ClutchFans Game Thread: Sonics @ Rockets 1/31/2007

Amen.

 

Layups from Tmac passes or hustling for defensive rebounds.

Great job by CHuck and Deke. Juwan got abused on the boards. He rebounds because he plays the 4 position, but he very rarely gets any "tough' rebounds because he's not physically imposing. His saving grace is his offensive game (passing and that jumper)

On games he doesn't shoot it well, like against Dallas and tonight, he is not useful.

He cost us against Dallas, the difference is we played the Sonics.

I like Juwan very much, I am just pointing out that it will be very difficult to win a championship with him as the starting 4.

Juwan has played great and hopefully we can pry PJ Brown off the Bulls for Juwan.

Wish Juwan the best, but I don't think he will be here past the trade deadline.

 

As great as T-Mac has been playing i'm not sure why he's not higher up on the list in MVP ranking from most critics. I think Yao was a lock for top 5 or even 3 before the injury.

 

Seattle is such a joke of a team. At one point there were shooting like 75%, mostly on contested jumpers, and they were still losing. I really hate teams like this

 

Oh yeah, before the game they said something about T-Mac feeling a little "under the weather"...did he catch the flu or what?

 

I think you have to look at this whole situation in little more carefully. There is a reason why the Rockets are winning now with Tracy back. A large part of the team success has to do with Tracy, but a large part is also Deke.

When Tracy is out, the Rockets do not have anyone on the roster that is capable of doing what he does. He is the team best passer, decision maker, and arguably scorer. When he is hurt, we have to replace him Luther. Luther is a good player, but he really isnt a 2 guard. Other teams abuse him with their larger guards, not only that, he is not a good ball handler or distributor.


On the other hand, with Yao out now, Deke has stepped in and is able to atleast provide HALF of the things Yao is capable of doing. He may not be able to score like Yao, but his rebounding and blocking shots may be better. Therefore, when Yao is out, we dont nearly miss him as much as Tracy.

If the Rockets had someone with SOME of Tmac's skill and size, Yao may be able to get a few more wins with Tracy out of the lineup. Im not saying the Rockets will be winning at the same clip, but dont underestimate the importance of Deke. You can clearly see the Rockets struggle when Chuck Hayes has the man the middle with or without Tmac.

 

Wins..wins. and mor wins. thats what makes MVP's.

 

I like to compare Yao and T-mac's importance to this team with Shaq and Kobe during their 00-02 Lakers mini-Dynasty:

Yao is like Kobe while T-mac is like Shaq; on the surface, this might seem 'wrong', since it doesn't correspond to their natural positions. But its not about that, it's about how integral the players are to the team.

What I'm saying is, the team will be better with T-mac than with Yao as T-mac is more integral to this team; but we need Yao to take us to the next level, to provide the one-two punch, etc.

 

Hnce the more Valueable part. is it that hard to understand? valueable dosent equate to being the best.it means who makes he's team better.

 

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2 week,6 had doulbe digits (against Kings) too.

 

Spurs Lose!

 

Good post, I completely agree.

The Lakers still won tons of game without Kobe as long as Shaq was in...not true the other way around.

What's been going on in Miami as of late? This "has-been" Shaq and his absence has directly influenced Miami's lack of success so far in the season, despite Wade's individual brilliance and Zo being more than capable playing the 5 in Shaq's absence. Of course, Shaq will need time to recover from his long hiatus, but in time they will start winning again...it's a bit easier in the East to creep back intp the playoff picture.

I think the whole point here is that McGrady is "The Decider" on this team, he pretty much is the sole decision-maker on offense, he literally runs this team and we simply don't have another player who can cover that role when he's injured, and JVG is clueless on offense without McGrady handling the ball and running it.

 

JVG's idea that if you drive to the basket looking to pass there's not going to be anything is really smart. i'm sure players can sense that sort of thing on the floor. so, looking to score first can get you some points or a wide open teammate.

 

Thanks richter. How did you get this up so fast?

 

i'll tell you what i'm having a hard time believing with this rockets team. they are getting it done with low minutes from their starters and mainly mcgrady. last season he was playing 42 minutes a game and they still couldn't win. nowadays he's playing around 30 minutes. a clear testament to the difference in their play this year. it's uplifting to see.

 

Good call!

 

Great job by CD and Morey to remake the roster so dramatically in just one year.

DD

 

Went to the game tonite. Ray Allen is sick. He is so quick with his shot. Didnt think the game would be this close, but I knew the Sonics wouldnt quit like the Sixers. Three down.....

 

So what happened to the defense tonight?