This is getting a little tired. I was disappointed in the game, too. I saw the movement, but it doesn't account for much if the guards stop passing at halftime. Okay. But that criticism is trumped by the fact that there was NO ONE to pass to. Both arguments are semi-valid and both are non-issues. The team we fielded against the Pacers is not the team we're going to war with. Even if we have 4 rotation players out in the future, it's unlikely they'll ALL be forwards. But here's what's getting tired: Indiana was missing a point guard, a shooting guard and a forward. We were missing four forwards. Whether or not that's an even deal, it is absolutely meaningful to the new offense. The Pacers were free to run whatever they'd normally run. They had at least the benefit of their primary backup at every position. The Rockets were missing three of their top four forwards (also three of our top five scorers) and we all know our eventual starting center (and our only offensive center) isn't ready yet. Plus: Eddie Griffin is not ready to be a consistent offensive threat. He'll get there, but he's not there yet. We had three guards and two defensive specialists (Cato qualified in that game). Who were they supposed to pass to?
A superstar makes players around him better. If Francis wants to become a superstar, he needs to get his teammates involved. We know he can score lots of points, but he needs to make the players around him better. 9 assists as a team is horrible! How can you call that team basketball? Wake up Rudy!
That game smelled like team spirit... Rudy saw motion. I believe. The game I watched was probably staged somewhere for TV. Maybe in a desert in China. Oh, by the way, tried that new Chinese beer they're pimpin'... Not bad at all... It lacks the speed of US beers, doesn't score many points at first, but then it starts rebounding... and finally it scores big...
Does a superstar make players around him better shooters? And, if so, how does he do it? Mind control? Body snatching? If Cato makes just one of the two good alley oops Steve feeds him and Griffin shoots just 3-11 instead of 1-11 (picking up the extra shots on Steve's good passing), he'd have had 7 assists and 39 points. Steve was passing the ball in the first half -- even though he was playing the 2 -- guys just weren't making easy shots, which is not surprising since outside our guards we didn't have offensive players in the game. I guess the moral of your story is that great players and great coaches have super powers that, when necessary, can turn Stacey Augmon into Michael Jordan and Mo Taylor into Ben Wallace.
Of course -- Yao's "people" are is parents and Colin Pine. Makes perfect sense; I was worried there were some "advisors" creeping around that we didn't know about. It also explains the miscommunication. Any player when asked by the coach if he's tired would obviously say, "No, Coach. Feeling great!" because they'd want to insure playing time (just like players hide little injuries all the time). But any mom would be all too happy to tell the coach that their son was fatigued. p.s. Free Agent -- I never implied that you said Rudy had to answer to anyone. It was inherent in Rudy's statement that he approached Yao's people that Rudy felt like he had to answer to them.
jesus bejesus! Ming does not want to seem weak, so he freaking said he was fine...lesson one in the pros...tell the truth so you do not hurt the team.. he will learn and not much too it. He does seem lethargic recently...I think dude needs to play 10 minutes per for the next few games to get his clock and body back in order. next week will be good, because they play only twice in 7 days! As far as the offense goes, AGAIN, if Griffin hits his shots we win! freakin forwards have to score and we had none.
"Rudy said he went up to Yao's 'people' and asked how Yao was feeling." "It was inherent in Rudy's statement that he approached Yao's people that Rudy felt like he had to answer to them." maybe
Rudy asks Yao's family and interpreter how he's doing and he's accused of being beholden to some kind of sinister forces? Some people got way too much time on their hands.
Hey Batman, Before you go analyzing how much time I have on my hands, look at what I was responding to. The guy quoted Rudy as saying he talked to Yao's "people." That sounded weird to me. But as soon as someone explained the "people" were his parents, I said it was cool. What's the big deal?
