming averages 2.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.25 blocks in 15 minutes per game ..... Houston stands second to last in the NBA with 14.5 assists per game ..... The Rockets bench averages just 19.5 points per game ..... Moochie Norris is just 8-of-26 (.308) from the field.
Warriors - Jason Richardson is shooting just .337 from the field ..... Mike Dunleavy, Jr. averages 3.2 points on .120 field goal shooting in 15 minutes per game ..... Golden State shoots just .399 from the field as a team ..... The Warriors stand 28th in the NBA with 101 points per game allowed.


-KEY MATCHUP-

CUTTINO MOBLEY VS. JASON RICHARDSON Tonight Cuttino Mobley faces athletic Golden State guard Jason Richardson. Mobley has always been a nemesis to the Warriors, torching them for a career high 41 points in 2001 and averaging 21.8 points in four meetings against Richardson last season, highlighted by two 31-point performances. With Richardson scoring 39 points against Dallas earlier this week, look for the Rockets' fifth-year guard to be up to the challenge of keeping the 2002 NBA Slam Dunk champion and Rookie Challenge MVP grounded. As evidenced by the Warriors' 101 points per game allowed (third worst in the NBA), Mobley and the Rockets may turn this Western Conference contest into a shootout.

 

Ming will have a great game. Double double. Rockets win by 12!

 

We have been lucky that the Raptors were without Carter and Antonio Davis for large parts of the game. The Nuggets were without Howard and we ended up giving 104 points to the Sonics.
This shows that we are not a strong defensive team. But if the guys give a solid effort on defense and move the ball around to get easier shots we can win.

 

Even before Carter get hurt we were still winning by 12 I think. We are going to crush the Warriors.

 

Cat is gunning too much so far.

 

My God, the same old **** in the first quater.

 

Can't SF & CAT play any defense? Can someone please provide some stats?