BTW, lost in all this is another game with poor decision making by Alston. I am glad Tmac took over decision making reponsibilities late in the game, like he usually has and will. Rafer... Please calm the fu*k down, stop panicking, and do not pull up for a jumper on a fast break when you have wing players screaming down on each side. I thought Steve Franics was IQ challenged on the court, but Rafer is quickly making a case for himself.
Hello everyone! I just registered. Being an NBA fans for about 10 years, the passion of the game growing on me each day. It's so good to join the #1 NBA fan community as a die-hard Rockets fan. I couldn't sleep after this dramatic game so here's my first chip-in on the game. Many of you may feel the same as me, it's been an emotion rollercoaster ride from the beginning to the end. The first half's play was aweful offensively, maybe the worst in the games we've played so far, thank god we did great on defense end so Heat didn't blew us away. It seemed we played not only against the Heat, but also luck and the biased national broadcasting. When Hayes went down, my heart hit the bottom, because before that he played most efficiently in our team, if not for his effort, we could've been down 10+. I thought this was not our night and I really wish someone could step up to save the world. Thank god Yao and T-Mac went off. Yao finally found his rythm and exploded, he never looked fatigue in the late quaters and he gave a performance far surpassing the Knick game. And we should also thank T-Mac, although he still looked aweful in his jumpshooting, he changed his role by becoming the offense initiator than the finisher. If not for his three fatal passes, we wouldn't have blown the Heat away. When I saw the expession on Yao Ming after he hit that buzzerbeater, I knew the game was ours to keep. If you watched the game on ESPN HD, have you noticed how badly scratched on Yao's upper body, did you see how many times he was pounded and fell down in this battle, Yao is a true worrior and will become better. Yao deseves to be the Western Conference Player of the Week in week 2 of NBA. Also big praise for Luther for sinking the 2 most important 3 pointers to solidify the lead, great defensive effort from Battier and all the role players who contributed in this statement game televised before hundreds of millions fans worldwide. My best wishes to Chuckie, godspeed on recovery. You are without the doubt the starting PF of the Rockets. For the 500 spartans on the upperdeck, I heard your voice and great support. I solute you. JVG, I gave you 9 out 10 on this game, you outsmarted your master Riley and coached a very disciplined game. I just wish you could've started playing Supernova a little bit when we needed outside shots badly to unloaded the inside pressure Yao's been taking. Rockets fly higher, beat the Spurs on Tuesday and stay healthy.
A couple points about the ESPN guys: 1st: They won't give the Rockets the credit even if they DO win a championship... they didn't in '94 - '95. And remember, SI wouldn't even put the Rockets on their national cover after the championship wins. Instead they put out a special "regional" edition with Hakeem and Co. on the cover. And remember, in '95 when Bob Costas nearly choked on the words, "I guess now I have to say that Hakeem Olajuwon is the best player in the NBA" after the sweep of Shaq and the Magic. His East coast buddies were throwing up. So, bottom line... get used to it; even if they know they are wrong, they can't say it. Most of them live in the East. 2nd: Don't forget that Greg Anthony was on the '94 Knicks team that lost to the Rockets in the Finals. He will NEVER get over it.
Welcome on board! Nice to see people join clutchfans, since we rockets fans are about to witness something special this season!
Although Tracy's shooting has been pretty awful - Imho - Tracy is better than he has ever been. With his jumper being in the dumps, he has paid more attention in doing everything he can to attract the opposing defense with his playmaking ability and getting our team easy shots. If JVG started Tracy at point, I honestly believe he can pull 10+ dimes each game. I think it's something JVG has to really start to consider. But the thing is...sooner or later - teams will adjust and play T-Mac straight up...and that's when he's going to have to knock down his shots. That's what made Magic so great. He was so good at playmaking that it made it easier for him to score big baskets because teams played him straight up. Teams would rather test his jumpshot or post moves than the shots he could get Kareem, Worthy, and Byron Scott.
Yao's interview after the game if you missed it. http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/recaps/recap_93_houmia.asx
Is Yao Ming wagering his finger to mean: I am now the #1 Centre in this league ?? BOX SCORES PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE GAME PHOTOS
first post... so many greenhand, and some come from china... i am, too nice to meet you all after a wonderful victory~!
Look how helpless Mourning looks in this pic. He has his whole hand on Yao's face but Yao calmly sinks in the hook. Yao needs to use the hook more often. I think he has'nt utilized it enough so far. That ball is friggin 4 feet above Zo's outstretched arm. Helpless!
I'm sick of this "best center" talk. Yao is one of the best players IN THE LEAGUE period. He is efficient, he rebounds, he is a force on defense, and he creates shots and lanes for other players on his team by commanding double teams and making great passes. Yao is quicker and more athletic than I have ever seen him, and he doesn't ware down in the 4th quarter anymore. He plays smart and he plays aggressive. What a great player. All I can say is if he gets a little help from Tmac, he's going to take us a long way.
