ClutchFans Game Thread: Hornets @ Rockets 2/3/2007

The only quarter the Rockets won tonight was the 4th quarter, and that was the bench....actually....the DEEP bench !

DD

 

[I like both playing and watching basketball, and I am able to watch almost every Rockets game this season. So I start to analyze the game and would like to share with you guys as well as learn from you during discussion. Here comes my first Post-Game Analysis.]

Queeni's Post-Game Analysis #1:

We lost the game because of (1) the loss of Alston and JVG not playing our real backup PG, (2) good defense of Hornets, and (3) low energy level of Rockets players, in the order of impact.

(1) Some people underestimates the role of a PG. A good team with superstar(s) may not need an excellent PG like Nash (he is the soul and engine of Suns) but definitely needs an above-average PG such as Rafer Alston. He controls the flow of Rockets offense even though he is not a sharp shooter. With the rejection of Rafer, this game should be the best chance for VSpan to play big minutes, and it gave the Rockets the best chance to win. But JVG was not over the VSpan's complaint yet or he was too afraid of TOs mightly caused by VSpan. The reality was that the team offense sucked without a true PG, and playing Head or JLIII at PG guaranteed many more TOs. When JLIII was put on the floor for the 2nd time after his poor performance in the first appearance, I knew Rockets would definitely lose the game. It was OK for TMac to play at PG when he was in the game although it took away some offense from him. But when TMac was on the bench, it was ridiculous of JVG to put on JLIII/Head at PG (TO after TO ...).

(2) We should give credit to Hornets defense. Their strategy was very clear -- defending the basket, and Rockets was trapped in long-range poor-percentage shooting (37% overall). Hornets also defended TMac well, doubling him most of the time and making him stay away from other Rockets players. So even TMac could pass out to his open teammate, Hornets defense was able to have time to cover that open man.

(3) Most Rockets players did not have high energy and did not attack the basket a lot. Actually bringing in someone, who is very eager to play, could fire up other plays. You know whom I am talking about. But JVG is born to be not good at this -- motivating his players. What he focuses mostly is disciplines and his face.

Loss is bad, but I hope JVG could realize the serious problem and develop his bench especially our 2nd true PG.

 

I do agree with JVG saying that his team has not been prepared to play or make the sacrifices necessary to win in the NBA, especially at home.

My question would be....."What are you going to do about it, coach?"

If JVG does not like the team's attitude, he needs to do something about it, he is the coach, it is HIS job to get them ready to play.

The team has been lackluster at home...no energy......maybe it is the Rowdies?



DD

 

Any Report on Tracy's wrist? Is it okay? We need snyder back also.


And why does Desmond Mason always have to step in? First he lifts Yao off the ground and starts a fight, and now talks crap with Rafer and starts something.

 

Yeah, Desmond Mason hates the Rockets for some reason.

We hate him too.

 

Yeah, he can put in Vspan to save the team.

 

Losing our two main distributors (Alston and T-Mac) in the first half really took us out of our rhythm, and we couldn't find it for the rest of the game. It seemed like the whole team became indecisive and rushed their shots instead of trying to play their style of ball.
Everything seemed a little off, and that was enough to take us out of the game.

 

Ugliest. Game. Ever.

I was there, and it was just painful. Blown layups, the Luther brick-a-thon, the Bonzi airball-fest, and just a general feeling of sloppiness made the whole thing miserable.

 

"When JLIII was put on the floor for the 2nd time after his poor performance in the first appearance, I knew Rockets would definitely lose the game. It was OK for TMac to play at PG when he was in the game although it took away some offense from him. But when TMac was on the bench, it was ridiculous of JVG to put on JLIII/Head at PG (TO after TO ...)."

You are a moron. Lucas didn't have a single turnover for the game and he had three assists. He didn't even play THAT much. To put the blame for this craptacular loss on John Lucas is extremely short sighted.

 

Bad game. I dont have a problem with the fact that they lost a game that they should not have. This is the NBA and you are going to have games like this. You are also going to have games that win when you were not expected to.

The problem I do have is that if the Rockets were going to try and seperate themselves and give them some cushion in the standings, they cant drop games like this at home. Good teams dont lose to bad teams at home. I know the Rockets had been on a winning streak, but they have to take care of business at home. That being said, I look for the Rockets to come back strong against Minnesota on Monday and finish the home stand 4-1. They should go 3-1 this week. The only "acceptable" loss being to the Dallas Mavericks on Feb 9.

What I would do for a win in Dallas. I HATE the mavs.

 

I was at the game in sect 101. the Hornets intensity and physical aggressiveness out of the gate was striking. They were like San Antonio when San Antonio knows they are going to lose. Byron Scott must have talked to them before the game and had them so psyched to play us hard as hell. We never could match that intensity.

This is a better team than their record indicates. Their big men are fast and physical. Chris Paul did a good job breaking down our defense. Afte Rafer got put out -we really did not have anyone to run ours. We had few offesive rebounds or put backs. We were out rebounded. Was Dikembe hurt?- he did not seem ot play much.

We had 24 points on the board when there was just a few minutes left in the 1st half. I know Van Gundy had to be beside himself. I expected another-different Rockets team to come out in the scond half, but everyone was tired or intimidated- there did not seem to be a team sense of urgency. I really thought we had a shot at winning even up to the end of the 3rd.

We need every win we can get to get a possibility of home court.

 

And JVG was talking about the lack of intensity by the team over the last few weeks.

Why hasn't he done anything about it? If player A is not working hard put in player B.........and so on !

DD

 

Golden Opportunity to move within 1 game of the 3 spot...wasted and gone. We got outhustled, outshot, outcoached, out everythinged. This was one of the more painful games I have ever seen the Rockets play. So many open jumers(open 3's!!) missed.. There will always be games like this, but the lack of intensity was disturbing.

 

Now that you say that:

DaDakota:
"And JVG was talking about the lack of intensity by the team over the last few weeks.

Why hasn't he done anything about it? If player A is not working hard put in player B.........and so on !"

DD

The team did not come out in the 2nd half with more direction, focus or intensity. I have a picture in my mind of Van Gundy brooding at the half break- with his head between his legs.

The coach should own some responsibility for getting the team prepared- esp. since he keeps pointing out a lack of intensity.

We should have won this game- no question. 30 points at the half????

What did Van Gundy tell them at the half????

 

JVG wasn't the one missing open looks. You need to relax man. Your such a hot and cold person. When they are winning, your saying JVG is growing on you. When we lose a game because we are off, you are somehow blaming JVG. You call yourself a passionate fan but you just come off as a whiner.

 

That is the problem with JVG. He ight be a good coach but he lacks ability to motivate the team. He uses the doghouse as a technique (currently filled by VSpan and Snyder) and players don't respond to that. He needs to stop being stubborn.

 

Are there anyone who are as frustrated/furious as me to the following situation: Mason hacked our stars (first Yao then Tmac) and stole two wins from Rockets, and we didn't even foul hard on Paul once to show them "you need to stop, we can do this as well"? I mean last season when Heats played the Pistons, Sauders used the hack-a-Shaq and Pat immediately used it back on Ben and Sauders chilled. Why can't we show a little bit ATTITUDE to a team with attitude? I just don't like the fact that you get kicked and still smile back, not to mention twice.

 

That is because we are soft in the leadership competitiveness department.

The team really needs a Sura type......actually, Yao was proving to be a pretty good leader until he got hurt.

Tmac is ULTRA talented, but his leadership is pretty poor.

DD

 

Yeah we need Bob Sura to body slam Chris Paul.

Better yet - he should drop kick Demond Mason.

 

^ Desmond Mason *