ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Grizzlies 1/19/2004

I believe Mark Jackson may help in this area. I think he's already rubbing off on Steve, but the pass into the post when the defense is being that aggressive is difficult for both the passer and the catcher. However, it usually results in a very easy basket since the defense overplays so much. Hopefully, Mark Jackson saw some stuff tonight that he can offer some wisdom to the players.

 

I agree, but I guarantee that this game will be remembered best for Kerr making the freudian slip.

 

that angred me the most, steve taking those 2 bad shots toward the end. One was a 3 and the other he ran into a crowd expecting a call.

 

Tell it to Kerr. You have the email. Geeesh!

 

You must have watched another game. Most of the time he was guarded by Cato or MoT. He scored 2 baskets on Yao and drew one foul, that's about it.

 

Argh!!!! That's too far...heh!

 

Dude you definately didn't see the game......Steve Francis was Magnificient tonight dude...a lone bright spot on a bad night

Is it me or does it seem that since we signed the 2nd leading assist man of all time Steve has played the Point alot better????

Maybe those last few practices with Mark has lit a fire under his a**

 

Yao just doesn't have the hands to do that. He fumbles the ball away too much, and gets stripped in traffic. Where they need to use him is on the pick n roll. He sets the screen and should just start walking down to the other end of the court because he is not going to get the ball.

 

People used to try fronting Hakeem relatively frequently in the past, and our passers were pretty adept at lobbing the ball into him for an easy score. Two things though: 1) The lack of an illegal defense rule these days allows more people to surround Yao before he even gets the ball and 2) Dream was masterful at sealing off his defender with his body and converting the bucket. Yao still has to work on this.

 

Kenny Smith was right. He said we need a mid-game.

 

Several observations:

** Franchise played a FABULOUS game - floor leader, assists, limited TO's and hustled his ass off. Tonite he showed he's trying to "get it."

** Griz depth payed dividends down the stretch with long rebounds and more energy at the end of the game.

** Yao MUST SHOW UP ; Griz have no one who can match him. He was timid and played with no heart. I love the guy but he has to be a difference maker in this kind of game.

** We should hire John Thompson to tutor Yao

** Rox played a good game and showed guts coming back when they could have layed down. We have played worse and won this year. Effort (minus Yao) was something to build on.

Somehow I don't feel too bad after this one.

D R

 

Yao really needs to improve on establishing low post; I have said before his teammates can't get him the ball because he never seems to be in good position to get the ball. That and his teammates lose faith in him as the game goes on. Hopefully Mark Jackson can get him the ball when Mark get in the rotation. Yao also really needs to work on stamina and foot speed; he will always be a lumbering type of player but he gets winded too much. I don't think Patrick Ewing is improving Yao at all in my opinion.

 

Dissapointing loss. Definately one the Rox let get away.

A few thoughts:

1. Why do the Grizzlies move the ball around so much better than the Rox?

2. Why can't the Rox get a freakin rebound tonight?

3. Why can't the Rox hit some more free throws?

4. On the plus side this is the most aggressive I've seen Yao. He looked positively pissed off at times and went for the dunk alot more than he has.

5. It looks Francis is getting his offensive groove back. Its too bad it abandoned him in the 4th.

6. If the Rox are going to make it to the playoffs they've gotta win games like this. It was good that the Rox played hard but they've gotta play the full game. I really thought they had it when Jackson hit that shot at the end of the third.

To be a good team you have to win consistently.

 

i hope this dont lead to a lossing streak...ny gonna be looking for payback and we play indiana after that.

 

I disagree. Yao funbles the ball when he catchs the ball unexpected. When he asks for the ball and you deliver it to him, he is pretty good at catching it. for example, he caught a pass in the last 3 minutes when guarded by 2, and laid the ball in.

 

He is a freaking PF. Whoever guarding him did a horrible job. Yao (a center) should just stay with his man and get some rebounds. This team has no good PF.

 

I agree. He set up wide so it was hard to come around and deflect the pass. If you fronted, he would push his man out far enough that there was room for a lob. The illegal defense helped here too. Plus, he had the hands to catch any lob thrown his way.

 

now that's some good comedy.

 

Davids,

I liked your posts, but not this one. You may don't know what "Chinaman" means. I hate to mention this word, especially today, MLK day. Would you mind if Kerr said "This Negro just scored a basket" when SF made a shot?

 

I don't know what game you were watching but Yao looked pretty dam aggressive out there tonight. I also like Francis's play but unfortunately his shot abandoned him in the 4th.