Some guys on the ESPN board actually said JVG should sit Yao the whole game. May be they see something which we do not see.
I think the Rockets should be ready for this game after the whipping the Suns gave them last time around. Think T-mac will find his shot and have a huge game tonite. Roxs need to play the same kind of strong D they played in the 3rd quarter last nite Rox 105 Suns 100
Why should we let them dictate the tempo?? Why should we give in to their strength and have to adapt to their style? Why not make them adjust to our strength, which is our half court game with Yao? Why can't we use Yao to expose their glaring weaknesses instead of the other way around? If we try to run run run, not even our energy guy Skip can keep up with their style of play. They will kill us.
I shall be at the game as game 3 of my 7 game mini plan. My seats is in 415, but I'll probably be moving closer to 409.
We beat them last year by running on them. The difference is that we need to get back on defense. That is the key. If we can get back on defense and rotate hard on their shooters, then we have a good chance to win as long as we don't throw up a doughnut on offense again. And getting easy buckets in transition is one way to help your offense. Edit: I also think taking Yao out of the starting lineup is madness. But selectively running on the Suns is still a good plan.
Hakeem: 26pts - 12/23, 13rebs, 10ast, 5stl, 4blks, 0to... all in 37 mins... sometimes we forget how incredible hakeem was... better than jordan? hell ya!
This game will tell us whether the Rox have a serious chance of making the playoffs. If we get blown out again, our season is done, stick a fork in it, we are not a serious threat. This game will also tell us whether JVG is a competent coach or just an overhyped blowhard. JVG should have foreseen the Phx strategy for the previous game -- heck, a lot of us here were able to predict what Nash and Co. would do. But we got blown out anyway because JVG stubbornly refused to adapt his treasured game plan. Now that he has had his nose repeatedly rubbed in it, will JVG finally relent? Or will he continue being a stubborn *ss and refuse to change? We will find out. The prognosis is ungood. The Warriors game, when JRich went off 39 points, mostly from 3-pt land, was not encouraging about JVG's ability to learn. Life is growth and change. In contrast, one definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result.
I don't know who will win, but I think we'll have a better showing, and I am convinced that TMAC isn't done reiterating to Marion who is the better player. I think if Yao takes the pressure and remains productive, the pace will slow, and we win this one. Of course, if no one else hits any shots, we can't make it happen. Have to shoot at least 43%... because we all know Phoenix will take more shots... and hit a decent percentage themselves. Rockets 93 Phoenix 90
The key to stop (or slow down) the fast break is not to give up offence rebound. Any one closest to the opposing rebounder should prevent him from passing to their PG named Nash. And all the other guys should get back ASAP. I agree with another poster that we should never double /help defend Nash. Just let him get his numbers and we should be fine since I dout he can get 40+. It is not about Yao, not TMac. It is all up to JVG's game plan, and we'll see how he adjust this time. I will quit on him if this is another blow-out.
I will be going to tonight's game vs. Phoenix... Sitting courtside behind the right goal post... (Section 101) I will be banging my drum, for those there or for those watching the game... I will have on a McGrady Jersey and Black Jogging Pants... Go Rockets!!!
this time they actually use the double and triple teams on Yao to their advantage. pass to yao.. wait for people to converge (but not too long), then pass back out to the open man... simple as that.
Adam Wexler (or Matt Jackson, couldn't remember) just said that Yao seems to be favoring one of his legs during warmups...I'm assuming the leg with the bad toe.
Big game, and the fans know it. A win = credibility so far as the playoff picture is concerned. A loss = "stick a fork in them, they are done," not really able to play with the big boys. I don't necessarily think that is fair or accurate, but that is the likely response to a victory or a loss.
Wish to win, but I really think Suns are still too much for rox. This season our biggest lost is DW's shot and Tmac also lower his percentage. So no matter what, if we can not hit our shots, then it is done, no way to stop them. Just D can not win the game, just like we struggled the first half of season. So, hit the open shots, that's it. put DW on nash, Tmac on Matrix, and D harder on 3s.
