We could blame it on lack of intensity, but it still looks to me like we have an athleticism problem. Not only was the defense porous, but we got killed on the boards, particularly long rebounds. Team athleticism and smaller guard defense looks like trouble. I see the Terrys, Parkers, Pauls, Barbosas, Wades, etc just chewing us up, I never even got the sense we could have stopped Williams if he really wanted a decent shot. Not that the sky is falling, but I think some of our weaknesses were exposed versus an athletic shooting team (and a lesser one than the Mavs or Suns) and they are not something Wells, Howard or Sura could help with.
Disappointing game. Look for another below .500 start from the Rox, its back to the drawing board for JVG figuring out what the best pieces to put in. This isn't the lineup the Rox need to go with, Battier can't rebound well enough and Yao is not a good enough rebounder to carry the team. Battier is out of position at the PF, he's a SF and looking at the lineup JH might be the best option for a PF that can play at both ends. If we lose the first 5 games we may be looking at a lineup like this. PG Mcgrady SG Wells SF Battier PF Howard C Yao
I thought the refs leaned a little bit towards the Jazz, but I'm biased. Regardless, even if it was even, it made the game boring at times. The game only lasted about 2 and a half hours but it felt like it went on for 5 hours.
Raffer got two 3 points shots, you may check out who passing the ball to him. T-mac also insisted to "waste" many chances though his hand is deadly cold. you could see a big guy just hands up waitting for nothing then ran back ;again and agian. New Team 's first game. I just wish T-mac find heself on court ASAP.
Yao only got 12 shots !!! The team IGNORED him in the 4th quarter......it ain't his fault if his teamates don't get him the ball. DD
don't know how many pre-season games you saw...but the man has been unable to get by his man...it's not about being out of shape...it's about a bad back.
Reason Yao can't do that is as you say. He can't guard mobile men. Take a step closer and Boozer goes to the hole past Yao. Hmmm. I'm rethinking the whole idea of a not having a PF rebounding machine next to Yao.
Does that mean you think he's inefficient? You could look at it this way... 21 points in 33 minutes... or 50% shooting on 21 attempts (even though some of those points were FT and one shot was a 3). Considering that this was the kids first real game... I'd say he probably could have helped this team. For whoever said that Francis is 100 times better than Alston... Francis shot 0-6, with 5 turnovers before fouling out after 34 mins of play tonight.
small line-up without shooting==lose badly like today. we need more Snyder. We have Vspan but JVG did not play him
The rockets must seriousely contemplate about sending an protest letter to the league. this cant go go on. there gonna destroy yao's career with those ticky tack fouls. he will be a timid player for the rest of his career if the officials dont wisenup.
Hey guys. On a positive note: T-MAC has not played since when???? Battier is new to the team and will only get better. Rafer is the one that knocked down that shot that put us within 5. T-MAC shot that stupid three when we needed to dump it in to Yao. Snyder was attacking the rim We will beat Dallas
I really like that lineup, but I don't think Howard will be here much longer considering us getting killed at the PF spot tonight and him not seeing any action. Maybe Wells will be our slaher finisher when he gets to playing, because I think TMAC may be favoring his back god forbid.
Yeah it is really awful at times. I wish he'd just knock players like Boozer on their ass when they flop. He's gonna get called for it anyways so I wish he'd send a message once and a while. What pissed me off the most last season was when he was grabbed, tugged, and pushed every play on offense; this would prevent him from getting position. Obvious fouls that were never called.
