ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 2/18/2003

I dunno if we can blame this game to the ref or Rockets or coach. It does look like Rockets at least tried to win it.

Overtime session, Rockets decide to live or die with Yao Ming. Unfortunately, Yao committed many cheap and quick fouls that we can argue whether it's fair or not forever.

Bottom line is: The offense focus over time would gradually focus on Yao Ming (hopefully). Right now Yao still committed Rookie foul mistakes (again, we could debate this forever), but over time he'll definitely improve. Plus he'll get more respect from referees over time, thereby giving him more favorable calls.

 

Mark Madsen gives me violent tendancies

 

The loss hurts, but I'd also like to add that it was pretty awesome to see Yao calmly knock down those free throws at the end of regulation. He didn't look nervous at all. And Kobe's dunk was amazing, but I'm glad Yao went for the block. More impressive was how he responded...taking to the hoop immediately and dunking on the next possession.

 

He's an overachiever.

He has to be 110% all the time because if he would take some time and "think" he would realize how sucky a player he is.

So, he doesn't "think." Just attacks all the time.
He's like Najera from Dallas.

 

thats what i love about yao...his controlled aggression.

this guy gonna be a player. A great player.

 

The fouls on Yao were cheap, but I'm biggest disagreement with you is by saying how the Rockets decided to live or die with Yao. Who the hell else were they suppose to go with? Everyone aside from Mo Taylor were ice cold. Yao was the reason we were even in this game.

I don't think the players deserve too much criticism for this game. Everyone played hard, some of the guys were just off. However, if you want to point out individuals for losing this game Mo Taylor and Yao don't deserve it tonight.

 

4) yao showed us again that he's cool under pressure. at least at the free throw line. he hit 2 critical free throws to push the game to overtime.
5) yao now knows that he MUST work how his strengh in the offseason; otherwise, those 6'9" guys like brian grants, samaki walker and madsen(another tom tolbert) will holding and pushing him around.

 

What a total let-down on a BS call! Do the refs actually believe that Yao is strong enough to one arm Madsen into flopping convulsions that send him flying five feet?! Give me a freekin' break! They should never let such a questionable call away from the ball in the last 30 some seconds decide a hard fought game.
I can't help but wonder whether the fix was in tonight...

 

Calling him Najera is giving him too much credit. Najera is way better. Madsen plays hard, but he doesn't have much skill or athleticism.

 

I for one am pleased with the way the Rocks passed the offense though Yao and Mo T. hopefully they'll continue to do that tomorrow night against our old friend Marbury...

 

Oh lord. Marbury and his big mouth. I wonder if he'll have any dumb comments? I hope the Rockets don't come out tired or psychologically damaged from the loss to the Fakers. If they've got true heart they'll come out pissed and out for blood like they did after Utah whipped them.

 

I can't wait for Yao to develop...am I the only one that is in awe of this guys potential?

 

True. I'll give you that. Najera has more talent.
But, Najera uses the same 110% effort.

Something that is missing from a lot of the Rockets supporting cast.

 

Well, if there was one positive I could takeaway from this game it's that you could SENSE Yao's ability to finish out a game. Those two free throws to tie it at 82 were so clutch. To show that kind of demeanor in front of such a raucous crowd is a great sign that Yao is no ordinary player. And had it not been for that sixth foul, I honestly think the Rockets would have come away with the W in the first OT. Granted it's just speculation, but Kobe had his way with Cat in the 2nd OT by backing him down in the low post. Classic exploitation of our missing big man.

Francis was a No Show
What troubles me the most is how SF was largely invisible in this game. I mean, c'mon?!!! It wasnt like he was defending Kobe! And who ends up guarding SF? FISHER. Fisher's a decent defender, but SF'sperformance today was absolutely humiliating. Props to MoT for the heroic effort in the fourth quarter, but in crunch time, its FRANCIS that I want to see take the ball hard to the hole and draw fouls. I didn't feel like Francis stepped it up tonite.

Cat? Can't blame him for trying, but he's just downright inconsistent
What can I say? Kobe had another great nite and has been hot for a many outings now. Can we blame Cat? I can't say. What I am befuddled by is why Posey wasn't used on Kobe given Posey's general lack of offensive contribution. Cat is a "given" when it comes to our need for his offensive contribution, but when he's out there running his a$$ off chasing Kobe, you gotta believe he's tired. I dunno. Cases like these, I'd rather see some switch off with Posey. Its just not right to see Cat have such awful offensive outings. We can't afford for him to be shooting 33%

Props To:
1) Kelvin Cato
2) Yao Ming
3) Maurice Taylor

.500 ball, here we come



disappointedSAGE

 

hopefully franchise can come out dominate marbury and shut him up...

 

We're starting to see some strength on the post down...

...he's able to back down his opponent better than ever.

 

Can somebody please tell me why Mobley cannot freaking stop and pop? Where in the world was he going?

 

Sage..you made some good points. I agree and I think the strength of this team lies within the front line...Yao, MoT, Cato, Griff

 

Done done done, see you guys next year.

 

"Stop and Pop" doesn't give you the SI Poster.
"Stop and Pop" doesn't give you the ESPN highlight.