ClutchFans Game Thread: Grizzlies @ Rockets 12/5/2007

GS are now 10-8

 

Sometimes we have to thank God for sending this Big Man to the Rockets.

As usual, the workaholic Big Yao arrived an hour earlier in Toyota Centre and started his shooutout practice ahead of everybody....

And then he played for 44 minutes in this win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Iron man !!

 

t mac was taking things slowly, and it worked

just toughen up on the defense

bonzi helped, but where was steve??

oh well, i think we might take this somewhere...

 

Wait till next game or the next after that when we lose because Rick wont take out the starters that are playing like crap. Then people, me among them, will complain that we are playing a short bench again to the detriment of winning and the development of the team... and we will be right.

 

does anyone know where i can find rockets lengthy highlights fast, unlike clutchfans??

 

Forgot to reiterate that im talking about the second half of that game.

 

My concern is that the Rockets will have to knock out at least one of the following 8 legit teams to make the playoffs:

San Antonio
Dallas
Phoenix
Utah
Denver
Golden State
New Orleans
LA Lakers

That is no easy task.

The last 4 teams are the those that we have the best chance of finishing ahead of but, at this point, there is plenty of reason for concern and doubt.

 

We've already beat the following in this young season;

San Antonio
Phoenix
Utah
Denver
LA Lakers

Five out of your fearsome 8....

 

Since some have said it could take up to 2 years for the team to fully 'get' Adelman's offense, should we limit their minutes to make it take 4 years?

 

With a much weaker team last year and significant injuries, our playoff seed fared just fine.

 

Despite your unsupported sarcasm, those are undoubtedly a fearsome 8, especially when compared to the East and I didn't say that we wouldn't make the playoffs.

If you chose to take the time to interpret the meaning of my post (assuming you have that ability), you would have gathered that I was trying to emphasize the fact that the Western Conference is even stronger than last season and that we are truly facing a challenge just to make the playoffs as are several teams in the "Fearsome 8".

 

Some of those other teams were weaker last year, too. We obviously made some upgrades but so far the learning curve of the new system has proved to be a steep one.

The point is that the West has grown even stronger, as have the Rockets potentially, and it will likely be a dogfight to grab those last few playoff spots.

 

Specifically...

Denver is in their first full season with Iverson and Anthony. They have Kenyon Martin slowly making his way back and Nene will be back at some point. Nene was coming on strong during the second half of last season if you were not aware of this fact.

New Orleans was ravaged with key injuries last season (Stojakovic, West, Jackson, Paul).

golden state didn't become Golden State until the trade deadline when they acquired Jackson and Harrington and Baron returned to full health.

The Lakers didn't have Odom much of the season and several of the players around Kobe are starting to improve, including Bynum. Most importantly, they got back an absolutely proven veteran in Derek Fisher.

As you can see, we were not the only team that was weaker last season.

 

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid823425601/bclid853723710/bctid1320139426


check the t-mac interview after today's game

 

Nice post, thanks.

 

Rafer played well (8 boards, 2 steals along with the 7 assists), got his team involved and they won by 13. Stop complaining.

 

triple double for Tmac, and a win. Sweet. I love Scola's hustle out there. Bonzi was unconcious.

Now, if Tmac could cut down jump shots, it would be sweeter. Even Mike Miller takes to the hole when his jumper isnt working.

 

Yetti Report

Things which I am glad to report

a) The team won a game quite convincingly!
b) Tracy McGrady had a great all round game,
without concentrating on being the top scorer.
He played as a great playmaker!
c) Battier, Scola and Wells returned to the land
of the living and gave a good accounting of themselves!

Things which I am sorry to report because these errors
should have been fixed by now.

a) Alston is our starting Point Guard, inconsistant play on
both ends of the court!
b) Mike James a great scorer, penetrating and driving to the
basket seems to have forgotten what he does best.
Possibly he believes that he has become a non scoring outside
shooter.
c) Get well Steve this team needs you!
d) Yao Ming again plays brilliantly then once agains seems to
get out of the way so that others can score. Is he playing too
many extra unproductive mins?
e) Chuch Hayes needs to concentrate on what he can do well
he should get to know his limitations.
Great Game we all look forward to more of the same!!