ClutchFans Game Thread: Knicks @ Rockets 11/18/2004

They're getting exactly what they deserve for a terrible offensive scheme and not getting properly coached to make adjustments. At least that's what I saw the past two games.

In the Atlanta game, they had no answer for Atlanta's defensive adjustments, and they found no way to get Yao the ball in the fourth when for the game he's shooting like 90% from the field. Inexcusable.

In tonight's game, they left Kurt Thomas open for the entire fourth quarter, and had both Yao and T-Mac on the bench for the first 3 minutes of the fourth. You eliminate either one of those two factors and the Rockets easily win this game. The person who has to eliminate those factors is the coach by either making the defensive adjustment or by sending someone to GUARD KURT THOMAS.

 

I posted this warning a few months ago about his Knick fixation that JVG has in getting all these bloody old timers,

Weatherspoon, Charles Oakly (what a find that guy was?), Mark Jackson, Ewing, now Ward and Mutombo (good fine but won't be around to any appreciable degree in long run)

What really bugs me is it's alright to try and find that "mold" of a player but absolutley r****ded to get the exact same players he had a decade ago.

These guys were not great during their prime (no champioships) but are abolsulety atrocious in their old age. It's just mind boggling that he can be so retrospective and time challenged not to see these choices.
He now wondors what the problem is.

 

that was more of a prayer/floater that kinda fell in...one of the luckyest shots in nba history.

 

scenario: double digit lead against the hawks and knicks in the 4th qtr

Result: two losses.

No excuse for that result. NONE. I dont care if a mad man runs out on the court with a chain saw and chops tracy mcgrady's legs off, it shouldn't happen.

 

The Rockets lose this game and one of the big problems with this team is their defense when Yao is not on the floor. They seem to have problems rotating and playing perimeter defense and without Yao on the floor its exposed, some of the blame should go to the players but some should also go to the coach his substituting in the Atlanta game was terrible. On top of that their is no way you give up a three in that situation you almost let them score the two before giving them an open three the worst case should have been overtime. I know this team is trying to get Antonio Daniels, but they may want to add Ronald Murray to that mix if depth is as much of a problem as looks as far as players who create good shots for themselves in an one-on-one situation, this team has some serious problems playing for fourty eight minutes, the time to woory about this is now.

 

Well, I don't mind ugly ball too much....like R2K, but when we aren't winning, it is so hard for me to really get into the games.

Hasn't been much excitement yet, nothing that has really made me yell at the tv (except for the buzzer beater by the knicks today).

I try to make my self excited when in the chat room etc. But man.... I should be over the Stros by now. I don't know what's up.

Where has my love for the Rox gone?

 

So many times Yao will have great position in the paint, but then he has to jump to catch the entry pass. When he does jump, the defender subtley shoves him about 6 feet farther from the basket. All of a sudden, he has to take a fadeaway. I don't really blame Yao for passing on that last play because he was pushed out so far. I just wish he would have passed to a more open player.

 

probably to orlando

 

I am just glad we did not see Yao setting picks out at the 3 point line this game, except for a couple trips down the floor in the 4th quarter. We can probably only take little, baby steps, one at a time. Maybe next game Boki can get ...3 shots? Maybe the game after that, TMac can actually run one fast break instead of pulling up when he has the ball in the front court with 1 player in front of him. Then maybe the game after that, we can get Yao the ball in the low post twice in the 4th quarter. Then maybe next year we can get a point guard. Then the year after that we can get a power forward. Then a couple years later we can get a real shooter because we let Boki walk. Then a couple years after that we can get a new center and shooting guard.........Then a couple years after that we can get a new coach..............then a couple years after that we can get a new..........................awwwwwwww, screw it.

 

Amen. This game is on Van Gundy, and partly Mo Taylor for not bothering to guard their hottest perimeter shooter from 3 with a 2 point lead.

I just don't think Jeff gets it. You have to have one of T-Mac or Yao on the court while the other is resting. It is very simple. In my opinion that blunder changed the entire complexion of the game. And as far as Kurt Thomas is concerned, how many times does he have to make that exact same shot before you make somebody else beat you. The first half wasn't enough for us?

Him and Crawford were the guys beating us, and yet, when the game is on the line, we let them continue to do so. We lost this game on defense, which is Van Gundy's calling card. That is pathetic.

I also want to mention three other things:

One, Jim Jackson's shooting tonight was a major deteriment. And two, why it is when we take a jumpshot, that not a soul is in the paint to bother with a rebound. I understand transition defense is important but that is ridiculous. Lastly, entry passing is still an issue as is general floor spacing. Too many times the rockets try difficult low post passes and then don't have guys properly spaced out to beat a double team. It was better tonight, but there were still key 4th quarter turnovers by Yao/McGrady on post passes in this defeat.

 

Finally I can get this: Loser is always a loser! They just don't have the heart to win, period!

 

Tmac made a mistake..it happens. He's actually a very good passer and next to Yao, I would say he has the highest bball IQ on the team...

 

Not to open a can of worms here, but I feel like we could use some of Steve/Cat's passion right about now. One thing that scares me about T-MAc is that he was at the helm of a team that lost 19 straight games.

 

Maybe, but I still have 2 players I love in Houston...Yao and Boki....and occasionally MO.

Perhaps thats it. I am not completely used to all the new faces and so far they have played below expectations. And this hasn't helped me enjoy the new guys yet. Even Tmac....

It was so nice to finally make it to the playoffs last year.....now what. ?

 

well said .

I am definently mad and want something good to hurry up and come out of it....

But i understand its still a work in progress. If these guys had been playing for years together and they stunk this bad it's another story then.

 

Where is the MoT for Kurt Thomas trade thread at?

 

Look on the bright side, we got over 90 this game.

 

Yao and T-mac are about as passionate as Elton John in the backseat of an 81 Camaro with a herpes-infected Janet Reno.

This team just doesn't seem to give a damn from the Coach down to the 12th man.

 

Did anyone else watch this game and hoped there was a way the Rockets could trade for Kurt Thomas? His rebounding and jump shot, and the fact that he knows his role and doesn't try to score every time he touches the ball, he would fit well with the team.

Heres praying for:
Howard for Thomas
Lue + for Daniels

 

Yet another day my Chronicle will go with out being taken out of it's bag.

I can't stand to see the paper highlighting another Houston Loss.