From the Rockets site: ------------------------------ The general consensus at Rockets shootaround this morning is that Steve Francis is going to give his sprained right ankle a go tonight when the Rockets host the Lakers. At least according to Cuttino Mobley. Cuttino sat down and answered a few questions today prior to shootaround. A transcript follows: Q: How does the elbow feel? CM: I'm just going to play through it. I've been icing it and it still hurts, but I can't worry about that right now. I just want to play. We've lost two in a row and I'm just going to go out there and do my best. I didn't play very well against San Antonio and I feel as though that loss was my fault. I should have done some other things to help us get the victory, but we'll be alright tonight. Q: You are definitely going to play tonight? CM: Yes, most definitely. Q: You think the adrenaline of facing the Lakers will help you tonight? CM: Definitely. Hopefully I won't shoot any more balls over the rim like last game. Q: How do you defend a guy like Kobe Bryant? CM: You can't contain Kobe. When he gets so many shots, it's hard to contain somebody like that. Kobe is a great player, not just because I'm being biased since he's from Philadelphia, but I love Kobe's game. We have respect for each other. I know he's going to get his shots, we just have to limit everybody else and make Kobe take tough shots. When he makes tough shots it's kind of hard to defend him. He goes left and right and has those pull-ups, making him tough to read. Q: Do you think the Lakers are the team to beat in the West? CM: That's kind of hard to say because they have what, nine losses? There are some other teams out there right now with fewer losses that are playing well, so I don't think the Lakers are the team to beat. I just think you have to beat everybody. The West is so hard right now, it's hard to key on any one team. Q: You know Shaq and Kobe are going to get their points, is the key to not let the other guys get theirs? CM: Yes, I think that's a key. As for Shaq, you just try to make him catch the ball out of the paint, which is hard, because he's about 400 pounds. All muscle, of course Shaq, you know I love you. I don't need him coming after me. He's the most dominating player in the NBA. It's kind of hard to stop him. We have a lot of respect for Shaq but on the other hand, we just have to play our own game. Q: Have you talked to Steve (Francis), is he going to go tonight? CM: Hopefully Steve will go. I sincerely doubt if he will miss this game. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Its kind of annoying that Mobley thinks the Rockets can't do anything at all without him. In another interview about the last game he said losing him and Francis is losing 40 points (though they average closer to 35), like nobody is going to pick up that slack. ------------------ RealGM Rockets Draft Obligations Summary http://www.gaffordstudios.cjb.net/
Man - I was looking forward to a game without him. He admitted last game he hurt the team more than he helped. Mobley - sit down and let Shandon and Dan play. ------------------
FF, Huh? ------------------ You don't normally see a shot-blocker out there shooting 3s like that. - Matt Bullard
