ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Timberwolves 12/16/2003

I'm glad I left early in the second quarter. The Rockets have been playing uninspired and stupid basketball. I can't believe I actually spent my hard earned money to watch a bunch of quitters.

 

In comparison with Memphis, we are going different direction and deprive ourselves of the playoff spot.

 

I think its time to dismantle the team. They are NOT going to wake up and finally 'get it'. It would be one thing if they were running JVG's offense but are having growing pains but they aren't even running the offense. (offensively)SF is getting worse every game and Cat is starting to disappear. Cato is a ZERO, and JJ is inconsistent. Yao is not improving and appear more soft by the game as well.

The reason why Yao is lethargic or playing passively is because he is probably disgusted with his low BBIQ teammates. If he had a dominant personality (i.e. Jordan, Shaq or Kobe) he would've ripped his teamates for playing this bad along time ago.

For example, I play pickup ball at the 24 Hr fitness and if I'm running with a bunch of AND-1 ball-hogs the game is not fun regardless of winning or losing. That's where I think Yao is at right now and it shows in his demeanor on the court.

 

What was up with Yao tonight? I've never seen that little effort from him. He could have totally dominated Johnson, he had really deep position a lot, just didn't get a lot of opportunities or motivate his teammates enough to get anything going.

Steve will demand a trade soon I think.

 

from the Knicks:
Charlie Ward
Howard Eisley
Clarence Weatherspoon
Kurt Thomas
Othella Harrington

from the Rockets
Steve Francis
Moochie
Maurice

It allows Van Gundy to strengthen the small and power forward position from a defensive standpoint and he gets a competent passing point guard in Charlie Ward who he knows from his days in New York.

PG Ward Eisley
SG Cuttino Piatkowski
SF JJ Weatherspoon
PF Kurt Thomas Othella Harrington
C Yao Cato

Salaries match up for the next year if Charlie Ward signs a 2 year contract for around $4 million/year. ALL the contracts expire after 2 seasons which allows for FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY if a big free agents comes out after the 2005-2006 season.

 

How much for Raul Lopez? What will the Jazz ask for him?

 

How about this for a prediction?

 

Heavens ta Mergatroid! We lose again......suck even.........

I wonder if Steve will ever pick himself up off the court. Literally, he flounces on the floor like a fish out of water, and waits for his minions to scrape him up........one time this game, all the players ignored him on the ground, and a Minn. player helped him up.

I thought Maurice Taylor was going to start playing well, but it appears that once he gets the ball, it's his shot to take no matter what. If only he could consistently make a shot...or anyone for that matter.

Cato banks the ball off the backboard on the wrong side of the rim. We really need a 4 that can shoot the ball from middle distance. Garnett was just roaming the paint all day, away from our power forwards, ready to double Yao, or anyone who gets close to the basket, not to mention all the rebounds he gets from roaming that area.

Moochie was as to be expected.

Pike hit a few shots, but hasn't gotten very many good looks, due to pathetic ball movement.

Jackson seems to get the ball on one side of the court, then decides that he'd rather shoot it from the other side, so over there he goes, dragging the defense with him. His shot is inconsistent, and he isn't getting very many open looks either-poor ball movement.

Mobley wasn't involved very much.

Yao seems to be in hibernation in the cold weather.

Boki came in, swished a 3 pointer, his only shot at the end. He needs to play more, especially since it seems that Pike gets minimal touches when he's in, and I dont' think Pikes defense is any better than Boki's.

Alton Ford appears to be a future post presence, he's big, and hustles. Right now, he looks more like Mo Taylor than another Cato.

OK, now that the critique is out of the way, we not return to our regularly scheduled venting...

 

uugghhh... i spent $$$ for the 1st time ever to get NBA league pass because i was so excited to see this team this year..

new unis, new arena, new coach.. im still excited, kind of... the performances have been miserable the last week..consistently.. it's not even streaky.. it's just bad..

by comparison, I have no problem with the Texans losing.. they're young, inexperienced...and the PLAY HARD and are extremely prepared every sunday..win or lose..

the rockets on the other hand look like teams like the Vikings, Dolphins..who go out there with talent, but no heart.. it's so much worse to watch that.. rockets remind me of the early 90's oilers.. where's the heart.. damnit, just play hard..

dave
springfield, mo

 

I live in MN and I just got back from watching the Rox T-wolves game.

I've been a Rox fan since I was 10 and I hate to say it but I was embarrased to be wearing my Rox jersey tonight.

This was my first time seeing the Rox live this year and I can see why so many posters are frustrated. Hell I'm frustrated.

I saw two main problems. 1. The Rox weren't getting the ball inside and instead settling for wild outside shots. 2. I'm not sure it would've mattered if they got the ball inside because Yao was thouroughly outplayed.

I'm starting to agree with the Yao bashers. Whats the point of having a 7-6 center if he can't get good position and continually gets boxed out. Also I hate to say it but I'm in my early 30's with bad knees and I think I have more stamina than Yao. He was clutching his shorts gasping for breath halfway through the first quarter.

Also I can see why so many poster like Pike. He was the only Rox playing with any f*cking passion.

And to top it all off its a former Rox great that kills us, Cassell.
Sam I Am showed Francis who is the contender and who is the pretender.

This team needs some serious help. At this point even if the Rox make the playoffs they are gonna get swept in the first round.

 

Early 90s Oilers at least got to the playoffs before choking. This team isn't even making it to the playoffs where half the teams in the league do.

 

I think it won't be long till tickets go on sale at 50% to boost attendance.

 

I'm going to say it since no one else will...YAO is worthless! Hell, I can jump higher than him and I'm only 5 feet 10 inches tall. There is no way in hell a person that tall can only manage 2 rebounds. Everyone wants to blame SF and the rest of the crew, but not YAO, why? I wouldn't give his sorry a@@ the ball either.

 

"Early 90s Oilers at least got to the playoffs before choking. This team isn't even making it to the playoffs where half the teams in the league do."

to me making the playoffs, with this team, is no solace.

who cares about playoffs..if you know where's it going to end? i dont want a 6th seeded rockets team that will get bumped in the 1st round like you know the suns, jazz, sonics will...every year..

we know what type of 6th seed rockets we love..

there needs to be an internal energy in the franchise.. something nearly tangible.. i think Memphis might have it now.. and they're about as young as h-town is..

the texans do have it..and i'm confident that franchise is on THE track to a title.. i'm a fan, but i'm pretty objective about teams..

finishing out the h-town trifecta, the astros seem to have that enegy and lose it week by week.. get rid of a player, sign another.. i feel so manipulated as a fan.. but i come back like a crack-w**** in april, saying, maybe the stros will give me my fix.. that's why they dissappoint me more than the rockets..

these rockets are easy for fans.. just stop caring.. the way they're playing, it's not hard to disengage and go read a book..

i have tix for the Texans 12/28
i have tix for the Rockets 12/29
i can't wait for Reliant

dave
springfield, mo

 

Rockets were better than I thought, Cheer

 

What the hell were you talking about? What did you mean "everyone". Do you want to bet on $1000 if I find one guy blames Yao but not SF? What "everyone" mean?

 

I'm going to have a hangover in the morning. I opened a half-pint of whiskey (Weller I think, or it could have been Old Crow ) and a bottle of Redrum five minutes into the second half.

So did anyone have any luck with that Audio Link above??? I am getting the strange feeling that everyone who tried it, wishes I had not of posted it.

 

All I read is trade SF...but what about YAO. He get used and abused most every game.

 

I think Yao gets more blame on his own BBS in Chinese.

 

Texans will never win the AFC South if Peyton Manning is still playing. That right there makes me somewhat pessimistic about the Texans since wildcards have tough roads to the Superbowl. Pettitte will have an ERA above 5 in Minute Maid park. Minute Maid park is killing any chances of the Astros getting into the playoffs. Astrodome helped them by making bad pitchers look good. Minute Maid park hurts the Astros by making good pitchers look average and average pitchers look bad.