I've said this before but I think Mutumbo is the MVP of the Rox for the second half of the season. I agree that its worrisome that we're relying on aging veteran backups which is one reason I'm trying to keep a lid on irrational exuberance when it come so this years Rox. As for Mutumbo lets hope he can keep going at this pace and IMO even when he does eventually retire we should keep him around to work with Yao. Yao's a much better offensive player than Mutumbo but he could learn a lot about D and rebounding from him.
Sure was a great win. Deke was amazing. You need players to step it up like this, it's the duty of role players. So I am in no way upset about him stepping it up and not Yao. Some nights (most) it will be Yao and TMAC, others the surounding guys will carry the team. Barry, Wes, MJ, Sura, even DEKE! ....they have all done it atleast once so far this season and it will happen again. The next week of basketball is going to be a tough one for the Rockets, and I hope they can keep up the intensity and energy! Rox have a back to back coming up, then 1 days of rest, then another back to back and 1 days rest and another game! That's 4 games in 5 Days! Also 5 games in 7!
Heh, when Spoon opened the game with two consecutive airballs, I said to my friends, "Uh oh, it's going to be a long night." But he really redeemed himself the rest of the game.
He really did. After his 2nd airball (he missed the rim by over a foot) we were all calling for him to be put on the bench in the chat room. But then all of a sudden he made a nice drive, hit a few jumpers, got some steals. rebounds, FT's. It then got real good with him on the floor.
That said but what was the score last nite? I think JVG is a winner and deserves a lot of props for what he's done with so many players coming and going. My point of the orginal question was more about knee jerk reactions. Good coaches like good players come to the top given time.
It's gonna come down to Yao and his summers. If he can retire from the CNT, then he won't have the mental and physical fatigue, and he can actually work on his game. That'd help tremendously. I won't hold my breath on China saying, Sure, let's allow our nation's only good player to not represent our sucky team every summer.
JVG is a horrible coach. I miss watching one guy stand on the left side of the court and dribble out the clock while 4 others stand on the periemeter picking their noses. As far as my initial post in this thread, I guess the reason last night bothers me is because I know this team won't be around too long. I think this team is built perfectly. They're made to win in the playoffs. They have the perfect kind of depth. Not bad depth like Memphis and those old Portland teams. They have two superstars and then a plethora of lesser guys that know they are lesser guys. I just wish this team could be around longer. Yao will never have a better backup than Dikembe during his career. As far as this year, if Duncan is indeed hurt, I would put down money that we are in the Finals.
cabbage, thanks for correcting your mistake - you left out the obligatory cheap shot at Rudy T in your first post. I want to see two though next time- every post is crucial this time of year.
Deke had a great game. But when Yao is on the floor people are afraid in the lane. Shaq becomes passive and wade rufuses to finish his drive. He always kicks out. Yao had impact last night defensively and offensively. It was Yao who stirred the comeback with successive points and he was the one who awakened the team. Deke Appeared to outplay Yao. No doubt. But it was not by a wide margin. Yao had an impact. As he does most nights. I like what he did last night.
One other thing, the play were collins said "That was a beautiful play." really was. You could see the whole thing develop from top to bottom. I think it resulted in the James 3. The Olajuwon offense was more read and react. But with this team you can watch as the player movement leads to position for Yao and T-Mac.
freak - i forget sometimes. good idea with the JVG cheapshot in the signature though, saves having to remember every time. Maybe I'll do that.
cabby, you've already done that with your 'iso' sig. Mine isn't necessarily a cheap shot at Gundy, either- it's a quote from his own player, and lots of people were trashing the supporting cast early in the year, a crew I thought was adequate. Even if it is a 'cheap shot', he's the coach of the Rockets right now. Rudy T hasn't been the coach in over 2 years, yet you continue to berate him to this day in almost every post. Why, I'm not sure. Obsession? Personal vendetta? It's weird that you would continue to insult THE Houston Rocket like that. Are you a VGOF? I can remove my sig if it bothers you; I like you, and I'm due for a change anyway, just been lazy.
going back to the article nice read and it was nice too see spoon contribute last night. if this guy showed up in better shape he may have been a very serviceable pf off the bench this year for the rockets. he is a good rebounder and decent midrange shooter- despite the first two airballs.
lol fair enough, no more cheap shots. honestly, i don't know why i do it. i just want you to admit that JVG is a good coach. You hated him because they fired Rudy. You hated him because he wasn't Mike Dunleavy. It seems like from the start you didn't give him a chance. Will you now atleast admit that the man is, if not brilliant, atleast good. I mean honestly, putting EVERYTHING else aside, if only from an aesthetics standpoint, did you really enjoy watching ISO-ball?
I was one of those people who had JVG as my 2nd or so choice for a coach when the Rockets were shopping for one. But I was okay with having him as our coach. I am begining to like him more and more, not necesarily because we are winning (although that helps) but because his quotes etc. are so straight forward etc.
I kinda have mixed feelings about this win too. I would have felt better if we would have blown them out. But the positive is, we didn't play that good and we still beat a very good team. We started 0-10 from 3 pt range, we went 1-8 FTs during one stretch and they got lucky and had 2 four point plays in the same quarter. U barely see one in a month. So if we look it that way, we should feel a little better. 12 teams before couldn't beat them.
