Alright, this is a huge game. Huge, huge, huge. In other words, this game is big. You could also say that this game is extremely important, and necessary for the Rockets to win. The game has large implications...Its a big game. Alright, enough of that. First of all, the Rockets are undefeated in games I attend, with a sparkling 1-0 record. So, history is on the Rockets' side. Second, the Sonics are still an inferior team. They have been playing well lately, but they are not as good as the Rockets. The records back that up. So, the Rockets should be very slightly favored coming into this game. With the Sonics all but eliminated from the playoffs, I expect the home crowd to have far less energy than they did when the teams met in December. Still, the Sonics match up very well with the Rockets. I expect Patrick to have a huge game against defensively challenged Cato. Payton is capable of canceling out Francis, points-wise. Francis needs to make Payton work for his points. It is easy to turn Gary into a shot-jacker, and freeze out the rest of his team mates. I have seen him do that many times. The Rockets need to force Gary to take over, because the Sonics do not win unless they play great team ball. If Gary shoots more than 20 shots, the Rockets should be favored 5-1. They have to do a good job on covering picks, and not leaving Gary wide open. Contest his shots. They can not allow Vin Baker to become a force in the paint. He is a soft player. They must force him to shoot jumpers. It will be up to Mo to play good D on Baker. He can explode at any time, but shouldn't against this team. When the Rockets lost at home to the Sonics, Baker looked like Barkley in his prime. The Rockets can not let this happen again. They can not leave Rashard Lewis open. He has a grudge against the Rockets, and will be hitting his shots. Especially threes. They must get a good start. They can not fall behind early. They were down 8-0 last time they played in Seattle, and only came back due to 9 threes in the second, and a monster game from Hakeem. Mobley needs to step up, since the Sonics aren't brilliant at the 2. Davis, Barry, Mason? Shouldn't be close. Please, drive to the hoop Cuttino. No long jumpers. DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD please. Finally, they must not look ahead to Hakeem's return. They should ride the excitement from this great news, but must NOT look ahead to Utah. They have to fockass, and play their best ball without the Dream. I will be relatively close to the court, so hopefully my huge positivity will rub off on them. Rockets: 105 Sonics: 97 They have to win, and they will. You see, this is a big game. Its huge, huge, huge..... ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan. [This message has been edited by ZRB (edited March 24, 2001).] [This message has been edited by ZRB (edited March 24, 2001).] [This message has been edited by ZRB (edited March 24, 2001).]
LOL! I'll be checking the stands constantly for a Rocket fan booing his team when they're up 20! ------------------ "We're not settling for just getting in the playoffs." "We want a higher seed. There's no doubt. We expect to get in."-- Steve Francis President of the Mo Taylor and Jason Collier fan club! Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com
I'll be running onto the court throwing punches when they go up 30! ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan. [This message has been edited by ZRB (edited March 24, 2001).]
"They can not leave Rashard Lewis open. He has a grudge against the Rockets, and will be hitting his shots. Especially threes. There you go having to bring up Lewis again...just when I thought I was over it. This was actually the 1st time that I didn't think about him when playing Seattle...O well, as long as we win I don't care. ------------------ [This message has been edited by DieHard Rocket (edited March 24, 2001).]
