ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Timberwolves 12/6/2006

Am I the only one that liked how we played....

We just didn't hit the shots, and it was a back to back....

Luther was pretty good last night, he is showing some emotions, but the pretty part about him is his confidence, man he is getting into this rhythm that's going to make him pretty dangerous when Yao or Mac get doubled!

Battier and Alston made some good shots...

The only thing that I did not like was the things that Howard did, you really never know with him

here is why the TImbs won

Houston
31-89***11-23
34.8%*** 47.8%

Minnesota
35-78***3-13
44.9%***23.1%

 

Actually, I think he isn't using it much any more because it seems to be called as travelling all the time now.

 

I don't think there's much to analyze.

Our 2 stars had a bad shooting night. It happens, yet we were still in the game at the end.

 

BOX SCORES

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE GAME PHOTO

 

we lost because:

1. back to back game
a. JVG poor time management on these back to back games
b. Our stars have no gas left in the tank
c. we thought it was like taken a candy from a kid.

2. We are sorely missing a viable 3rd scoring option.
a. Battier is the defensive specialist, not a 3rd scorer
b. Rafer isn't the type of 3rd scoring option out there
c. Synder out and rest aren't getting enough PT to prove that they can fill the role.

JVG needs to bench his starters if they are not performing well, play your bench and let them spark up the fire in Yao and Tmac.

JVG has an issue of trusting his bench players. This is a game where Wells can redeem his trust and loyalty from the fans.

 

We definately need a third scorer. We shot poorly, but I give the 'Wolves credit on the defensive end. Bad night, jet lag. I can accept this loss if we keep winning at our current pace.

 

So... who's to say they wouldn't shut the "3rd scorer" down just they did the first two?

Double/Help aggressively when the guy has the ball, then rotate to open shooters and/or take away the passing lane.

 

Stop comparing this team to the Lakers' Shaq-Kobe duo...the bottom line is I would take Shaq alone in his prime years over both Yao and McGrady combined; same holds true for Dream.

 

LOL!!

Sometimes I like hearing idiots take my support for the coach all the way to the other side. Like a Karl Rove move. Spin my support for being blind?

Fight them there so we don't fight them here type of mentality?

 

Hmmm...I agree with most of this...

The third scorer is so essential these days in the NBA. Could the Rocks be a better team with Mike James? Of course. The thing about that is that I think the bridges might of been burned. All the back and forth in negotiating and then suddenly he signs somewhere else might of rubbed the team and the fans the wrong way beyond repair. But who knows.

There is no market out there for what we need. We can all hope that Bonzi plays if he shapes up (literally). Could Luther start over Alston at the PG and have Alston come off the bench? Looks like Luther might be a better scorer and is maybe a little more athletic?

Contrary to Z belief, I think the Coach is failing to maybe play around with the lineup while its still early. I don't mean extremes. But tinkering. Seeing what could happen if he does this or that. His inflexibility comes from learning under Pat Riley.

The one part of the team that could really make us so, so dangerous is that I agree with Clutch, the defense is world class. The team is so prepared on most nights and everyone does their assignment so diligently on defense.

If Mac would just...argh...so frustrating on offense to see him like he is. But him being just 90 percent would alliviate so many offensive issues on this team. I don't know what his problem is. He doesn't even have to play defense on the other teams best scorer.

O well. Still love the year so far and the defense is just awesome.

 

People are quite hard on Mcgrady, noone knows the problem with him, but there might be a definte problem other then him being "soft". Maybe this is in the game plan? I haven't been able to analyse much games,but are there plays set for Mcgrady to drive? any in particular?

 

Main reason we lost was Garnett was a defensive beast out there last night. He appeared to be everywhere, their coach also had a great defensive game plan that only worked because of the special talents of Garnett. Say what you want about him but does anyone bring more energy to the game than he does.

This also was a game we missed Snyder or a Sura clone. When we play teams like Minnesota where we could use a physical presence we definetely miss him. For as well as the team is playing so far this year they are missing that junkyard dog guy that'll knock you on you behind and enjoy it.

 

Ok, your racism thing is probably overblown, but Yao is definitely not allowed to be at all emotional - whereas every other player is given quite a bit of leniancy in this department.

Funny too that for the Cavs game the article starts like this:

Where's the T there? Just a goofy-ass call. Totally ridiculous.

 

KG has historically caused Yao, and therefore the ROX, problems with his freakish athleticism, length and tenacity. That said, Yao does have the ability to dominate him and the Minny front line, but he needs to "figure it out", just as he's had to adjust to the rest of the league. Yao and Thib need to sit down, analyze tape, and see what he can do to adjust next time.

KG is a great player to be able to play that type of D AND contribute 24 pts. Another tactic would be to play Novak instead of Hayes, and not allow KG to double down so easily...must have been a reason why JVG didn't employ this.

 

BB...

I don't want to be too harsh on him. I just want him to play his game. If he can't, then fine. But we really count on him. REALLY, REALLY, REALLY!

 

Minny fought hard. Have to give them credit. KG is a warrior. Both Yao and Tmac need to take notes how KG motivate his troops by setting examples for them.
The loss was a valuable lessson.

 

I agree that they fought hard, but so did the Rockets. The Rockets outrebounded Minny particularly on the offensive end, and that's a sign of hustle. The offensive boards typically don't just fall into your hands without effort.

The Rockets did not play a particularly smart game, but they did play hard. Yao banged hard in the post, TMac drove as often as you can expect against a lane clogging opponent.. the role players didn't give up, either, they made a lot of shots to keep the Rockets in the game while the two stars went cold.

Don't mistake bad shooting and iffy decision making for giving up.

 

sorry... had to do it..

 

Yeah, you are right. Cant fault Rox didnt fight hard now I think about it. Smart is the key. Yao actually decided to take it on all upon himself in one play against four surrounding him. Had he passed the ball out, it would resulted in a wide open J.
But the way KG carries the team is contagious. Like Doug Collins said, our two satrs are not high energy guys, I guess what I was saying that I wish I could see a little KGness from either Yao or Tmac, if they dont a Techincal by doing that.

 

If only we hadn't given that $100M contract over 20 years to Maloney, or if Cato would just grab 20 boards and block 12 shots a game, or if Francis would just slide over to the 2....

No, no. Now that I think about, I'm sure it's JVG's coaching and T-Mac's lack of aggression.