ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Wizards 1/3/2006

Wow, this was a pleasant surprise! Who were those guys? Plus, I didn't recognize anyone on the bench.
Maybe, the most entertaining game this year. Not alot of defense, but, THEY MADE SHOTS! They actually made shots. That is the best Alston has looked since becoming a Rocket. Several players in double figures, I'm stunned and very encouraged. The fans needed something, desperately.

 

Ditto! Bloody hell, that was fun. Let's do it again.

 

This is the Rafer Alston we all expected when we traded him for James. Now that he's back he's showing us what he can do. Go Rockets!!!

 

Nice recap. Gosh I hope this kinda play continues - even gets better as Barry, DA and then Yao return.

 

I was at the game in person also...and I did my best to be heard! Will, where were you sitting? I was in 425 (behind the Rockets goal upper level 1st half) and I heard some people behind me that seemed to be Rockets fans.

At any rate, a great game to be at. Where are all you Rafer bashers now? Now that he's back playing maybe people will stop bashing that trade and saying how terrible it was. I've always been happy with the trade and happy we got a point who actually likes to pass the ball. And man did he hit a couple of big shots during the run at the end against us.

 

didn't get to see the game but looks like alston really turned the corner tonight.

fluke game or maybe a sign of what he can do?>

 

I was in 108, floor level up front but in the corner away from the Rockets bench. My friend didn't tell me we'd be partially obstructed when the Wizards cheerleaders stood up. Not great seats, but when the cheerleaders stood up, at least we were looking at great seats.

Stro's relative ease in a loosely flowing game run by fast guard play (Alston, Head, Lucas) and a lane empty of big men (Yao, Deke) makes a pretty good case against our acquisition of him. The price was right, but when the guy plays better outside the system you acquired him to play in, what does that tell you? And I say this as a customary JVG defender. But maybe JVG can change as he did last year and go with the guards instead of the half-court football plays.

 

corrected

 

Formula for Rockets success.

Rockets + shots made = wins!!!

 

^lol. Tonights game was a plesant suprise.

 

I hope we saved some bullets for the Cleveland game, The Wiz are sorely in need of a big man and internal presence and we outrebounded them and abused them in the paint because of that. Cleveland will be a lot tougher with Z and Gooden in there.

Crow tastes good, I said the Rox would lose based on our 87 ppg average and the Wizards high powered offense. Props to the entire team but especially to Rafer and Stro, we need these guys not only to save this season but to be building blocks for the next few seasons.

 

123 pts!
Did Gumpy decide to put in the points he was saving for the next game? Hope not.

 

Clutch, didn't see the guy...though it'd be pretty tough to spot someone unless you saw them early, because the Wizards armed everyone (or the first XX people) with fake Arenas jerseys.

I can say that I had my roommate's girlfriend in the row with us cheering against the Rockets to spite me in the beginning...but cheering for the Rockets by the end because they just kept making so many shots

People stopped getting upset at my cheering once the Rockets were up by 10+ in the 2nd. I have to say, Wizards fans have once again disappointed me...SO quiet. Not a great game, but ZERO energy to help their team. Not even in small spurts of "Get Loud" signs or whatever. Exactly the same as last year (which was a close game)...just quiet until the last 5 minutes of the game if it's semi-close. Worse than Houston imo.

Something weird: There was a group of fans (about 2 rows worth) waving some Central American country's flag. They were cheering the wizards, but also cheering their country and doing the soccer "ole, ole ole ole" chant. About midway through the 2nd quarter, they were all escorted out by police.

 

I definitely agree on Swift...his success with the lane open is really a kick in our face saying "why did you get him?" Personally, I thought he could adjust, and/or the coaches could adjust around him to translate those skills. Theoretically, you would think you could adapt one's known skills like that into 20 minutes of a game even when everyone's healthy.. but if not, it'd be great if we could use these injuries to the centers as a blessing in disguise to get Swift's stock back up and move him for something more than his true value.

A lot of guys really seemed to understand what the "right" pass was yesterday. Who to get the ball to when...who was open if there was a double team, etc. Something simple enough, but it hasn't been happening all the time. And yes, hitting the open J's that were created was also key.

 

I think it's a sign of things to come! He had done great during preseason. He probably had that hairline fracture go undiagnosed or diagnosed incorrectly earlier in the season. He didn't have such bad averages like that last year or the year before playing for another van gundy/riley system.

 

I wouldn't be too amped up by this game. I know a win is a win, but we caught a team on a downward slide who cannot play defense. Plus Rafer and our PFs played out of their minds. This one game may not herald a great turnaround. But you can't help but be encouraged by Rafer. This is why we got him. When he has a good game, he also helps others instead of subtracting.

 

yaw... rafer played good cause i said wussup to him last week...

 

Refreshing win. Let's make it an 8-game streak to hit 500.

 

It was a beautiful game. Swift seems to be coming around, hopefully he can continue. Alston played well, howard looked good. T-mac was himself. If we can stay consistant we can go on a run. Its only Rafers 2nd game back and hes still playing thru the pain for the next week to 10 days, we all know what he can do, the thing we need to see is how consistant he can do it. JL3 and Head looked great out there with Alston. Head is cooling off a little but is still a good shooter, i would really like to see him start driving to the basket and finishing or drawing the foul. JL3 is definately looking good, but remember hes only played 2 games, hes getting playing time over Moochie, and his speed and handling skills have really helped push the ball. The main thing i like from our new guys is their confidence, I havent seen 2 rookies come out and play with such confidence in a long time., especially from the same team.