I had the misfortune to witness the massacre live tonight at Arco. A few observations to pass along... First, it's pretty tough to get a ticket at Arco, so I felt privileged to be sitting in the last row in the second deck behind the backboard. Surrounded by Kings fans, I kept my usually big mouth shut tonight. However, I didn't have a whole lot to cheer about, so it wasn't really that tough. I did however see one other Rockets fan, wearing a new shirt and a Texans hat. What struck me immediately was that the Sac-town fans have got to be the best in the NBA. I've been living in the Bay Area for the past 7+ years, so my NBA exposure has primarily been that of the Warriors...enough said. The cheer that erupted from the half-empty arena when the Kings took the court prior to the game was impressive. The Kings fans show so much more emotion than the few people that actually call themselves Warriors fans. Not only did they fall over themselves cheering on Brad Miller, they were nearly as vocal every time Bobby Jackson checked in...craziness! Anyway, I noticed right off the bat how far the Rockets offense must progress before the Rockets may be considered an elite team in the West. The stark contrast between Sacramento's motion offense (it seems like their multiple screens and passing game always gave the Kings an open, uncontested shot) and the Rockets isolation game (where Steve, Cat and Yao struggle to heave up contested shots as the shot clock winds down) was on full display. I suppose my crappy seats provided a better view than that of the typical broadcast. At any rate, it was like night and day on the opposite side of the court. The Rockets offense was obviously overmatched by that of the Kings, but I was surprised to see their defense to be equally as overmatched. At one point, the Kings had 13 steals to the Rockets 1. Brad Miller looked like a real All Star (proving my assertion that the Rockets need a PF that can defend, especially if Mo T is going to put up such lackluster numbers, offensively). Bibby seemed to toy with Francis. Peja didn't even need to show up tonight for it to be a blow out, but Jim Jackson seemed to have enough trouble guarding him (picking up 5 fouls, if I'm not mistaken). Anyway, I haven't had a chance to get back to Houston yet to check out the Toyota Center and the crowd there. However, if it's half as rowdy as Arco, the Rockets should be proud.
One more thing... Boki appeared to be the only one with the ability to take the ball to the hole with authority. Steve penetrated, but was quickly swallowed up in a mass of purple. Boki was able to deftly drive to the hole, probably because he got the ball on the weak side. In any case, he appeared to have more poise than any other Rocket tonight. I know I'll get alot of flack for saying it, but he glides in a way that reminds me of Clyde.
Thanks for the report. It should be a very frightening experience in Arco Arena as a Rockets fan. Did you expose yourself (as a Rockets fan)?
Of course Boki will be able to get to the hole! He's a scrub! Scrubs aren't paid that much attention to. The Kings know Yao and Steve are the main threats. Their objective was to stop Yao and Steve, and let the other Rockets try to beat them. If you were at the game, you would have seen the Kings immediately collapse around Yao and Steve as soon as the ball was merely pointed at them. They hardly even made any attempts to pay attention to Cato. They knew he has NO offense whatsoever. Even Alton Ford seems to have more offensive game than Cato.
Kings fans are the best. I know a guy who was a Kings fan when they were the Kansas City Kings, which were a horrible team. And after they moved to Sac and still sucked, he remained a rabid fan of the Kings. Contrast that with some fair weather fans we've seen here.
On that theme possibly when Alton Ford gets fit and looses some of his excess weight he might be our Power Forward and Cato can go back to his job working under the bassket where he is the best backup Center in the NBA. [Does JVG realise this yet I wonder?] At this time I would like to comment on the start of the season when JVG said he had seen all of last years tapes and he commented in public about how he liked what he saw in regards to Steve and Cat.I wonder has he got the big picture yet or does he need more time? ie this Team has too many one on one players with the mind set that they and they alone SHOULD score, like it was their right-- its not working and wont ever if JVG requires the Rockets to play Team Basketball. If I have said this once I have said it a hundred or more times- Team Basketball wins Games and its fun to watch.
Thank yo for the Arco view, very interesting. Unfortuantely points out what more and more rockets fans, even the bleed for stevie ones, are seeing. These two guys, ( you know who I mean), will never lead this team to any promised land. They are incapable of being leaders. Either one could be a good 2 , but we need a real leader at point, and while we're at it get rid of the hairdoo as fast as possible. ( Nobody will take on his $$ I suppose. The biggest mistake Carrol Dawson ever made.) Ugh ! This is so frustrating !
I must admit, I did not wear my Francis jersey to Sacramento last night, as I usually do to all Warriors games.. I'm not sure Moochie was CDs' biggest mistake. I'd place at least two decisions above throwing Moochie Norris a large amount of cash ahead. First, passing up on Rashard Lewis. He was the third Rockets pick of that draft with very little down side and all upside. I don't claim to know a whole lot about scouting, but I screamed a the TV that night. Next, throwing even greater money at both Brice Drew and Matt Maloney. Both decisions seemed to be born of desparation, done at the last minute. Those decisions put the team in a financial hole they are stil trying to extricate themselves from (see the Rice trade earlier this season).
Arco fans are some of the rowdiest because there is no other major league sports franchise within a 100 miles and Sacramento residents like to let people know that they aren't part of the Bay Area. Just an observation.
