Perhaps JVG was showcasing SS for the Nets? Whatever, I was glad to see Stro have a good game-- but I would rather see Chuck out there.
I only saw the last 4 1/2 minutes. Until 1:30 was left, the only basket was Crawford's 3 pointer cutting it to 82-79. Pretty ugly. Stro didn't look lost. His stat line, 12/5 in 19 minutes looks good. Only one foul. So much for the idea he needs 30 mpg to be effective. The last thing he needs is a lot of minutes right away and the added pressure that goes with it. I'll give him one last shot for this season. Juwon's line looks decent too, especially the 7 rebounds in 25 mins. I heard Hubie say Yao didn't score in the 2nd half. Someone tell me what happened. This is disappointing. And why didn't Marbury play? Last question: How was our defense?
We were fortunate enough to walk away with a win. You gotta give credit to knicks. Our two stars each played a good half. But pretty much both did that by themselvies. Swift played well. We have a long way to go before making playoff.
Swift and Deke got minutes instead of Chuck because of matchups. With Frye, Taylor, Curry, and James, the Knicks are not a team you want to go small on. They will eat you up on the inside if you do.
It was agonizing seeing wesley miss some of those FT, but its all gravy. Great job Swift on the block and making those key FT's! 3 game winning streak! woot!
The next step for Stro is consistency. This is easily his best game of the year, but he's had a few good performances like today...only to be followed up with terrible play the next couple of games. He's got to do what he did today a lot more to gain my confidence in him. Right now I still feel a bit shaky when he's on the court, especially on the offensive end.
Curry was pushing Yao with both arms the whole 2nd half, but not a single call was made. It was really bad officiating on Yao.
well the whole "needs 30 minutes to be effective" argument is based on the fact that it's consistent minutes. 19 minutes in this game is not the same as 19 in say another game. the vast majority of the 19 were logged in the second half and he pretty much played the whole 4th quarter. this wasn't a 4 minutes, benched, 2 minutes, benched, 5 mins, benched, 1 min, 3 min, 4 min type situation. he was able to stay out on the court and do his thing.
Did anyone hear Hubie Brown's complimentary comments on Stro? He went as far as crediting him for being a huge part in a 50-game-win season when Brown was coaching Memphis. I was kind of surprised he was that complimentary of him.
[2.5.06] Rockets-Knicks Game Recap Rockets Escape New York With 93-89 Victory By Dennis L. Silva, II. 2.5.06 Even with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming in the lineup, it was a much-maligned reserve forward who sparked Sunday’s victory for the Rockets. Stromile Swift came off the bench and scored ten points in a pivotal fourth quarter, stifling a late rally by the New York Knicks. Houston used a definitive scoring run in the third period to aide a 93-89 win in front of a crowd of 19,763 at Madison Square Garden. The Rockets began the game determined to establish their inside presence against the Knicks, They did just that. Yao scored eight points in the first period on 4-4 shooting, countering the Knicks’ stubborn willingness to bomb away from the outside. Even with New York misfiring from all angles on the perimeter, Houston was still unable to pull away with a comfortable lead. Leading by four points heading into the second quarter, Yao, again, worked his magic inside after a nice rest to end the first. Houston’s gentle giant scored six points early in the second, and even displayed his all-around skills with a beautiful assist underneath to Swift for a reverse lay-in. Unfortunately, Yao (15 points, 4 blocks) had no help on offense as the Knicks did an admirable job defending McGrady. McGrady was held to a mere four points on 1-8 shooting in the first half as the Knicks’ deficit was only three at halftime. New York began the third quarter with a more aggressive and defined offensive attack. The Knicks penetrated Houston’s interior for three easy baskets inside, taking a 49-48 lead early. However, that would be the extent of their damage as Houston went on an 18-5 run midway through the period. Led by McGrady, who scored 14 points in the quarter, Houston’s lead reached its peak of 12 (66-54) before newly-acquired Knicks guard Jalen Rose energized a New York scoring spree of his own. Rose (16 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds) ignited a 12-3 closing run by New York, capitalized by his buzzer-beating 3-pointer to cut Houston’s lead to 69-66 heading into the fourth period. New York tied the contest at 71 on a Jamal Crawford jumper early in the final period. That’s when Swift went to work, entering the game and immediately establishing himself as a threat down low. Stromile drew contact early and often, earning six attempts at the free-throw line. The Knicks refused to let up, using the inside-outside combination of Eddy Curry (15 points, 6 rebounds) and Jamal Crawford (24 points, 5-9 from 3-point range) to stay within range of the Rockets. McGrady (23 points, 6 rebounds) hit a tough 18-footer off of a curl to give Houston an 88-81 lead with 37.4 second remaining. But Crawford did his own McGrady impersonation, scoring eight points in the final minute of play to keep the contest close and open for anyone’s taking. Down by three with time running out, Rose’s 3-point try was blocked by Swift (12 points, 5 rebounds), and the Rockets could finally breathe a sigh of relief, escaping the Big Apple with their third consecutive victory. The Rockets will fly to Philadelphia today to face the Sixers tomorrow, and then will have two home games against the Lakers and Utah Jazz to close the week. ROCKETS RECAP · Houston shot 26-35 from the free-throw line. New York was 18-22. · The Rockets outscored the Knicks 12-4 in transition. · The Rockets committed only 9 turnovers, opposed to the Knicks’ 16. · New York finished 9-19 from behind the arc. · David Wesley finished with 19 points and 6 rebounds. http://www.nba.com/games/20060205/HOUNYK/boxscore.html
YAO was horrible in the second. Curry easily post him up and score at least 6 pts on him. YAO was tired, I think. can not get into deep position (maybe want to get away from fronting), and his jumper/fade away were wayyyy off. Hope he can get his game feeling/energy back.
Yao has got to get inside the paint despite the fronting and pushing otherwise he will be ineffective.
I caught the second half of the game. What has happened to Mo Taylor? He looked awful. I know people like to complain that Swift hasn’t progressed this season, but at least he hasn’t regressed this season like some of our past power forwards (Taylor, Cato, Griffin). It's good to keep things in perspective. People say we're so weak at the 4 because of Swift, but our backup 4 is better than some of the starting 4's we used to have here. I’m actually starting to like the power forward trio of Howard, Swift, and Hayes. It seems a different guy steps up each game. They compliment each other well.
I'm pleasantly surprised that Stro played like there's no tomorrow today. He aggressively going to the hoop. Great job, Swift! I love to see that Stro every night though.
