ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Celtics @ Rockets 1/13/2003

HeyP, read my post again. I said " I'm not saying give it to Yao when he gets doubled." Last time I check there are 5 players on the court for each time and if Yao is doubled then that's 4 on 3 (4 on 2 if he's tripled) for us. If he's open give him the ball, if he's doubled before he gets the ball it's still 4 on 3. Swing it to friggin' Eddie and tell him to take it to the hole. Why the hell is Cat doing 2 on 1 even 3 on 1 ISO when somebody else is open.

Pretty simple strategy.

If Yao is open: dump it low, let him take it strong to the hole or kick out

If Yao is doubled: EARTH TO CAT, look for the open man.

 

Not true. If it was true that we lost when either one had an off-night, we wouldn't have quite so nice of a record. We've won many a game with one of them shooting poorly, partially because of what I was saying about Cat taking fewer shots on off nights. That's a little too harsh of a comment about them. I will admit though that if both are off, we're pretty likely to lose, but that shouldn't surprise anyone considering they're are top 2 scorers, and Stevie is still our best player for now.

 

MFW, you are obviously an ignorant jackass... You do realize that many times, the reason that Yao wouldn't get the ball down low WHEN HE WASN'T OPEN and was double teamed without the ball is because it actually wasn't possible! Or at least not easy. Entry passes are a big, and often difficult, part of the game. It's called ball denial, and it's something that a lot of teams will use pretty effectively when they know they have no real match for a certain post player. You really want him to give up the ball so much (even when he's hot) that you'll risk an embarrassing turnover? You must really hate Cat. Point being "just dumping it in" isn't always so simple.

I've said it before, but I don't think there was more than one time that game where Cat literally blew off a wide open Ming under the basket, and even then, he may just not have seen him, I don't know. I believe he made the shot anyway... in that sort of situation, it's no real excuse, but he's still not as blind as you think he is. But all those other excuses you were talking about? They still apply. The Rockets are the second to youngest team in the league! So what they've accomplished is pretty impressive in my opinion...

And by the way, I never said anything about McGrady not passing, I think he's great - miles ahead of Iverson. He should be shooting the ball, but Iverson has more people to pass to like you just mentioned, yet his assist numbers haven't increased a bit. He now has Thomas, MacCulloch, and Van Horn, and nothing. His attempts per game has actually increased with a decrease in FG%. That's pretty stupid basketball if you ask me.

Also, what the HELL does how far TMac, Kobe, and Iverson got on their own have to do with anything I was saying? Are you claiming that they're not good players? But as long as you brought it up, a couple points. It's still pretty impressive how far iverson and McGrady could take their teams being that they were gaurds who were practically lone stars on their team. Also, I'm pretty damn sure that Kobe never had the opportunity to get a ring without Shaq in the lineup. Sure, he couldn't have gotten them without Shaq, but are you saying that Shaq could have won those championships without Kobe?

 

You did not answer my question: If it is such a simple strategy, then why does Phil Jackson use such a complicated Triangle strategy with Shaq, rather than a simple, dump it into Hakeem strategy.

You strategy will basically take Yao completely out of the game, and even moreso as he shows more success. We can't win dumping down low. That strategy is no different over time than isolated Francis/Mobley was with no zones.

Please answer my question about Shaq and Phil Jackson.

 

HEY! I hope you're not saying Francis is our Bibby! He deserves a better comparison than that!

 

If you really believe this occurs, then I got nothing more for you.