Rudy started the Mavericks game with this lineup for those not watching the game: PG - Moochie Norris SG - Steve Francis SF - Shandon Anderson PF - Maurice Taylor C - Hakeem Olajuwon The Rockets are leading in Dallas 53-31 at half. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
i am absolutly floored! this line-up is really smoking the mavs. they should have team meetings more often! ------------------
Why Moochie?!? I have been in favor of starting Francis, Anderson and Mobely since Williams went into his big slump last year. I'm sure this lineup is just because the Mavs start 6-7 Finley at the 3. Walt will probably be back in next game. j ------------------
This is interesting. Perhaps Rudy T made the change to push Stevie to shoot more and to trigger him into a scoring rhythm. It could also be to encourage Shandon to use his speed against bigger SF's and develop some sort of confidence at the 3. Or maybe it has nothing to do with Shandon or Francis, but only to try using Walt off the bench (which he should be) and getting him out of his slump. Whatever the reason, its always nice to juggle your line-up every once in awhile to shake the team up a little, especially when its on a 6-game slide. Azim da Dream ------------------ We don't live for the destination. We live for the journey. http://www.clutchtown.com [This message has been edited by Azim da Dream (edited December 30, 2000).]
I think the number one reason for this was that Rudy just couldnt afford to start Walt Williams anymore. Look a three guard line-up will work occasionaly, but it's not going to work consistentley, and it sure will not get you past the first round of the playoffs, but, again, a change had to be made. ------------------
Dallas likes to play small. I didn't see the game up here in the Land of Perpetual Ice, but from what I read, Dallas plays three guards with Nowitzki often at center. Is that how this game went at all? ------------------
Two keys here: 1. Matchups: Nellie is the guy who invented the 3 guard line up. 2. Walt is in a HORRIFIC slump. He needed a break. Anything to shake up a lineup is a good thing when you've lost 6 in a row. Steve and Moochie pretty much shared the ball handling duties - Francis had one more assist than Mooch. They probably won't be able to do that against a bigger team but it worked against Dallas. ------------------ The way to use life is to do nothing through acting, The way to use life is to do everything through being. - Lao-Tzu
So will Steve shoot more? or is he just gonna wait til our next game against dallas? ------------------ I Bleed Rockets Pajama-Pinstriped-Blue!
Guys, did the 3rd quarter lineup look the same? Is the boxscore correct? Shandon Anderson w/ 39 minutes??? Fun. ------------------ You don't normally see a shot-blocker out there shooting 3s like that. - Matt Bullard
I believe that is correct.... even more noteworthy is he played big minutes in the 4th if I recall correctly. I love the fact Rudy T changed up his lineup... not that I think this should be the permanent lineup or anything, just that Rudy T historically rarely changes his lineup unless forced to by injury. Remember what it took to get Kenny Smith out of the starting lineup and on to the bench? ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Walt seems to have gotten out of his slump also, though it is too early to tell right away. He hit 4 of 4 outside jumpers, two of which were 3 pointers. I doubt this lineup will stay for a long time tho... I think the main reason Rudy changed was Dallas was going with a sort of 3 guard starting lineup. Then again, maybe he will stay with it since it worked pretty well. And Walt played well off the bench... maybe that's where he should stay. ------------------ da ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence - alaskanSnowman
I think Rudy did it to match up with Dallas. They start a very small backcourt with Nash, and Eisley. I would not read too much into it. As for the Mavericks comeback....we REALLY need to find a way to beat the trap, our guards are terrible under full court pressure. DaDakota ------------------ If Mankind evolved from Monkeys and Apes, then why are there still Monkeys and apes?
Thanks Clutch. Since Steve seems hesitant to dominate from the 1, it's fun reading about his playing the 2. The hilarious thing is 9 shots and 22 points. Not to bug you again, but were the 10 fts on attempted shots? Thanks again in advance ------------------ You don't normally see a shot-blocker out there shooting 3s like that. - Matt Bullard
