ClutchFans Game Thread: Nuggets @ Rockets 1/8/2006

Didn't watch the game, and turned off the PC when I found out Tmac got hurt.
Just looking at the stat-line, Swift did OK. He is definetely improving in the past few games. The trend is encouraging. I just hope he is tough enough not to let these mistakes take away his agression and confidence.

It's hard to be optimistic when injuries just keep hitting the Rockets. I hope Tmac will get well soon.

 

Swift is a dumb basketball player, even our fans know that. So if JVG weren't an idiot, he wouldn't have assigned any important tasks to Swift at clutch time.

 

I would gladly take losses for the rest of the season if it means Alston, Head, and Swift continue developing and playing like they did tonight. Tonight's game was one of the most encouraging games of the season for me.

At this point, I couldn't care less about wins and losses. In order for us to have long term success, we need our young guys to learn how to play without depending so much on Yao and Mcgrady, and all of them, including Baxter, did a very good job tonight.

 

Right on, bro. Right on.

 

Well, it has been a shaky ride guys, but I think it would be wise to shut McGrady down for the season and let Yao get back when he is 100%, because this season is over...and it pains so much to have to say that.

The guys played with heart tonight but came up short because of two plays:

1) Deke -- who's been solid all game long -- fumbles a rebound that results in a Denver bucket.

2) Swift failing to come over and double-team Melo, with JVG screaming at him like a maniac after the Melo bucket. JVG told them to double, but they failed to execute.

Still, the real problem here is that I can't blame anyone for anything that's been going on this season, because the guys have been playing hard and fighting through it all, but the gods of basketball have determined that this is not our year, and they're making sure of it with one injury after the other, and if it weren't apparent before that McGrady was playing through tough injuries, may be what happened tonight will make fans appreciate this guy's heart and effort a bit more, because sadly people still question it despite all evidence being to the contrary.

Anyways, although my frustration and quiet despair is eating me up inside, sometimes you just have to let it go and hope for a better day; that's what I am doing. I will continue to watch and cheer for the guys win or lose, but reality has finally sunk in for me...I got the message, I got it.

 

I think that is the sentiment of pretty much everyone. As mentioned by other posters, Rockets should use the rest of the season to develop players like Rafer, Head and Stro, AND let Tmac and Yao rest. That will lay a good foundation for next season.

 

Not going to happen. Yao and T-Mac are the kind of players you'd need to hit with a tranquilizer gun to keep them off the court when they're healthy.

That being said, if we keep having a one-healthy-superstar-at-a-time kind of season, we can't help but wind up counting ping-pong balls. Worst part is, the few preliminary reports I've heard concerning this draft aren't very promising.

 

swift missing a vital last play dunk a few games back, benched for rest of the night after being hit in the gonads even though he was ready to play afterwards, missing his assignment on melo.

how much more can jvg take? i believe in swift's potential but if they let him go i hope it's not too cheaply.

 

too bad they lost this one...I was glad to see Swift in the starting lineup but we missed T-Mac in the second half of the game...I guess this ain't our year at all...injuries, no chemistry...and some players not playing at the level they should...and I know Swift is one of them but I still think he played a respectable game tonight though...we'll see what he's gonna come up with in the next game

 

Was there really even a need to double Melo in the first place? The guy was in obvious pain and discomfort that directly affected his mobility. For most of the second half I didn't see him doing much else besides shooting jump shots.

I think the real problem was having a 6'1" David Wesley defending him. Melo easily pulled up to hit that jumper, towering over the smaller defender. Bowen is supposed to be our defensive specialist, care to explain just why in the hell he was defending GREG BUCKNER? I would have put Bowen on Melo and as I explained earlier, I think his back pain was affecting his ability to drive to the basket. Front him, make him give it up then force somebody like Boykins or whoever to make the big shot. Not give a superstar player a practically uncontested mid-range jumper.

 

Freakin' Melo...oh well, we still played tough and close and I expect our guys to step up and continue...

 

Out of all people it's Mutumbo who could not grab a defensive rebound when we needed it most. That missed rebound which led to a three pointer to put the Nugs ahead by one, was the game. Damn you Mukuluwala Mutumbo.

 

Agreed.

 

I know a lote of people are harping on Swift not coming out to the baseline to double team Melo. However, Why did Gundy put Worthless Wesley on Melo.
Wesley couldn't guard my car on cement blocks

 

Exactly!!! Wesley should be on Watson or Boykins. Wait a minute, they are way too quick for him.

 

by the way, a Free agent point guard in the past offseason that Houston reluctantly paid no attention to, was Earl Watson.

 

Swift signed with us for the MLE. Watson signed with Denver for their MLE. Each team gets only one of those.

Watson was looking for a big pay day not to give anybody a hometown discount like Stoudamire considered doing for us.