I think Artest can slow down James enough to keep the game interesting. I'm concerned about the size advantage Mo Williams has over AB. I think this is where Lowry may come in handy.
The "old" Rockets, If you're talking about earlier in this season, were lost on defense, as well. At least we seem to have found our defensive niche.
I think it will take them a while to get it together with the new lineups, but there are positive signs, like the second quarter.
Good game! I was extremely happy in the second quarter to see the bench move the ball around and get nice looks to increase the lead. A little aggravating to see Portland cut the lead in the 4th quarter due to all the flopping and refs not giving Yao any calls, the man gets cut in the face and he gets a traveling call WTF! Artest needs to get a better shot selection looks like he just jacks the ball up.. Over all good game Lebron you aint ready!!!!!!
Great Game. I was there sitting 4th row and we looked great. Yao was terrible until the 4th quarter, but Aaron and Ron Ron picked up the slack. Wafer had a couple good plays and MORE than a couple head-scratchers. Scola was dominate on the boards, per usual. Chuck Hayes, carrying Landry's minutes, played a great game defensively with 6 pts and 5 rebs. in 19 minutes, along with his usual great hustle and defense. Aaron was the story though, this kid can light it up when he wants to. He is the real deal. I don't know why he insists on driving into a lane full of giants from time to time, but hey, they guy makes up for it in other ways. As far as Lowry is concerned, he is looking better and better each game. When he learns the passes that Yao can and CAN'T catch, he will make a huge contribution to this team, especially against teams with smaller lineups (cleveland starts Delonte west and Mo Williams). Luther Head was active for last night's game, but was in street clothes. We need to bring him into the rotation CAREFULLY and not mess up what we have going here. 8 in a row at home and 5 in a row overall. Even with a loss to the Cavs (which I wishfully don't see happening) this will be a successful home-stand and we are hot right now. We have to stay hot too because the Jazz and Lakers are just as hot. If we can sneak up past the Nuggets and play the Blazers or the Hornets in the first round it would be wonderful. ANYONE BUT THE JAZZ!!! As far as the Cavs game, if we win this one we could be considered a real contender for the Lakers in the playoffs, right there with the Spurs. We already played the Lakers well at home (2 missed Rafer free throws away from Overtime). Dallas was the biggest game of the season to that point. Then Portland was the biggest. Took care of those jokers Now, this game vs. Cleveland is the biggest game of the season and the sky is the limit if we can win this one in Houston. they are only 18-10 on the Road and we are 21-6? at Home. Advantage : Rockets! In Morey We Trust! Open to suggestions, comments, questions. --Blizzle
Great win! However, the way Yao was effectively neutralized in the the 4th quarter is worrisome. Brooks looked great, but he had some big turnovers in crunch time and Artest took some bad shots (as usual). Scola was fantastic! Hayes bascially shut down Aldridge (again). I'm glad the refs finally took a stand and called Pryzbilla for a foul after his two consecutive flops vs. Yao. That was pathetic.
Nice one. The last three offensive rebounds Luis Scola got were worth more than diamonds. AB did a great job in the last two free throw. Ron's 4th from the last free throw nearly made me dropped my glasses, man, the ball nearly jumped out and went back in . Hayes did a wonderful job guarding Aldridge(I hope I spelt his name right) Yao got into foul trouble too early, and didn't contribute much after his return. But I know he was trying hard to get it right, all he needed was a monster dunk to release the emotion , he will get it anyway, probably in the next game against Blazers. Nice win boys. We gonna have to keep it that way, or Tmac will be laughing at us for being losers without his "significant contribution"
Przybilla was really getting under Yao's skin, you could really tell by yao's body language at the game. Chilcutt
what do these these (Tmac) poster shave against brooks?...lol, change your screen name to somebody who actually doesn't quit on teammates even when the going is not tough
With all due respect, Hero, I did write "seemingly." I was not stating this as fact, but I think many would agree that at 7'6" Yao definitely does miss way too many dunks and gets blocked far too often by players substantially shorter and smaller than him. Additionally, upon further inspection of facts, and unless I am misinterpreting these facts, the tallest player in the league (Yao Ming) gets his shots blocked at a rate of 10%. http://www.82games.com/0809/08HOU16.HTM This information also details that Yao gets his shots blocked at a rate of 13% from close range and inside at a rate of 11%. With regard to your reference to Al Jefferson, who is effectively at least 8 inches shorter than Yao, 82games details that Al gets his shots blocked at a rate of 9%. http://www.82games.com/0809/08MIN13.HTM From close range, Al gets blocked at a rate of 12% and 10% inside. Like I said previously, Yao is a real joy to watch when he's raining mid-range, turnaround jumpers, soft fades, and strong hooks. He's a real embarrassment when he's blowing wide open dunks at his size. He's a real embarrassment when he's fumbling around and falling and flailing uncoordinated when he's supposed to be a superstar.
0 filed goal in last 6mins (10 possessions) 4th quarter, Yao scored 3fg, 6min left blazer start to front Yao, Rockets fail to pass the ball to Yao, 10 possessions no filed goal, if w/o scola's hustle play, this could be a loss. AB has long way to go. Luckly rockets did not pay the price, rockets get a free lesson from blazers.
