ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Grizzlies 3/26/2004

Grizz: 14 steals, 11 TO's

Rox: 3 steals, 19 TO's

'nuf said.....team still hasn't learned to "bring it" every nite

D R

 

Mark 'Professor' Jackson was just horrible.

 

damt, boki screwed his chance up by allowing so many points in so little time. JVG was pissed at him

 

It was a humiliating defeat. Winning and losing is part of the game but our players had no motivation out on the court. They were unprepared for the Grizzlies onslaught even with JJ back.
This is a very bad sign.We can easily miss going into the playoffs.
Playing well down the stretch has never been a quality since Hakeem started having health problems.
Mobley in particular was horrible yesterday.
JVG needs to get everyone going as a team or else we won't make it to the playoffs.

 

Not meaning to be snide but this game should put ot rest the notion that the Rockets are a "better" team than the Grizz. The Grizzles have taken the series 3-1. Last night's game was the exclamation point where the Grizz "pimp-slapped" the Rockets. I am simply baffled as to how Memphis could have improved so fast while we are waiting for the Rockets to start showing the same improvement. Night in and night out, you just never know what the Rockets are going to give you and after 71 games, it's safe to say that what you see is the real Rockets.

Looking over their excuses for this horrible showing, for them to say that they weren't ready to play is an insult. I believe that their arrogance and stupidity cost the this game. The fact is that they took the Grizz lightly because they beat them decisively at the TC. The players on this team starting with Stevie Franchise, have it in their heads that they are somehow better than they actually are and this game proves otherwise. At this point, all signs are pointing to a very quick playoff exit by this group of dunderheads.

 

i remember there were a bunch of people on this board that were trying to discredit Memphis even after the team's winning streak and record after the all-star break. they pointed out memphis beat teams like the Spurs on their win streak because the spurs were without duncan, etc.

while i am not a fan of the memphis to say they weren't for real was a stupid thing to say. memphis is a good team. it's one thing to want to win it's another to not give respect or credit when it is do. are they better than the rockets? they do have a better record then us, but i think we're very close to them despite yesterday's loss. hopefully we come through in the remaining games and assuming we make the playoffs, i believe we can make some noise.

 

From the Chronicle: "In order for them to be effective, their key players have to play 40 minutes," Memphis coach Hubie Brown said. "When you play at the pace we were playing tonight, it's hard for them to do that."

It would be nice if JVG would decrease the starter's minutes. Francis and Mobley play 40 minutes a game and Jackson plays 38. Those kind of minutes diminish a players effectiveness over the course of a game and over the course of a season. With regards to Nachbar, JVG needs to stop jerking the guy around. It is hard to be a relaxed, consistent player when you know the smallest mistake will get you benched for weeks at a time. From what I understand, Nachbar hustles, runs well on the break and rebounds well. Surely that is worth the 10 minutes a game it would take to lower JJ's and Cat's minutes to reasonable levels.

Another thing: Hubie Brown is doing a fantastic job with Memphis. He has taken the time to teach his players fundamentals and, a year later, his time investment is paying huge dividends. When Brown took that job, he sacrificed immediate "easy" wins for teaching his guys to play the right way. He has done an amazing job and I can just imagine the job he could do with this current cast of Rockets. Heck, look what he has done with JWill. Francis has never been as wild as that dude once was.

 

So much gloom and doom. Our boys are really tired, even JVG admitted it. The fact remains we beat Memphis at home, and we could have beaten them the other 2 times we played previously.

We didn't have the energy last night but after we clinch, we'll get some rest.

 

Of course they are tired. 40 minutes a night will make you tired. JVG knows this and he should do something about it beyond waiting for a break in the playing shcedule. I still expect the Rockets to make the playoffs. IMO, it doesn't matter who this team beat or who they barely beat. What is important is that they get consistent--in their energy. effort and style of play.

 

Well I drove 6 hours to see my first ever Rockets game and it was a butt kicking for the tip. Our guys played very poorly and selfishly and it was never a ballgame. Taylor plays NO D whatsoever. I hd very few chances to cheer and the griz fans were on me all night. It was not what I hoped, but I still had a good time.

 

Steve Francis and Kelvin Cato are not small at their positions.

 

I agree - nice take - I doubt JVG will have same approach

 

Cato wasn't playing!!!!! Francis is only 6'3". I stand by my observation of this game.

 

Memphis is just a much better team, which is absolutely ridiculous. They have made a series of right moves and they are paying off. The Rockets are yet to assemble a "team." Plus, the Rocket's are still not in a playoffs mentality, they take nights off. They are not good enough to do that. And the Rocket's lack of "smarts" is embarassing. Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals! Up and down won't get you far in this league. If this team makes the playoffs, I am thinking "sweep," they still really don't "get it."

 

Your post seemed like it was about the Rockets in general, not just this game. Francis may not be taller than all point guards, but he is average height with above average power.

 

If we ... next game. Let's say bye-bye to 6th seed