Is there any post game press conference for this game? I just want to hear Adelman talk about this game.
I understand it is not customary to use that big of a rotation, but I don't believe in "customary." Obviously, you can't clear the bench every game, but I would try to do it as much as you can. It creates a true team concept, and gives opportunity to players that were too quickly stereotyped ie. Steve Francis. Plus, just because Brooks didn't have the best training camp doesn't mean that he has no future. And Head and Synder are highly skilled.
kirk snyder is just not a good fit on this team. he can penetrate a lil bit, but u need to know how to shoot too (see how bad bonzi is looking right now - but he can post up, which we haven't done). i still would like head in there b/c he can shoot. hopefully he'll play a lil bit so he can be the 3rd guard in the rafer/francis/james whenever one has an off night.
Tmac was awesome in the first quarter, i think the long rest in the second quarter got him out of rythym but the team was rolling at that point so he wasnt needed back so early.
Mine was Steve's drive and two Yao's baskets when there was only 2 seconds left in the shot clock and he was the last option and the game is in last two minutes. Maybe Yao will develop into a clutch player.
Wow, what a game! I think I've calmed down enough to post some decent analysis about this game. I think the Suns are a finesse team and if you get physical with them, like San Antonio did in the playoffs last year, they will wilt. Barbosa is really a physically weak player and poor defender. He can be thrown off his game easily. Overall, a great team game by Houston, especially considering T-Mac didn't shoot well, but did other things to help. T-Mac needs to drive it in more and stop settling for jumpers. As Steve Francis showed, good things happen when you penetrate. Yao was amazing. The Suns were allowed to get away with fouling him a lot without it being called, but he would not be denied. Both our power forwards played real well. They combined for 14 point and 13 rebounds on .77 % shooting (7-9). Rafer played well. His defense on Nash at the end, especially the ball denial, was effective. I also think the healthy competition amongst the Rockets' point guards is a good thing and will hopefully continue to raise the level of everybody's game. What else can be said about Steve Francis? An absolutely classy individual who has always shown Houston love. That love has also always been reciprocated. Even when he wasn't playing during the beginning of the season, he was extremely professional and handled himself with complete class. Again, the box score doesn't do justice to his play tonight. He is the emotional leader of this team. He brings true intangibles to this team that cannot be measured in any way, shape, or form. He brings things to the table that the Rockets desperately lack: Fire, Heart, Passion, Enthusiasm, and Energy. Those attributes bring out the same qualities in other players - both those on the court and on the bench. See the aftermath of the block on Marion for a good example of this. He adds an extra dimension to the team and I look forward to seeing for the rest of this season and the post-season. Also, Nash got away with a foul on Steve when he drove it in for that big layup at the end. One last point regarding Steve Nash. I haven't seen the replays, but did he kick Yao Ming when they both fell to the ground? It sure did look like he did. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident for Nash. He's done this before, but since he's so celebrated by the league, it goes unpunished. He tried to trip Shaun Livingston of the Clippers two years ago in the playoffs after Livingston crossed him over. Earlier this year, he hurt Raymond Felton when he tripped him deliberately (I believe there was a thread about it one ClutchFans). If you haven't seen it, here's the youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scmx1z94WAI If Nash indeed did kick Yao when they were both on the ground, the league needs to take action. If they don't, the Rockets should send video of this to the NBA and force them to. It's only a matter of time before somebody gets seriously injured. Imagine if Ron Artest had done this.
Tracy has always looked passive in demeanor. He had an off night. Francis and Rafer played well when they were in the game together. Game ball has to go to Yao though. I called him a stiff out of knee jerk frustration while we were in that 6 game losing streak. This the Yao that I expect to see most nights, not the guy who gets schooled by Darko Milicic or Brandon Bass. Steve has always played with heart, he seems to have invited his brain to the party in this early season. I think he showed why we took a chance on him. He clearly just took advantage of Nash's inability to play defense and wouldn't be denied. We need guys that are willing to take it to the rack with the game on the line, because I just don't think that Tmac has the mentailty to do that.
i didnt catch the game. Did anyone see how McGrady reacted when francis got the game winning bucket? Or what he said after the game? just curious. .
If you know what I mean, you know it; if you don't, well, you don't. There are all kinds of passing, a disinterested or a hopeless pass because your shots just don't fall does not help your team better than driving to the rim, especially when the game is on the line and you are supposed to take that task. I am not saying Tmac is just mentally weak like others suggested. Just a thought about passing...
T-Mac didn't have a good game today, but he didn't play that bad. He didn't force the shot too much. Maybe a couple at the end where he could have drove, but he's smart enough to realize Yao was unstoppable and that Francis is the second coming. That's the beauty, even when he is ice cold and the other team knows he won't shoot, they will still double him. Someone is ALWAYS free. The team played very well when Yao was on the bench, but they played especially well when T-Mac was on the bench, and that was the difference. Yao's a BOSS. Francis is a SAVAGE. (rafer played well)
Wow its funny isn't it? The one time we play good defense is against one of the hightest scoring teams in the NBA in Phoenix. Not only that, we held them to 41% shooting while we shot over 50% from the field. Not bad.
Who is he going to guard in this league and how is he going to finish a drive when it is contested? Maybe Heat can use him when Shaq kicks the ball out. But who do we need from Heat?
We played good D. But I disagree that statement. We did come in top 10 in field goal percentage and 2nd in ppg allowed.
