Poll: What would you most attribute our loss to the Suns to?

The ROX played with energy last night. But what was alarming was all the shots that went in and came back out and the shots that rolled around the rim and came off. If the Rox hit a few more shots, they would have had a chance to win!

 

I think the legs were just about gone at that point. A few t/o's and bad transition d.

(Although I noticed at points during the game that the young Suns had to slow it down a few times themselves ... it was like watching suicides)

 

Even though we lost, I was very happy with the way we played. We got the shots we wanted, they just didn't go in. I saw more hustle last night from EVERY player on our team than I've seen all season. Yao and Mutumbo diving for loose balls on the ground, Yao fighting hard for rebounds, and even Mo Taylor getting in there and pulling down rebounds. Everyone worked hard, and even though we shot TERRIBLY, we still had a chance. I hope this effort can carry over for the rest of the season. Things are looking much brighter!

 

I think that the Suns were especially hot from the 3 pt line, and T-mac had an off night. With all that we were still in the game most fo the night. I think in a series we would be an interesting match up with them. They are playing really well right now, but they are also hitting alot of open 3s. Typically teams run hot and cold from the 3pt line. When we went 23-1 (or whatever it was) back in the 93-94 season, we shot the 3 very well. It is tough to beat ANY team that is shooting the 3 well, but it is unlikely that they will continue this hot streak, IMHO.

 

The Rockets will beat the Suns at least twice this season...

 

Definitely loved their hustle last night. They did keep losing the man on the 3 point line early on. We finally started getting a hand in their face on the outside shot though but they were still able to hit them.

I loved the play where yao hit the floor and passed it back up for a score. Great hustle play there. It was obvious to me that Yao was really focused on getting some offensive rebounds. It appeared to be key for us to get some rebounds over their smaller lineup on the offensive end for us to stay in the game. If we can get some offensive boards, it will help to keep phoenix from getting out and running as they will have to crash the boards a bit more and slow down their fastbreaks. Easier said than done though

 

I don't believe that any strategy JVG used would have worked against the Suns. They are simply too young, too fast and too athletic and this Rockets team does not match up well. The Suns were built to play a different style of basketball and it showed. But boy, was it ever fun to watch!

As for what SA did to Nash with Parker, we have no one on this roster that is remotely capable of playing with Nash. I watched Sura spend the entire game fruitlessly chasing Nash all over the court. He couldn't even slow him down nor could he stop Nash from passing the ball at will. The ONLY person who could match Nash's speed is AB but he's a rookie and no match for Nash who is a premier PG. Having watched Nash at the Mavs and now Phoenix, I was surprised only by the fact that he didn't score more as he is a superb offensive player. Again, with the cobbled together guard situation (they basically start a 2 guard at point who's backed by a PG who thinks like a 2), the Rockets simply had no chance to prevent the Suns from running nor could they even hope to stop Nash from beating them with the pass.

The Rockets are a work in progress and have a long long way to go before they can do the things that the Spurs can do. But be thankful with the knowledge that at least their games are watchable and even enjoyable again.

 

Good thread.

The Suns did an outstanding job fronting Yao and doubling to the ball when it was dumped inside. Their team athleticism and speed were an effective counter to his interior height. This will be our bane against the elite teams until we can obtain another low post presence via a PF other teams cannot ignore. Two 6-9 PFs, with questionable interior presence at best, guarantee that Yao will be smothered in situations when TMac and our backcourt is struggling with their jumpshots. Perhaps a more sage basketball mind than mine can figure out a way to coach through that, but in fairness to all parties the problem will continue to be structural until the PF situation is improved by a banger with a solid inside scoring game. Deke was great last night! But he had more looks because the Suns' defense changed when he was in the game, presumably because they discounted his scoring potential.

I do like the team moves. They play smarter, hustle harder, and push the ball when they can. It strikes me that they are likely to improve throughout the season. We have a sound back court rotation, although there are no top tier players there. Yao and Mutombo make a good combo in the middle. TMac is out of position at SF a bit, and is struggling a bit more with the new match ups, which typically are a little longer, and the defensive check-offs nearer the basket, but he will improve over time as Marion has. The PF position is the outstanding issue to be resolved, and that may not happen this year.

Go Rockets!

 

Marion destroyed us in the last few minutes.

I blame the defense.

 

What would I most attribute our loss to the Suns to?

How about the 2 days rest between the game.

The Rockets are the worst shooting team in the league coming off two days rest. Granted the makeup of our team has changed a little but thats still something to look at.

When the Rockets are on a roll - like they were going into the phoenix game - I'd rather they play the next day, or the day after, rather than have them sit around 2 days and loose their groove. I think thats a big part of what happen.

 

We had a good game tonight, but Phx was simply better than us...ths to their incredible start!
I remember thinking to myself at the end of the first quarter "man, do thiey ever miss a 3?!" Joe Johnson was on fire in the first minutes, hitting everything in sight.
Through out the whole game they killed us on the perimeter. Everybody was defending inside(it was the Stoudemire effect I guess), leaving all the shooters open.
Another thing that bothered me was MoT in the game. Can't this guy put any of his shots in?! The only time I remember him scoring is on a power move ended in a dunk. I did like Howard and Mutombo(has a nice hook) out-there though...

ALA

 

Our defense. Too many wide open threes. Otherwise, I think the Rockets played a great game. T-Mac needed to be aggressive and he needs to continue being aggressive, there may have been a couple times where he should have slowed it down, but overall, he played well. I was happy with the Rockets' performance last night, we were in the game more than once and had a chance to cut it to 2, 3, 4 points several times.

I think this team is showing huge amounts more potential in spite of being 40 years older.

Stuart

 

Casey Jacobsen on us leaving them open on the perimiter:

"Maybe they thought we wouldn't continue hitting them," said Jacobsen, whose team hits 38 percent of its three-point tries. "That might work, if we ever hit a cold spell."

They are cocky, but I guess they have a right to be right now.

 

Against a team like Phoenix, the Rockets need to slow the game down, not try to keep up with the Suns. There is no way, with their personnel, that they can keep up with the Suns in a running game for 48 minutes. If they can keep the Suns to below 90 points, they have a great chance to win. If they let Phoenix score close to 110 points, they lose. I believe it is that simple.

Force Phoenix to play at the Rocket's pace. Force them to play defense for 24 minutes a possession. Force them to play a playoff style game. Force they to adjust to the Rockets, into a style of game they are not so comfortable with.

In the last Pho-Hou game in March 15 2004, Yao scored 29 points on 11-16 shots, pulled down 19 rebounds and helped hold Amere to 7-26 shooting. Houston lost 99-97 (I blame Francis's 3-15 shooting and 5 turnovers) but they had a good chance. Against a short team like the suns, there is no bigger mismatch for the Rockets than Yao. Rockets did a poor job of exploiting their favourable mismatches, while Phoenix did a great job in doing that (utilising their speed). And that is why I believe the Rockets lost.

 

Transition defense after missed shots. It wasn't on the poll though.

 

TMac shot too much, but it's not on the list.

It's okay to force the shot occationally when no one else can get it off, or in special situations like the time we played the Spurs. But in order to win consistently, you have to find the best option, take it from there. TMac forced too many shots when we have many good shooters on the floor last night. He also held the ball too long before made his mind to penetrate, or shoot. I guess that's a JJ disease?

 

There was nothing wrong with the Rockets against except transition D at time otherwise they did exceptionally well the Suns were just to hot

 

I don't know it is true or not. I just notice that Sura always not try to pass to yao and from his body language I feel he is a fan or the Tmac. If someone front the yao so our roster may fear pass to yao will cause a TO but what I saw is many times Yao just open and no one front him he still not pass to yao. Strange. is this about the chemistry?

who can tell me am wrong or not.

 

Yao's passiveness, and team chemistry are directly related to Coach Van Gundy.

You can never blame a loss on poor shooting. But you can blame Van Gundy for such a dramatic drop off in T Mac scoring average.

The only two options in this poll are Van Gundy or if the Sun's were too hot.

I say Van Gundy