ClutchFans Game Thread: Grizzlies @ Rockets 11/25/2006

My sole complaint about this game is that Novak should have played more minutes than Scott Padgett. I basically agree with you on other points though and hopefully it's true (V-span will keep playing, etc.).

All I was saying is that Novak's offense will make up for his lack of defense. You mentioned that he would have been eaten up by the Grizzlies' 4, but we didn't actually see that happen ONCE! And I believe that a lot of fans would have liked that to happen once in this game before him being pulled off. It's not like that Padgett could defend. That's the reason he committed 5 fouls. Moreover, he missed 6 shots in a row, which would have been costly had we played a better team. Exactly because of the fact we played the lowly Grizzlies that he could get away with it. Then again, I'm pretty sure Novak would have got away from it if he had played Padgett's minutes. So why not play a rookie who might someday become a major contributor from the bench?

 

good win for the Rox, it was good sign that JVG is going deeper into his bench. Now if the Rockets can take care of Minnesota on Tuesday, we will be all set up for the showdown in Phoenix.

 

well they won by 9! good game overall, Yao still dominating the floor against memphis! now let's get them Twolves

 

my observations:

- we have really small line-ups. with kirk and bonzi out, and with our void at the 4, we usually have Battier/Hayes/Novak at the PF spot, V-Span/Luther at the 2, and V-Span/Luther/Rafer at the 1. if our opponent has a big line-up, like, say, Detroit, i don't think we match-up that well. theoretically, with a smaller line-up, you're supposed to exploit the opponents' size with your quickness, but b/c we run so little and instead pound it in to Yao in the half-court offense, it's as if we get abused on one end and don't take advantage on the other. Chucky and Mac are great rebounders in that they can corral a board if they decide to do so. Yao has trouble doing anything other than tipping the ball if he's not alone under the basket. players like hakim warrick, dwight howard, paul millsap, carlos boozer, etc., i think will always get their fair share of rebounds against us b/c we don't have players that have both (1) size and (2) leaping ability.

- i haven't looked at the box score yet, but i did not see Juwan hit a SINGLE shot in the first half. WHY did we keep running plays for him if he KEPT bricking the baseline jumper?? when you run an offensive set, you're trying to get a good shot, and you shoot it unless you can get a better shot with one more pass. how is juwan shooting ANYTHING going to be the best shot for us? i'd much rather have luther bomb a desperation 3 while heavily covered than let Juwan keep bricking the baseline jumper. we didn't see a SINGLE one of his shots go in. my little sister was watching the game with me, and she now hates JuHo - without me saying anything about him.

- shane was missing his shots, but they're dependable shots [coffin corner 3s]. he took a right-handed hook in the paint that hit the back of the rim pretty hard - why does he take that shot? i HATE it when Juwan thinks he's a bada$$ and tries to do the hook - i can't remember if i've EVER seen him hit the hook. we DO NOT need shane trying to hit that shot, too. the difference with shane, though, is that even though he wasn't hitting his 3s, he WAS exhibiting some intangibles. i can't remember how many points mike miller had, but he didn't have many - battier was covering him last night. there was also a point in the 4th quarter where we were up by 13 (85-72) and Mac made a bad pass in traffic (more about this below) to Shane that Stro intercepted. instead of giving up on the play and just running downcourt, Shane stuck with it and got a jump ball. (i think, eventually, after the second toss, the ball went back to the Grizz, but nevertheless, you get my point.)

- last night, TMac was doing a lot of what VSpan used to do - driving in and getting up in the air, and then trying to pass it off to someone/ANYONE. the play that i described above was a TO on Mac [or should've been] b/c he made a bad pass in traffic simply b/c he got up in the air and didn't have anywhere to go with the ball. Shane tried to save the possession, but it ended up being a TO, IIRC.

- am i crazy, or was there a period of games down the stretch before our 04-05 1st round meeting with the Mavs that JVG had told Juwan to FOCUS ONLY ON REBOUNDS? he did pretty well, all things considered, and most of us on the BBS felt that we lost a lot when he got injured. there were many of us, myself included, that believed the Mavs series would've been very different if we had Juwan's then-rebounding ability. does anyone else remember this? Juwan apparently doesn't, b/c he doesn't contribute a DAMN thing when he's out there.

- last night's game was called a little bit differently than it's usually called. there was a lot more physicality allowed in the paint, and there were a few blocks that normally would've gotten called for fouls. the thing that most stood out in my mind was the Blocking/Charge foul. there were at least 2 instances (once with Shane, once with Scotty the Body) where we had gotten in prime position to draw a charge, but instead got called for the blocking foul. regardless of whether they really WERE charges or blocking, those are calls that normally go our way.

- rubber chucky is really good at defense. there are a few people here that point to his foul count and complain that he fouls too much. his hands are really quick, and he's able to get steals by stripping his opponents (a la K9/Kenny Thomas). the risk, however, is that the ref won't be able to see the play, and will just assume that he hit the opposing player's hand or whatever. padgett, on the other hand, had some fouls last night where he simply got BEAT. oh, btw - chucky needs to work on his finishing ability around the basket.

- TMac would've had at least 15+ assists if we hadn't missed so many easy, point-blank/wide open shots.

 

This is better even than p*rn.

(not for the same reasons, of course..)

 

Heh! Yeah, nappdog just wanted an excuse to post that video again...not that I am complaining or anything.

 

never get tired of watching that 13 in 35 clip.

 

I can't help but get chills everytime I see that video..

 

Mcgrady had 13 assist

 

welcome back to earth.

 

Manu may have driven Pop crazy; I don't know. What I do know is that Pop was wise enough to play Manu about 18 minutes a game in his rookie season. That early investment arguably won the Spurs their 3rd championship: Manu should probably have been named playoff MVP that year.

I'm not implying that VSpan or Novak are or will be at Manu's level. But if you never invest, you never reap any dividends.

 

Beating a team we're suppose to beat...Great team win...

 

im pretty sure in the Tmac 35sec-13points game, if pop has a tommy gun, he will shoot all his player down.

 

Folks,
I was at the game. got a free hot dog and drink, along with lots of juwan howard bricks in person.
happy we won, but i hope JVG and Fretello never play each other again.

there were some idiot rocket fans rooting for rudy gay behind us (section 126)
you are lucky i didnt have my sword on me!

 

Dude, I don't think what I said is far off from the truth. Novak and Padgett contribute basically the same amount. One is better at offense and the other is more of a rebounder. The difference is that Novak might have unrealized potenial which need be exploited, which frankly we just don't see in Scott Padgett. So who would you rather play?

 

these posts are old.

is there some new take to this?

the play novak so he can improve, ton of people have already said it.

any new takes would be welcomed, but this infinite talk about the SAME topic with the SAME arguments is redundant.

 

vspan did play and will play. one wish down

 

Well thanks for the Clip proves my point Manu till this day still plays his game still drives pop mad I think last yr he cost his team a spot at the finals but he is an all star... I hope that Vspan just plays his game thats all I was trying to say Go roxs

 

Is there someone trying to fatten up his or her post count?

 

post less, read more. try it