Rockets showed some heart tonight -- alot of heart -- but Bullard got toasted by Steve Smith for six HUGE points in OT and blew the open three at the end. At the risk of offending the many staunch Bullard supporters out there, I've got one question -- What the hell is this guy doing in the game during crunch time when he can't play defense and he can't hit an open shot? Come on Rudy!!!!!! I've been patient with this team. We have many new faces and a rookie point trying to find themselves -- but the Bullard defensive lapses are inexcusable. This guy should have been cut long ago. I've never been one to blame a loss on one guy -- the credit for this loss has to go back to Rudy for sticking with Bullard on Steve Smith.
I would rather have Mack then Bullard. However, he got a good look on that last 3, and it would never have come down to that, if Stevie WONDER? could hit his free throws. DaDakota
I am surprised to hear any criticism of this game KISSOFDEATH. I thought Bullard played tough tonight. He did play some defense too and hit a couple of shots. That last shot was close - I can't ask more of Bull. I also have never thought he should be in the game in the 4th but tonight he showed heart and was determined to win. In this case, it was right to keep him in. I AM SO HAPPY WITH THIS GAME, AND I THINK EVERYONE DID A GREAT JOB! EVERYONE!
Kissofdeath, Didn't Bullard sent the game to O.T? He did hit some good shots. Man, I see your point when you complain about defense, but you need to put down the pipe when you put a loss on one man's shoulders when he kept the team in the game as long as he did. Yes, I said Bullard kept the team in the game. Oh yeah, who would you have put out on the three point line in his place, other than Mack who is not on our team?
pass 1st -- watch the crack about the pipe the game I saw starred a Matt Bullard out of position and getting posterized by both Smith and Jermaine O'Neal during an important overtime stretch. I don't care how many open threes this guy hits -- he can't play D and he shouldn't be on the floor with Smith as his assignment. Period. This man is more of a liability than a plus. You bring in a guy like Bullard on the offensive end when you need a big three and that's it. Bullard kept this team in the game? Who in here is on the pipe?
I guess Stevie Wonder shooting 3 for 17 and missing a crucial GAME TYING free throw had nothing to do with it. DaDakota
And another thing, if you'll reread my post, I didn't blame Bullard, I blamed Rudy for having him in the game on Smith in OT. Everyone in Portland knew Smith was gonna get the ball and he was gonna torch Bullard. You can't blame Bullard -- he's one dimensional and everyone including Rudy should know that.... [This message has been edited by kissofdeath (edited November 26, 1999).]
they set a lot of picks for steve smith and that is why bullard couldn't keep up with him. i don't think bullard blew this one. U can't get mad at him when cato and franchise miss free throws.
Bullard shouldn't even be playing. Only in Rudys's system does a guy like Bullard recieve playing time. A system that hoists up 25 three pointers a game. This system is better fit for Bullard, and when he makes 2-7 three pointers he looks better than Rogers and Anderson. Maybe it's cause they dont stand around the three point line all game.
bakedalaska -- I saw the screens -- You don't need screens on Bullard. The man is constantly out of position and lethargic on defense. Sure he can stick the occassional three, and tonight he did that, he stuck a three to help send the game into OT. However, he gets burned for six on the other end and other Rockets have to leave their assignment to bail his ass out. This is nothing new. This has been going on for years. The guy is a major defensive liability and his "three point ability" doesn't offset his defensive shortcomings. Bottom line. It's not his fault. It's Rudy's. He shouldn't have been on the floor for the entire Overtime period sucking the life out of our defense. He should be brought in when we need a three and that's it...... As far as trying to pin this game on one guy -- that's not my goal even though the thread name may indicate something different.
Bullard either blew this one or he didn't. Make up your mind. Your all caps thread title indicates that you believe that Bullard is solely responsible for this loss. Have some conviction, eh.
KOD, You are absolutely right. We all love Bull when he's raining in the 3s, but he definitely is a defensive liability. I found myself holding my breath every time his man got the ball, but at the same time, hoped he hit the 3 as well. It's pretty much a double-edged sword. He can get you back in the game, but at the same time, let the other team back in. Since he has been back, his offense has been pretty good though. If he could only play a little D. IMO, Shandon should get more minutes. I think the Rockets have turned the corner.
Kissofdeath, About the pipe-it's a figure of speech not a personal attack so don't get offended. I won't say it again so let that be the end of it. Anyway, you didn't answer my question: who would you have put on Smith in the critical moments? I hate to keep posting snotty messages (really), but it's absolutely useless to complain about something when there is no soultion offered. I tend to agree with you about the defensive issue. Maybe Rogers could have been on him. But Bullard was needed on the court to score. So here's the line-up with Rogers and Bullard: C: Cato PF: Rogers SF: Bullard SG: Mobley PG: Francis. I know that you would rather have somebody else out there other than Bullard, but that's the only real 3 pt. threat we've got. Maybe Bullard could guard Wallace (lol). Maybe he could guard Sabonis and let Cato force Smith to make a bad shot (LOL). Look, my only point is we are not a loaded 3 pt. team. I don't think Rudy did anything wrong in that situation, and I bet you wouldn't complain had it worked out. But seriously, what would you have done with out roster in that situation?
Gotta agree with grummett here...the thread's title is that Bullard blew it, not Rudy. Regardless, why the h*ll do we all expect each player to play like a top draft pick? When Steve Smith is hot, who in the h*ll can guard him? If Matt drained the last 3 and sent it into OT2, would we still b*tch? I feel compelled to add that blaming one person after a team's loss is weak.
Bullard actually played quite a bit of time tonight... and although Smith got hot on him, he was really quiet all game long. He just hit a streak, which he is more than capable of, and it happened right in OT. I don't think it matters all that much WHO was guarding him. I was actually a little surprised by Bullard. He was productive, even chasing some boards and playing what little D he is capable of.
Matt did well. He's done well the past couple of games. Being old is not an excuse for losing, but... Would we have gone into OT had Matt not been played? No. We would instead have handed it to either Cat or Stevie, both of which they were waiting for... Matt is a role player. He has been that for years, and he does it well. Don't worry, Matt's not moving to the starting lineup. Rudy knows what to do with him. When he's not shooting he'll assist Lisa Maloski with her commentaries... Have a little respect for the man, though... You guys act as if the man never helped us win a game. Remember what "Clutch" means...
In regards to Pass 1st' question Id of much rather had Anderson in the game then. He was playing pretty damn good D tonight. In OT its not like everyone didnt know that the rox were going to three places with the ball (BArkley or Mobley or Francis). The Rox didn't need Andersons offense. As to Cohens remarks. Um I believe for the 1st half when Steve was utterly shut out it Was Shandon Anderson playing D on him not Bullard. Smith didn't start scoring until Bullard was assigned Smith.
I'm afraid the 33% shooting and 23 turnovers are more to blame than Bullard's lack of defense. If we are going to continue to shoot poorly and hoist up 25 three-pointers, then where in the world is SAM MACK! It is tough to watch these MISERABLE shooting nights when I know with the quick stroke of a pen we could do something about it. We have shooting guards and small forwards that can't buy the basket, that will buy us an NBA lotto ticket if that's what we want! Of course if we had shooting guards and small forwards who could MAKE SHOTS, then you would have to call us the Milwaukee Bucks, and I'd hate to have their Win/Loss record right about now instead of ours.
It all goes back to Rudy T and his wack substitution patterns.Matt Bullard didn't blow this one,Rudy blew this one.He takes Shandon out and lets him rot on the bench again.It's not Matt's fault,but he has no business being out there.Yes,there was the missed chippie that Cato should have dunked home.There was Stevie missing one of the key free throws.(Cato did same)We would have never been in that position if we had SA locking down SS.It shouldn't have come down to that. On the bright side,we got a glimpse of the Rocks without Dream and there WILL be life after him.We should flourish when a couple of players are mixed in.Hell,Stevie was 3-17 and we still almost won.By the way,he should be driving to the hoop,not jacking up 3's.HH
