ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 11/17/2002

OK, hell, what was Francis up to at the end?? He knew he'd screwed up big time. We almost blew it at the end. I get where your coming from, DavidS. I just about had cardiac arrest.

But we won! Yao had a breakout game against the LAKERS!!
MoT is back!

This is sweet.

 

Yeah, the best part is that Yao is showing a "stick-to-it-tiveness"
that we haven't seen in a long while (M. Malone).

He's not shy on the boards!

YOU CAN'T STOP THIS!

 

Is it just me, or are the Rockets becoming somewhat clutch again? I know they weren't really last Friday, but it seems like many players are playing their best in the 4th quarter.

On another note, anyone know when TMo will be back?

Ooo, and one more thing. Don't know if anyone's already posted this, but I found an interesting quote by Shaq after this game at ESPN.com:
"Congratulations to Mr. Ming, first of all. He's done a lot for his country. He has all the tools -- shoot, dribble. He can play, he's no slouch.'' - SHAQUILLE O-FREAKIN-'NEAL

 

All the quotes from Shaq in the past where hype and a little competitive
trash talking. But only because EPSN goaded him on... (ESPN loves
controversy. It's great for ratings).

In reality, Shaq really doesn't talk trash to players that don't talk trash to
him. I mean, Yao? Talk trash? No way. He's only showed Shaq respect.

But, that's not going to stop Shaq from playing a few head games on Yao
just to see how he handles it.

 

Finally saw my first game of the season tonight.

Thoughts -

Steve Francis is a couple bad decisions away from being the NBA's best.

Kenny Thomas is too selfish with the ball and never looks for the pass.

Mo worked very nice with Yao, Very nice work by Mo Tay.

Cuttino not shooting as much may actually be a good thing.

Juaquin Hawkins is a supurb hustle player and defender, props to Rudy for digging up this guy (nice pass to Yao at the end).

Eddie Griffin is by far the best Defender and Rebounder we have, I love watching Eddie Play.

I'm scared now of what will happen when Yao Ming gets the ball on a regular basis. Yao still lacks defensive awareness, But no doubt his offense is the real deal.

 

One thing is for sure...

CHINA IS HAVING A PARTY RIGHT NOW!



AND WINDANDSEA IS SUPPLYING THE KEG!

 

Yup, certainly looking forward to Jan 17th now... hopefully I get to fly into Houston then.

Wonder if Charles was licking his lips as Yao put the ball through the hoop for his 19th and 20th points.....

But knowing him, he'll probably come up with some wise crack to try and back out and Kenny will be like needling him for being a chicken.

 

WOW!! Man are you pyschic or what!!!?? Amazing!!

 

Hey sonique15 do you have any lottery numbers you feel like giving away?

 

yes..I should have it ripped to file in the next week..Ill get back to ya.

On Topic:

Every game he plays, he steps up his play another level..who am I talking about?
Take your pick, Mo or Yao Ming...thats one helluva lineup.
SF,CM,Hawk,MoT,Yao..
When they were in the game together..things went well..were you paying attention to that Rudy? lets see some more of it..

How bout that great fastbreak? Steve dropped the ball back to the trailer...Yao! I couldnt believe he held on to that ball and was able to get it up and in..what great hands he has!
Can you imagine how good we would have been with Cato there?
No need to run smallball, just alternate Cato, Yao and Eddie..theres your center rotation for the season..

 

does anybody know were i can get clips from this game for free?
i want to see it but i can't get IT from nba.com i don';t have a credit cart

 

3 Things You Liked About Last Night's Game

1) Rockets win!

2) Ming 9-9 in 23 minutes (very impressive)

3) I'm torn on this one: Collier - DNP-CD or Moochie 8 minutes...gotta go with Moochie since he as a negative impact on the game and Collier has no impact.

 

Soory, but I didn't understand what you meant about Collier and Moochie having a negative impact. What are you torn about?

 

yaomingmania.com

Detailed Yao analysis


1st quarter
1:29 Yao checks into the game for Kenny Thomas after Thomas picks up his second foul.
2nd quarter
11:04 FG 1 (code from shot chart above) Maurice Taylor gets the ball the in the post, and Yao slides down from the free throw line toward the basket. Medvedenko comes over to double-team Taylor, and Taylor finds Yao underneath the basket all alone for the two-handed jam! Rockets lead 24-21.
10:20 FG 2 Moochie takes a long jumper from the corner, and Yao crashes the boards from out high. The ball bounces high off the rim and Yao, about 3 feet from the basket, uses all of his height to grab the rebound vigorously while legally swinging his elbows. He then brings it down, takes one step toward the basket in traffic, and kisses a nice layup off the glass with his right hand. Beautiful play! Credit his hustle crashing the boards (something we rarely saw from Kelvin Cato last year). Rockets lead 26-21.
9:13 FG 3 Yao gets the ball on the left baseline just outside of the paint, and is guarded by Medvedenko. Yao spins right toward the baseline and dribbles twice around his man. Yao then jump stops underneath the basket, and gracefully stretches on the the other side of the goal to put in a nice reverse layup off the glass. A thing of beauty! Rockets lead 29-23.
8:27 Yao gets the ball almost in the exact same position as the previous possession--on the left baseline, and this time is guarded by Samaki Walker. Turning left again, he's fouled. That's what we like to see--keep feeding it to the big man! An official's timeout is called.
8:18 FG 4 After the timeout, Yao gets the ball in the exact same spot. We've got to think Rudy told his guards to exploit the matchup he has against his smaller defenders. Instead of driving baseline, Yao takes one step back and shoots a jumper--nothing but cotton! Yao has scored six straight points for the Rockets! The L.A. crowd roars awestruck! Rockets lead 31-25.
7:43 For the fourth possession in a row, Yao gets the ball in the same spot. This time he pivots and drop steps toward the basket, but is called for traveling--which is the correct call.
6:04 Out high near the 3 point line, Yao's defender Samaki Walker has the ball and hands it to Kobe. Kobe starts dribbling, and wanting to make sure Bryant (who is on fire having scored 12 points in a row) doesn't get something easy, Yao slides away from Walker to cut off Kobe. Kobe is smart enough to see Walker cutting to the basket unguarded, and on a perfect pick-and-roll bounces a pass to Walker who goes uncontested for the jam. Yao was a bit too eager to help out and guard Kobe on this one, but who wouldn't given Kobe is torching the Rockets?
5:45 FG 5 Moochie dribbles quickly toward the left corner and sees Yao in the middle of the paint breaking free from Walker. Moochie zips a PERFECT pass to Yao, who catches the bullet and dunks it one-handed in the front of the rim. Rockets lead 35-31. Yao has scored 8 of the Rockets last 10 points, and has 10 points total in 7 minutes.
3:58 Yao gets the ball in the right post, brings it down and bounces once with both hands, and takes a step backwards. But the ref calls him for traveling. Yao seems to protest the call motioning that he dribbled, and Rudy comes off the bench upset at the ref for making the call.
3:31 FG 6 Cuttino drives toward the basket and shoots a running jumper. When he releases the ball, Yao is at the free throw line--so we're thinking there's no way if Cuttino misses that Yao will be able to get the rebound. Cuttino's shot misses, and Yao crashes the boards. The rebound is tipped by Samaki Walker, and Yao pulls it strongly out of the air and goes up strong for a layup. We've been saying it this entire season--one of Yao's most unsung strengths is his willingness to work hard for position on every rebound.
2:10 Yao checks out of the game during a timeout. Yao is 6-6 for the quarter, has 12 points and 4 rebounds in a little less than twelve minutes of action.
4th quarter
12:00 Yao checks back in after not playing at all in the third quarter, probably because he had 3 fouls. Rockets are down by five, 64-59.
9:52 FG 7 In one of the most exciting plays we think we've seen thus far, the Rockets are fast breaking 3-on-2. Francis enters the lane and without even looking behind him, bounces the ball with no one seemingly around him. Suddenly Yao enters the picture out of nowhere on a full-speed run to pick up the bouncing ball about 3 feet inside the free throw line, takes one step and elevates toward the basket. Laker Tracy Murray sticks his hand in to rip Yao's left hand and arm off the ball, and while in mid-air Yao keeps control of the ball with his right hand by cupping it --and puts in an acrobatic shot for the lay-in. And he's fouled! UNBELIEVABLE!

Yao pumps his fist with the most excitement we've seen thus far on the court, the Rocket bench comes off their feet, and Rick Fox slams the ball against the base of the goal in frustration. So you're telling me Yao can fast break, too? And have the dexterity to handle the ball with one hand while his other arm is beting ripped off his body? You gotta be kidding me? And give props to Francis for seeing Yao out of the back of his head. Yao makes the free throw to put put his team up 70-66. The Rockets are on an 11-2 run after having struggled badly in the third quarter. This was a big bucket for the Rockets.
8:56 Yao sets a screen out high for Francis at the 3 point line, but while Fisher tries to get around Yao to defend Francis, Yao moves and runs into Fisher and is called for a moving screen. Yao is so big, he didn't really need to move since there was no way Fisher was going to get around him to defend Steve anyway. It's okay. When you've gone 7-7 for the game, you can afford to make a few mistakes.
3:51 FG 8 After a long spell of not having touched the ball, Yao gets the ball to the right of the basket in the post. At this point the Rockets have been trying to fend off a red-hot Kobe, who has kept the Lakers in the game and who only trail 83-79. With only 6 seconds on the shot clock, Yao goes to work. He faces up toward the basket and it looks like he's going to shoot his ever reliable jump shot. But instead, he decides to dribble and spin right toward the baseline. In Dream-like fashion, Yao goes up with a right-handed jump hook and showing beautiful touch, scores the basket! Not only is Yao a perfect 8-8 from the field, but he hits a clutch shot to give the Rockets a 6 point lead.
2:22 With the Lakers down 87-83, Brian Shaw shoots a three point attempt. He misses, but Yao is able to tip the ball just enough to make Samaki Walker's tip-in attempt underneath the basket unsuccessful. The ball is rebounded by Maurice Taylor. Credit Yao's height in keeping the Rockets four point lead intact.
1:00 FG 9 With the Rockets only holding a 1 point lead, the Rockets desperately need to score. Maurice Taylor gets the ball in the post and is double-teamed. Wisely, he bounce passes the ball to Joaquin Hawkins, who starts to drive a wide-open lane. As expected, all the Lakers converge to cut Hawkins off as he drives toward the bucket. Then showing the wise man that he is, after getting all the Lakers in the air, Hawkins dishes to Yao who is standing underneath the basket. Yao then crams it home authoritatively with one hand--and he's fouled! Huge bucket for the Rockets, and Yao hits the free throw for a three point play! Rockets lead 90-86.
26.5 Yao is taken out of the game with the Rockets holding a one point lead, and the Rockets inbound the ball with 7 seconds on the shot clock. Francis receives the ball out high at the three point line, but dribbles the ball around without being able to get a shot off. You can tell on Francis' face how bad he feels about this one. But we're also wondering why Yao was taken out of the game? It certainly couldn't have been for free throw shooting purposes--Yao is one of the most accurate free throw shooters on the team.

Fortunately, the Rockets hold on to win in nailbiting fashion due in part to Kobe missing a makeable, but twisting, layup at point-blank range. To recap again, Yao scored 20 points on 9-9 shooting, shot 2-2 from the free throw line, and had 6 rebounds.


Yao has breakthrough game against Lakers

This game for Yao, and for his fans around the world who have believed in him, was one for the ages. Having shown a ton of class by not lashing back at any of his critics, Yao shut all of them up through his actions on the court by helping the Rockets defeat the defending World Champion Los Angeles Lakers 93-89 Sunday night in LA. Yao had a breakthrough game, scoring 20 points on 9-9 shooting along with 6 rebounds. He also played almost the entire fourth quarter--the first time that has happened this season. We've said it all along, if Yao is given the minutes, he will help the Rockets win.

In this game, they needed Yao and his usual high percentage shots (see shot chart below) since his team was struggling (Steve Francis: 8-20 from the field; Cuttino Mobley: 4-13; Kenny Thomas: 3-7; Glen Rice: 1-6). Moreover, in the third quarter the Lakers were able to score easy buckets down low since Yao was on the bench the entire quarter. But by playing most of the fourth quarter, Yao was able to continue changing the complexion of the game both offensively and defensively. Check out our "Detailed Yao Analysis" below for exactly where he made his presence felt. With this performance, there should be no question: Yao should play at least 24 minutes a game (if not more), including those all-important minutes in crunch time.

We're in a new era now

There's no turning back for Rudy--he could only keep the 'gini in the bottle' for so long. Yao's performance will make headlines not only around the NBA, but around the world. So if Rudy doesn't play Yao like he did Sunday night from this point forward, everyone will wonder "why not?" Indeed, this game most likely changes everything (hopefully). And to think, if starting center Kelvin Cato had not been on an excused absence from the Rockets because of his grandmother's funeral the past three games, it might have taken weeks--if not months--for Yao to get this type of playing time and breakout performance.

New game quotes posted

We have posted several quotes from Rockets and Lakers who played in the game in the "What they are saying" secions below. We even have a complimentary quote from Shaq, who was not able to play since he's still nursing his toe injury.

Plethora of arsenal

What's even more evident about the Rockets is they have so many weapons. Although some of the 'core' Rockets had so-so games (Cuttino, Thomas, Griffin, Rice), Maurice Taylor and Yao played very well to give their team a boost. They showed against the Lakers they are a team that can still win when their stars have an off night. This Rocket team is really coming together, and opposing teams are going to have a difficult time beating them if Rudy uses all of his players wisely and keeps the other team guessing.

What's Barkley going to say or do this week?

If you've been following it lately, TNT analyst Charles Barkley said recently that he would kiss fellow-analyst Kenny Smith's butt on national television if Yao scored 19 points in a game. Well, since Yao scored 20 points, what's going to happen this week on TNT? We'll give you an update as soon as we find out, or see it!

 

Man I wish I could agree with you about Eddie. I love watching him play also. Few fouls, great demeanor, good clutch shot blocker.

But his rebounding is still quite bad. Last night he managed only 3 boards while KT got 10. KT had 27 minutes while Eddie had 23. Eddie still has yet to have a double diget rounding game this year.

 

I agree with crash. Griffin's rebounding and defense is based on finesse. I do not consider him a great defender,,,just a great shot blocker...blocking shots does not make you a great defender, imo. It's part of it, but the fundamentals of frontcourt defense (like positioning and denying the ball) are wholly missing from Griffin's game. He must get stronger, and then he must block out and play positional defense. Right now, he plays defense like Robert Horry (with better blocking).

As for his rebounding...I'm not really sure why he puts up inconsistent numbers. To me, it seems to be just an issue of not wanting every ball.

Get hungry

 

WoW! I expected a break-out game for Ming, but not this soon. This could get interesting! I wasn't able to see the game, but listened on radio. Gene Peterson kept using the term "bad shot" everytime Mobley launched the ball. What was Mobley doing? Also, on the other end, the radio broadcast made it seem like no one was there but the Lakers. Was the defense really that bad? Peterson also kept saying that our guards had to "pass the ball!" It was a very exciting win, but what did it "look like.?"

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/index#

Go to the bottom right part of the screen and you will see a section that has video highlights of the Rockets/Lakers game:


-NBA 2Night-
NBA 2Night showcases Yao Ming's breakout performance against the Lakers.
Standard | Cable Modem

 

How come Channel 51 didn't show the rebroadcast of the game? Is it because it was on Sunday? Or they decided not to show the encore. I wanted to see the game again for the fun of it.

 

Griffin only had 3 rebounds? wow, I thought I saw him get more than that. Now that I think about it, Cato's rebounding has been very good this season so far.