ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Lakers @ Rockets 1/17/2003

the blocks for shaq really keep kobe for jumped shoot , and he got one too

 

I posted this on another thread, but it applies here as well...


Concerning the flagrant, it shouldn't have been. Steve drove right into Shaq, Shaq reached with both hands and covered the ball with both hands BEFORE he even touched Steve. With the ball covered, Steve protects it by bringing it back like he always does. Steve's momentum then pushes his face into Shaq's arms, Steve hits Shaq, and obviously, falls on his a$$.
As much as I like Steve and the Rockets, I believe Steve is just asking for it. He constantly drives into defenders, no matter who it is, and half the time, he has to be praying for a foul. Sometimes he'll make an easy shot, but usually it is very difficult, or near imossible. He gets a lot of foul calls, but often turns the ball over, or makes a desperation outlet pass.
But the main thing is, he tries to do too much in times like this, and I'm afraid he's going to get hurt-which almost happened earlier this season.
I'd much rather him get the other 4 players involved, or maybe the others should step up. I'm glad for the win, but Steve and Cat arent' going to score 70pts a game consistently.
Sorry for the straying off topic.
Oh, yeah, Shaq did plenty of elbowing to clear off Yao for his dunks. I winced myself on one in particular.

 

The one that looks like it almost caught Yao on his adam's apple?

 

You must not watch much NBA basketball. The center position is ridiculously weak. Probably the primary reason for this is that any talented 7 footer moves to PF if he possibly can, ala Tim Duncan.

 

Yeah, Duncan and Garnett should be playing center. And did I hear something about Gasol being moved (or already at?) to PF?

 

I hope Yao is more careful next time he plays Shaq. He doesn't want to get the same injury like Bill Cartwrigth's.

 

I stand corrected. I guess I must have missed the era when the NBA had a lot of 'strong' centers playing against each other who could post, block, dribble, pass, shoot from the outside and dunk.

 

Best game in years and no recap????????!!!!!! What's up???

 

You are right on. I agree.

 

anybody know about how many we had in chat that night???

I was stuck in New Orleans, but I did get to watch the game, by myself, in my in-laws TV room... everyone went to bed at halftime...

what a game!!

 

Garnett, Gasol, Nowitski, and others are all versatile and can play C, PF, and SF. They are not as effective at Center full time compared to playing at other positions because they don't have the body.

The average center today is probably as good as the average center in the 80's or 90's. Like it or not, don't discredit Shaq's dominance this era by saying the center position today is weak. I think that was his point. I'm sure there will be alot of people saying that in a few years about Yao.

 

I dont recall seeing more than 180 or so... I didnt keep a close watch on the numbers, but during the height of the game(4th into OT) I looked down and saw 176 or so..

The missed the best part of the game?? Geez..

 

<img src="http://www.sportsweekly.com.cn/images/newsimage/jpg/2003/1/20/picVRKhs8.jpg">

 

Don't those guys have as good as a body for C as most others in the league who play at center?