I noticed that as well. As soon as we took the lead, Mac & Skip came tried to answer Nash's Js by taking contested jumpers early in the shot clock. You could argue that Yao was getting tired (Thomas was manhandling him in the blocks with no foul calls) but you gotta keep going to him. He'll either get a bucket, a foul or an open shot for someone else. (Understandably, he could also get a TO, especially if refs aren't calling fouls down there). The other problem w/ Houston falling in love w/ the 3 last night is that's exactly what PHX wants you to do. When you shoot lots of long distance shots, those long rebounds spark the kinds of fast breaks that the Suns thrive on. That's how they play. They don't care if you shoot wide open shots because their entire philosophy is predicated on running down the floor on makes and misses. In the Chron article, Mac talked about how those shots were good shots. But I believe this is the perfect example of falling into the Suns' trap. They leave people open onpurpose. They don't care if you make or miss, they want you to shoot early and often. And that's exactly what we did. The best way to counter the Suns on offense is to either pound it into Yao or drive the lane. Also, why can't anybody on the team shoot mid range shots?! It's either layups or threes. Absolutely nothing in between. Can't Luther or Skip or even Mac shoot 15'-20' jumpers at least some of the time?
If T-Mac knocked his shots down we would have won this game plain and simple, IMO. Im not dogging T-Mac but the loss of last nights game rests squarly on him.
I take some positives out of this game- we can shut the Suns down when we need to and they are helpless against Yao...all when we play our game. Of course, the negatives- don't let other teams control the tempo or we lose. We still need that DAMN KILLER INSTINCT at the end of games. TMac needs to drive to the bucket. This game was EASILY winable. The Suns just aren't that good, they just score like crazy. I still like us in a series.
I know quoting yourself is lame, but I had to bring this up. I actually missed most of the first half because I had prior obligations, but when I got in my car and turned on the radio, Yao Ming had 3 fouls and the Rockets were down by 19. I think it's clear that Tracy is unable or unwilling to carry this team offensively anymore. Without Yao we're in serious trouble.
What I liked 1) Rafer The majority of his shots weren't bad shots, he had to take them, or else our offense would of been in disarray. What I did like about his game, is that he kept shooting even when he was missing, which is what lead to our big run in the 3rd quarter. If we actually made even 4-5 more threes, we would of had a chance to win. 2) The rookies were played extensively. The bad 1) T-mac, needs to either drive, or know when to stop forcing himself and bricking jump shots. 2) As for JVG, I can see where he is coming from in using his rookies extensively tonight. The suns are a great team to let them know what their deficiences are. 3) His in game decisions were suspect as usual. I think he is just a great planner, but a mediocre game time decision maker. 4) Also, Yao needs to step up on these occassions, unfortunately, these are the few times that he gets judged by. As noted, he wasn't aggressive as usual, so that resulted in our loss. As the saying goes, we go as far as Yao takes us. I don't have the confidence in relying on McGrady, even when he's healthy without that bruised abdmoinal muscle. What I cannot determine 1) I don't know enough about bonzi to make a judgement call.
the rox (10-5) had their four-game winning streak snapped, but finished the first month of the season with their best start since the 1996-97 season. next game, another test, bring it on, ljames
I really think it is more psychological. Last year's experience is like a shadow hanging over our stars. Shooting is psychological. We caught up in 3rd quarter because Sun lost the rhythm or we broke their ryhthm. However, at 74-72 when we led by 2, T-mac broke up his own rhythm, JVG also put Yao in too early in 4th Q... Trust me, next game we'll win, with a better game plan.
Just like I prdicted, Rafer was over all the place, brick, brick, and brick, Tmac also joined the force because if Rafer was allowed to do so, he was free to do it too. JVG's plan is very simple, give the ball to Yao, if not just brick three. No hope for a title with current personnels.
I agree w. this sentiment. I noticed the same thing when the score was 74-72. We were surging and the Suns were reeling. Instead of capitalizing and taking it to them, we started settling for jumpers. Now, I know jumpers got us back into the game, but those were j's in the flow. And Yao's 12 3rd qtr points were the reason we got those shots to go down anyway. When Mac rose up and bricked a 20-footer with 19 secs still on the shot clock (off a p'n'r w/ Yao), I knew that would be the end. His previous shots to pull ahead were in rhythm, but you could tell Mac was forcing that last shot. Ultimately, I think that's what lost the game. He went for the dagger, instead his miss was converted into 5 straight by Nash and the nail in the coffin. We lost our will after that.
I feel totally the same way about Rafer. It's kind of like we have regressed to two years ago. Back then the guards would look at Yao and then for unknown F*ing reasons, go to the other side. The past few games Rafer has been doing that and pissing me off. People who are saying he is hitting clutch shots etc etc are full of crap. If he hadn't bricked numerous attempts before those lucky end of game shots, we wouldn't need a game winning type three. Get the ball to Yao or anyone else, but get it out of Rafer's hands, he is hurting us with his stupidity. I just don't comprehend why he goes away from Yao in multiple situations. If Rafer can't do it, then it's up to the freaking coach to pull him and put someone in who can. JVG and rafer need to pack and get the heck out of htown. But, I do think that this was a good loss nevertheless. Rockets showed some heart. I thought it would be a blowout after halftime. Go rockets.
No. He didn't find his shoots. He shot well when the game was basically over. To translate it: when there is no pressure
The gameplan for this game was FUBAR!!! I don't understand the logic behind denying V-span more playing time.I would rather see Vspan ,who gives the ball to yao and plays tenacious D than someone who was bricking every shot and ignoring the greatest center to play the game!
I blame it on Yao self. He should be mean, and demand the ball. Stop doing pick&roll. How many times you see balls are passed to him? Look at Nash, he passes the ball most of the time. That's what I call pick&roll.
