ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets @ Mavericks 1/21/2003

Thanks for the props.

Agreed. But true fans should also provide constructive criticism from time to time (e.g. lack of ball movement this game vs Mavs), not blind faith.

Despite popular beleif, constructive criticism can be given without superlative.

And even with, its not so unbearable. It just seems that some fans have these incredibly unrealistic expectations of where we should[/b] be based on what everyone else (ie. ESPN) is saying. I almost cringe when the Power Rankings come out, b/c I think they project a false image of where the Rockets truly stand in the pecking order, and the inflate already fragile expectations.

Maybe its just me, I dunno. I think the best part of Yao's emergence is not the sudden prospects of the playoffs this year, but what we'll be doing next year. The peices are in place. We don't need anymore tinkering. We don't need high draft pick. We don't need elaborate trade scenarios (sorry Hottoddie :-D). We just need time. We're that close. That should be an exciting thing, not a frustrating one.

 

Point taken. Those "Fire Rudy T" and "Trade for Odom/Brand" threads are really annoying like these panic actions would really help the team...

 

Rockets is the worst assistant team in NBA.
Thanks,Rudy.

 

We've heard from the basketball itself...what else do you guys need?!

 

the timeout in 3rd quarter is the best one,Rudy.

 

but actually not constructive at all. Just meaningless "opinion".

 

The problem with the current Roxs is that the fans have some unrealistic expectation, which led to crying after every lose.

As I stated in my other posts, the Rockets are a very young team, they just need time to grow together. As a former Bulls fan who witnessed that team grow together since 1987, I can assure you that this process is very painful and frustrate, but good things will happen over the time if everyone can just be more patient.

 

sup rox fans,

i missed this game.... but i noticed on the box score that nachbar finally got some playing time,, can anyone fill me on on what they thought about his performance tonight,,


peace

 

Kinda glad I missed this game. It really hurts to watch our offense desecrate the game of bball.

 

Although we are all sad and mad for the loss, here's some postgame quotes to bring a bit joy.

Mavs Head Coach Don Nelson

On Raef’s job guarding Yao Ming:
Raef was terrific (5 blocks) and we gave him some support on double teams of Yao. Mainly he played by himself and really rose to the occasion. I thought Yao played like a rookie, which he is supposed to do sometimes and it is a learning process for him. Let’s not forget when Nowitzki was a rookie how he struggled and I am sure Yao is going through the same things. He is soon to be a great, great player.

And this is, my fellow fans, the opinion of an NBA coach, not polypheus.


Rockets Head Coach Rudy Tomjanovich

On if Yao Ming is tired and that is leading to mistakes:
I think he is tired. Just talking with the coaches, we think he should take the next two days off and rest. He is not a mistake player, and he had five turnovers in 22 minutes, which is a lot for him. This is a tough league for everybody, but what he has gone through, I think he needs to get his batter recharged and I think it will start happening again.

 

He played...he's a rookie...he'll do better next time.

(Okay, he did get a few hustle balls, not much else)

 

give Yao a break, it is not like he did not try hard every game, he just a human like all of us, has his up and downs, he wants to win game as bad as all of us.

 

Quote from the Chron:

Did Francis say this? That's one stupid comment. No wonder we got mocked:

 

Also, some post game quotes from Rudy:

"Poor decisions. That was the game right there," Tomjanovich said. "Our decisions were bad. I got more passes coming to me. I had a couple right on the numbers. (The Mavericks) still do things when they switch sometimes which makes you really have to execute. We played hard, we just didn't play smart. Our decision-making wasn't bad, it was really horrible."

"We talked about it at halftime," Tomjanovich said of the Rockets' recklessness. "Some guys got it, some didn't. We were trying to do too much with a possession."

"We did a pretty damn good job defensively and rebounding. We were just horrible on making decisions. We wanted that quick, `Get out of my way, I'm going in there.' They know we got good first-option players. We just have to move the ball to the next guy."

"(The Mavs) did a great job starting the game," Tomjanovich said. "Our plan was we weren't going to give them layups. We were going to come off the lesser scorers. They just passed the ball to the guy and the guy made the shot. They read the defense. We fought the defense."

 

Yes, Francis did say that after the last game between these two teams. He called the Mavs zone defense a gimmick defense and that the Mavs weren't good enough to beat the Rockets playing man to man.

As was pointed out, even if the Mavs play zone the win still counts. It doesn't matter how they get it.

 

Yes, Francis was quoted as saying that after the last game. My coworkers (Mavs fans) couldn't believe how stupid Steve sounded, and what a sore loser he was.

 

That just goes to show you how young and immature this team still really is.

Needless to say, we came out flat as pancakes lastnight. This Rockets team, the second youngest in the league has gained alot of respect over the last couple of weeks. Even though we were beaten by two playoff teams the last two outings on the road, these Rockets are the real deal. San Antonio and Dallas were suppose to beat us anyway. We need to remember we beat Boston, Phoenix, & LA. Basically we won 3-5 over playoff teams and only lost the two road games.

This team is fun from the highest highs to the lowest lows, thats what makes us keep watching. I think Yao needs a breather, maybe some "love you longtime" to get him focused again.

 

My concern about that comment is not just the stupidity. It's the mentality behind it: individual talents count, team efforts don't.

 

Daoshi
Please educate me; how is the fans level of expectation ('unrealistic' as you put it) a problem here - as in this situation? I mean how does the fans expectation (no matter the level) of their beloved team affect the team's guards deceision making and questionable coaching?

Once again some of the angry fans out there are not complaining about losing a freaking game (because you lose some, you win some), it is the dumb way our players played. Somehow I am begining to believe that our guards (Francis and Mobley) care about their stats and 'street' recognition AS MUCH AS they care about team wins. And that is bad.