The small lineup is nice. But not nice enough to win a game or to even all be on the court at the same time in the 4th. Moochie one-on-one eight to ten times in the fourth quarter is not going to win games. Afro or no. Where was Shandon at the end? Rudy's rotations sucked tonight and were obviously drawn up well before the game. He's oblivious to the ebbs and flows of the game and the ability of a simple substitution now and then to turn tides. ------------------ "That's two years, Two rings, and I'm thinkin' about going for another one...YEAH!!" --S. Cassel
You have convinced me, AT. I think you should be our new coach. ------------------ She hates testicles, thus limiting the men she can admire to Democratic candidates for president. -- John Greenway, "The American Tradition", on feminist Elizabeth Gould Davis
Nothing you can say can dismiss the fact that player rotations on this team are neatly drawn up at least a day before the game barring either injuries or fouls. Down to the minute. I just don't think that's how you play this game. Perhaps I'm wrong but until you can espouse on the finer points of this time-share program or point to evidence that its not happening... ------------------ "That's two years, Two rings, and I'm thinkin' about going for another one...YEAH!!" --S. Cassel
And how, exactly, AT, do you know this? Let me ask you this...do you have a chart of what the plus-minus was while the smaller line-up was on the floor. I'd be willing to bet it was in favor of the Rockets. ------------------ Save Our Rockets and Comets SaveOurRockets.com
Sorry Jeff but I don't have the time. Please look into this calculation though because I would like to see it. ------------------ "That's two years, Two rings, and I'm thinkin' about going for another one...YEAH!!" --S. Cassel
I agree that Rudy does not usually put the best lineup for each situation. The fourth quarter lineup should consist of the starters (including Dream), with Mobley replacing either Walt or Shandon (depending on who's hot). ------------------ 2000-2001 Rockets Game Formulas: End of 1st quarter: "They're playing so well!" 2nd: "What a great game!" 3rd: "Theres no way they can lose now!" 4th: "What the ******* **** happened?!!" Vote Gore to keep our planet green! Rocket's Championship 2001!!
Dream got used tonight by that Euro. It's been awhile since I've been that embarassed for Hakeem. It would look like he was about to start his old Dream Shake move then get scared and throw it back out top. His defense was horrendous. Old School ------------------ I voted YES!
26 minutes for Mooch???? That's at least 10 too many. Shandon needs to be in the game down the stretch, period. Go small with Steve, Cuttino, Shandon, C-Rog and Cato. ------------------
I think Anderson wasn't on the court because he's still grieving for his mother and it was obvious his head was not in the game. As for the charge that Rudy's substitutions are drawn up days in advance, I think that is patently ridiculous. Early in the game there is a formula to substitutions; and he also tries to keep some minutes down -- like keeping Dream from having to play too long as he gets his wind back. But its obvious that the guys who are playing at the end of the game are there because they earned it. You may think that Mooch had too many minutes (a rather formulaic approach), but we almost staged a 26 point come-back with him in the game. When you play as well as the Rockets did in the fourth, you don't pull people out, even if they are too short for your taste. ------------------ Rockets Draft Obligations Summary http://www.gaffordstudios.cjb.net/
Why is Rudy getting criticised for his late-game rotations? Isn't the 4th quarter when they came back? AT, you are just being silly when you suggest that the rotations are pre-determined and are not adapted as the game goes on. Do you really think Rudy wanted Mooch to play so much? Yeah, Rudy won 2 championships with logic that is that flawed (I wonder why he didn't play Tabak more in the Finals...). Obviously, it was an in-game change due to Steve's turnovers. ------------------ EZLN
YESSSSSSSS!!!! 25 points for The Tabak reference!!!!! www.zan.com ------------------ REMEMBER: A Vote for Nader is a Vote for Bush
You my friend are flawed. Rudy won two championships because he is a good scout and Hakeem could play a little basketball. I am fairly confident that the next few games will show the same pattern of substitutions. (barring injury or fouls mind you.) And Moochie was not doing much to spark our little run at the end. Defense came alive and Cat got hot. I guess the main point here is...in the 4th do you want Moochie or Steve running the show and who would you rather go 1-on-1 eight of your last 12 trips up the floor? ------------------ "That's two years, Two rings, and I'm thinkin' about going for another one...YEAH!!" --S. Cassel
I agree that playing that small ball 3 guard lineup is not going to win us many games....I'm hoping Rudy just decided to do it last nite b/c Brandon was just too small and quick for Francis. ------------------
