[Chron] Out-of-Sync Rockets take tumble to Spurs

DavidS · Oct 28, 2004

Originally posted by SamFisher

I remember starting a thread last year early in the season where Yao totally douched Ben Wallace (the prototypical shorter stronger player that he should have trouble with) on a Friday night and then got punked by Nesterovic a few days later next game. Nobody had an answer then and I dont' have one now, it makes no sense
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Seem to me it's a Yao pre-game issue. He "gets up" for Ben Wallace. Proceeds to thump him. Feels all good about it. Looks on the roster lineup for the next game (Spurs or Kings lets say) and see guys like Nesterovic or Miller. While everyone on the Rockets (Yao included) are getting hyped-up for Duncan/Parker/Gino and Webber/Bibby, the opposition's role players are getting overlooked as defensive trouble makers for Yao. Couple that with Yao's known up-and-down demeanor (plays passive one game, plays aggressive another) and it's no wonder. It's a crap shoot!

I can imagine that Greg Popovich and Rick Adelman are saying, "Hey Nesterovic (or Miller)...play like it's your last game against Yao! Our *star* players will be busy doing other things. You just keep Yao busy!"

Basically, Yao can't afford to take a night off. Or he'll get thumped by some role player that wants to prove a point; or at least *not* get embarrassed.

RocksMillenium · Oct 28, 2004

Originally posted by mogrod
This article shows what is really happening with the team. All these "doom-and-gloom" posters just look at the outer surface of things. You can't expect a whole new roster just to come together over night. This was the first game that they were playing in the proper rotations and it really looked as if everyone was thinking way too much. They had alot of open looks against the best defensive team in the league which is encouraging to me. The shots just weren't falling. Yao's low output in scoring was more about him missing just about all of the first half, rather than anythingelse IMO. A) Players have to get in a rhythm and, leaving the game for that extent of time at the beginning, can really throw off such rhytm. B) Again, teammates are trying to get used to playing together, trying to learn where and when a player likes to get the ball and discovering where other players are most comfortable on the court. I think this also contributes somewhat to Yao's lack of touches. I think the players are willing and want to throw it down there, they just haven't learned when and where Yao likes it. I think, when they do get it to him, it is way too late in the shot clock. Turnovers were a bummer but, again, I think we are going to see a little higher total while they learn to play with each other. Alot of these guys have never been known to be high turnover guys.

Anyway, I personally saw some encouraging things in the game (defense, getting open shots, etc.) and I hope they can work out the kinks before opening night. I'm not trying to make excuses for a pour outing, but these are just some observations I had watching the game.

I REALLY hope Yao's elbow is not too serious to force him to miss any time. YIKES!
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Amen! What makes people think that the Rockets would be playing top notch basketball after only a few games together? Especially without Bobby Sura.

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[Chron] Out-of-Sync Rockets take tumble to Spurs

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