ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 10/30/2007

He shot poorly, did not take care of the ball and got torched on defense. He very much deserves to be criticized. At least he had decent rebound and assists numbers. As the season progresses, Rafer will decrease while MJ increases. His advantage of incumbency shrinks with each game played.

 

If if if... no telling how things trun out when other things are changed....

 

I know...I just thought it was interesting that we ended up winning by 2 when they scored 2 for us.

 

In my opinion, we shouldn't have won this game. I think the Lakers scoring on themselves was the nail in the coffin...aside from Battier's 3. It seemed like every damn play down the floor was a foul call on the Rockets (most of which were legit albeit Fakers probably think they were fouled every possession the way they were moaning). After a while, I thought the refs were calling it every time Kobe let out a moan (indicating he thought he was fouled...which he did every damn play practically). The very end was a clean block by Rafer off of the rebound. Yet, there's Kobe with his trademark moan and whine but, unbelievably, no foul call. The collapse at the end was surreal to say the least. I'm still in shock at how that lead evaporated before my eyes.

 

The great thing is that the Rockets won bringing their 'C' game... They don't even have it together, but at times overwhelmed the Lakes with their offensive instincts and tightened it up on D to get the lead... The Rockets will be scary once they get the Offense sorted out...

The Rockets must have known it was their night when Walton bounced the ball in...

It's nice to have a deep bench of players who come in with something to prove... The Lakers' crowd was a bit stunned when our bench came in and the intensity did not drop up, but James drove it up a notch or two... That will be important this season, to hit the other team in waves so that even if they think they've seen the worst of it, they get deluged with guys that want to score as much as the next guy...

 

didnt take care of the ball...2:1 asst:t/o. if thats your claim, then yao didnt take care of the ball, MJ didnt take care of the ball, Tmac didnt take care of the ball, bonzi, etc etc.

decent rebounds and assists? yeah 7 rebs and 8 rebs is decent for a pg

yes, rafer will decrease turnovers while MJ increases them

 

Define quite a bit! Yao was stripped ONCE. Pay attention to the game next time.

 

I turned the game off with a minute left, should have waited. didn't see most of the game. if adelman can work around rafer's poor shooting, then he'll probably keep his job. the key is yao and t-mac went for over fifty. The problem is gonna be when the stars don't show up. When they do, rafer is fine.

 

Our starting 5 yao/hayes/battier/tmac/alston did not function very well when other teams put intense pressure by doubling tmac and yao at the same time. That's why we had always been in the disarray in the last 4-5 minutes.

 

Rafer should not be starting nor averaging that many minutes again. The offesnse was noticably smoother with James running the point and hitting shots. Also, Scola needs to work on learning the game some more. That will come in time. He didn't play horrible, but he made a lot of simple mistakes on defense.

 

Wow, that funky goal by Luke(?) turned out to be HUGE!!!

 

Rafer Alston

aka

Pre-Season JUGGERNAUT!

Seriously, I dont know why everyone was saying he's a badass or something.... We all know about the bad plays, horrible shooting and sketchy defense.

And If I see one more ridiculous teardrop, Im going to puke!

 

TMac got that points

 

i saw the game last night until the rockets do the same exact thing they always do and that is " These guys never ever have a killer instinct!!!!" When you got a team down you don't take the last 2 mins off, you play like you are down by 12pts. Rafer will not last long starting we will come off the bench. MIke James should be the starting point obviously.

I 'am an enormous Steve Francis fan, and I truly and honestly saying " My boy needs to grow up, focus, and train hardier!!!!!!!!!!" I love the guy I think he is a huge asset to this team only if he gets his crap straight. Beside his turnovers, his attitude stinks!!! this is coming from a huge stevie fan!!! shoot i bought the NBA league pass these past 4 yrs just to watch him. You can't no bigger fan than that...

I love this team and I rather see the Rockets win, than see steve play. I can't feel sorry for his ass no more.. And why the hell chucky is still starting, Scola is a much better player!!!

Look guys we need to be united as Rocktet fans and stop bashing players. Cause when they do good he are all " hell ya!!!!" but when they stink it up, he go on the bashing spree!!! DOn't hate congradulate!!! We got a "W" last night lets be happy !!! peace!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S..

Steve please take your ass to the gym and get in shape!!! we need you like it or not!!!!

 

My thoughts after re-watching the game.

First and foremost: Yao really looked great tonight. Even in the new system he is finding a way to put his stamp on the game. He controlled the paint on both the offensive and defensive ends. What's suprising is that he played a great game, but still missed some wide open shots that he will make later on in the year. He is getting good looks. Much better looks than last year. He will probably lead us in scoring again if he stays aggressive.

T-mac was a little off with his shot, but he normally is in the first couple of weeks of the season. He rebounded well and he made pretty good decisions with the basketball. If he keeps hitting his free throws he's going to score alot of points this season.

The bench played pretty well.....I like James coming off the bench and providing a scoring spark. Bonzi was decent and he looks likes he's in pretty good shape too....Scola still needs work, but he'll find his rhythm with more time

Finally, great shot by Battier. He really saved the day after some really bad ball-handling by Rafer. PG is a bit of a concern, but i we're in for a pretty good season.

Defense looked about as good as last year and rebounding is actually looking better under Adelman.

It's only 1 game though.

 

All i got to say is I can't believe how in shape Bonzi looks. He looks poised to have a great year.

 

So you're telling me Morey and Adelman didn't contact Steve about the job.... you're telling me that they wouldn't have told him him.... you are wanted/needed here as a player.... not a spectator? And how exactly do you call having a party or 2 (if this even happened) living the life of Franchise? I often party, I don't consider this living the life of Franchise.... or maybe I should?

And this staring at the ceiling stuff... damn if half of some millionaire players gave a damn as much as he does regarding playing time this league would be at a whole new level! he makes what..... 11-12million this year? He could easily just clap along n grin accepting his cheque but he has some self pride. He wants to be out there and contributing, isn't this a positive?

And ship him? After what happened with Bonzi I don't feel like this is in Houstons best interest if they want to be luring free agents... you gonna throw a player who WANTS to play for the team out twice?

 

I completely agree. Too many people on here are complete fair-weather fans. The love guys when they're up and bash em when they're down.

 

This game confirm a few things for me.

The bench maybe important, but its still Yao and Tmac team. Lets hope they stay healthy.

Rox need a weak side defender. I see countless times that hayes try to go for help defense and the ball just goes above him.

James is a better player but rafer is a better fit. Hmm too bad SF3 is pouting at the end of the bench, maybe, just maybe he will show something different.

Deke cant play the system. He was horrible at the offensive end.

Interesting stats is that scola did not even attempt a field goal. While hayes and head have zero turnovers. And how on earth can James hit 50% of his shots, 60% of his 3p while cant make a single free throw in 4 tries.

Oh yah, 1 last thing, we are undefeated. 100% record. 1-0.