ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Pacers 12/26/2006

keep hangin' on there buddy

 

After watching the first half of this game, I was so disappointed and frustrated. Not because we were losing, but playing without Yao and unconditioned tmac. It felt like we just had a really hard game and everyone was just exhausted. One turnover after another, no team leader, and no to mention the referees. If felt like we have already lost.

We were playing really hard and I’m sure everyone in the ream wanted to win, but to me it felt like they are just don’t know how to control the game.

****! I just saw two air ball hook shots from deke and howard!!! In bloody 2 seconds!! How much do they get paid again???!!!!

The more I watched the game, the more I felt like smashing my TV….

Yao, we miss you so much…..

 

I really would not be pissed at Deke and Howard, those two guys contribute as team players...

 

I was really worried about tmac last night

every time he made a run to the basket I prayed he would not grab his back and just run of the court

 

What an ugly game last night but it was GREAT to see T-Mac back even though he struggled, which should be expected from someone who has not played in 3 weeks.

Another thing, T-mac did not get any freaking calls last night when he drove it to the basket...give him so f$cking respect!!! He was also fouled on that 3 he took when the game was tied around the 1:45 mark or so but no call.

Anyone else listen to Dazy and dukes or whatever they are called in the morning and Lance and john? Can these guys be any bigger flip-floppers? I can't even listen to sports talk anymore b/c these guys just go along with the popular opinion and bag those who are down and jump on the band wagon of those who hot. T-Mac just got back after 3 weeks of missing basketball, and played hard (38 mins). You can't expect him to have a perfect game.

I really hope t-mac can get his legs back and stay healthy and prove all the haters out there wrong.

 

I watched this game, but I can't get through the international internet because of the cable problem caused by the earthquake around Taiwan, China.
I felt so upset as you guys, I think we must pick or trade for a backup center next season, Deke is too old and slow, and he can't be a threat on the offensive end, so is our PF Chunk.
Without Yao, we lost our advantage in the paint, pacers owned us even without their superstar.
It's nice to see T-mac again, and IMO he looks good, that's the only positive point.
BTW, WTH happened on Luther? He played horribly!

 

from espn dime it would seem

that the reaction of T-mac being back is positive. His doing fairly well I mean I didnt watch the game, but from some reports he was aggressive and didnt really show that much being passive. Give the guy a break. His had back spasms for crying out loud, until we know what that means to us personally we shouldnt criticise how he plays after a bout of injury.

and on the injury front, we arent doing so bad, look at bloody New Orleans, Paul, Peja, and West

 

Only thing that comes to mind is Don't worry, rockets will make the playoffs no doubt. If T-Mac and Yao are completely healthy by then they gon be a problem.

 

I didnt watch the game... of follow the threads... because I couldnt bear to see Tmac go down again... if he did... I would have cried....

29 years of watching basketball... and this one team has had the worst luck...ever

 

Which means each and every game he has something to prove. Foster worked hard inside he was fighting for each and every one of those rebounds he grabbed.

It was a hard loss. Having so many adjustments to try to make before this game was definately a factor in how we looked, offensively and defensively.

 

Jeff Foster leads the league in rebounds per minute, and has often been near the top of the league in that category. He is 100% hustle-- think of him as a 6'11" version of Eduardo Najera. That was in absolutely no manner an unusual game for Jeff Foster.

Not a pretty game to watch, but both teams played some solid D and got nice effort to compensate for the missing stars.

 

Yes as I posted. I really enjoyed Battier's play but tonight the rest of team failed him.

 

I believe that this will be it for JVG. This is shaping up to be yet another lottery year which, if memory serves, would make it 6 trips in the last 8 years and while his teams have been hit with injuries to Tmac & Yao, in the end, it's always the coach who gets the axe.

After all, they are stuck with Tmac bad back and all for the duration so I disagree with limiting his minutes in an effort to prevent another injury. At this point in time, you have to consider his back condition to be a chronic condition which means that it can recur at any time for any or no reason at all. As folks who have experienced back trouble will tell you, injury can and will come no matter what you do or try to prevent it from happening. Last night I saw Tmac stretched out on the floor whenever he was out of the game and that was a huge red flag. Larry Bird did the same thing at the end of his career when his back began to give out. I have come to feel that it's only a matter of time before Tmac's back goes out once more this season. The folks here who argued for the drafting of Rudy Gay appear to have been on point after all.

 

Right. That was clearly a foul but them let it go. Anyway, the last offense plan when there were still 16.3s left was plainly horrible. I mean when you put Novak on the floor, why don't let him touch the ball? Tmac was clearly not in form, I would design a last shot for Novak instead of Tmac or Head.

 

I think you meant WORST but Dude that was so damn right.

 

I agree

I've got foster in my fantasy team and his been an abundent rebound provider, not much in terms of scoring though.

 

He couldn't pass it out without a TO. But he should call a TO rather than a forced 3. Anyway, I don't like the final plan for Tmac and Head at all. An 8 year kid knows Tmac and Head are the ones to cover, why not give Novak a try, especially hes good at shooting.What is the reason to put him on the floor anyway?

 

I personally have played alot of pickup ball several years ago with and against Jeff Foster and I can attest the dood has a very high motor. He is a freakish rebounder and has a natural nose for the ball.

 

ROCKETS GUARD TRACY McGRADY
(On losing Yao Ming as he is coming back) "This is just like last year. Exactly the same thing as last year, it seems like. Both Yao and me going out with injuries. This year I go out and then he goes out right as I am coming back. It’s almost eerie how it’s like last year. "


Even with Tmac, and the coming back -Yao, this team can not win a title. Last year we land Battier by the injures, hoping this year we may land Yi or another young in the draft, and trade him for another vet player, then go for the title.

 

JVG has not been with the Rockets for 8 years. I guess you believe he is responsible for the results of years in which he was not the coach. JVG coached teams have beeen in the playoffs every year except for last year, when Yao and TMac went down, along with injuries to other rotation players. In fact, in case you are interested in the facts, his record of advancing his teams to the playoffs is identical to Greg Popovich's. Maybe you think he sucks too? Do you honestly think if Red Auerbach was coaching the team last year that the Rockets could have made the playoffs? The JVG haters are irrational.