Thats kind of hard when we are missing are closer. Even when Tracy don't score in the clutch he gets someone a open look.
And if frogs had wings they wouldn't bump their butts when they jump. What sort of non-sequitor is that? The simple fact is that Yao was there, Luther knew that, and Yao screened off Howard for an easy layup as happens a dozen times a night in the NBA and anywhere basketball is played. There was no need to make the pass when Head had an uncontested layup. Be honest, would you have even noticed the play had Yao not been called for that foul? Would it even be a topic of discussion at all? No, it would have just been an easy fast break layup. To say otherwise is disingenuous.
haha, I am about to say this. I did not really catch 3, but I did catch one that he pushed Battier to get that rebound since that one was really crucial!!
With little time on the clock, its too easy to run a pick and roll for whoever Yao is guarding. Yao would either give up an open jumper or commit a foul on the switch (on the the penetrator). Unless you're willing to play a 2-3 zone, having Yao clog the middle at all points isn't effective as its too easy to just draw him out.
I have to agree with you here. Luther makes a ton of mistakes but that wasn't one of them. It's just a really bull***** call by the officals on Yao. I can see how you guys can be critical of the ball bouncing off his face as he can't catch the pass but for this??
They are hard to notice if you don't look at him since its away from the action. But they are blatently obvious. The other one was as obvious as the Battier one (and it came one play after). The other one was when we were on the offensive end and he gave a little shove (I think it was to Yao).
yeah, try screen off, dribble, and hit a layup when a simple pass and dunk is there. solid basketball 101.
Looks to me like Yao specifically motioned to Luther to take it in for the layup himself, knowing that he would be able to screen Howard and give Luther a clear path to the basket. Yao thus would not have expected a pass and a pass would likely have resulted in a turnover. Accept the fact that everyone did the right thing on this play except for that r****ded ref.
Overall, he got home advantage, right? It is too bad that he did not perform well and got too many troubles so that the Refs had to foul him out, LOL DH is 21. He will certaintly have a glorious future IMO though
I have to say I really disagree with not having Yao in the game on the last play. He's a good defensive force and the result was that we almost gave them a chance to tie the game. Rick's defensive decisions are not first rate.
DH was right behind Yao or could have caught him in the time it would have taken Yao to take 1 dribble and dunk. He could have potentially been blocked or fouled on the attempt. That would have been better then the uncontested layup?
Especially since Yao was essentially stationary and Luther was already running. It takes Yao a bit of time to get all of that mass moving. There was nothing wrong with the play other than the call.
