First the 3Q defense was the best team defense I've seen all year by the Rockets. If they could just emmulate that for a whole game. Griffin did a great job on the defensive end. Moochie didn't dribble excessively. He made a series of nice passes, and his favorite target last night seemed to be Cato. Mostly Moochie passed and made some 3's at the very end of the game. Francis, had a horrible first half, but some of his turnovers were actually trying to pass out of tripple teams, which so many people complained about. In the second half he was even better and more of his passes found there mark. It's true he made some mistakes, but he did improve on at least trying to pass. You won't see it so much in the Assists column for a couple of reasons. One of the passes was to Moochie who then got the dish to Cato. A couple of others resulted with players going to the line, and not getting the basket. Still he did pass out more than normal. KT, didn't have a strong game last night, but he did pass the ball a lot, which many people complained that he wasn't doing previously. Cat, seemed also to work more on passing the ball out, instead of putting up forced shots. With one minute to go, and the game still within reach Cat drove the lane, and found he had no where to go, instead of putting up an ill-advised shot, Cat passed the ball to Eddie G, who was wide open on the wing. Of course EG missed the shot, but the point is, that Cat passed the ball. Cato, caught the ball tonight! I think he only bobbled one. I think Rudy must have talked to the team about passing, because it looked like they were all making an effort to pass out of double and tripple teams more tonight than in the past. They seemed kind of uncomfortable doing it and weren't totally effective at it, however. Maybe they are just starting to grow accostomed to that kind of game and the more they do it the better they will be. When trying something new, I think we can expect more turnovers. But this unselfish play is what so many people have been complaining about. I know we lost, but it's puzzling that of all the usual complaining suspects not one of them mentioned Cat's passing to EG when the game was on the line, or that KT made the pass instead of forcing the shot. There have been numerous threads about EG being open and not getting the ball, or KT not giving it up, but not even a mention when those things were changed last night... or at least attempted to change, and there's still just more whining and complaining. Yep the team lost, and that sucks, but so many of the areas that people called for improving were actually addressed last night, and no one seemed to notice. Oh well. Nice job Rockets 'Fans'
Nice thread, until I read "Oh well. Nice job Rockets 'Fans'". Cat passing to EG at the end was impressive. Also I noticed KT passing to EG for a slam ...... so the "KT not passing to EG" saying was overthrown. All will be well with the Rockets!
I thought it was a great game. The third quarter was fantastic. That's a very impressive attack. I think they'll learn to keep that up in the fourth, and prep to break a zone with interior passing. Attacking the basket pays, either with big men taking it down low or clearing out for our explosive, driving, high-flying guards. I really prefer dunks to jumpers; closer stop and pop pull-ups to fadeaways or spot-ups from 20+. I'm not big on the iso, you know, unless you can clear a path to the basket - I'd rather see steve pick and roll or give and go with Cato or Grif. A lot of positive in the game tho, and looking forward to see what they can carry forward tonight. p
Yeah, good post! I think some people just have their minds made up on Cuttino, Kenny, and Moochie, so no matter what they do to improve noone's going to notice. And, is it a coincidence that none of these three players were highly-touted when they came into the NBA? Probably, but I'm sure there's a couple of fans that are never going to even give them a chance.
Just so you know that comment wasn't to all the Rockets fans, just the ones who've gotten into the habbit of complaining, win or lose. I don't mind complaining if it's balanced with positive comments when players correct or try and correct the things that people complain about. It no longer seems valid, and just like habitual complaining. With that said, I don't think I will harp on it anymore, at least in that fashion.
I was impressed with the team defense in the third quarter. I thought everyone was doing a great job. I thought Moochie did a great job being decisive with his moves and looking for the open man. Cuttino really seems to be "letting the game come to him" and didn't force any action. Stevie seemed very in control of the action in the third quarter and much of the fourth. Although, they had some poor execution against the 1-3-1 zone, I thought they did a great job of knowing what they wanted to do to beat the zone. The guards seemed determined to keep penetrating and passed the ball around well. I am very excited about the growth of this team. When this team is healthy the bandwagon will refill very quickly.
FranchiseBlade, Hey! Man, you can tell I was joking right? Losing is hard to take for us fans and it sucks! So it bounds to have some fans who complain night in and night out. I understand your frustration, but there's something left to be understood also. Take it easy man! Not all fans are as good as you and I.
Francis 30 pts against. That's what I think is positive. I don't care if he had 6 turnovers. He still played good.
