ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/19/2004 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 2)

I'll stop harping on Francis for his game one play since that's over and done with.

 

i swear i was thinking we gonna get blown out...we lost looking good..

 

I'm encouraged after the first game. If the Rockets can continue to play the defense they played last night, they will be fine. This team is growing, and is only going to get better.

Rockets: 86
Lakers: 80

The Rockets will have a 7-10 point lead for almost the entire game.

 

oh well...since harping on Francis is your life, I guess we can do nothing about it......enjoy

even that means you're taking out lots of other users' joy to read this board.

 

2 possibilities...


1. they can look at game 1 one point loss as a confidence booster..proving with smart plays with less turnovers...we could win

2. the ONE point loss could devastated them and they thinking "we're played decent enough and still lost..."

 

I just want this team to win. Something obviously you don't.

 

Well I'm out till game 2. It seems like I have more passion about the rockets winning than the so called "diehard" fans around here. If Yao plays better in game 2 and Francis dominates the ball less, then Rockets win game 2.

 

Xenogears,

The hardest thing for people to understand is that we wouldn't have needed Francis to be a "hero" if he wasn't so sloppy in the first place. We'd have a lot more control of the game if we had another *leader* that wasn't so damn inefficient and sloppy.

Sure, the other players didn't play well either. But more of the burden will aways go on SF. It comes with the territory. He just doesn't make his teammates better. He doesn't.

 

I expect the nerves to be gone for our team, and the lakers to counter our defense and not leave shaq for the second half for a much higher scoring game, but if francis figured out that he can drive past the laker pgs all game w/o falling then we win. (plus JJ needs to play like he used to)

rockets 98
lakers 91

 

It's like a YOF Anon meeting right here in front of our eyes, keep the faith, it's a struggle, day by day......

You're right though, if you want Steve Francis to be John Stickton, then you're right that will never happen. If that's the direction that management and coach want this team to go then maybe Steve will not fit here but I still think if you bring in some point gaurd who is let's say an eric snow clone and you don't add any more scoring to go along with Yao then you are in trouble because I do not think Yao has what it takes to be the man night in night out.

I made the analogy that we were building a house and Steve being the foundation and some one said that we would be starting with a cracked foundation in that case, well I think that although you would be building a different kind of house with Yao as the foundation that the foundation would still be just as cracked. What Steve lacks in fundamentals and smarts on the court he makes up for with grit and desire, Yao is the exact opposite, just another flawed player if you ask me.


Apologies to Clutch for cluttering up the game thread with more of my drivel.

 

Yao and Francis are gonna have good games, I can feel it. Francis knows he can take GP/Fisher whenever he wants, and Yao gets over his jitters and drops 30 and blocks 5 shots.

 

Summer Song Giver,

Do not assume. The removal of SF does not equate *just* bringing in a Snow-like PG. It wont end there. Also, Yao's ability to lead this team is still up in the air as well. So don't assume that either. Even though Yao would enjoy ancillary benefits just by bringing in a soild PG. That's just a bonus and doesn't address whether or not Yao would have enough to lead.

As for "What Steve lacks in fundamentals and smarts on the court he makes up for with grit and desire." Uh your definition of "makes up" is skewed. I'd say that he about breaks even, if that.

As for Yao. Like I said above. Time will tell given the proper changes.

By the way, no one is asking SF to pass like "Stockton." But at least run the team like a Bibby, Nash or Arroyo. That would be a nice start. He can't even do that. I mean, we're not talking *legends* here.

 

It is really quite simple, same tenacious defense, better offense, fewer turnovers equals win. It could happen. In fact, I predict that if Ming and Francis get 25+ each, and if Mobley shuts down Kobe like he did in game one, Rockets win. If the Rockets play offense like they did in game one, Rockets lose, again. The Rockets still have a chance to "steal one" in LA.

 

did... ZRB... just predict a win?

what does THAT mean? I'm feeling like V'ger in that old Star Trek movie... the one where Kirk confuses it by telling it that he's lying... brain... shutting down...

 

DavidS, I think you hit the nail here.

And I don't think many people understand that if we want to keep our core, the core should fit in the first place, like big 3s for Dallas, Kings and Minny. Their core complement, make each other better, and most important, they going the same direction. Our core is just the opposite; whenever Yao or SF play well, the other struggles, 2 years already and you can hardly see any chemistry between them.

What you do as a GM, the last thing I will do is wait and pray the miracle happens, I will evaluate the team, and I will try to establish team's identities as soon as possible. Yao or Steve? It doesn't matter, their value are still high, the sooner I make a move, the better result I get.

No one more year's observation, two years is more than enough to draw the conclusion.

 

I doubt Kobe is gonna shoot 4/21 in Game 2 so the Rox better be more effective on offense. Steve and Cat need to attack the basket and cut down the turnovers. Yao needs to be more agressive and JJ needs to have a good shooting game. If the Rockets do these things....

Rox 89
Lakers 82

Otherwise...

Rox 74
Lakers 86

 

All the advice to Yao is admirable, but come on, he's not getting the ball tomorrow. This team barely needs an reason to not give him the ball. They have more than a reason now.

I expect us to iso Steve and go to Mo down low. Yao will play D exclusively.

 

I hope it doesnt mean the same thing it meant the last time he did it(the memphis blowout)

 

That is one of the most dumb things I have ever read.

Don't even care if we beat the Lakers?! What the hell are you smoking?! You don't seem to know me at all dude.

I was happy for a couple of reasons,

A. We are finally back in the playoffs
B. We did pretty well against such an experienced team with our inexperienced players.
c. Our last play was set up perfectly. JJ has been reliable from that spot on the floor all season. He was wide open. He missed the shot, so we lost. That's how it goes.

What I find ammusing is that you think I wasn't upset after the loss. I was walkign around yelling. We should have won...if only........

I was praying for SF to drive it to the hole and take get hammered while shooting. BUT he did the point guard mentality (did I just say that? ) and passed to the WIDE OPEN man.

We lost, I am bummed over the loss. Atleast it wasn't a blow out.

I guess the main reason I am not really pissed is because we should have won that game. We had our chance, it was close. BUT now I feel just that much more comfident in our team. I have no doubts the next game will be a win. Sooooo that is why I am not entirely pissed. I would be if we were blownout.....

Lets go Rockets!!!

 

Welcome to the ignore feature. It alone will bring back your faith to the GARM.

(When I said welcome.....I didn't mean you have just been ignored by me What I meant was go ahead and try it out. It is a nice feature)