ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Blazers 12/20/2006

We have the potential of being a "DEEP" team.

But you know what the worst part is?

It's that all those losing games were so close that we couldn't gave much play

time to the young bench player and we are wearing off Yao!!

That's the saddest thing.

 

I miss Snyder That guy could finish. It was a block party out there.

 

It's disappointing isn't it? I also thought we would be a deeper team compared to last year. In the offseason, we acquired:

Novak - Basically does not play at all. A one-dimensional player (3pt shooting). In retrospect, it's almost like we were better off drafting Houston's own Daniel Gibson (and ex-Longhorn), just so we could prevent Alston from playing 35-40 minutes a game.

V-Span - Still a project. Turnover prone. Must continue to adjust to the NBA. Now he regressed to the bench. AND DON'T YOU BLAME JVG FOR THAT!

JL III - Occasional playing time now. Another one of those SG in a PG's body. Lack of defense will prevent him from getting consistent playing time.

Padgett - Not as good of a shooter as Novak, but can do a little more in other aspects of the game (not much though).

Bonzi - He will be back and is already improving. Everybody will see post All-star break that this was indeed a steal by the Rockets.

It's sad to think 4 of these 5 players acquisitions are essentially bench-warmers.

I will remain an optimist however. I will be surprised if they are still bench-warmers by the time the 2nd half of the season arrives (unless we make some acquisitions during the season). Regardless, even with assuming T-Mac can return, Bonzi is the X-factor... period.

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about Snyder! He gives us athleticism and energy, but I believe a further improving Bonzi will limit his playing time even after his return.

 

A star PG or a star PF is rare in the market, no one wants to give up easily, and even it has, Rox doesn't have enough trading assets. Yao is much matured now, but still is not an absolute paint dominator, team-wisely using him more effectively is more feasible than drooling about another PG or PF. Adding his progessing, I believe we will have good shot to win these close games even with TMac out.

 

When he comes back, Alston should me removed from the starting line-up and our starting 5 should be

1. Head
2. Snyder
3. TMAC
4. Battier
5. Yao

 

Head can't play PG. We've seen this over and over again. Alston is a way better ball-handler. Now if you meant T-Mac playing point forward, that's fine. It's just that him playing PG takes away from other parts of his game like posting up and rebounding, because as a point G/F, he will be around the perimeter.

My starting lineup would be:

Alston - PG
Wells - SG
McGrady - SF
Hayes - PF
Yao - C

Head, Battier, Howard, Mutombo, Snyder, V-Span, Lucas III, Padgett, Novak should all be mixed in at some point, but never all at the same time. I'll probably take some fair criticism for that lineup, but I'd just like to see what would happen if those five were playing (and healthy) at the same time.

 

Is it true that Yao took just 2 shots in the 4th quarter??? *sigh*... that's pretty depressing.

 

where is Spanoulis at?

He wasnt THAT bad in the rotation was he?

 

yao kind of ran out of gas in the 4th there.

 

Too many problems within this team:
T-Mac's back problem, not any other problem is worse than this one, I'm so worried that this problem will be a permanent hurt for the next several seasons, but I'm really hope he will be back and health coz I like this guy and we need him.
JVG's bball theory. D is necessary and important but O is also needed. I think jeff is a smart guy but maybe not a smart coach, he has never make me full of confidence, especially the clutch time, he can't do anything. He will never trust his bench, it's so bad.
No penetration. we don't have any play who can penetrate well except for the old T-Mac and Snyder. Rox's playing style is fixed: pass the ball to Yao, let him take shoot or the other players shoot 3pts. Without penetration, Yao will be easily double-teamed and exhausted.
No reliable middle-range jump shooter. JHO can make some, but others can't. I'd rather ask Rafer and Lurther shoot 3pts than jumpers, they missed these jumpers easier than 3pts.

 

Bonzi Wells goe 2 for 10... and nobody's calling for his head?

 

Even without T-Mac, we shouldn't never ever loss to Blazer, it is totally unacceptable! Some changes have to be done

 

Blame gundy for not drawing up any postup plays for him. instead he was shooting 19 footers. gundy has to involve this guy alot more effectively.

 

I hate you today BLAZER ben.

Voice your opinions somewhere else other than showing up on THIS thread.

 

****!​

 

Why did the shooters always sleep on the court?they can not give help to Yao!Yao need help!they got chances,but they miss!I just want to say:T-Mac!
Come back!

 

the shooters went to sleep on the court I thought TMac didnt play??

And I always thought motivating players was the least of JVG's problems...

Must be really quiet in the Blazers arena these days??

 

man anther loss. If t-mac is out this team is nowhere.

 

Tough loss, but most of us here were hoping Randolph to be out. Instead, he and Roy were in, and we didn't have T-Mac (for the last four game ) Oh yeah, I was just watching the Rockets-Bobcats game (long time ago, we won 92-62) and I admit that I squealed like a little girl when T-Mac made that no-look, reverse/bank layup. I want T-Mac back!