ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Timberwolves @ Rockets 1/31/2003

I stand to be corrected... make that FIVE players in double digit land. Sweet blocks and defensive consistency. Great passing and pacing. Boy, this was a much needed win.

When the talent rises, it really does SHINE
Timbercubs do not belong above in the standings. Tonite's game, and our previously one in Minnesota, pretty much confirms this, in my book. We have too many weapons, too much talent and too much potential to be sitting here below Timbercubs in the standings. By season's end, my prediction is that we easily surpass Garnett&Co. in the standings.



happySAGE

 

If we are so consistent like this game, this is really possbile!

 

WHOO, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR, YAO MING!!

 

Lets take one game at a time and enjoy this great win people. Don't look to far ahead or we might get mad again.

 

We have 30 AST this game.
Now i know them can pass

 

Yeah...I've said it before. There is some kind of animosity between Francis and Garnett. They seem to glare at each other a least a few times when we play Minnesota. Garnett gets on my nerves. Not only because he kills Houston, but did you see that technical on EDDIE GRIFFIN after KG instigated a little quarrel? Complete bull****. There is no way you can give Eddie freaking Griffin a T. He's a mute. They just didn't want to throw Garnett out of the game just because of a silly tech (but of course they've done it to Francis a few times before). Yeah, I'm not a big fan of KG either.

Nice win for the Rockets tonight though. Wow - 121 points and 30 assists. I love when Francis makes things happen. Keep it in his hands and let him get it to Yao. If the offense runs thru Yao some, and thru Stevie some, this team is hard to beat.

 

Although no one game means much, being able to watch this game after that sorry effort against the Mavs makes me feel much better. The back-to-back for the T-wolves I think was a factor, but the Rox played much smarter tonight and deserve their props. More Yao, less guards as some others have said is a recipe for success. I would be very surprised if the Rockets learned anything from this victory though, and I expect the inconstistency will continue throughout the season. No veteran leadership.

 

I hope poor old Cato is ok.

 

The only negative thing for Rox game tonight is Cato got injured.
Hopefully, he can get well soon.

On the ohter notes, it might be the easiest 20 somthing points for Mobley. No need to go one-on-three or many, no need to worry about getting hammered. Why can't this be done consistently?

Just need to play a little smart and that is all we are asking.

 

Poor OLD Cato? He is only 28 or 29?

 

I've always thought of Garnett as a mouthy player. He sure is, especially after this game. Pushing Steve while he was coming down from a dunk, and being a baby after getting his shot blocked by Eddie-you could see the steam coming out of Garnett's ears.
I think he wanted to be ejected, so he could take a rest....
Great game too! I noticed that Steve and Cat didn't do any 1 one 1, excessive dribbling, or bad shots. They played team ball, and scored 120+pts! How often does that happen, for any team?

 

Heck, I love that assist stat line so much, I'll repeat it again.

30 ASSISTS!!!

That is so sweet. Esp. how easy those assists are coming as we feed the inside, make the nice cuts, and get those easy layups. Perhaps what's even MORE interesting about this stat line is that we had FRANCIS leading the way with 8 and CAT with 6. Amazing stuff!!! 14 assists between our two guards and everything else is just gravy. If we can pad that stat line above 14 assists a game, we are a shoe in for a top 4 spot.

Aside - A Shout Out to DR!!!!
We shot like Dallas. We passed like Dallas. Heck,we even reached a final point total like Dallas. Dallas shines as a championship caliber team, and so did we. That is why, as a fan, I dedicate tonite's win to you, Dallas Rocket. You're handle name says it all.



theSAGE

 

Yeah really beautiful ball movement tonight. There were a few ISO situations that Francis did that didn't involve the team. He made them though so no damage. I'd still like to see him break away from that habit and work within the offense. It was nice to see everyone step up tonight, and work within our offense. Very few ISOs, and a ton of great ball movement. Alot of our guys made that extra pass to get to an even more open man, and that benefited us. If this is the kind of offense the Rockets will run consistently, we should be added as one of the high scoring teams along with the Kings and Mavs in the near future. We're stll a young team so I don't expect 100+ point performances night in and night out yet, but atleast there's reason to be optimistic. Hopefully it wasn't a fluke. Yao didn't seem tired at all tonight. I heard the T-Wolves commentator say Cato was injured. Anyone know what's up there? Also when Mobley subbed out for our secondary to come in, it seemed like Cuttino was holding onto his lower back. He didn't sit with the bench. He left straight to the locker room as he got subbed out. Any updates there?

Posey worked within the passing lanes real well tonight, and wasn't airballing those outside treys as in previous games. MoT seems to be in better shape and is playing in good form again. Griffin worked the weak side offensive rebounds tonight, and didn't jack up any outside jumpers. Everything seemed to be clicking. Even Cuttino didn't run ISO much except for I believe two occasions and they were drives in the cutting lanes, which he made off the glass. So while I shouldn't expect this team to play like this every night, if everyone contributes their part as they did tonight, and plays as a team, then we should go on a nice streak again soon.

In conclusion, it's amazing how much a win can change a viewpoint on a team. Oh yeah last thing I'm impressed with tonight, is this is one of the few games where I've seen the Rockets actually blowout the opposing team and finish them off instead of letting them linger around in the final minutes of play.

 

They scored 120. The fans should get free fried chicken or chalupas.

 

We handed out chalupas in chat. You guys missed out. Woo!

 

Heh heh heh
Yao reminds me of Peter Sellers as the Pink Panther Inspector. Yao just does his job under the hoop. All the people around him gets hurt - everybody except him.

Yao the Punisher.



theSAGE

 

damn i didn't get to watch the game but good news is good news is good news

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR to all!!!

 

GREAT GAME.

CONTINUE THIS ON SUNDAY AGAINST THE KINGS!!!

 

I heard that Griffin got a technical foul. What did he get the tech for? I just can't imagine it.

 

Eddie blocked Garnett's shot, Garnett gets pissed w/ smoke coming out of his ears, they exchange words, and Eddie is whistled-which is only because Garnett already had a technical. I think Garnett was the one that was mouthing, not Eddie.