ClutchFans Game Thread: Jazz @ Rockets 5/5/2007 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 7)

I just can't let go of the fact that we failed to foul...

 

LOL, thanks for giving me a good laugh on an otherwise depressing day.

 

Die hard Rocket fan here in LA. Yesterday's lost was real painful to watch. Let's be honest here, the Rockets are not a championship. How they lost was pathetic. How can you not foul?

I think the main attribute that's missing from the Rockets is passion. No one stepped up and gave the heart that was sorely missing. Rocket fans from the 93-95 glory years know what I'm talking about.

Thoughts:
1. Yao must take part of the blame. He is simply not a franchise player. He's at most a good player, but not great. He's slow to react, and lacks the inside aggression most centers need to have. As much as this kills me to say (and the fact Yao is one of my favorite player), I would even entertain the thought of trading him to another team to bring in a better point guard.

2. T-Mac must learn to lead. He shows up for games 1 and 2, disappears in games 3 and 4, and steps up in the 2nd half of game 7? Sorry guy, but too late. You need to treat every game, every minute as if it's your last. Play smart and learn to close it out. T-Mac is by far our best player, he just needs to develop.

3. I blame most of the Rockets failure on JVG. No matter where you look to blame, or judge from the season - the coach has to take the brundt of all this. JVG, our project manager, failed. He failed to develop the role players, he failed to provide that sense of urgency to T-Mac and Yao, and he failed to made the necessary offensive and defensive adjustments in the Jazz series.

Wow, I'm at a lost for words. I really feel bad for T-Mac, but I think Yao needs to take the blame. Sorry for the disorganized post, I am just utterly disappointed in the Rockets.

 

Yao should of killed on the offensive end , instead he remained flustered and on the floor half the time.

 

Yao's alright. Needs to get better. Still way better than Rik Smits

 

I've been hung up on this all day too and I've yet to hear anyone explain this. How could that happen?? I expected it to be a bigger deal in the Chronicle - or at least mentioned but all I saw was "rockets were UNABLE to foul". Unable??!! Unwilling or unknowing is more like it. They were certainly able - they had every opportunity.

I saw Van Gundy's press conference where he said "there is no good explanation for it". But please - somebody tell me what the heck happened?

most of the focus has been on the missed rebounds - and I get that - but that last 10 seconds was just ridiculous!!!

Did Van Gundy just assume that they would know to foul but the players had some sort of mental lapse? Did he tell them NOT to foul? Were they not fouling because they were hoping the ball would end up in a low % shooters hands first? I mean - that was just so bizarre!! It was such an amateur mistake.

I'm a white 37 year old accountant who's never played ball - and even I know that you must foul in that situation!!

but it was just the capper for a lousy night - just more salt in the wound I guess

 

BIGGEST TURNING POINT OF THE GAME...........

Was at 5:52 (score 88-83 Rockets) when T-mac bricked the (And 1) Free Throw (Battier got the rebound), then Rafer Alston dribbled away and tripped on his own feet allowing Deron Williams to steal and dish to Boozer for 2.

Good job Rafer you are the MVP.... I <3 You

 

I had put my 4000th post on hold until one of the two teams won 4 games. Well, here it is:

1. The Jazz were/was the better team, more talent, more athletic, more poise, more discipline, more resolve. They played better: they defended better, they shot better.

2. Boozer was the best player on the court hands down. He was consistently dominating.

3. The Utah role players and bench were superior, which is a subject we will address shortly.

4. The games of both TMac and Yao DECLINED during the playoffs. The man sitting next to Les Alexander would have suggested something different: IN THE PLAYOFFS YOU ELEVATE YOUR GAME! While the Utah defense had something to do with it, still, Yao looked amateurish. He fumbled and bumbled his way through the series. He missed several critical shots, he missed critical freethrows (game seven), he committed rookie turnovers. His feet rarely if ever left the floor as he waved at numerous missed rebounds. TMac missed, and missed, and missed. Superstars don't shoot in the 30% range, that is Rafer territory. The box scores suggest they had good games, they didn't.

5. Our role players are not even near the talent levels of the elite teams in the West. It is almost embarassing. This is on the Rockets organization.

6. Our bench is ridiculous, this is on the organization AND JVG as he has alienated or refused to use or develop available players. The Bonzi ordeal was just stupid, not all JVG's fault, but seriously he couldn't work something out? When the team traveled to play the Bucks and JVG wouldn't even give Novak a few minutes before his home fans, come on. AND, anybody should be able to get some minutes at the point when Rafer is your starter.

7. This team needs a new coach, the JVG era should become just a bad memory, a new PG, a new PF, a chance for the young players to develop, A LEGITIMATE THIRD SCORING OPTION, and some substractions and additions to the bench.

I am still miffed that JVG brought in all those old burned out Knicks and Ewing to tutor Yao. Poor choices all. Bad drafts, bad contracts, bad choices have really kept the Rockets from developing into a contender. Unfortunately, it may take several years to fix. To take advantage of Yao and TMac, the team needs to make some clever moves, something rarely done in the last ten years.

P.S. to DaDakota, Very Funny!

 

Bringing in another coach to change the mind set of the team will be a very important first step.

We need to utilize the draft and develop some of our younger players. It kills me that we seem to waste draft pick after draft pick.

McGrady and Yao are competitors and I know they will do whatever it takes to get ready for next year. They need help though!

I don't think getting rid of our core is the answer though. It's going to be tough, but I really think a change at coach will really turn things around.

What we need is more heart. Unfortunately that's impossible to scout. When it comes down to it, you need to know that your team mates will do whatever it takes to complete the mission at hand. The early-to-mid 90's Rockets had so much heart. It was a joy to watch. I hate the fact that Utah was more physical. I hate the fact that it seemed that they had more heart. This just sucks. I hate the Jazz so much, but they outplayed us and they deserve the series win. It pains me to say that.

Here's to next season! Things will change, things will get better. Once they do, it'll be that much sweeter.

GO ROCKETS!

 

In times like these I'm glad our management isn't the reactionary bunch you people are. Trade Yao? Trade T-Mac? Talk about overreacting.

It was a good season with ups and downs. Thanks Rox.

 

Maybe we need to get better foul-ers this offseason. lol

 

It's hurt in the deeper of the heart..I even can't sleep for a while..
It's time for the rocket to change coach.. And maybe Yao in the summer have a chance to go for Hakeem's clinic for next season coming stronger...and of course we need new faces in Rocket team if we really want to be a contender not just a good team...
Anyway, bye friends.. see you guys in next season! Long Live CluthFans!

 

Great catch. I whole heartedly agree. Rafer Alston carelessly handling the ball and turning it over just absolutely killed us. Gosh, thinking about that play just makes me upset. Dribbling is such a fundamental part of the game and to have our point guard give it away like that is weak. JVG should have yanked Alston right after that. Total momentum killer. I think if the Rockets had scored, the outcome of the game might have been different. And along with that, this crap talk would not happen (at least not till later).

*sigh* The Rockets really let us down, no excuse.

 

All you guys blame alston, did you notice his mpg? even he is iron he is close to break down.

 

even he is iron he is close to break down?

what does this mean?

 

Translations: Alston played a hell of a lot of minutes. So many that even an iron man like he was close to wearing out by the end.

 

True, it was a dissapoinment but that's the ups and downs of being a fan. All we can do is look forward...

 

We can't single out one single player, it's unfair. Like we all know, this is on the entire team. Maybe a rebound here and there in the whining moments could have brought on a different result on the outcome but we can't change what happened in the past. Sure this is a tough one to take, it'll take some time to heal

 

The ups and downs of being a Rocket fan.

Today, I'm chest deep in one of those downs. I feel the pain and agony of the Rockets loss last night slowly making its way to my head. Thus, drowning me in devastation. Sometimes, I wish that I didn't care so much. I find myself envying those who can care less. But then I come to my senses and realize those are the people who are really missing out. There is nothing greater than celebrating those ups with the team you know and love. To feel such joy and raw emotion and to be able to share it with the whole city is something that can't be matched. With that said, I can't wait for next season. It'll only feel that much better to celebrate the good times when you've already had to endear such horrible times. I love the Rockets, and I always will.

It's getting harder to breathe....time is...running out. No worries, once this is over it'll be time for the draft and free agency to begin. I hope.

 

my heart's broken....