ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets @ Suns 11/15/2002

30 minutes is not all that much more than 20. Sure Ming as had a whirlwind basketball schedule...but at this point I can't imagine it is effecting him too much more than practice and games are effecting all the other players. He hasn't gotten many minutes for the first 6 games, and the team has had a LOT of rest lately. I think it is time to start testing Ming. I understand bringing him along slowly, but I also understand building confidence, and I think playing him for extended time against a center like Tsakilidis can increase his confidence. I'm not saying play him the entire game, I just want significantly more minutes than he has been getting (which seems to be 15, max). Play him for 25 minutes or so, and I will be happy.

 

I hope Eddie has a monster game, because Amare Stoudamire will certainly try to show him up.

 

who will start? I think it wil be:

Eddie
Kenny
Hawk
Cat
Francis

 

The Suns SUCK. The Nugs shot 33% last night and still almost beat them. They can't rebound, and their offence is enemic. If you can stop Marion, the game isn't that bad. We had Bowen on him and Bowen shut him down (only 12 points I believe). After that, it's all gravy.

BTW, Stoudemire isn't nearly as good as people think. He gets most of his points on junk plays or due to everyone focusing on Marion and Marbury.

 

thank you!! i was wondering if someone else felt this way! in fact, if you could have gotten bowen (or was it anderson) to make some damn fastbreak uncontested layups the nugs might have won!

as for amare, you're right. he's an unpolished, highjumping brute. if you keep a strong body on him he's a nonfactor. the rocks better blow this team out.

 

I beleive Marbury is leading the league in assist right now, so I expect Francis to try and get a triple double. Cause you see the points will come ( 30 ), and he can easily grab 10 rebounds, but I believe he really will try to dish 10 assist or more. Just to prove that he is the better point guard. Which is a good thing as long as we win.

 

The Suns SUCK?!?

That's just plain wack...come on guys.

The Grizzlies SUCK...whereas the Suns will be fighting us for one of the 5/6/7/8 spots in the playoffs.

We may be more talented but the Suns are no push over. I saw the highlights against the Nuggets and I said to myself, we can beat them. But if you look at their games b4 that, they've been playing decent ball.

I think the confidence from our last win and the good rest will make this a good game.

Rockets 96
Suns 93

 

Oh yeah...so Cato is out from this game for sure? When's he coming back?

 

It wasn't long ago that playing the Suns was a major grudge match, now i can barely remember all of their starters. Rivalries die pretty quick in the NBA, but at least we're in for a run and gun game tonight. There should be alot of highlight reel material, maybe someone will even throw a towel at the coach
(Not Rudy though)

 

I second that but the rockets didn't do a great job of keeping a body on him in preseason. Actually Collier did one of the better job by realizing Amare can't shoot and sagged off him and letting him throw up bricks.

 

Googs and Penny have been playing well to start the season. Surprising. I thought they were done.

I'd like to see some hurt in our game. Amare is the only physical player they have. I hope to see some thick picks. Slow down. Rattle'em.

 

pasox2,

You don't consider Marion a physical player????!!!! Which reminds me, who are our physical players besides Kenny Thomas? Kenny vs Marion: Fun match-up 'eh...

 

How much center is Stoudemire playing? Id be interested to see Yao and he match up. Amare might be one of the strongest, if not the strongest player Yao has faced.

 

Amare is not stronger than Ben Wallace. And as for NBA games go, I don't think Amare is stronger than Antonio Davis.

 

He will be.

 

Even though it doesn't seem so from appearances, I would say Arvydis Sabonis is stronger than Stoudemire.

 

I think Sabonis has strength through leverage. I mean, if you are talking arm wrestling, Amare beats Sabonis. But Sabonis is so big, he can use his height and leverage to negate a smaller center who may be alot stronger muscle wise.

 

Well, this is certainly true, but if you asked me which one I think could bench press more, I would probably still answer Sabonis. The guy is not "ripped" in the sense that he has very little body fat, but he is still a very strong player.

 

Hmmm interesting. Id still go with Amare on the bench press. But im sure its close.

The only reason I am interested to see how Yao matches up with Stoudemere (if indeed Amare is playing some center) is to see how Yao deals with a player who is quick AND strong. Those are two of Yao's biggest weaknesses so far, his lateral movement and his strength. I think it will be a good test and gauge for Yao.

 

I've never had cable, don't live in Houston, and due to the Rocket's recent suckiness, I haven't had any opportunities to watch them on NBC, but this year I'm in college and have cable in the dorm. This will pretty much be my first Rockets game in almost 2 years!

WOOHOO!!!

I know you guys don't care, but you should! - I consider myself a pretty hardcore fan, so this is a big occasion for me. I can finally see all the things everyone's been talking about... I just pray they don't disappoint me on the first game I get to see for so long.