Disclaimer: Dewsaw did not have the link to the Rockets game so I was following the game on Yahoo! GameChannel. Tonight's neat-o-stat of the night: Yao & T-Mac combine for: 55 pts on 22-34 fgs (59.4%), 11-14 fts (78%) and only 7 turnovers. T-Mac had 10 assists which is very encouraging because it shows that he can play the role of playmakers and at the same time be aggressive and attack the basket. Only wierd stat is 2 rebouds for Yao (which I can't completely comment on since I did not see the game, I just read it.) It's interesting to see T-Mac getting into that 04 playoff mentality as the Rockets close the season b/c in R2k's recap video of the Rox v. Sonics, Yao mentions how T-Mac is taking his game to another level and is being more aggressive and not settling for those contested jumpers. Great to see our two stars shining as the playoffs approach. Furthermore, their play proves the Rockets have the correct formula (which many people had been doubting whether it was our stars toughness that was being questioned or their hearts) to win a title. With both stars on the floor and gelling, the roles players went ahead and did their jobs: Luther Head: 15 pts, 3-4 3-pts Shane Battier: 14 pts, 6-10 fgs Rafer Alston: 21 pts, 7-13 fgs I can't say enough about how important Luther Head is to this team and am ashamed to say that I was actually willing to package him in a deal to get a PF. He just reminds me so much of Big Shot Rob as far as his demeanor goes in the final minutes of the games. He does not even blink when the ball comes out to him. He is our cold-blooded assassin. It has become customary for him to put the nail-in-the-coffin in the final minutes when teams try to make a run. One more week untils the playoffs start..... The excitement continues.....
Wow, saw most of the game, didn't know Yao only had 2 rebounds. Its fitting though, toward the end of the game in a timeout, you could see JVG looking straight at Yao and talking about HOLDING onto the ball with TWO hands when he gets a rebound. Yao is a tremendous player, but only if he could do the little things that would boost him into one of two or three players who can truley dominate in this league.
I can tell you at least one factor that keeps Yaos rebounds low long shots seems like every long shot that missed led to a very long rebound...normally coming down about 10-12 feet away. and even when the rebound wasnt too far away, he was simply out of position for it. it just wasnt a good rebounding night for him...it isnt like he missed a bunch of them that fell in his lap.
Here's a real interesting stat about the Rockets: They are 51-7 when leading after 3 quarters. So even though much has been made about their 4th quarter collapses, and at times rightfully so, they really haven't collapsed as much as some would make it out to be. I still believe we shouldn't have lost a couple game here and there when we were winning in the 4th (ie: the Mavs game in Feb. and the last Utah game), this team takes care of business most of the time in the 4th. The most important thing for this team is getting off to a good start on offense in the first quarter and continuing to play great in 3rd quarters like they have been.
I am tired of seeing all these posts about Yao's 2 rebounds last night. Complain if Yao's season average was 2rpgs or if he didn't get a rebound that cost us the game but don't b**** for one game when the number of rebounds for both teams was really low because of the hot shooting.
I don't think people were b****ing about his rebounding, but it was mostly shocking b/c I don't think anyone would have guessed anything less than like 7 if you asked people how many boards he grabbed. Like I said, I didn't get to watch the game, I was just following it on Yahoo! GameChannel and I was just a bit surprised that he only had 2 boards. I think if the guy shots that well from the floor and is on putting that much effort on the offensive end, you should cut him some slack. Plus, this is Yao we are talking about. It not like he takes plays off or anything like that. He plays hard night in and night out so I'm sure he'll come back stronger the next game.
Impressive except for the fact that Yao got 2 rebounds... but I guess it's hard to get rebounds when no one is missing. Also, seven turnovers is not very good... at all. It's average at absolute best.
But Rafer only had one, so if Yao, Tmac and Rafer only have 8 between them, we are in great shape (and if they have 76 points too, thats a good start)
