ClutchFans Game Thread: Nuggets @ Rockets 10/30/2003

I'm not saying that. I'm saying that just calling him a "natural 4" and leaving it at that isn't the issue. Cato played this way last year. Actually the last 2 years he's played hard and smart.

We need him on the court right now because Griff's absence. And MoT is taking it slow (shoulder). Remember, when we were loosing last year, very few were prasing Cato (I did, and got bashed). He just looks better because Francis, Yao and JVG are on the same page. He's filling in the perfect "role" player. Braggs is doing the same. I'd rather have Braggs at 4 and Cato at 5 off the bench.

So, that's what I mean by "just a body out there." They are playing their roles a role players.

By the way, please don't bring up, "shooting 50%." 4-8. Boki shot 100%. 2-2. So, percentages are deceiving.

 

nice recap, buring! thanks a lot.

 

"...Yao Ming scored 17 points in 20 minutes and finished the game with five fouls. Francis finished with 17 points and Kelvin Cato, Jim Jackson and Taylor each scored 10 points. ..."


Pool Associated Press got the score wrong

 

my god. i just realized a. griffin and pike havent even played yet. still more offense and defense to come! holy jesus!

 

Why? Cato had 10pts. 13 boards, why would you want him sitting on the bench. I think the lineups JVG threw out tonight was perfect, except Mooch.

Why not bring up "shooting 50%?" Thats the stat, we shot well as a team.

 

Exactly what I was thinking. There were times late in the game when Melo was lighting us up that and JJ was in foul trouble when I thought, if only we had A Griff for defense down the stretch how we could shut down our opponents.
And with Pike....imagine how many times Yao is going to get double teamed this season. With Francis, Cat and Pike being able to consistently hit the open three is a very scary thought for the opposition.

 

One thing that has me concerned is the bad officiating on Ming. Especially one call.

Why is when Amare or Shaq literally bulldoze over people its not a foul but a foul on the defensive guy yet when Ming barely touches NENE's chest its called an offensive foul?

If this calling keeps up Ming wont have as productive career as the "great ones" because even the great ones need a little help now and then from refs.

I think its because ming is soooo damn good,and big,that refs dont want him to dominate and embaress the rest of the league. Probably a racial thing or houston thing also. If Ming was in NY he would be allowed to bulldoze,if he was black he would be allowed to bulldoze(see shaq)

 

Everything went so well that I only have 3 criticisms (too many good things to mention) and one gripe (call me cantankerous)

1. Moochie is terrible. He turns it over and doesn't play D.
2. Uh... you know, it's really not necessary to play 4 on 5 when Boki's in the floor. He did well enough when he was given a chance. Teammates passed him up when he was wide open.
3. Mobley played a pretty good game mostly. But, um... once again, he still took more bad shots than anyone except maybe Moochie.


And the gripe: Why the hell were the Nuggets getting the calls? They're a team of ****ty kids! Houston may not be a veteran team... but we at least deserve even calls against a team like that .

 

Cato at the 4 works well, keep him there. Braggs should come in at the 3 and 4 (matchups allowing of course) but for limited minutes. If possible, he should probly receive more pt than Boki as of now since he seems to rebound/hustle/defend better. Then again it is only one game so far.

 

What an AWESOME Game

Best Quote, Steve Kerr: "check out the new uniforms... the Nuggets look like the UCLA Bruins and the Rockets look like Team China."

Tonite was a great glimpse into future of this team. Yao is simply a point machine. Francis was just plain awesome. And even Cuttino had a good day. But most telling though is how we rotated on defense. We're defending the 3 point line with great rotation and help. It helps that we have two legitimate shot blockers in the paint, but even with that, I was very impressed with our defense tonite. I was equally impressed with the displays of patience and leadership demonstrated by Francis. To see him PAUSE and reset the offense is a thing of pure joy!!!

The not so nice things are Moochie's turnover. He's got to protect the ball better if he expects to get his minutes. Moreover, I'm a bit worried about having Nachbar in the lineup. His footwork and balance don't seem to be there. Perhaps the NBA is too quick for him, but at best, I see him evolving into a Tony Kukoc light. And lastly, Mobley... I can't figure this guy out. One series, he's playing out of control and taking low percentage shots, passing after jumping, and doing all sorts of stupid things. The next series, he's getting steals, converting layups, and getting out on fast breaks.

The one glaring weakness I see with the Rox as of tonite, is our second unit. Esp. when it's just Mobley and Cato in there w/o the other three starters. I feel that we are at a bit of a disadvantage in this scenario. If Mooch can get his 3 point shooting down, it would greatly help out our second unit. Else, if he's ALWAYS, and i emphasize, ALWAYS, looking to pass, our second unit becomes quite predictable.

Lastly, Cato and Jackson are just perfect for Yao. These two players will THRIVE under the JVG system. Jackson, in particular, I was very impressed with. Entry passes to Yao was right on the money. Very much "under control." And just lots of little things that make him a great veteran leader. Cato, likewise, will be to Yao what Oakley was to Ewing.

What a great way to start the season!



theSAGE

Question: On TNT, I could've sworn I saw some Red Devil run around the bottom of the screen... Is Clutch the Bear Possessed?

 

Well, it looks like we lost Griffin for a while at least; but with Cato playing the way he is, the Griffin loss won't be missed this year. Griffin needs to get his life together before he can concentrate on basketball; then he can actually improve his basketball skills.

An aloff Griffin hurts this team a lot. Cato is active and hungry.

My opinion, is that our best front court is Yao, Cato, Taylor. Griffin might need a whole year off to get his life together, but when he comes back, look for Taylor to be traded.

An emotionally stable Griffin is going to be on par with Garnett; so let's not count him out.

But this team looks very impressive, even against the tired Nuggets after a win against the spurs. But everyone has back to back games, so that isn't an excuse.

 

trading taylor because Griffin is on parr with KG huh?

Had a little bit too much celebration after this game?

 

No kidding. The Rockets got hosed.
Hard to complain too much, however. Won the opener!

 

How tall is JVG? He looked a bit short in this photo.

 

I just LOVE this photo!!!



VG's legs are about the same size as Yao's knee-to-feet!!!

Oh, and great game.

 

Looks like we've got ESP, spalding.

 

yeah so braggs is good. i love his game. all hustle and no stupid shots etc. i cant wait till we have adrian griffin and pike as a deep threat in there. this should be a great season!

 

Our 4 & 5 spots (Yao, Cato, Mo, Braggs) combined for the following:

93 mins, 45 pts, 17-32 FG, 11-13 FT, 26 rebs (10 off), 4 blks, 3 stl, 6 ast, 5 TO

Good stuff.

My favorite stat of the game:

Rox shot only 7 3's, made 4. Nice to see a little more post-up, move without the ball, attack the basket off the dribble, mid-range game instead of a bunch of jacked up 3's by guys standing around watching. We need a good spot-up shooter or 2, especially with Yao (come back soon, Pike!) but watching the Rox offense the past couple of years has been close to unbearable. Thank you JVG.

If only Mobes can quit tossing up shots on 2 on 3 breaks with 18 secs left on the shot clock. May be too much to hope for, though.

 

I was most impressed with the defense and toughness. Looks like the Rockets will become a reflection of Van Gundy (though one that can still score). When Pike and Griffen and Griffen come back, the second quarter should belong to the Rockets most games.

 

Yall realize that JVG is standing about 25 feet behind Yao, right. Depth perception is a certifiable beyotch.

Does look funny though.