ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets @ Knicks 2/25/2003

Can you imagine if we had a shooter like Allan Houston on our team. WOW!!!!!!!!

 

We need to get the ball in Steve's hands in clutch time. Although Steve does tend to make mistakes, he is the leader of the team and should be trusted with the ball when the game is on the line. Yao is a rookie. You can't put the pressure on a rookie in the last minutes of a close game. With this said, Yao needs to learn how to protect the ball better. He'll get there with time and experience.

 

Why does the Knicks want to win games? the more they win, the less likely they will get L. James. LOL

 

The Knicks deserved to win.The defense wasn't there both Eisley and Anderson destroyed us.Posey should have been on the court for his defense in the end.Rice could have been on the court in the last few minutes as a four and to stretch the defense.
The guys made mistakes Yao will learn from his turnovers but we didn't get any scoring from the PF spot and unless we get a little more consistant scoring from Taylor/Griffin we will struggle because Yao can't be expected to carry us alone in the frontcourt.

 

As long as that shooter does not demand Allan Houston's salary

-G'day-

 

Which will be $15.9m next season. And he's contracted to 2006-2007. No thanks.

 

Sooo...is it too late to trade Rice for Brand or something?

 

Our bench didn't play well. A portion of the blame falls on them. And give credit where credit is due. The Knicks played a great second half.

 

Just got back from the game...lots of Rockets fans. Moochie even had a cheering section, I kid you not (this group of guys kept saying Moochie and Moo Moo and holla at us, etc.). I can't believe we lost though, we definitely could of had this game. Yao's 2 turnovers were huge. Hopefully, he can keep than down.

 

Ok came back from the Garden and I wanted to put my thoughts out while I am still fuming.

Let's start with the good.

Positives:
Yao was much more aggressive
-had lots of good one on one post moves looking to score
-can see how if he lowers his turnovers and becomes used to the NBA game a bit more, he can be a total monster
Teammates were obviously looking to him as a first option
Good first half defense and overall first half ball movement
Cuttino was nice and aggressive in the flow of the offense (first half, although disappeared down the stretch)

Negative:
Turnovers - killing me here (Francis, Yao all guilty as charged)
Francis did not look like his normal self - missed some layups that while not terribly easy, he usually gets; not in the flow of the offense; did not create many shots for himself or others (one really nice assist to I think Cat for a 3 though)
Offense in 3rd quarter - $@#%ing awful
Power forwards were terrible against the Knicks umm not so great tandem of power forwards (Please Eddie no more threes)
No answer for Allan Houston (although we did keep Sprewell in check until the dagger)

Other:
Atmosphere was kinda weird. There were always a smattering of Rockets fans in NYC, but this was the whole Yao Ming deal. He got lots of applause in the introduction and nearly every time he scored. In my not so great seats, there were lots of Chinese fans who were obviously there to support Yao. Some cheered for Yao and the Knicks at the same time! They were also doing some kind of auction for a Yao and Sprewell signed jersey for some charity. I thought that was interesting to feature an opposing player like that. Does this happen to any other player (besides MJ maybe)? I think the crowd was more pro-Yao until the last few minutes when you know what happened....Unfortunately, this game also reminded me of last year when we ended up losing at the end as well...sigh.

Final Thoughts:

While this was a heartbreaking loss and my friend (a Knicks fan) has bragging rights until next year, I thought it was a good learning experience. In order to improve the team, we need Yao to stay aggressive but for the other 4 to not just stand around waiting for either a bucket or a turnover. Yao is not great when double teamed, but he will get used to it. Too many times he would dribble slowly backing into the paint only to have it swiped away by a quicker player. This team can definitely be great. We just need a bit more consistent play for 48 minutes. Bad loss but hopefully it will be a learning experience.

 

Don't worry. Yes we lost this game because we went to Yao. So Steve won't let him touch the ball again in the next game. Steve for 40, Mobley for 30 vs Wizards!!!!!

 

We will go to Steve and Cuttino every time next game. Steve/Cat lovers don't worry.

 

While we cannot deny our poor ball protection, some of those TO should have been foul calls. But the refs decided to let them go; and that clearly to the rough team's favour.

 

what ZRB saying is that is Yao was not playing in the 4th rox can win. wafc.

this whole team sucked without Yao and they just sucked a bit less with Yao!

A bunch of millionier street ballers plus an old school foreign center who happens to be a rookie.

 

Please save your sarcasm.

Even though Im frustarted with the loss, I was absolutely blown away at how well Steve Francis played given his condition.

Steve's back was killing him and Yao looked like he was in major pain. Both gutted it out. It was a great performance by both players in my opinion.

 

It's only a matter of time before Yao starts making those post moves decisively fast. Right now, it's all a very deliberate process on offense. Ironically, the "Barkleyesque" methods of Yao in that low post used to be ruled out with the rule changes. But hey, it works for the big fella. Ultimately, I think you'll start seeing quicker and better timed entry passes into the post whereby Yao will spin or make his move right off the entry pass a la Shaq.

Meanwhile, those "blind" side steals by Spree need to be communicated to Yao. Either a Rock has to yell it out to him that a double is coming or Yao has to be more cognizant of that extra defender sneaking up on him. Keeping the ball high until he's ready to make his move is another thing he can do. If a defender tries to make a swipe at him, it's most likely a foul. Also, one more thing Yao has yet to develop is the "arching of the back" to create space. Perhaps not so easy when you're 7'5" for all the back strain. But nevertheless, Yao has, to date, relied mostly on just backing his defender down off the dribble. Upon catching the ball is when Yao is most dangerous. The initial back "arch" will help him. It's when Yao puts it on the floor that he negates his height advantage and becomes vulnerable. Elbow up, ball up, and less dribbling, and I think we have a winning formula for cutting down on those turnovers.

Other than the TOs, I found tonite's game very encouraging.



theSAGE

 

Yes, absolutely agree.

However, those two player need work really hard to reduce their TO. Steve lead league in that catogery. and Yao have way too many turnovers as Center.

And we must stengthen our PF postion. What were our PF doing at this game? No O no D. Useless!!!

 

thr result of not passing the ball to Yao will be Rocket lose by 40

 

SageHare6,

Very insightful comments. I completely agree with them. Yao did look like a larger version of Barkley, but his height was a disadvantage there. Bringing the ball down does completely negate his height. He should hold it up and make one or two quick dribbles to make his move. Also, nice comment about communication there. I do think the other players need to yell that a blind side help defense is coming. Of course many times the other 4 players would be on the other side of the court so....

Anyway turnovers were awful but yes encouraging even in the loss (although wasn't sold on the performance of any of our PFs).