ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Pacers 1/23/2004

"The Pacers were able to frustrate a less aggressive Yao, who was 2-for-10 from the field, in the December meeting between the two teams and Jeff Foster said the plan is to attempt that again with a combination of himself, Scot Pollard and Jermaine O'Neal to limit Yao's touches.

"It was definitely a team effort," said Foster. "They were having a tough time getting the ball into him. They got tired of going into him because it was taking so much time off the clock and other guys took it upon themselves to try and win the game. Fortunately for us, they were missing shots."

I see problems in this game. It looks like the guards will take it upon themselves to shoot the team to victory since they do not have the ability to pass through a fronting defense.

 

I watched the 2nd Boston game, and the defenses did not front Yao as aggressively as the 1st game. However, the Grizzlies game was an example of futility in post entry passing for the Rockets. A fronting defense when used effectively to take advantage of unskilled passers is very effective. It is not a fraud defense.

 

Going into the Knicks game, I don't think anyone thought Dikembe was going to front. He's a traditional elbow to the back defender. Foster and Pollard play totally different in the way they defend big men.

 

I am feeling groovy, I think it is time for the Rockets to come together, and believe.

Rocks 92

Pacers 83

DD

 

Pacer defense throttled us at home. This is an "opportunity" game that few expect us to win - FYI the line is 5 points.

So...........uglyball on offense returns:

Pacers 83
Rox 71

D R

 

Yao was 3-4 from the fields for 12 points and 8 boards against the Pacers last night. Certainly the 2-10 stat was wrong. If he had taken 10 shots last time, we would have won.

I am more optimistic about our chance this time around. The Pacers can sure play tough fronting D on Yao in the low post. But how can they front him in the high post? Are they gonna double him in the high post? With MJ on the court this time around, the fronting D might not be that efficient. The fronting D works when your guards are not skilled enough to make lob and entry passes.

 

rock win let' s whip theirs a**es

 

I agree with you...If Yao gets the ball in the high post, which is hard to defend and knocks down the 18-foot jumpers, then the the whole game turns suddenly in favor of the Rockets.

 

Well I dont think they mind giving Yao the outside shot since a jumper is a jumper doesnt matter as much who takes it. But Indy's big men are a bit quicker and may try to close the gap on Yao before he takes his shot. I still think Yao will have a big game but I hope hes not a jump shooter all night.

Yao's strength is still close to the basket I dont want Yao to become our sharp shooting center but I do like a mix of inside and outside game. When he shoots well it becomes contagious and keeps him active and happy.

J

 

Cato and Mo need to show up tonight. Mo needs to hit the shot from the elbow, extend his range as he has been doing.

 

Mo Taylor may have big problems if Jermaine Oneal just sticks to him on defense rather than roam. Jermaine Oneal is a matchup problem if Mo can't handle him. Jermaine is too quick for Cato and Yao. He'd overpower Padgett. However, this should be a game in which Cato plays a lot due to the physicality of the Pacers team. I do not think the Pacers can survive by hitting jumpers. They have to go to the paint to get points.

 

Artest is injured!! WOOOO!!

 

Yao on the high post will allow Stevie have a big game against Tinsley.

Rox 85
Pacer 80

 

The thug Scott Pollard is also out with the flu.

 

Where you guys heard about this. If it's true, what a blessing. It's all about winning baby.

 

I saw it here now.
http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/injuries_040123.html

Yeah, baby.

 

Wanna get this in before the game... ROCKETS WIN!!!




Thank you.

 

not too fast guys, read carefully:

Ron Artest originally was ruled out of the Houston game but decided 30 minutes before tipoff that he would indeed play

 

Man ESPN analysts are crap. The recycle the same **** about our team or Yao. In this case Yao needs to get more agressive. Well gee, I've only heard that for a year and a half. Got anything else insightful to say? Like maybe work on a goto move (ala Sky Hook, or Fadeaway Jumper?), or that he needs to work on his conditioning and hitting the weights more in the offseason? It's like they don't even bother to do their homework and try and decide the winner of an argument by who's the loudest.

And the pretender vs contender spinning wheel couldn't of been any more rigged. The same three teams they've again been recycling "who louder" arguments with over and over again. Boston? Knicks? Portland? What's the frigging point of even having the spinningwheel? They've only been talking about those same teams for the past hour. I can't believe I had to listen to that thinking that this pre-game show would only last through the pledge of allegiance and player intros. What a joke.

 

Yao's passing out some "manna from heaven" of his own.