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Garnett said. "Yao played very tough.", "starts with Yao inside."

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Rob English, Jan 17, 2004.

  1. Rob English

    Rob English Member

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    Gotta love it! Check out what KG said:

    "They were a lot more in tune than the last time we played them," Garnett said. "Yao played very tough. They definitely have improved defensively, and that starts with Yao inside."

    http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/7736523.htm

    Timberwolves routed by Rockets on national TV
    BY MIKE WELLS
    Knight Ridder Newspapers


    HOUSTON - (KRT) - It didn't take long for the Minnesota Timberwolves to get out of the Toyota Center after an embarrassing 95-76 loss to the Houston Rockets on national television Saturday.

    Maybe it was two days of sitting around the hotel after an emotional victory at San Antonio on Wednesday that was a factor in the Wolves' letdown. Or maybe it was the tough Rockets defense, which gives up the second fewest points in the league. Or maybe it was because it took nearly three quarters for someone other than the Big Three to score a basket for the Wolves.

    After impressive victories at New Orleans and San Antonio, the Wolves had to take the three-hour flight back to the Twin Cities with a bad taste in their mouths.

    "We got our (butt) kicked, and that's all you can say about it," Wolves coach Flip Saunders said. "They came out and dominated us from the beginning to the end. We have to shower it off and get ready for the next game. We didn't make our shots and didn't have the sharpness to start the game."

    For the first three quarters, the Wolves, who lost for just the fourth time in the past 21 games, looked like a team that was playing together for the first time.

    Consider:

    • The Wolves set a franchise record for fewest points in the first half with 26.

    • Kevin Garnett and Latrell Sprewell scored the Wolves' first 16 points.

    • The Wolves went 0 for 12 from the field during a 16-0 Rockets run in the first half.

    • Trenton Hassell's reverse layup with 3:42 left in the third quarter was the first basket by someone other than Garnett, Sprewell or Sam Cassell.

    "We couldn't have thrown a beach ball into the ocean," Garnett said. "It was not a pretty game."

    The biggest difference from the first meeting between the two teams last month was the performance of Rockets center Yao Ming. The Wolves held Yao to just 10 points and two rebounds in the game at the Target Center, but he asserted himself on both ends of the court Saturday. Yao's 7-foot-6 frame in the middle caused the Wolves to alter some of the shots they're comfortable taking. The same short jumper they normally take was changed when Yao lunged at them. Instead of going strong to the basket, several Wolves tried to go around Yao instead of straight at him.

    "He's been more aggressive the last three games," Rockets point guard Steve Francis said. "I keep wishing that he would do that all of the time."

    Yao finished 22 points and 15 rebounds. The Rockets outscored the Wolves 44-22 in the paint, outrebounded them 51-28 and held them to 29 percent (12 of 41) shooting in the first half.

    "They were a lot more in tune than the last time we played them," Garnett said. "Yao played very tough. They definitely have improved defensively, and that starts with Yao inside."

    By the time the Wolves got their first bench player to score_Fred Hoiberg's three-point play with 9:58 left in the game_they were already down by 19 points. It's no secret the Wolves rely on the Big Three, but they're at their best when role players contribute. Cassell (25), Garnett (19) and Sprewell (13) combined for 57 of the points. Hassell added 11, with the majority of those coming late.

    "I think that's what is really bothering me right now," Garnett said. "The hell with the way I shot, I felt like I didn't make anybody better. I usually get Freddie or Trenton some easy buckets."

    "Today's game, we just want to forget about it," Cassell said. "This game wasn't us. We didn't accomplish anything. Houston was more aggressive and they hit us, hit us and hit us before we even started to play."
     
  2. The Real Shady

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    That means a lot coming from one of the toughest players in the game.
     
  3. Uprising

    Uprising Member

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    Hopefully the Rockets can continue the hot streak.


    It appears the mavs are going to become a lot stronger after this weekend. Seems that they are going to get Wallace as their PF.

    LINK: Thread



    ESPN
     
  4. bronxfan

    bronxfan Member

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    i think a lot of us who are waiting for his offense to become more consistent forgot what a presence he is on defense. i know he doesn't get the blocks like we all want, but part of that is because i think players simply just don't challenge him as much anymore. yes you see the occasional posterizing of yao, but most of those are on last second passing from a driving guard..

    if anyone knows where we can see stats on "in the paint" vs. "outside the paint" shot attempts - i have a feeling the rocks (when yao is in the game) must be one of the best at forcing outside shots....
     
  5. yipengzhao

    yipengzhao Member

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    I thought that Yao held his position better boxing out for rebounds today. Didn't have the usual 3 or 4 rebounds poked out but a player going over the back.
     
  6. aaaccchhhooo

    aaaccchhhooo Member

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    agreed...these pass 3 games he actually JUMPED and GRAB...literally GRAB the rebounds....my favorite rebound was from today's game against minny..where he jump and grab the rebound and held it in his chest for protection....that's what he should do more often
     
  7. RocketForever

    RocketForever Member

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    I would want him to do that all the time. :)
     
  8. beyao

    beyao Member

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    oh yes, the little giant is indeed learning:cool:
     
  9. Rule0001

    Rule0001 Contributing Member

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    ONE HELL OF A GAME (sorry for caps)

    wow........ incredible a friend got us tickets to the game and the place was MAD :)

    one solid game from the rockets! :)
     
  10. DavidS

    DavidS Member

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    That sucks! It seems that Cuban is doing this not because he needs Sheed. It's because he does not want the Rocket to get him.

    They will give up Jamison/Wahad. Guess the Jamison experiment didn't last.
     
  11. hooroo

    hooroo Member

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    Don't Rox hot streaks only last for 3 games usually.
     
  12. Roc Paint

    Roc Paint Member

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    I'm sorry Yao, you've certinly proved me wrong in the past week.
     
  13. Jonhty

    Jonhty Member

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    agreed. a lot of people still like to compare Yao to Rik Smits or big Z. but one thing that really separates Yao from them is Yao's defense. I've never heard of opponent teams talking about how Smits or big Z's inside presence help their teams' defense.
     
  14. HAYJON02

    HAYJON02 Member

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    See?? We're not the only team who slips up after a big win.

    Wonder what T-Wolves fans are saying.
     
  15. ArtV

    ArtV Member

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    Steve always seems to criticize someone (usually Yao) after a game. Is it just the media pulling the quotes they want to print? He started out well with a "He's been more aggressive the last three games," but then has to finish it up with a "I keep wishing that he would do that all of the time." I know he's trying to change his game but does Steve ever talk about how he could improve his own game?

    It's sad to compare KG's quotes vs Steve's.
     
  16. DavidS

    DavidS Member

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    Francis knows he needs help. He's already tried to do it alone.
     
  17. Deuce Rings

    Deuce Rings Member

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    Oops......Garnett must be a Yao only fan. Let's not listen to what he has to say.;)
     

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