ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Warriors @ Rockets 11/9/2002

I am a little pissed off that I stayed up till 2 am last night to see if they would replay the Halftime cermony during the repeat @ 12am, since I was at the game. To my surprise, THEY DID NOT!!! I was planning to tape it and forgot to set the timer before going to the game. I was VERY PISSED OFF!!!

They did the same thing last week. I wanted to see the halftime segment of the open practice to see if I could have seen myself, but NOOOO, due to time restraints, they had to cut it. Pissed the hell out of me.

 

Well, whaddayaknow, i'll be dag, ding dong darn! Thanks to the midnight rebroadcast (which, if not for random channel surfing around midnight i would have totally forgotten about), I was able to actually see what you guys were talkng about, instead of relying on a box score! woohooo!!

<marquee scrollamount="20">HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY!! THANK GOODNESS ROCKETS ENCORE'S ON ITS WAY! </marquee>

 

It was a great game

A few pics from last night and a couple of movies, I need a better camera because my digital zoom SUX! (or better seats, shot from Section 226, Row R, Seats 5-9)

http://www.sonnysims.com/images/rockets/dreamretire/index.html

 

Lots of good posts on this thread, I'm personally grateful for this one. I'm seeing some very funky zoning going on throughout the NBA. Most of it looks like a standard 2-3 until you watch how the defense reacts. It's almost like a football defense where different players are given the "spy" role on a mobile quarterback. But from what I've seen throughout the NBA it seems that the "spy" isn't looking at the guy I expect, or maybe the execution isn't right yet, or maybe the zone itself is just too inorganic to the NBA's talent level to look recognizable. Shooters and non-shooters alike are looking to pass when they're open. It's bizarre and it won't last long and there's no way in hell we'll see see this kind of stuff in the playoffs.

But I know this, the zoning last year that clogged up the middle for Steve last year isn't happening yet. He has improved and he's attacking as well as anyone in the league, but I'm really surprised an all-star starting point guard not known for his passing is beating these zones. And I'm not trying to add any fuel to the fire here, but defenses against the Rockets so far are giving us shots almost everywhere.

I'm in Austin and have watched the Rockets games in a sports bar and so when the action stops I am looking at 3 or more other games a lot of the time and have really scratched my head. Last Saturday I kind of zeroed in on the Celtics-Knicks game, not because it was an interesting game - the Knicks don't have much to work with, and Boston has not looked like the team they were after mid-season last year - but it was the defenses that shook me. Everytime I looked up I saw Pierce hitting shots from 20' in with no one around him and saw him go to the hole once and miss. Now I know NY sucks and I'm sure their defensive execution was poor, but there was a defensive scheme going on there and after Pierce had 30 or so in the 3rd the Knicks came off that scheme. And the Celtics weren't guarding anybody so it looked like they were playing every conceiveable zone D. But it was kind of a flashback to the mid-seventies with a twist. Then coaches expected player X to get his 30 as long as he wasn't controlling the floor on offense. Or even in the '80s the "give 'Nique 18' footers" strategy was somewhat viable. But watching Pierce in open space was surreal. If Rice saw that game he was crying. And that game was just the best example of what I've seen going on in a very early season.

I agree with the people that have said the NBA was experimenting with zones last year and have really incorporated some elements this year that may be effective in the long run. But the success after the first three or so games is already looking a little threadbare. I'm trying to imagine all the 1000's of times I screamed "illegal D" in the 17 years when Dream was here and wonder what John Lucas would have done with have done with consistent 18' open looks with a 2-3 zone collapsing on Hakeem. Jeez, if the defensive stuff I've seen over the first two weeks of this season continued the Mavs are a lock for the crown because of their strengths and deficiencies. And guys that's just not gonna happen.

The defenses I've seen have been interesting, but in terms of NBA surprises or disappointments it still looks like early season to me. Teams in training bras abound. For the record, I like the Lakers, Kings and Rockets to look a lot better around midseason along with 15 other teams or so.

 

<img src="http://www.nba.com/media/history/hakeem_yao_308_021109.jpg">

 

Vengeance!! I neeeeed a copy of that tape pleeeassse. I'll pay if needs be can we talk?????

 

TRSF3,

That is such a great picture!

Where did you get that?!?

 

www.rockets.com

http://www.nba.com/rockets/photogallery/RocketsWarriors_Photo_Gallery-57991-34.html

 

This is my first post this season. I was at the game Saturday. What a great halftime Retirement Ceremony for the Dream. I loved his character the most and I hope lots of the youngsters take his speech to heart. Who knew the Dream had a sense of humor as well! Rudy T was so genuinely passionate in his praise of the Dream.

It was great to see Clyde and Kenny Smith also. Where were Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper and Tina Thompson? I thought they might be there.

Stevie showed me his heart on Saturday. He made a big three when it was needed and he has a great attitude. I only just found out he's averaging 30 points a game!

Eddie Griffin is exciting! I like the Steve/Eddie combo.

I had gone to a preseason game and was tickled at how much talent the Rockets have, and was disappointed that we still weren't playing as a team imo. Saturday's game vs. the Warriors was much better. Cat got a little carried away at one point but we are doing better with offensive plays.

If this team is serious about every game (a take on Clyde's speech about the Dream playing hard every game), I think they are dangerous. Even the defense is looking better imo.

Why is Ming not getting much playing time?

 

How could I leave out Kenny Thomas' game?! He was great! What a hustler, affecting plays and rebounding as well as scoring! He's one guy that never looked like a rookie, and I see he is still adding to his game.