ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Blazers 4/3/2008

I don't want you to think I am arguing with you just for the sake of arguing, but I think the lapses that happen with the Rockets is down to some holes in their roster. Luther Head can't dribble very well; Chuck Hayes can't shoot; Alston is streaky; Landry is hurt and undersized, etc. Can they win it all? Sure, but they aren't nearly as frustrating as other teams. I think they have squeezed out a lot of wins on sheer effort. I can't complain about that.

 

I definitely noticed it right after the elbow to Deke's head. There are a few things that to set McGrady off after all.

 

i used to HATE when that team would get all congratulatory, hugging and loving each other when they "built" and 8 point lead and there's still a minute 45 left to the game...

 

he's a shooter. as long as we have tmac and yao, he will be on this team. it's not his job to be a PG.

 

t-mac playing 40+, not too good.

 

I doubt that seriously. I hear your reasoning but I doubt your reasoning.

He will be gone when the right deal comes along.

 

you can say that for anybody outside of tmac/yao/scola/landry/battier on this team.

 

Congrats on number 50!

 

you could say that about anyone on this team.

 

lol novak in the game

 

this is one game. most of the season, we have looked pretty bad when rafer sits. during the streak the difference b/t him and the backups was even worse. now that rafer can't sit a little when he's off, but he's still the best pg we have.

 

Agreed. I think they will hold onto Brooks though before Head.

 

you especially say that about the guy in front of your favorite player blocking his playing time

 

only complaint is that novak and harris should've been in earlier...much earlier

 

lol brooks outquicking the fouling hands

 

yes, there are one or two spots that the roster could use an upgrade in. infact that would probably stop most of the scoring droughts, and defensive lapses...

i'm sure that would reduce the lost leads / late game collapses. i'm not sure if it's completely that, but they just seem get outscored in the last few minutes of every quarter and they hardly ever put teams away.

i guess we will just have to wait and see weather it's a mental thing or a roster hole.

 

I said N times before, and I want to say it again, Tmac and Rafer don't fit well with each other!

 

Rafer and success don't fit well together.

 

Nifty 50! Very good win for a team that needed one after a couple of subpar showings. It is just amazing how much better the offense runs when the Rockets drive the ball into the paint. Without Yao, this becomes even more important.

It is plainly clear, if the jump shots fall, the Rockets will win. If they come out and shoot like they did in Game 1 and Game 2 of the Utah series last year, they will get wiped out in 4/5 games.

That being said, they deserve some recognition. 50 wins for the third time in four years. (2005-2006- I dont blame, injuries decimated the team). McGrady has been nothing short of magnificient. He is not Kobe. He is not Lebron. We cant compare him to them. Without McGrady on this team, we would be an afterthought in the NBA.

 

Yeah, Novak and Harris need some minutes. Especially since Landry has been looking like a deer in the headlights lately.

Hopefully this game gave Coach the confidence to give AB more/some minutes.