I like what McGrady said a lot, and I completely agree. I think he's seeing up close that the team isn't playing well enough to do anything in the playoffs. He's been playing a little pissed off the past couple of games, I think he's frustrated with the team's lack of progress and lack of intensity. I still think this team isn't as good as the team from a couple of seasons ago that took Dallas to 7. If we get past the first round this season it will be the product of a weaker opponent, not us bbeing a better team, although I would take it any way I can get it. We're less focused as a team, less intense and in some cases less consistent. I think the absolute key to playoff success or the lack thereof will be Yao's play going into the playoffs. The Yao we're seeing now would almost guarantee us losing in the first round. ANYTHING short of the Yao from the pre-injury period this season will spell disaster for us. I think an injury to Chuck Hayes or Juwon will be a huge blow to our chances, simply because we have no one else to man that position.
That might be the most unimpressive blowout win I've ever seen. If the Rockets play like this against most decent teams, they simply won't win. Yao's timing looks completely out of whack. I wonder what the deal is there.
man deron is like nash w/ all those shooters in utah. those 2 are so lucky PGs w/ so much talent on their teams
why couldn't tmac or yao get the calls gilbert is getting right now? i guess our stars are not superstars
Heads up... Tune in to NBATV because they're going to talk about and break down the Rockets/Utah matchup.
That is what i am talking about. We are not a team with depth, what we have? TMac and Yao. TMac is doing well as playmaker. Yao is a question mark as big as his body, current performance level from Yao will kill us anytime by any playoff oppoents.
Yao is very uncomfortable with his finger tape that tape is around 2 of his 4 fingers which makes it hard for him to hold the ball when he shoot in forth quarter he took the tape off and started making his shots I have seen it tonight and also Bill talked about it! next time for those who are wondering what is up with yao's shots try to notice this during the game if you get a chance to watch it!
Photos at pre-game team shoot-out practice......... Uncle Mutombo came to rave and support his team mates.
Yes, Some players played better than others, but the way whole team played in the last two games, we can not beat the Lakers or the other strong teams. I can see JVG was not happy in whole game. Hoping that they can play better.
again, forget that. where's the rebounds? we need to control the boards to win w/o deke playing much now w/ knee problems. that's a problem that yao needs to focus on moreso than his shot b/c that will come back.
i think yao's finger injury is probably hurting him worse than he thought. matt has been saying that the ball when he shoots is spinning sideways, unless your kenny smith, that is not a normal rotation. probably the reason why there has been a lot of shots that rim out for yao that normally will go in because of the awkward spin. i wonder if there is a way to see what his % is with his left hand hooks alone when he doesnt use the taped fingers. hopefully the dislocation will be fully healed by the time of the playoffs. also he recent changed to a different less cubersome brace, but that maybe affecting him to having to re-adjust to a new type of brace.
It's not the shooting. His defense and rebounding has simply not been good the last few games. He should have dominated against the Bucks tonight.
