ClutchFans Game Thread: Timberwolves @ Rockets 1/17/2004

Yeah, one of the commentators from Boston mentioned that.

It could imply that the Rockets "give up" if things don't go their way early in the game. And that's NOT a good sign.

 

David,

one could also "imply" that what that stat means is that if the Rockets dont start the game with intensity....they dont win.

seems more likely to me than thinking that the Rockets give up..

I dont see it...nonw of those guys like to lose...and they think they can beat anyone..even if it isnt always true.

 

Rockets played a terrific game today!! Hopefully the same for Monday

 

Every turnover is like a 2pt swing. Yes, it hurts us. But we are fortunate to play some really bad teams, wizards + Boston, and a stone cold Timberwolves. So far, Rocket defense is better than SF's bonehead moves in the last 3 games.

 

You bring up a good point.

The Rockets still have a problem with winning games that don't go easy for them. Ask JVG. Sometimes opponents come to play hard and come prepared. When that happens, the Rockets seem to wilt...

Now, I will give you this. Preparation phiscally as well as mentally helps get wins. But as you say, "intensity" or lack thereof is possibly a tendency of the Rockets to TAKE SOME TEAMS TOO LIGHTLY. And before you know it. They get their teeth kicked in. So this "not leading the 1st stat" might be just an byproduct of our inablity to score. Remember, a few weeks ago we were struggling with our offense (sounds like taking the opponent too lightly, thus no intensity, like you said.)?

Having a 14 point 1st quater is daunting.

Lets keep an eye on the next few weeks. If we play a team and the 1st quarter score is 21 (Rox) - 24 (opponent)... It's those games I want to watch...(high scoring). Lets hope our offesive drought type-games (14-21 game 1st) are not that common. Because it's obvious why we lose those games. WE CANT SCORE!

 

I mean in some case turnover is not the most important factor prevent us win... my words are of some extreme, yday's game between Boston& Magic is good sample, Boston did reaaaaly good job in score 50+% field goal percent but they lose w/ 22 turnovers

 

Maybe this was already posted but... Houston is 20-4 when leading after the first quarter and 2-12 when trailing after the first quarter this season.


My explanation is: when they were behind, Guards wanted to take over by themself. You know whta happened next.................

 

Wow! Rox win is the headline-'Active Defense' on www.nba.com now!


Congratulations! YOU GUYS DID A GREAT PERFORMANCE!!!

Yao has become more assertive and aggressive now.

Cheer for Yao's three consecutive 20+, 10+

 

It's looking alot like what was happening before this past wek was that VG was so intent on using Yao in the low post to the exclusion of all else that Yao wasnt fomfortable and when Yao isnt comfortable....he doesnt play well.
When Yao doesnt play well....we dont win. Period

Ever since VG started using Yao in other places than the low post....our offense seems to have come alive..Combine that with Yao seemingly getting fed up with getting taken out of games by inferior players...and getting slammed around by them....all the sudden he has this fire to punish the opponents.
Then....when you have Yao playing aggressive, you have the other players being opened up to better shots cause the opponents have to sag off of them to try to keep Yao from killing them

You add all these things together..

You have a offense that is averaging over 90 pts a game...and still limiting opponents to under 90....

therefore...a nice little winning week..

This is just gonna get better as they get more and more comfortable playing this way...

 

That says a lot, doesn't it!

By the way...have you noticed how Yao is REBOUNDING lately? Man!!!! They guy is GOING TO THE BALL. No more of this "standing there waiting for the ball to come to him." I LOVE IT! Remember he used to tip the ball to himself? Now he's JUMPING UP towards the ball. I was freaking out!!!

He's also holding the ball ABOVE his head when he comes down. He used to drop the ball to his waist when he landed (which would allow guards to steal the ball from him.).

AP Sports,
Yao had 22 points and 15 rebounds - Minnesota
Yao had 21 points and 15 rebounds - Boston and
Yao had 21 points and 11 rebounds - Washington

His recent strong play has coincided with the Rockets' three-game winning streak.

 

yea...I mentioned it in another thread...
I am most impressed with his rebounding...his shooting I expect to be good...but his rebounding has undergone just as big of a change as Mo's has..

Going after the ball like it is their's by divine right...Much has been said about Yao's vert...but let me tell you...I saw Yao leap at least 6 or more inches off the floor going after some boards...he went up strong and grabbed it...then came down and glared at the others like to say " This is mine! Go away!"

Mo has been real good lately sneaking around and stealing the boards right when you dont expect it...for a guy that has never been known for his boarding.....Im impressed!

 

i think the improvment in play is also b/c he doesent want to go back into jvg dog house like he did for a bit.

 

I few weeks ago a I posted a comment about Yao legs. Since most concentration has been put on Yao upper body, it seems like the traning staff are going the other way...Anthony Falsone is probably trying to improve Yao's (fast twitch) leg strength. He's become a little more explosive on the leap. If this continues, Yao should lose some of his "bulk" on his legs.

The last few games I saw Yao leap and I remember thinking to myself..."Hmmm, that seems higher than normal..." I thought it was my eyes deceiving me. Heh...

 

just for giggles...and since i wanted to see if my recollectionof Mo's reb numbers is correct...I went and looked..

since the Pacers game...after he had got time to get back into playing shape..and really started playing well consistently( he has only had 3 games in single figure scoring in this time span below)


12/23 v Pacers 13
12/25 v Lakers 8
12/26 v Nuggets 5
12/29 v Sonics 7
12/31 v Sixers 8
01/03 v Jazz 5
01/05 v Warriors 8
01/07 v Pistons 9
01/08 v Knicks 9
01/11 v Celts 4
01/13 v Wizards 7
01/14 v Celts 3
01/17 v Wolves 3


I know it isnt enough to really make you go WOW...but like I said before....for a guy that has never been known for rebounding(other than being soft on the glass)...it is a good trend...Im alittle concerned about the last two gmes for him on the glass..but then again...Yao and Cato have been monsters on the glass for the last two games...so maybe it is understandable.

 

What I like about MoT is that he's actually playing like a PF, rather than a SHOOTING GUARD.

I didn't like it when most of his shots were facing up and crossing over. He actually likes to play the POST with his back to the basket. Which is a change.

 

The Rox played a most entertaining Game and they WON!! Now back to the Training Court and get the Whip out again- The Point Guard shouldn't try to take over the Game when his Team-Mates are performing so well. The Point Guards Job is to be the Playmaker and to help improve the lot of his Team-Mates. I know things are turning arround in this department but still a long way to go.Great Game Guys!!

 

If the Rockets are trailing after the 1st quarter, it usually means the other team has taken Yao out of the game with their defense. A stark example was the 2nd Pistons game when Yao was a zero in that game. However, the exact opposite was the Knicks game in which JJ and Yao were mostly responsible for the Rockets getting the 23-2 lead. If I were guarding the Rockets and Cato was starting, I wouldn't even guard Cato. Make sure the guy is not going to get alleyoops, but I would have Cato's defender always be within arms-length of Yao. I would force Cato to shoot the jumper.

 

In close games, TO's do matter. Nothing hurt you more than 2-3 TO's in a row while the opponents score every time. The momentum changes and it can easily be a 15 points swing. The TO's in 3rd and 4th quarters today let Wolves close in to 12 points from a 30 points deficit.

 

Especially the defensive move he put on KG when KG got around his defender. Yao must be off the floor more than ONE FOOT I've never thought he could jump that high

Yao's offense was good tonight, but his defense was absolutely super. He was everywhere within the paint to help his teammates, it made the Wolves completely give up the penetration, or post plays.


--daoshi

 

I think Cat's problem has more to do with his skill than his "selffishness".

I've noticed that when Cat started his move towards basket, he always pu his head down, which means it's impossible for him to see anyone else. Most of his passes came before he started his move, he almost never passes once he started his move.

Steve has the same problem, but he has better ability to bail him out sometimes.


--daoshi