there is a big chance for us to meet Mr cuban in first round (if we can make the playoff) And we have not beat them yet. I feel that lost ppl here avoid to think this issue. any idea?
why not discuss how to handle the chicago bulls first? one game at a time. once we get there, there will be a huge ass thread discussing dallas.
if were to meet dallas in the first round, I think our best strategy would be to exploit their weakness. Slow the game down. Throw it inside to Yao and MoT and bang away all day...
Post up Yao and MoT. If the defense collapses, kick it out to the open man or have a man cut to the basket. I dont know why no one cuts to the basket when yao gets doubled. its an easy 2 points!!! Or... nash, dirk, and finley get a mysterious stomach virus and are out for the series >=)
I gotta disagree with this - yes, the Rockets should take it one game at a time so that they don't lose their focus. But, as fans, we have the luxury of dreaming about the playoffs and looking further ahead. That's what makes it exciting for us. Personally, I'm hoping we can rally to the 7th playoff seed. I know it's improbable, but if we can squeeze up to 7, we'd be playing the Kings in the first round (we've won 2 out of 3 against 'em) instead of the Mavericks (they've whipped our butts 4 times). If we made it to the 7th seed, I think our perspective could change dramatically. -- droxford
That's the great thing about being fans HeyDude, we GET to look ahead. It's up to the team to stay focused, not us! Alirules, I have thought about the same thing. Truth is I don't think we match-up well at all with Dallas. Now if we could somehow manage the 7th seed and the Kings, call me crazy but I think we might have a chance there to a least win a few and put the scare into Sactown. With Dallas I fear it's 4 and done. Not to say the experience would not be benifical, just very unsatisfing. The only real advantage we have over them is Yao and I thing with that damn zone they play it will really nigate his effectiveness. Furthermore, Nash rountinely gets the better of Fransis. Nowiski(sp), well we have no answer for him at all.
Droxford, great minds think alike......lol. We have the exact same post, sorry bro. Yours was not up when I started writing.
Yea, Dallas is a hard matchup for us. Hopefully the Spurs can overtake them or we move into the 7 slot. If we do play Dallas, Rudy need to put on his thinking cap and figure a way to beat that zone they play.
Also, who says Dallas is a lock at the #1 seed? Both the Spurs and the Kings have a shot (a long one, admittedly) at catching them.
I'm telling you, the only way to beat Dallas is to go Celtic Pride and kidnap Dirk... pardon me for mentioning that crappy movie....It's the only one I can think of with that plot!
<a name="droxford80">Buck88: Schweet! You went to the same site, same forum and same thread, posted a response at the same time, and said the same thing I did (almost verbatim)! You better not know all PIN numbers, dammit! -- droxford
to be honest, come playoff time, the kings will be impossible for the Rockets to beat. Even one game! I would not be surprised if they get a sweep on us. The Mavs on the other hand.....we can take em to 5 games, maybe 6.
<a name="droxford83"> You're probably right, but at least we can have a little more hope against the Kings. Dallas beat on us like a tom-tom all year - we have no chance against them. -- droxford
Against Dallas, I would like to see James Posey guard Nash and have Steve Francis guard Raja Bell. Francis could sag off of Bell and create some unexpected double teams....IOW you never know if Francis is doubling or faking on any given set. If Bell gets open and gets hot, so what...better to see if he can beat you instead of Dirk and Finley. The added plus is that (on offense) Francis is usually in the paint or trying to drive. Posey is usually the one on the perimeter and so he can match up with Nash much earlier in the transition D. Three other reasons I like Posey on Nash: 1) Posey has a height and reach advantage over Francis making it more difficult for Nash to pass over or around him. 2) Francis plays alot of minutes and can rest a little on D when guarding Bell. 3) Posey is a good rebounder and Bell is generally a perimeter player making a defensive rebound outlet to Francis much easier.
How To Handle Dallas.... FOR DUMMIES Rule #1 - Slow the Game Down Mavericks average some 100 FGAs per game. That is simply SICKening. even if they shoot a lousy 40%, they'll still put up a 80 pt performance (and more given their propensity for 3s). Slow the game to a more comfortable 20 FGA/per Quarter Rocket pace, and you've got the edge in tempo. Too many teams get caught up in the arabesque song and dance, wanting to play at the speed of Dallas. Stupid idea folks. The Rockets are at their best when both teams average some 80 FGA/game. Any more shot opportunities, and they're essentially giving the game away to Dallas. Rule #2 - Find Someone who can CHALLENGE Nowitski We don't need to stop him (don't know that you even can), but we need someone to at least challenge his shots. Personally, I DON'T think either EG or Rice can do the job. I've been for this "Cato" vs. "Nowitski" matchup for the longest time, but we never see Yao and Cato out there together. My second best candidate to defend Nowitski is Hawk. Third best candidate is MoT. Nowitski gets too many open looks for a guy who shoots as well as he does. But give me a freakin' break, HE'S SEVEN FOOT TALL!!! Teams are stupid to stick to their mettle and not match up a tall defender against Nowitski. Again, it's better to have him drive to the hole, and have him fact Yao, than to let Nowitski take jump shots. Big guys like Nowitksi are less comfortable driving strong to the hole when another giant it awaiting them. Rule #3 - Defend the 3 point line The Nelson O opens the floor with lots of 3 point shooting... esp. in transition. The Rox need to be aware of this fact and defend the 3 line at ALL times. Basket for basket, we cannot win a game trading 2s for 3s. If this means extending the D, and playing full court D from time to time, so be it. Slow the game down, play the guys on the perimeter and CHALLENGE the Mavs to drive against Yao. THIS IS THE WINNING FORMULA ROX!!!! IT AIN'T ROCKET SCIENCE!!! theSAGE
