ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 12/15/2006

Great post...I think we all need to see the glass as half full, and not as half empty. Yes, we made some boneheaded mistakes down the stretch. Yes, fouls weren't called that should have been. Yes, our team needs to execute better out of timeouts (both players + coach are responsible).

These losses hurt, but they'll make the team stronger in the long run. Bonzi showed some flashes of what he can do for us later in the season, and I for one am excited. No need for me to even discuss Yao - he's simply gotten better with each season, and seeing him finally voice his complaints to the media brings a smile to my face.

 

In fact only Kobe is not playing. But Kobe is a proved player. Phil know his capability and he don't expect more from him cuz he is peaking right now. However Yao is still improving, the whole rockets is still defining its identity. Laker's rotation is much stable in last two years, not like rockets.

 

Rafer is the best PG in this Rox team (except T-mac). We have to live with it. How to use RA is another story. For example, limit RA's shooting, play more JL3, Head shoots more.. etc. However, I notice the opponents leave RA open to seduce his shots for the past several games. Unfortunately, our respectful coach had no adjustment to that. We only sigh when RA bricks.

 

Agree. Smush Parker was also a horrible guard last year, but yesterday he played fairly well. Now T-MAC is out, RA got more responsible and the games are tight. Give players some time to reflect. RA is also a man and he played 40+ min back to back. JL3 may play some stressless ball, but from several appearance on normal time, he don't play better.
Sure RA may want to consider change his ball handling style, his dash make rockets look unstable.

 

yeah, its good the Rockets fought it out, its good that Yao was such a force again, and its good that over the last 3 games we've given ourselves every chance to win.

but what is obviously not good is the ability to close games out. We were up 18 at the half and 13 in the 4th. We too often capitulate in 4th quarters, and the problem doesnt seem to improve much.

what good is a gutsy, full of heart performance, with an L next to it.

 

shouldn't have even gotten to that point if yao shot more than 6 free throws

 

Everyone by now has said what I was going to say. All I have to say is that JVG really has some questionable last second plays being run. Against the warriors it was Yao with a fadeaway 3 pter. Against the lakers last night, I forget exactly what play we ran but it's just too obvious. We always run the same play. The only play that worked some was that baseline play that unfortunately battier missed. Also I'm not sure why Bonzi wasn't in the game during those situations.

 

JVG is OK for most of the time this game. Two BIG mistakes: 1. let head be the PG for the last few min of the 3rd q. Head can't handle the ball, although he is a great player. The lead went from 13 to 6. 2. Bad plan at the end of regular time. 1.7 sec should be enough to get a quality shot.

 

3. Let Rafer handle the ball down the stretch, which leads to dumb turnovers and Lakers' fast break points.