My point was that it was not like a blown layup or dunk - this shot was not a gimme, so you can't say that by missing it we gave away the game. Actually, the argument that Cat gave the game away with the missed FTs makes a lot more sense than blaming it on EG missing the last shot.
Time to fire up the broken record. The Rockets can't beat playoff caliber teams with an assist to FGM ratio which hovers around .500. 18 assists on 35 made shots will not beat the WC playoff teams. Last years excuse for this league leading low ratio was - we didn't have any shooters. Against PHX, the Rockets exclusive of Francis and Thomas shot 50%. Perhaps it never was poor shooting afterall. And Walt is shooting well for Dallas....hmmmm....
Mo wasnt showing any signs of slowing down so why take him out when theres momentum going. I didnt know the game was on Ch.2 today will Calvin Murphy and Bill Warrell, it feels wierd watching the TNT commentators, they SUCK!
The last play made sense. First option goes to the guy who's won the last game for you by taking over in the fourth a couple times this year. If that's closed you go to the open man. It was Eddie G. Tonight wasn't his best night, but he had been shooting the three well. The play was a fine one. It just didn't work. Sadly though we shouldn't have had to shoot from behind at the end.
Did you watch the game? Did Mo T look tired at all to anyone? If anything he was very active and showed lots of spark on the floor. I doubt that the 18 minutes he saw was killing him either.
Yao is a fast learner and he starts mixing with the team. But why the heck he still played only 14 minutes.
Regarding the Yao thing, I don't see why this is surprising...Rudy has been doing this all year...Yao got hot early on against the Raptors and then sat the rest of the game...Same thing the other night. I don't understand it, but it's not new...
Also, Marbury simply <b>dominated</b> Francis in this matchup. I don't know whether it was Marbury's defense/quickness, but it seemed like Francis had to work extra hard to get his shots off. Usually he'll calmly and effortlessly do his patented hesistate jumper, but he had to do a lot more juking/effort in order to get it off today. Marbury was basically driving at will on Francis, and finding his teammates very well (11 assists). It seems like Marbury is putting forth a true effort to find his teammates. That said, we were a Griffin 3 pointer or 2 Mobley free throws away from winning the game. We really need to iron out our offense... it seemed like we had a difficult time gettin the ball into the post, especially to Glen Rice. There were a few plays that just left me thinking "wat the hell was that?" b/c they just seemed so uncoordinated and unorganized. It was probably the first time some of these plays were run in real game situations, so hopefully, we will see continuous improvement on 1.) spacing 2.) getting into the offense quicker 3.) getting the ball to the right man.
Listen to yourself. That's like blaming Moochie for a one point loss, because he missed two free-throws in the 1st quarter. No. You react to the opportunity that's presented to you and act on it. That's what Marburry did. We should have done it back. Jordan never worred about missed shots in the first 3 quarters. He only worried about making the last shot. Seize the opportunity.
I watched the whole game and as I pointed out in another thread it's great to see Mo get his shot back. I just don't know if he's ready to play 30+ minutes yet. Besides, EG seemed to be stroking the threes OK himself. Now if the argument is why didn't Rudy put Mo in for a couple key possessions at the end, that's a different matter.
That's called taking a risk, adjusting to the situation, that's called coaching, OK? Wiz put in Oakley who played a grand total of 5 minute game for them in the final minutes last night, and he wins the game for them. Granted, Oak is a veteran, but sometime, you just need to roll the dice and pick the best situational strategy.
I think we're really saying the same thing. I would have also liked to see the Rox come up with a big play in the last possession. Nevertheless, the best chance the Rox had to win the game in CLUTCH time was Cat's free throws.
Rudy didn't do anything wrong.... Ask Cat what happened.... Best FT shooter on the team misses 2 late with game on the line. That's not executing the play. Also, Eddie not looking to shoot the second to last posession with time running out and instead pass to Stevie for a 35 Footer. That's not using the brain (but he's still young and learning). Missing the open 3 by Eddie at the end. That's life. BTW, that last drive by Maybury was a great shot that even Ming would not have blocked. Bottomline. This is Stevie's team and when he has an off night, it's normally a lost. Until someone steps up Big Time, that will be the case. I can't wait until Ming gets used to the minutes and is in there at the end. (That means he is playing better Defense - His Offense is there already). P.S. Mo-T looking good with his shots tonight. But I do think that he got tired at the end. But why was Rice out there? He has lose several steps big time and is a real libility on D.
Sticking Oak in at the end of a game isn't rolling the dice...it's leaning on the tried and true. Sticking two rookies who are still somewhat lost in at the end of the game isn't rolling the dice either...it's playing Russian Roulette with every chamber loaded.
You're talking about a tactical game, which is won during the game...1st, 2nd, 3rd and last 3-5 minutes of the 4th quarter. Those end up being free-throw contests (the team that's up usually wins). That's a tactical win. But, when the chips are down (and you don't play the tactical game right), and the game is ugly. The only way you are able to win the game you AREN'T SUPPOSED TO WIN (like a 7 point comeback by the Suns) is... You have to hit those last second shots when presented to you. The Suns won by default: We missed the shot (forget the mistakes we made earlier.) The Suns made plenty mistakes. But they were able to overcome them.
Sticking Oak in at the end of a game isn't rolling the dice... Please listen to what Doug Collins says Sticking two rookies who are still somewhat lost in at the end of the game isn't rolling the dice either... You know what the definition of RISK is?
You can think I'm crazy all you want I don't care. The bottom line is that we had a 7-6 guy there who can block shots, we're not asking him to change the world, just sit there and swat at a guy who comes in the lane. I'll take that. And Hawkins is more mature then your average rookie so I say put him in there. I mean we're asking for defense not to hit a long range 3. That's what I'm thinking. Mobley should have hit those FTs, but the bottomline is that you need to put good defenders in to stop the last shot, and even if Ming isn't considered a good defender it's tough to shoot over a 7-6 guy, especially when the game is on the line.
