ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Timberwolves 2/4/2005

I simply thought the Rox coulda been successful with Franchise at the 2 spot, and thought they shoulda traded Cat for a big PG a la Antonio Daniels or someone of that caliber. Talent wise, Mac is on a level that only Kobe and Bron are occupying at his position. I, for my own reasons, just was not and still am not a Mac fan.

However, I am very very impresssed with the run hes been on since the Spurs miracle, and personally think he really should deserve consideration for MVP if he can keep it up.

 

What are those reasons, if you don't mind me asking...

 

well thank you for clarifying that hotballa i cant dispute you disliking him for whatever reason that is your opinion but im glad that you atleast appreciate what he has brought to this team

 

Ugh I dont wanna revisit that convo again, he's playing great right now and I will probably change my opinion inthe offseason after hes played one full year here. Last time I said something I got killed for days, the hegemonic discourse on this board has shut me up

 

Orlando can't be happy they essentially gave up T-Mac for Francis and Doug Christie, considering that Cato for Howard and Barry(acquired for Lue) pretty much washes out. That's a deal you make every day of the week and twice on Sunday's.

But really, I think that the most telling thing as a fan is last year I had no confidence the team could do any damage come playoff time. Right now, I think besides San Antonio, I'd like the Rockets chances in a 7 game series. Furthermore, I like the fact T-Mac got JVG to change his offense to let the horses out. Our team last year wasn't able to do that. Lastly, I'm noticing a gradual aggressiveness coming to Yao. He is slamming the ball down with much more authority and making big shots when the team needs them. His numbers may not be where people want them right now, but I think he is starting to show the mindset that he wants to become a dominant player in the league to go with the skill he already possessed.

 

This is the biggest win so far for this season. Enjoyed it!



































1

 

It's beginning to dawn on me...JVG does not trust Yao enough during the closing minutes of a game. If he is out there he's just being used as a decoy. I can understand JVG making TMac the focal point of the offense right now but I get the feeling he will never make Yao the first option or design plays for him during crucial moments of the game.

 

Paxson and Purdue were the first championship run right?

it's jud... i think they never had all those guys together. the most might have been buechler, kukoc, kerr, and longley... maybe they also had perdue and wennington too.

 

v3, at least it was obvious to me, Yao was losing his legs in overtime and towards the end of the 4th. And that why I thought JVG took Yao out, not because he doesn't trust him, but because Yao gave it all tonite and needed a break.

 

I agree, don't read too much into it, the guy carried 310 lbs the whole 4th quarter. The Hassel foul was indication enough for Minny's strategy.

 

And another thing: Rockets won even though one of the refs was the hated MATT BOLAND !!

 

See? look how many white guys there are that went through that probram. The Rox need to get one more white guy to get us to the promised land. Steve Nash anyone??

 

THERE'S NO WAY WE ONLY HAD 5 TO'S IN A OVERTIME GAME!!!!!!!

Last year I would have been estatic if we had only 5 to's in a half!!

 

I still remember we first played against Minny, without T-Mac, we played very tough and close, and Yao played well. One stupid announcer kept mentioning how great KG is, how great Minny is, while they only led one or two points. And he also said somethign about Rockets played 4 games against Minny last year, only need to play 3 this year (is it true?), and his conclusion was that was GREAT for the Rockets. another commentator was asking why that? They were 2-2 last year. But I believe, with games like that on regular basis, we will gain more respect.

 

Wow. I think this is the biggest win of the season for the Rockets. Even though the Woves are down this year, they are still a big factor in the West and were very, very motivated tonight after the waxing the Suns gave them during their last game. The T-Wolves actually played a pretty good game at home, but the Rockets were just better when it counted. McGrady and Yao were dominant (sorry for calling Yao soft earlier ; ) and I really liked the performances by all of our starters. The Rockets are really rounding into shape. I like knowing that even with some of Sura's antics that this is a much, much more intelligent basketball team than what we have had for the last several years. Even only a few months in with this group, I have more confidence in this team during a close ballgame than any Rockets club since the Hakeem/Barkley era.

 

If we play like that more regulary, we'll cause alot of problems for one or 2 unlucky teams in the playoffs!

 

hmmm, i know the first four were on the second three peat and wennington was as well. perdue i think was traded for rodman so he couldn't have been. i know the bulls had a "three-headed monster" at center in those days but i can't think of who was number 3. all i can think of is perdue.


edit: there didn't seem to be 3 specific centers but i had forgotten the immortal jack haley. so 6 freakin' white guys on the team. and they played utah (white guy mecca) twice in the finals. us white guys, we may be low on the depth chart, we may never even get off the bench, but we're the secret to nba success. could detroit have won without darko on the team last year?

 

He doesn't need to.

TMac is a special player. He's hit at least 5 shots this year in the final 20 seconds that have either tied or won the game. He has absolute ice blood in his veins and is impervious to pretty much any defense. Why wouldn't that be your first option?

How many cold blooded shots did he hit tonight? The 3 in OT to spread the game open and the game tying jumper with 12.8 were huge. I thought the three against Sprewell was nasty- here is Sprewell, poking at the ball, pushing on McGrady, and he steps back and drills one in his face. There was also the layup in KG's face late in the 4th on the putback. I don't care what Orlando fans or Weisbrod say: TMac's a winner.

As for Yao being taken out at the end of overtime- the game was ours. We simply went more mobile- Yao commits some fouls because he can't get out of the way, and even though he's a huge target, he's not very adept at getting open on the inbounds plays, especially when he's tired.

With a 7 point lead and under a minute to go, our strategy was to avoid fouls and make sure to get the ball inbounds. Yao doesn't help accomplish those. Cleveland does the same with a guy like Ilgauskas in those situations, and ditto Smits and Shaq.

Edit: f4p- Purdue, Wennington, and Longley?

 

This game should not have gone OT if Houston play a little smarter at the end. Game tied with 1 min left...Rox keep letting Sura shoot the ball...what's up with that. No excuse. The ball should go to either Yao or Tmac and let them shoot no matter what.

Also when Yao is doing pick and roll with Tmac and they doubled Tmac and he passed it to Yao...Yao should shoot it and not pass to Sura. I been saying it all along..Yao is a good shooter and they still handicapped his shooting from 15 feet away. That is why Yao isn't taking or looking to shoot. I rather him shoot than anyone else beside Tmac on this team.

But i am glad they won though.

 

you better upgrade to version 4.0 soon,
because looks like your account will be short lived,
maybe even shorter than your sight.