Francis is still turning the ball over for silly reasons we still play too much 1 on1 bball we still are getting beat on the boards we still play average D ------------------ --TEX
I'm still noticing that it's the preseason. The team has been together for a grand total of one week. Relax. If this is still going on come the regular season, worry. ------------------ Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com
It looks like we will have a hell of an offense this year but our defense just flat out sucks. Najera or whatever his name is looked like an All Star out there tonight.
Sloppy play expected in the first game. Taylor looked so-so, Francis and Cat looked solid, and Moochie Norris looked ugly. (with the hair) ------------------ "No question about it Bill."- Murph
Collier looks way too slow. Sean "Flash" Bradley even had a spin move that left him grasping air. He also did not block anyone out, got beat on the boards by a 6'8" man (najera) The team Defense is not there yet. Too many turnovers and dumb play in general. Lots of room for improvement. Not a playoff team right now. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
MANNNN if that last shot by Francis had gone in, it woulda been amazing. I can tell Francis has worked on his jumper a lot. Even though Francis made some silly turnovers(it still dint look like he carried the ball), he really impressed me. He showed that he really has some guts. Instead of slowin down and takin a timeout on that one crucial play, he just took it in all by himself and scored. That shows a LOT of poise. And the last shot was a pretty good one also... the fact that he was able to come that close to makin it given the circumstances(only 2 seconds left), is pretty amazing. I agree that there's a lil too much 1v1 ball goin on, but like Cat said, it's the preseason. ------------------ president of the dan langhi fan club. [This message has been edited by alaskansnowman (edited October 10, 2000).]
Yo people its the first 'preseason' game of the year , this game means nothing except to us die hards ------------------ This signature space for rent call 555 ...
Moe, You're right. But our starters should have been Moochie, Mobley, Langhi, Thomas and Collier. These guys need to play. Of course you play the studs too because they need to work with each other, but here's where we get to see what works and what doesn't in play and match-up situations. Hell, I'd have given Langhi that last shot. I seem to remember Mobley making a biggun like that once as a rookie ------------------ "Liberalism not only legitimizes envy, jealousy, ignorance, and the lack of moral standards, but it also makes these attributes virtues." --Drake Raft
I don't know why everyone is so shocked about all of the 1-on 1 plays. That is Rudy's bread and butter play, and has been for years. ------------------
Carlos stayed home to rest a stiff back. The defense takes time because it isn't simply one on one. They have to learn their team defense and that is tougher than offense. Of course there were a lot of 1 on 1 offensive sets. They just installed the offense. You don't start running motion offense in the first preseason game. Besides, the Rockets aren't going to give away their whole offense. One thing that is important to remember is that the preseason is as much to evaluate the talent you have as it is to fix mistakes. Rudy may see something on the floor during a game that he may not have seen in practice or thought of in his office. To use a music analogy (something with which I am intimately familiar), when you work on songs in a rehearsal room, you get ideas and work out the rough spots. You develop them so that they are smooth and tight. When you play live, however, things change. The energy is different. The band plays different (the drummer plays harder for example). You are standing up rather than sitting on a stool. You are moving around. It is a totally different vibe. As a result, things happen that change the way you play and, subsequently, the song itself. You incorporate these live moments of inspiration into what you have already practiced. The final outcome happens over time and hopefully is magical. The same thing goes for a basketball team. Plays can develop 100 different ways, even 1000 different ways depending on the players involved, the defensive scheme, the time of the game, the crowd...hundreds of factors come into play. Preseason is designed to get a look at how your team reacts to different situations and responds at that time. You can simulate it, but it is never the same as being out there. Fatigue, fouls, different team defense/offense, etc. It all is a part of the whole that is learning. We won't know how good this team is until December most likely so give them some time to learn each other and to grow. Most of them are under 25 and haven't seen much of what the NBA really is. The learning curve is a big one because of the youth of the team. We've been spoiled in the past. Now, we have to be patient. ------------------ Save Our Rockets and Comets SaveOurRockets.com
Yes, Francis turned the ball over 6 times. But half of those were BS palming travelling calls. I was at the game, for some reason or another, the refs were really on his case tonight. There were a couple phantom fouls called on him also. But I think the refs are trying to put a scare into the teams with all the ball palming calls. Once we get into the season, i look for that to stop. I bet Steve averages less than 3 turnovers per game this season. ------------------ "Nothing is certain but the unforseen." Some Dude
Another thing, TexaSalsa, we did not get outrebounded tonight. We outrebounded them by 8 total and 3 offensive. Our rebounding was fine, it was jsut that Najera made some spectacular rebounds and put-backs that really stuck out. I don't think the Rockets have a problem with rebounding. Especially if we can consistently get 9 boards a game from Mo Taylor. ------------------ "Nothing is certain but the unforseen." Some Dude
RunninRaven, I'd love to see Francis work on his turnovers. But he's so quick that when he swings the ball from side to side on a crossover dribble he is moving forward before the ball does. It LOOKS like he's travelling, and he IS. Francis palms the ball, dribbles on the high side and often times takes a step before the ball hits the floor. His speed is half his problem, but thinking about fundamentals is the other. But the old school Stockton-esque point guards are becoming a thing of the past. The only question in my mind is whether the league will evolve to permit players like Francis to utilize their skills. If Francis could limit his turnovers, achieve a 3:1 ratio, and play better defense he'll be a continuous NBA 1st teamer likelihood. His scoring and dunks are his business card now-traits that "point guards" should be wary of becoming known for in the excess. For good measure, who are the pure point guards in the league in everyones' eyes? Say Francis and I'll have to laugh I mean, he is our man, 'da man, and a helluva basketball player. But he just ain't part of that category! ------------------ "Liberalism not only legitimizes envy, jealousy, ignorance, and the lack of moral standards, but it also makes these attributes virtues." --Drake Raft
I was actually impressed!I was counting on a sluggish and raggedy game with the players confused and making turnovers but I actually think that we did farely well for the 1st preseason game.I thought we did a good job rebounding we just stopped hustling and boxing out towards the end.Taylor did a good job,he didnt shoot that well but I think he rebounded well and played pretty good defense IMO.I also think Dream looks good.One bad habit I did notice is that Cato is still picking up stupid fouls and that will be a problem this year if he doesnt get it fixed. Remember this is just the 1st preseason game. ------------------
A few things that puzzled me.... Why did Langhi/Collier play so little? Will Rudy even this out as the pre-season goes on, maybe giving them more minutes as we play more games? That we got burned by a former draft pick doesn't bother me nearly as much as the way in which he did it. It really stings to watch your team get out-hustled over and over and over. That said, its the pre-season and the kinks will get worked out. ------------------
Rogers staying home to rest a bad back = injured list. Carlos Rogers IR * * (back spasms) ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
I am hoping the Rockets' lack of hustle was due to their preseason conditioning and not their attitudes. As mentioned earlier, they looked confused on the defensive rotations and slow to react defensively. IMHO, team D is OJT - it's not learned over the summer or in the weight room. I'm optimistic this will come together. The Rocks are a VERY young team with a lot of basketball to learn. Didn't notice if Rudy was reacting to Nelson or came up with the idea on the fly, but the 4 guards and Mo was kinda of cool to watch at the end of the game. Also got the feeling Rudy wanted this game as a mental building block and we will see more of Langhi, and Collier, (and 'Los) as the preseason moves forward. Najera was motivated by the trade. I do not care much for his persona, but he does hustle and knows the Mavs have at least 14 players under contract and a wheeler dealer owner. He wants to make the most of every opportunity to prove himself. This will even out of the course of a season. I also thought Walt played well enough for the first preseason game. ------------------ GATER
If you send a rookie out there and he doesn't do well, then he starts to doubt himself. Bring him along slowly and gradually develop his confidence, then one poor performance will not mean as much following a number of good games. ------------------ Not only have the Drew bashers crossed the line, but they've sprinted a couple of miles beyond it.
