ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets @ Mavericks 11/21/2002

Promises, promises: The baying from TV's legion of talking heads is usually vague enough that its lasting effect is to contribute to the greenhouse effect. But TNT's Charles Barkley was very specific on TNT's weekly Thursday night NBA show, where he announced that if NBA rookie Yao Ming scored 19 points, he'd kiss the rear end of TNT on-air colleague Kenny Smith. Sunday, the 7-5 Houston center seemed especially motivated in scoring 20 points against the Los Angeles Lakers (news).

Tuesday, Barkley was silent while Smith was understandably ambivalent. ''Even sometimes when you win, you really lose. I was hoping Yao Ming would get 18 and Charles wouldn't have to touch me.'' TNT wants everybody to tune in Thursday, so Smith reveals only that Barkley's payoff will be ''inventive,'' and ''he will do what he said he'd do.'' (Just a guess: Think donkeys.)

Turner Sports President Mark Lazarus says TNT won't do anything ''tasteless'' but also says ''we're exploring an ad tie-in with a lip-balm.''

 

We might not win this, but hey, it can happen,

 

I feel we can win this game, my prediction rox win 101-97

 

Yao will have another 20 pts game I believe, Yao has always playing aginst smaller player than him, it will be the first time he is guarding a player that is taller than him, he will feel less pressure and he would love to accept the chanllenge since people have been compare him with bradely. if Steve pass him the ball, expect another 20 pts game from him.
Bradly Who?

 

Rockets will have to play at there best to beat the Mavs, no shot clock violations and stupid shots by Cuttino.

 

All I know it that everybody needs to get involved. I dont want to see
anybody dribble to long. I also dont want to see anybody to take on 3 or 4 Mavs player and put in circus shots.Rox dont have a chance to beat Mavs that way. Ming needs to put at least 15 shot attempts, he can outplay Bradly, and I am predicting Bradly will be in foul trouble aagainst Ming.

 

I'm guessing the other way around. I think Ming will have foul troubles the way Mavs drives inside to the basket. But we will win

 

I was talking about Bradly. I didnt say Ming wouldnt have foul troubles. I dont know how good Bradly became this year. Mavs dont have another decent center besides him.

 

Yea, I know, thats why i said "I'm guessing the other way around."

I think Nash and Dirk will use some tactics to drive inside the paint and charge the contact to get Ming in trouble. But the last time we played the Mavs, I believe Bradley was getting into foul trouble and he was pretty piss so your prediction could be right as well.

 

I remember bradley getting really pissed, and then ..I think it was Walt Williams who game him an UPPER CUT to the chin. and now they are teamates...

 

What do you all think about using a zone against dallas?

 

I don't think it's a good idea.

IMO:

1. Rockets doesn't seem to perfect the Zone D
2. Mavs are a deadly shooters, if we give them the outside shots they can make it from anywhere. They throw 3's up like crazy.
3. If Ming is playing Zone, he seems to be lost in it, doesn't seem to get the just of it yet.

But maybe if they place Dirk and Finley on the bench and maybe Nash, we can play the Zone. JMO

 

Its not too far fetched to the Rockets to win this game, its just that they have to play a lot better than they have.The Rockets must stop the ball after the rebound, they must make Dallas take tough shots and they must at least contain Dirk,Finley and Nash.Its a game the rockets can win, but they have to really bare down on defense or it will be a rout.

 

I've been following hoops for a long time and I never remember a don nelson team being a good defensive team, ever. Sure he had guys like pressey,moncrief and guys like that, but their team defense really sucked like most teams in the 80's.

 

Yesterdays game vs the Cavs, Mobley had nice defense on Ricky Davis one on one. Too bad Mavs are a team game instead of man-to-man. If we D up on the screens perfectly, we can change the momentum our way

 

alright, I am just hoping for a poor shooting night for Dirk. That way rocks have a better chance to fullfill the upset.

 

ok...no zone....but what about trapping Nash when he brings the ball up court to prevent him from driving and kicking out to his deadly shooters??????

 

I'm at a gigantic dilemma...
I'm incredibly pumped for this game and feel good about it right now... but I'm afraid to watch it.

Every game of the Rockets except for 2 that I've watched since '96, they've lost, but I never learn. I really wanna watch this game, but I can't!!! AAAHHH!!! WHAT do I DOOO!?!?!?

 

I am not going out on a limb. In order for the ROckets to even make this close, both Ming and Rice will need to be comfortably in double figures. If not, we can chalk this one up to fate. I say this not just becasue these two need points, but because how the others on this team will have to play to get them points. Oh...and Rice always defends Finlel super tough...honestly, check on it. He's even shut him down in fourth quarters before. Hawkins getting major minutes will gaurantee us a loss, with his two steals and cheap hustle or without.

 

we gunna need MOT to hold it down for us to win. his offense, and defensive presence will be the idfference