Its laziness (or fatigue). Once they get a good verbal ripping at halftime, they should be coming out in the 3rd like they did against Seattle. They are rotating horribly on the pick and roll, and resorting to fouling when they don't have to. I would say to slow the game down and make it a halfcourt one, but that's what it has essentially been the entire 1st half. Phoenix isn't out there fastbreaking any more than we have... and both teams are executing beautifully in the half-court offenses. The key is that we have a defense that should stop execution... they don't.
Couple of observations. The 2nd foul on Yao was BS - Nash hooked him with his arm and pulled him along. Yao had his arms down and didn't reach at all there. Should have been an offensive foul on Nash. The other 2 fouls on Yao were legit. One great thing I saw. On one play, Wesley was back and preparing to run up and cover Nash. Wesley tripped and fell. Sura IMMEDIATELY ran up to Nash and signaled for Wesley to take one of the JJs. Nash was just about to drive to the hoop, and Sura stopped an easy basket just like that. That's the kind of play that won't show up in the stat sheet, and more proof of how important Sura is to the team.
you know what our rockets have actually surprised me very much so far this game. its great we are close and slowing down the suns this game because i have not seen a team control the pace against that team as much as we are doing tonight. keep it up second half guys
True, but we need to Maximaize Yao alot more efficiently. his a 55% Shooter, yet takes only 7 shots. Our D or Primeter D has to become more active.
no he doesnt i have not seen a guy this ferocious since shawn kemp this amare is a powerful beast i dont like the way he plays but boy he is relentless. gotta give credit when credit is due because we hate when other teams dont give our team credit.
Yes, I know Yao has 3 fouls, but didn't JVG say that he will leave Yao on court even he is in foul trouble?
He is pretty ferocious... but Shawn Kemp had a jump shot, and was a much better defender and rebounder. The key for the Suns is that they have such great 3-point shooters, so you can't even think about sagging a little to help out with Amare. After that, he's so quick that he will either get a dunk, or draw contact, almost every time.
And double dribles 2. eventhough it wont show on the Stat sheet, Yao clearly alters the shots of Amare regulary. amare fears yao. and big time.
great point nick i actually think his move to center has helped him out alot because it usually positions him further in the paint and we all know how he scores the majority of his points
Jelous, maybe... but fears? I dunno... but I do know that we've played Amare straight-up tonight, while Phoenix has doubled Yao every time. Maybe this is what Lakers fans were griping about with the Yao-Shaq thing the last two years (our doubling, with them letting the Diesel go at it alone).
fa7999 is no where to be found because Amare is playing so well. No matter he plays against Yao or Deke, he is just too quick for them. 24pts at the half. That is impressive. And he isn't afraid his shots get blocked.
i think amare realizes he cant shoot over yao and back him down with success...so you can see him facing up and driving by and around yao as soon as he recieves the ball
I don't mean to b**** about fouls again but there have been some bad ones. That late call on Deke, the no call when T-Mac and Yao shot it, the foul on Yao when he took a charge on Amare, the ticky tack foul on Yao when Amare shot it. Stoudemire draws so many ticky tack fouls on defenders when he plays its like watching Jordan. Forget taking charges Yao, just try to swat their shots to the bleachers each time. Anyway, hope we pick it up in the second half.
