ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Sonics @ Rockets 11/5/2002

I actually wish Cat was shooting a little more...he's taken 13 shots and he's probably our best pure scorer.

 

Exactly. There are going to be growing pains, this is a young team, yes they're young, so people will have to be patient. I keep hearing people say that this team isn't young, the only two people on this team with real playoff experience is Rice and Mobley. And Mobley only played in 4 playoff games. This team is young. Yet instead of letting this team take it's lump, and learn from adversity people want to bench the #2 scorer on this team, get rid of the coach, and move the franchise PF to SG. There's going to be nights like this, every young team went through this. People easily forget that before the Lakers were collecting rings they were getting pounded on a regular basis by the Jazz of the world. They got pounded tonight by Cleveland.

 

Two years ago, the Mavericks were a young team. They still made the playoffs. Sacramento was too, and they made it.

I'm not ruling the playoffs out after this game. However, "young" can not be used as an excuse should the Rockets miss out.

Young teams with talent like the Rockets should make the playoffs.

 

Real pressure against the mediocre Sonics at home in the 4th game of the season? Oh man... we're in deep trouble.


Assists right now are 25 to 13 in the 4th. Payton has more assists than our entire team. The motion offense looks GREAT!

 

So they're wusses because they're learning to play under pressure. Ok. Anger and fire doesn't mean crap if you are inexperienced in situations like this, and this team is a work in project. What they're suddenly supposed to be a championship team that learns on the fly? It's not a copout, the Rockets had one year where they went to the Finals, and that was because Sampson was there, like Robinson and Duncan. After that Hakeem didn't sniff the Finals until '94 where he learned to take over a team by himself. It's not an excuse it's common sense. It's ridiculous to expect a team with VERY limited playoff experience to all of a sudden break out of the gate 4-0. The only 4-0 team in the league is New Jersey.

 

Do you remember that there were a lot of Houstonians hoping Dream would be traded about his 5th or 6th year. He almost was sent to the Clippers for Stanley Roberts and Danny Manning.

Why? Because he did exactly what Francis and Mobley are doing now. He was playing on a team with not much talent other than himself, a lot of younger guys, and tried to take on 2 or 3 defenders every time he was in the post.

The Rockets, at that time, did EXACTLY what they do now. They would panic when the game was starting to turn. In the early 90's when they began to start winning (and not just winning and bailing out in the first round - really having a shot at going deep in the playoffs), it was because they learned - well, Dream learned - to pass the ball and be patient.

I know this is an instant gratification world. But, the NBA doesn't work that way. I guess you could trade away the whole team and start over, but I doubt that would be any better.

 

By the way, if I'm "copping out" then you are most certainly being reactionary. Post to me in game 30 about it, not game 4.

 

Actually Dallas went 41-41 and then went to the playoffs, and Sacramento was the surprise of the league. This team is still going to make the playoffs, I have no doubt about this, because every game this team will learn and will be able to weather storms like this. But there will be nights like this. That game was disgusting tonight no question about it, but I'm not writing this team off by a long shot. Lets see if this team can turn it into a win next time out. They have a ways to go.

 

<b>Real pressure against the mediocre Sonics at home in the 4th game of the season? Oh man... we're in deep trouble. </b>

Yeah, that mediocre 4-0 Seattle team coming off a playoff appearance. Yeah this team is in REAL trouble.

 

i cant watch the game but....

mobley having 13 points on 15 shots is ridiculous. period.

i realize what a scoring threat mobley can be, but anyone defending this type of play needs to pull their head out of their @ss. there is such a thing as constructive criticism, and some is due right now.

when you defend mobley on nights like this you come off as a blind homer - nothing more....

how hard is it for rudy to say "hey mobley! one more jacked shot and your @ss is on the bench!" it cant be too hard, he is the coach.

once again i havent been able to watch the game, only box scores and a few highlights.

 

at least they're narrowing the lead.

 

A playoff appearance? Half the teams in the NBA make the frikkin playoffs! Yes, Seattle is mediocre. I guess you heard it here first.

 

Our centers combined for 0 points tonite.

This sucks.

 

These comparisons with Hakeem are friggin RIDICULOUS.

Hakeem is one of the 10 best players in NBA HISTORY. He led the Rockets to the Finals in his 2nd season and was a beast in all facets of the game with few if any weaknesses.

Francis and Mobley are very poor defensive players, and in 3 years haven't even MADE the playoffs once. They aren't Hakeem and never will be. You put Hakeem with 4 scrubs and you'll make the playoffs. Francis can't even lead the Rocks to the playoffs once and I don't see this year being any different.

Francis is not worthy of holding Hakeem's jockstrap really. He's not a pure PG. He does a TERRIBLE job of getting his teammates involved and is a turnover machine with poor court vision.

As for Mobley, he's just a crap player. Horrific shot selection. One of the dumbest players I've ever seen.

 

No, I would not trade the team away. You are not understanding what I'm
saying.

They show no defense at any consistant manner. They show spurts.

This has nothing to do with "being young." How much experience do you
need to work hard on defense?!??!?!

What they need is a butt chewing!

 

And Yeah he is terrible doing near triple double......with over 50% Shooting. he is terrible.

 

Well i was both wrong and right.

 

Steve Fancis is nearly go a triple double now!!!!

KH

 

Oh yes. I'm being reactionary to a trend that never changes (no hustle).

 

Sonics are too strong for us.