Test 1: 1. The offense's ability to shake Walt away from Finley. (To include Walt staying out of foul trouble.) 2. The Alley-oop against Bradley Aside from Walt's shot and eagerness coming back, Walt's success is a sign of how open he is, directly as a result of how trapping Francis is now a failed play. One of the main reasons we are beating the trap/double team now (to the point teams are not doing it as much) is the Alley-oop play. This is not playground. Rudy has installed the Alley-oop threat on nearly every possession where Francis brings the ball up court. This started with Atlanta (from my vantage point), against Mutombo, no less. We are also running an increasing amount of double picks for Walt (ala Reggie Miller), as a way to beat too much pressure on Francis. Now the game is more wide open, and it is becoming easier and easier for Francis to control the flow. Problem is: tonight is a big test. Dallas can stop two of our big keys without extra effort. And they have 6 game tapes to use. Finley will want Walt, for sure. And Shawn Bradley can stop the alley-oop just by standing there. I expect a challenge tonight. This is one of those games where Francis must be on. If Walt gets his 20 again against Finley, wow! Pardon me from over analysis of these last games. I'm in denial that there are only 4 games left. I want to cherish each one.
The Denver game and tonight's game are like the playoffs for the young Rockets. Both teams are pretty equal in talent to us, and both are in similar states, that of rebuilding, and of course have similar records. Until we improve a bit, these teams are our competition right now. The amazing thing, and what has been pointed out before, is that Denver and Dallas have been in this position for most of the 90s, while the Rockets just started the process this year. We are way ahead of both, in that we have the franchise player you need, while both those teams don't. All 3 of these teams are no doubt looking to show the others that they are a team to look out for in the future, which makes these games as close to playoffs as the Rockets can get at this point in the year. So I agree, every game is meaningful. ------------------
HP: I agree. Also don't lose sight of the fact that historically a good portion of our game plan centered on the outside shot being successful and opening up our middle. Finally, that threat with the resurging Walt is doing it's job. Freakster I agree with you that the progression of our rebuilding being leaps and bounds ahead of these guys. Well, leaps anyway, we have to leave some adjectives for Golden State, the Clippers and a couple others. \ But,I still have a warm spot in my heart for the recent wins against Portland and Utah. Those Dallas and Denver teams may be closer to us in talent make-up, but what this young team saw as their real competition lately was those playoff-bound teams and any others that are strutting around. ------------------
Those wins were nice Popeye, but I think we need to be a little more consistent first in order to separate ourselves from the Dallas' and the Denvers. The guy I most look forward to watching play each game now is Kenny Thomas. That guy is just a basketball player, period. So many things he can do out there. I'm really a little ticked off that Barkley is insisting on playing this last game. I'd much rather see KT get that playing time...every game is important for these guys, and Barkley jacking around for 20 or so minutes is cutting into KTs learning time. Who knows, Barkley could be getting in the way of another 20 board game for Kenny. ------------------
TheFreak, It is not like he is going to put KT on the bench for an entire season. If CB4 can show just one move from his past, KT will learn something. The fact that Charles is pushing that hard in rehab to play one final game will leave a lasting impression on all of the young players. They will appreciate his showing and so will you. Mango ------------------ The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood
My leash-holder is in rehab for foot surgery. She saw Barkley two days ago. He was going out on the town with Mark McGwire. Anyhow, the man's still in rehab, obviously not running up and down a bball court in the NBA, much less going to practice. He needs to be back in practice NOW to have anything other than a circus showing against Vancouver. As much as I love Barkley, don't come back just to play family reunion ball where Uncle Bob gets an uncontested lay-up then lets cousin Billy have his. (Anyone else remember that quote of the year from Rudy.)
I thought he was ready to practice. Didn't realize he is still that far off. Mango ------------------ The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood
Is Rudy the grinch to tell him no? Mango ------------------ The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood [This message has been edited by Mango (edited April 13, 2000).]
Rudy will not be able to say no to him, I'm worried about that. Mango, I've lobbied for Barkley coming back to play another year. It's just this one game thing that I'm against. It sounds like nothing but a nostalgia trip. This team still needs to work on some things, and Vancouver is our last chance to do so for a while against (semi-)NBA competition. Barkley getting himself in shape to play one game may be admirable, and a good example for the younger guys, but I don't think the positives outweigh the negatives in this case, especially when you consider what kind of showing he's likely to give -- Othella lighting him up is not a good way to go out. I like the image of him being carried off in the place he started better...it's more "storybook". Partner, I remember that quote, it was hilarious. Please indulge us and dig that thread up. I think I may have started it, if that makes it easier...the title was something like "hilarious quote from Rudy". If nothing else, try to provide a link in this thread. I'd like to see those quotes again myself. I'd dig it up myself, but you seem to like doing that sort of thing. ------------------
I dug it up myself heypartner, you lazy drunk. Incidentally, Rocketman Tex started the thread. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/005143.html "I thought we were playing family reunion basketball there for a while, where you give cousin Billy his turn and uncle Joe his turn and he's going to give you your turn..." There's some other funny ones in there too. ------------------
I highly doubt that Chuck will be in the game much, unless he comes in and starts dominating Othella. Suprisingly for as much time as he's been out and as much partying as I've seen him doing, he's actually looking LIGHTER than before! ------------------ The lottery sucks!
