ClutchFans Game Thread: Knicks @ Rockets 11/10/2006

You're right about that Battier has taken to this team like a duck to water. When he is out on the court he plays with such intelligence that its amazing, plus he never gives up on a play. Example with the game at 84-75 crawford gets a steal and is going in for an uncontested layup but Battier gets back and forces a turnover. Huge play. Helped to keep momentum eventhough, the Bricks got close they never really could make it interesting.

From start to finish, there really was no doubt who would and should win this game. However, in previous years other Rox teams would have found a way to blow this game. Credit the Rox with that much.

As far as +/- for this game, probably +3-5. For the season, +8-10. He's definitely a difference maker out there. Much to some peoples chagrin on this board.

 

Why hate mavs for life ?

 

Wow, so last game was TMac's game.

Today belongs to Yao.

Battier or Bonzi for next game????? OR V-Span or Novak, for some of you hopefulls out there..

Stay tuned for the next episode of, Rockets Domination.

 

As a S-YOF, I am happy today.
As a S-Rockets fan, I am happy today.

"I am happy. ", by Helen Hunt, As Good As It Gets.

 

If you want +/- info and some other stats, try this site: http://popcornmachine.net/GameFlows.html

It's done by a Lakers fan, but that doesn't really matter.

 

Yao's days are coming.He will be the monstor of the center position in the NBA in the future years.

 

it's nice to have two superstars, yao and tmac can take turns dominating games so its like they only really play 41 games a season and be in great shape, injury free come playoffs

 

a cartoon for the 3 wins in a row, go Rockets, for the 4th win.

 

This team has the ability to be special. Keep in mind T-Mac had a HORRIBLE night shooting the ball, and the Rockets built a 20 point lead or so early in the 3rd quarter. The key is more consistency, ie finishing teams early.

Other things I noticed: The trade for Battier is so worth it, it isn't even close. If you watched the game tonight, it's his intelligence and CONSISTENCY, that really helps the team. Easily the glue on this team. When he has the ball, I just expect good things to happen.

Rafer and Luther both hit big threes consistently and the team ball movement was outstanding. Also, chuck hayes is a good fit next to Yao because of his quickness and rebounding.

Now, on to Yao. This is the year he makes his first of many appearances in the top 3 in MVP voting if healthy. And to me, it's not his offense that is most impressive, it's his defense. His weakside shot blocking tonight was outstanding, and he also went straight up numerous times not picking up any cheap fouls in the process. He is finally a major presence on defense, and you are going to start seeing a lot of steals forced by the Rockets because the perimeter defenders can gamble when he is back there to thwart scoring chances.

Also, one thing that I think deserves mention is how much quicker the Rockets got into their offensive sets tonight. Yao had the ability to post and repost multiple times tonight(making entry pass angles better and getting in better scoring position), and except for the end of the 4th quarter, they did a good job of not forcing difficult entry passes to the big man.

Keep in mind, they are doing this without any contribution from Bonzi Wells right now, and once he gets into shape he will be a major boost to the team. Not to mention Novak and Spanoulis may be able to help out later this year.

Right now this looks like a team with a deep playoff run in them.

 

shane battier looks asian

LOl

 

Yao had a great game. But Tmac had done well at distributing the ball too. 8 assists.

He's still as important to this team as Yao Ming.

 

You are pathetic.

 

impossible!!it works,though slowly!I finishied it just now!

 

Agree, and I do hope TMac could be our locker room leader.

 

A GREAAAAAAT GAME FOR YAO

 

Great to see Yao have this success early this year and pick up where he left off. When could we ever imagine the Rockets winning with Mac scoring only 13 points? Mac is going to go off on a tear soon and shoot much better for several straight games...let's keep the win steak going @ Miami tomorrow!

 

omg.did anyone else read the nba.com article about yao last night

"He still had some left over after the game. After playing 38 minutes, Yao headed straight to the weight room in anticipation of Sunday's meeting with Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat."

omg..talking about dedication...ha ha ha

 

Hey dude, I think I can understand JVG right now even though it's not sooooo clever but he has a point of playing only 9players per night:
1) We need chemestry for our starting lineup - don't forget only Rafer/Yao/Tmac was in it last year!

2) We need to build chemestry and SOLID SOLID starting lineup & 3role player rotation!! This is soo important! Don't forget Battier/Hayes/Snyder never played with us last year and they're our main rotational players now!!!

3) For the 1st 10-15 games I think this will be our rotation! If those guys can't win at least 65% or above, we could be f_cked in playoffs!! Don't forget Vspan/Novak never played a playoff game before! And even though they can contribute well we have to leave their 'practicing' time after we LOCKIN our main rotation first!!!! So we get our main guys to click, then add on more 'surprising' factors/players!!! Guys, starting of season is no time for surprises!! it's time to get your most reliable guys to GLUE and be able to handle all situation without PANICING!!!

4) Bonzi's really out of shape, you can't deny that! It's a smart call to get him to workout and lean before playing him!!! Don't worry about Bonzi guys because his 'free agent contract' next year is our Guarantee factor, the INSURANCE that he'd be JVG's gooodie boy and work his ass off!!! He can't efford to F_ck up in any manner this season! Unless he hates money... (like last year.... )

I see Novak/Vspan coming into our lineup after this month's monster schedule (against spurs miami pistons and all those western giants), given we win over 70%!! Once our starting lineup is set, we can add in these Bonus pieces. Don't you think it's exciting?? JVG is not the greatest coach, but he's a very good one. Can be f_cking stubborn sometimes but he like solid plays, solid rotation, solid contribution from main rotation. There's a reason that we've signed Yao/Tmac/Battier til 10' and Snyder/Head/Rafer til 08'!!! We need these guys to Jewel!!

 

You know what? I start to feel something great is comingup within the next few years in Houston. That statistic guy (I suddenly forgot his name sorry guys, what's the name of our GM? the new one..), he's stat showed last year Chuck Hayes was the most efficient PF next to Yao!!! And it's paying off!. Also, the stats are the only reason why we traded for Battier!!!! No matter which team (Griz or Rox) he's on, if you run a Regression for wins or others and set Battier a Dummyvariable, I'm sure when he's 1 we win much more games compared to he's not on (so 0). Dame I like our new GM now!!

 

Yao's style of play yesterday was reminiscent or his dominant play last year, the Milwaukee game looked like the Yao of 2004. He was very active on the floor yesterday and in Milwaukee not as much, settling for that jumper and not running the floor on the break. I guess it was fatigue after a back to back that he wasn't as aggressive with his motion in Milwaukee or maybe it was the home field advantage feeding off the enthusiasm of the fans. I'll be looking for this as he plays more games this year, maybe that will be the pattern for his play this year, coast and conserve energy in back to backs and feeding off the energy of the home crowd at home games

Would love to have TMac more consistent, yes he contributed yesterday but he has had only 1 game in 6 that he has excelled. We need more consistency from TMac and more great games out of him. Yes, I am glad he defers to his teammates when he is not on, contributing with his passing and D but the greatness of this team is predicated on the greatness of Tmac and Yao not on the greatness of Yao and a "blend in with the team" TMac.