The eternal optimist in me says "H**L YES!" Then the realist looks at the following: *** The Kings are 6-1 since Jason Williams' return from suspension. The only loss was a heartbreaker in OT to the Faker$ WITHOUT CWebb. During the run, Predrag Stojakovic has been the leading scorer more frequently than Webber! Williams is averaging almost as many assists as points, Bobby Jackson has more than replaced Delk and Doug Christie is capable of going off for 30 on any given night (ask Kobe). Here's the matchups: 5) Dream/Collier v. Divac/Pollard *** slight edge to Rockets. Dream is still too much for Vlade and is shooting 58.1% at home (60.4% in W's). Could be a big edge if Collier brings his shot and neutralizes Pollards energy off the bench. Collier is also shooting well in home games (57.1% v 34.4%). Can't see the Rocks winning without taking this matchup. 4) MoT/KT v CWebb/Funderburke *** Edge to SAC. Mo has played Webber well when with the Clips. We need to get Mo involved early. KT is shooting much worse at home than on the road and Funderburke is the opposite. The Rockets need to keep this matchup close to have a chance. 3) Walt/Bull v Stojakovic/Anderson/Turkoglu *** Even. In the last 3 games, Wiz has been shooting 46.2% from inside the arc and 63.6% from 3ville. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE get Walt at least 10 shots minimum. Make Peja have to play some D. Some weakside and/or baseline screens would be easy as I don't think Peja is slated for the All Defensive Team this season! 2) SA/Cat v Christie/Barry *** Even. If Cat gives it up or has his mid-range J workin' or SA clamps down the D - Edge to Rocks. IMHO, Shandon is the only defensive player in the group and for a change, he may be the biggest physically. 1) Steve/Moochie v JDubb/Jackson *** Edge Rockets. Williams & Jackson are both listed at 6'1" so I think the Rocks can post up Steve. For a change, Moochie will not be in the "Land of the Giants" and this will pay dividends if/when the Rocks go to "Small Ball". Rockets by a Bull or Wiz 3ball. GO ROCKETS!!! ------------------ GATER [This message has been edited by GATER (edited November 26, 2000).]
I think the question oughtta be "Can Sacramento beat the Rockets"... This is always a good matchup. Could go either way. I think your analysis is pretty much correct: We'll probably win at the guard spots, on forwards it will depend on whether Walt shoots well and is covered, and whether Mo and KT show up (big one - I'd be very pleased if one of them will neutralize CWebb, but I doubt it), and on C if Hakeem shows up then we'll win there. Should be a fast and exciting game whatever the outcome... ------------------
This is a touch match for any team in the NBA, its gonna be an exciting game to watch and I just really hope the rox do bring their A game because if they have any chance to win they will have to have their A game no question about it......... ------------------ If you are a positive thinking person but yet you listen to country music, isn't that odd?
I think we can beat them if we just outscore them by at least 1 point. DaDakota ------------------ If Mankind evolved from Monkeys and Apes, then why are there still Monkeys and apes?
I always wanted to post that. I was saving it for the right moment. You beat me to it, so that doesn't matter anymore... It's still funny. ------------------
I agree Gater, nice analysis. This game will be either close or a blowout. Rockets have to make the kings get tired on Defense so the offense wont be clicking. Do alot of ball movement, shoot the ball well and we can win this. This is a very big game. ------------------ Vice President of the Jason Collier fan club!
No. And sorry, but Peedrag will eat Walt alive. Rockets win only if the guards and Hakeem have a phenomenal night, or the Kings really play like crap, which they haven't yet. This will be a good test for the Rockets. ------------------ There are 3 kinds of lies: lies, lies, and heypeeisms. -DrofDunkingDonuts
Standings-wise, this game is the difference between "got to 8th but fell behind" and "got to 8th and looked at 7th"... ------------------
Rockets 110 Kings 105 Francis 24pts 7boards 6assist Mobley 22pts Taylor 14pts 2boards FREAKSHOW 12pts 5assist C-Webb 30pts 14boards
Crisco: Walt needs coverage. Steve normally provides that (at least, that's his job). Shandon will have to wake up for this one. Come out of his mourning/slump/funk... The Key to this game will be Shandon. We might actually need him to score on this one, too. As always, Hakeem - our X-Man - can make a huge difference... Vlade is not going to roll over. ------------------ [This message has been edited by treeman (edited November 26, 2000).]
Steve will school Jason, if he has a half decent night. He does need someone covering the passing lanes to do it right, tho - Shandon??? If we can cover Mr. Elbow-Pass's passing lanes, then Steve will have a field day on the boy. Steve's definitely got more discipline than the perpetual rookie... It's not his (Jason's) personal scoring we have to be worried about - it's the assists. Intercept some of those passes, and you swing the possessions in our favor... And the Slavs from Sacramento score nothing. ------------------ [This message has been edited by treeman (edited November 26, 2000).]
Houston is 6-1 at home. Not a bad record considering the fans rarely show up. I think that the Rockets will win this one, because they seem to be more patient with their offense at home. If any kind of crowd shows up, it should be a good win. ------------------ 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?!!" Revote! Revote! Revote!...... Rocket's Championship 2001!!
Let's not get carried away. Francis, however, can learn something from Williams by paying attention to how Williams advances and distributes the ball. ------------------ Not only have the Drew bashers crossed the line, but they've sprinted a couple of miles beyond it.
Sorry i disagree w/ ya Gater on one position. Peja is becoming an awesome player. he has even to drive a bit. i dont think its even. i give the edge to SAC. Peja has lit alot of people up this season. walt has not. ------------------ --TEX
they can take sf, but i think we take sg. Anderson/mobley too much for Christie/Barry. What we need is mo to play webber well.
I'm with Cisco, we will struggle due to our inability to shut down opposition studs, in this case Webber and Pedrag, those two will kill us and we need to find a way to slow them down, maybe some more Anderson at 3. ------------------ "It's incredible to see how he [Mobley] can beat his guy one-on-one every time. That is a tremendous talent. The combination of Steve and Cuttino, I think, is wonderful in the backcourt." --the Dream
IMHO Stojakovic will not "eat Walt up" IF the Rockets get Walt 10+ shots. Predrag is getting 15 shots per game but his FG% is not that far from Walt's. Predrad averages 20 ppg. If Walt gets 7 from the field @ 43.4% that's 7 points. Add in 4 trey attempts @ .50% and that's 6 more points. Walt gets to the line about twice per game and shoots 88% of his FT's. This gives Walt 14 or 15 points if the Rocks will get him 11 FGA's. I called SF "Even" as Bullard is playing alot better than Nick Anderson. (Not to mention Shandon's time at the 3). This should be the most exciting Rockets game so far this season. The Kings have solid players at every postion and are among the most exciting teams to watch. On a different subject - JDubb handled Steve pretty well in the 1st two games last year which the Kings won 128-110 & 110-105. Third game was 110-93. Francis and the Rocks finally got the Kings number in game 4 102-99. Anybody see a trend here? ------------------ GATER
Somebody look it up for me, 'cause I'm too lazy to at the moment, but hasn't Jason "schooling" Francis in the past? Either that or Jason hasn't exactly been contained by Francis. ------------------ -------------- Did you know? Derrick Chievous sucked. It's true. -- from the ClutchCity.net "Did You Know" sidebar
DoD - I know, history favors the Kings within the past couple of years. I believe that Steve and Jason have only squared off twice, tho. I'm often wrong about these things... I'm of the mind that history is meaningless - it can easily be changed in the blink of an eye (or 48 minutes, whichever's more appropriate). History is only made when patterns repeat themselves over long periods of time. Sac/Houston have no REAL history in that sense... Any game is up for grabs between these two teams. Steve will rule his arse this time around. (Actually, I'd be mildly pleased if Mooch did it instead - the more I see of him, the more I think he's our best "true" PG...) ------------------
