ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Hawks 11/16/2004

For everyone hammering Ward for his play last night, I feel I must post. I have been one of the biggest supporters of his signing and his starting...so here goes. (Keep in mind, this does not excuse last night's game.)

He was brought in to stabilize the offense and shoot the 3. He's an old guy, and was brought in to play 20-25 mins, with Lue getting a lot and Sura getting the rest. (Sura also playing 2 other positions)

Based on that, I maintain that Ward should start after Sura gets back. He has proven effective, but had some untimely turnovers (and a terrible shot) last night. We shouldn't forget that he shouldn't be playing so many minutes, and especially not on back-to-back nights. Easily explains his shot (which obviously had no legs behidn it)...and could potentially explain the turnovers.

Again, he had a terrible game and I expect more from him. But with Sura coming back, I really think Ward's game will consistently be the "good" Ward we have seen this year. So I think he should stay the starter, and we don't need to go get another PG just yet.

 

Unfortunately, there's too much age and too little speed on this team for that to happen.

 

Bown is averaging less than 1rpg! I didn't believe it when I saw it, but he is averaging 0.8rpg.

While Boki is averaging 2.7rpg- not great but Boki is actually a decent rebounder.

But I definitely agree with the lack of athleticism on this team. The problem is that JVG really doesn't use athleticism (when he has it) to his advantage. I'm saw Francis and now TMac relying too much on jumpers all night.

We almost never get to the line, it is part of the refs part, but more on the fact that we take jumpers 9 out of 10 posessons. We don't have cutters, we don't have people driving in drawing contact.

 

Some simple observations, including last nite's "pulling defeat out of the jaws of victory." I know it's only been 9 games but here goes:

** our overall lack of quickness has really impacted our rebounding, getting to loose balls, and translates in to a slow, methodical, plodding, hard-to-watch offense. I watched the Suns beat the Mavs last nite and thre's no way we can compete with their athleticism - they are the anti-Rox.

** PG is a nightmare for us now. With Ward as our starter, having been resurrected from the junkpile of other teams.............well, 'nuf said. Sura/Daniels/whoever can't arrive soon enough

** I think we'll come together enough to get into the playoffs but no way, with the personnel we have, can we go deep

** Like many others, I don't know why Boki and Padgett don't get minutes. At least they bring energy....and Padgett is smart, can hit the perimeter J, and gets more rebounds than he should.

D R

 

I hate to give up so early -- but it does look like getting T-Mac was step 1 in the rebuild. Now we need to surround T-Mac and Yao with some quality role players.

I still think the trade was a great thing for the Rockets long term but the other pieces aren't there yet.

 

I believe that is what JVG and CD had in mind when they did the trade and that some of our role players are just a fill in for the time being. You're right its just the beganning of a rebuilding process. The problem is that we still shouldn't got beaten by the lowly Hawks b/c we have way more talent then them and the fans are frustrated b/c of that. You be crazy to think we would go deep in the playoff with this cuurent roster if we get there at all, but we should at least beat the team that we're capable of beating and the Hawk is one of them. If we miss the playoff by a game, this will be one of the game to look back at.

 

wait... we lost that game?! Hold on just a sec, I'm gonna puke!

Bararrfauuphghgsohgph! Sorry bout' that... I just can't believe we lost to the Hawks.

This....
1. sucks
2. is a wake-up call
3. sucks