ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Pistons 11/18/2006

Looking at the schedule before the season I would have been happy with 6-4 but happier with 7-3, which we should be if it wasnt' for the Spurs collapse. Anyways, the major thing that concerns me is the jekyl/hyde playing of TMAC. Thisdude took over the game in the first quarter and then he just stops what he is doing. He could have easily put up 40 last night but he quit playing after the 1st Q. He only scored 9 pts after the first Q (take away the garbage 3 he hit and he actually only score 6 pts that mattered). Is he trying to prove a point to people that : "Look at me, i'm stilll the Old TMAC but I don't want to do it anymore. "If i want, I can take over any game but the Hell with all of you, I don't feel like it anymore".
When that guy drives to the bucket, its unbeleible how easy it is for him. Even if he doesn't shoot, he can dish to Yao or an open 3.
I'm tired of his excuses. He keeps saying its mental. How come in the offseason he says he is mentally ready for this season and is so excited. As soon as the season starts, he goes in to major depression about retirment, not having the fire, mental blocks, etc. I can't go through with another up and down season with him. Get your head in the game (for the entire game) and do what you are paid to do. Nobody cares about your personal problems. Just perform on the court and do your thing.

 

The only positive thing that I saw in this game is that no one can stop Yao, he is putting up monster numbers and completely embarrassing the opposing team.

Now.. if only the rest of team can start hitting shots consistently and play hard defense we shouldn’t have a reason to lose a game. The Rockets can truly beat any team in this league if they really want to.

 

Exactly. I don't know how some people in this forum is bashing Yao like he's Juwan Jr or something. We have a player that NOONE can stop and changes the whole game's dynamics in every game we play. I live in LA and every time I watch a Rox game on tv, I noticed how empty and devoid of excitement the Toyota Center is. I think it's indicative of how most fans are in this forum. I'm sorry to say, but Houston's main fan base are fair-weathered. And I think the YOF have so much right to defend their boy because so much negative is always directed at him (a lot of the criticism is unwarranted) that they try to OVERCOMPENSATE all the negativity. I guarantee you, the if Yao is treated with an unbiased view, then the YOFs would not be as strong to "protect" him. So yes, I label myself as YOF because if I'm not one, then all the negativity on this board and in the media will win. And I won't let that happen to my boy.

 

my question is, whith the game on the line, why the hell are we relying in howard, snyder, and head to come through? don't get me wrong these guys shine when they have their opportunity but with the game winding down, i want yao or t-mac to touch the ball. let THEM miss or make the shot. juwon howard or snyder throwing up a desperation brick with 3 seconds left on the shot clock is not comforting.

 

R2K just uploaded the Pistons game on his website. Start downloading, diehard Rockets fans.

 

Flip saunders used an 11 man rotation, while Jeff Van Grumpy used a 9 man rotation. Popovich also used an 11 man rotation to beat the Rockets. The reason we collapse on the fourth quarter is that we can not match the opposing teams intensity. We don't have the energy on our legs when we do our jumpers, thus we miss shots eventho we are wide open. Plus we can not defend because we are tired. How can our starters rest if they play all 4 quarters? Van Grumpy don't give the rooks playing time and that hurts us in the fourth quarter.

 

what's r2k's site? i'm so used to him posting it here i dont remember the url

 

I don't think it's appropriate for me to exposue R2K's website without his permission. Maybe next time when R2K reveals it, you should bookmark it so you don't have to wait until he posts the link in this forum.

 

r2k wont' mind, he loves to contribute

 

I'm not living in Houston so I have to heavily rely on R2K's videoes on most of Rockets games.

Anyway, I just watched the 4th quarter collapse and here's my observations:

1) Players didn't have passion or determination on winning the game. Everybody looked lost in that 6-min no field goal stretch, whole team lacked communication. I didn't know what they did in timeouts.

2) Horrible offense execution, horrible ball movement, few to none inside-outs, horrible shot selection, obviously there was a certain level of frustration.

3) Team lacks strong role players who can dribble penitrate then either lay up or kick out, or who can create and make a mid-range jumper, or who can make higher % 3 pointer in clutch. (We have these weapons but they are in reserve like Chrimas gifts.)

4) Our defence did not show strong intensity. Why? I think the players were not concentrated enough. Why couldn't they be concentrated? They were frustrated by the poor offense so they didn't have enough energy physically and mentally to play better defence.

5) I don't know what kind of game plan JVG put in the 4th quarter, he looked fired up in that stretch so I guess either his plan didn't work or our player didn't execute his plan well.

6) Chuck's absense on court starts playing big negative impact on this team

Just my 2 cents. If some are not accurate, feel free to criticise.

 

Plain and simple.

Yao got worn out by the array of big men of the Pistions. Just like the tag team tactic used by the Spurs against him.

It's not a coincident that the center position of both these two teams is deep.

 

van gundy is not playing the promising rookies!!!! what the fack is wrong with this motherfacker??????? this is some bulltihs!!!!!!!!!!