ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Sonics 11/29/2003

The Rockets simply didn't knock down shots. Jim Jackson, Cuttino, Cato... These guys didn't deliver. Francis finally got some of his penetrating game back tonight and all they had to do was throw some double teams his way. Yao continues to be less physically strong than virtually every player he faces. 24% in the second half? Missed freethro after missed freethrow? I just couldn't believe it. The way this team pisses games down their leg is simply insane. It makes no sense! How you can eliminate an entire offseason worth of optimism is incredible.

It's strange the way we always say we're being beaten by worse teams... how many does it take before WE'RE the bad team? Not a single team in the NBA sweats the Rockets. Not a single one. It's amazing to simply see no improvement from game to game. If anything, we've regressed. I'm starting to realize why some of the team feels the need to get stoned... the reality of this season is a b!tch.

Then again, I'm ranting. Go Rockets.

 

In this Game JVG had a chance to see the Rockets play Team Basketball at times in the first half. In the second he was able to see what he is up against. I think we are all expecting far too much from our current Team. At the end of this season JVG will know everything there is to know about his team and will adjust it, many times. Expect improvement as we are close to our low point at this time.

 

This team has a Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde personality when it comes to offense.

The Rockets scored 29 points in the first quarter and 27 points in the second quarter.

Apparently JVG rousing halftime speech and the Rockets supreme confidence in their abilities led to the 'other' Rockets team...scoring 15 points in the third and 17 in the fourth quarter.

How can a team go so cold so quickly? How can a team play so good in the first half, and so poorly in the second. I'd like to give Seattle's defense credit for making adjustments, but I think it's more than that.

 

Exactly. Some people were happy last night because Mavs lost to Nuggets, and now they are happy that Spurs are lossing too. They have the same IQ as our dumb guards.

 

man, i wish we were AND1, do you see the passes and alleyoops they make? they play as a team, not as five players who happen to be on the same court.

 

The guys looked homesick. Even JVG looked homesick. They've been on the west coast for too long. In the fourth quarter, they had nothing left. They wanted to go home.

 

Yes! Better than nothing. Because Spurs is a much better team than us. If they can't even beat Warriors, it's no big deal we lose to Sonics.

Final score:Spurs loses 89-91 to Warriors.

 

yes daniels was a problem, but i was talking about the rookie...

 

Ugh

 

Why Boki didnt play tonight, and why Pike only played a little. I was really frustrated with MoT even though he kncoked down several shots.

 

Part of it is that we are learning a new system, and trying to play smart bball (team oriented). Since this wasn't done in the past, you still see tendencies from the last 4 years (old habits). They are trying to break old habbits and learn to the play the right way. This takes patience, discipline and repetition.

The other part is that even if we could play in-sync (knew the plays well and executed). We still are very weak in the PF and PG spot.

So, if we win because of team consistency, we'd still end up losing in the end (play-offs) because of our weakness at PF/PG.

That will bite us sooner of later, regardless if we start to gel as a team.

 

how many games in a row are we going to get hit by no-name brand point guards, luke ridnour? raul lopez? who the hell are these guys? and steve, please respect bibby, you haven't since vancouver, maybe you should now, the dude can shoot...

okay, the same problems are occuring, but instead of just repeating them again, i will offer a slightly different angle, Yao had JJames in foul trouble. Thus, why didn't Houston direct all attention to James getting fouled out? Coach's fault? Guard play fault? The modus operandi in the fourth quarter should have been going hard to the basket, guard, forward, center, every possession...

okay, can't help it, cat, stop just looking at Yao for three seconds and lauching your shot, just give it too him, he will give it back to you when the double team comes...

 

And 1 players also travel and double dribble to get those alley oops and dunks .................by the way spurs lost, yes!

 

This makes you wnoder why this team has so many fragile, iso players. Did we lopsidedly looked at talents while ignored other aspects of an pro athelete, like decision-making ability, confidence, etc

 

Rockets are pretty consistant.

Play team ball in the first quarter,
Play disorganised ball the 2nd quarter,
Getting panick in the 3rd quarter,
Pray for an ugly win in the 4th, sometime get an ugly lose in return.

If you bet your game on your shoters getting hot or not, you have a 50-50 chance, i.e. a .500 team.

 

If you think Warriors and Nuggets will keep playing >50% ball games throughout the season, no one else is dumber than you.

Rockets must be a playoff team. Nuggets and Warriors? NO WAY!!!

 

He needs to build his confidence. And he cannot do it if our guards decided to take him out of offense at certain point every night. He had 18 points 10 boards in the first half another night, and in the second half, he was totally ignored. Talking about killing momentum. He has many aspects to improve, but other players on this team contribute a lot to his failing so far.

 

Those guys you mention KNOW that they CAN NOT beat Francis one-on-one. They know they CAN NOT match him in athletic ability and speed. But, they KNOW they CAN beat Francis other ways (passing, deception, team play, shooting, FT, execution, defense, etc...). None of that requires you to be extra ordinary in athletic ability. Anyone can do that if they know how and work on it. Hence; Lopez, Arroyos, Ritnour, Bibby.

Francis needs to spend the off-season figuring out how these guys beat him. And why it works. Then, learn from it.

 

Nice post, and pretty darned accurate, unfortunately.



DD

 

Who do you think, will take MoT and Cato, two of the worst contracts for us, playing subpar even compared to their own pathetic talent levels right now AND give up a near all-star player PF?

PS. ll the best 4's (except Jermaine) are in the WC and no team would be willing to help us even if we aren't struggling.