Folks this one really hurt my soul and ruined my night, and maybe year. I thought that we were ready to be top five or six stuff this year and then this , folks I am sad on this day. I still think that we have some awesome talent but things didn't go very well effort-wise the team was flat and it just wasn't right Summit, ZRB and Jeff aren't the only ones that realize this.
Ugh, that was one of the most disgusting displays of self-aggrandizing play by our guards. I think the team started out pumped and energized but the big guys started losing interest when the guards wouldn't give them the ball on WIDE-FREAKIN-OPEN rolls to the basket. I can't even count how many times I saw Cato, Griffin, Ming, etc. set a pick, then roll straight to the hoop leaving two defenders on the ball handler... but no pass. No uncontested dunk. Instead the guards would continue looking for their own shot against the two defenders. So, Francis and Mobley shot the ball well. So, they scored a lot of points. So, we lost. And they're a big reason for it.
The guards had NOTHING to do with that. Griffin had a bad game shooting, Francis routinely set him up and Griffin missed shots he usually makes. And Yao was just overwhelmed in his first game. He had several turnovers and just struggled in his 3rd game in the NBA. And Cato did what he could, but you don't run plays for Cato. Lack of production up front killed the team.
Exactly what I saw. I felt sorry for those guys standing wide open on the wing with their hands in the air only to discover that your guards don't trust you enough to get back into the game.
Right, the next game is important for the confidence of the team. If we lose, then start worrying. KH
Ok for the people who claimed the big men were waving their hands wanting the ball, we only had 3 big men out there doing something: Eddie Griffin: Griffin went 1-6 from the field, Francis constantly set him up and he constantly missed shots. Cato: Seriously, would YOU set Cato up for a shot? Cato rebounded, but come on run offensive plays for him? Cato was 2-6. Yao: Played a mere 7 minutes, turned the ball over several times when they did run plays for him. Definitely needs some work. So your main two low post weapons were Cato and a struggling Griffin. What were Francis and Mobley SUPPOSED to do!?
Mobley, Francis, and Moochie need to realize that they are not playing in a 3 on 3 hoop it up tourament and need to pass the ball to the rest of their teamates. Of course the rest of the team is not as talented offensively and able to get their own high percentage shot but as team leaders, it's their job to set up their teamates and get them some easy baskets and keep them in the flow so they will work hard on both ends of the floor. When players know they will not be receiving the ball why would they run a break or cut to the basket when they are not involved on the offensive end.
The team did miss wide open shots and lay ups. Many of those were courtesy of the much maligned Steve Francis.
These other people on this board need to go and have their eyes check and get their eyeware repadded. Lack of effort from team = Lack of involvement from your so- called leaders
Originally posted by FranchiseBlade: What are we talking about...3 blown gauranteed assists ? So when the team is not shooting 100 percent then Francis should just jack it up every time. With your logic why don't they just run Steve out there by himself since he doesn't need his teamates.
this team kind of reminds me of the Ut offense, alot of talent, but not alot of tangible results yet Personally, I would say Francis was a ball hog, but then I saw Moochie look out for his salary as usual. Cuttino was almost percect tonight, but nobody passed him the ball. Rudy is the problem. He thinks' iso's with Cuttino and Steve will save him. He's wrong. Also, I t;hink he truly believes he should've picked Drew Gooden.
Bottom line is, the team looked awful. Blame whomever you want. They lost as a team. And the team I saw tonight has no business being anywhere near the playoffs. Can it change? Sure. But it needs to be a uniform change. Everyone needs to change their thinking. There was no cohesiveness, no synergy. Those of you lauding Steve's performance and drive....yes, he tried very hard....but he wasn't playing winning basketball. He scored a lot of points, made a lot of flashy moves(and one almost ended his game), but in the end he failed just as much as Yao or Hawkins. It's been a long time since I saw this "team" play as a team. I'm waiting for that day. Hopefully, I won't have to wait too long. I haven't seen anyone mention the defense. Indiana didn't score that many points, but that had very little to do with the Rockets, IMO. They seem content to play one on one, man on man defense....and nobody is a particularly stellar defender. If the Pacers shoot a little better in this game, or take smarter shots, it's a blowout. Oh, yes, and there's a novel notion. Shot selection. Perhaps our guards might look that up tonight. I'm mad, and I believe I have every right to be. If you think I'm overreacting after the first game of the season, tough. I wasted two and a half hours of my life watching that nonsense tonight. I want it back.
People complaining about Steve and Cuttino jacking up shots like they're AI, jeez! When you're making about 50%, SHOOT THE BALL! Those guys had the hot hands tonight, and they made a lot of tough shots, they made more than they missed. The rest of the team completely sucked, and it has to start with Griffin. I love Eddie, but we have to face facts that we've seen a lot more games where he completely disappeared than when he had an impact. The man ate it up in summer league and preseason, but he's got nothing when he starts on opening day??? I don't get it, I just don't get it. It was just uninspiring basketball out there, and if Steve and Cuttino should get blamed it's only because they were unable to find a way to bring the rest of the team up to their remarkable level. Oh, and it wasn't Steve blowing all those rebounds! Somebody get your hands on the ball, somebody defend Jermaine O'Neal! Study the game tape from the World Champs and find what it is that takes him out of his game and do it!
If Steve Francis had scored 10 points, and made 14 assists, and the Rockets had still lost, people would have been bashing him, and saying that he should have shot more. This guy can't win. I can't wait to see the praise flowing from some of you guys when Steve has 20-10, and the Rockets win. Steve will be known as a true superstar. Then, the next time they lose, he'll be the worst player ever, once again. And I was called a bandwagoner...
If he had 14 assists, it would of been more of an easier game for the Rockets. 14 assists would of won the game for us. 14 assists would show that the flow of offense is going through 5 PLAYERS instead of 1!!
