Now that, I don't agree with. I thought Rafer had a horrible game. Not just his shooting either. Careless passes that led to TOs and you can't ignore his typical brickfest. He did some good things as usual but he didn't penetrate enough, either, as usual. PGs have to do be able to do that, even with our style of play. He was once again giving the ball to Tracy before he got to half court. I'm sure that was partially just to get Tracy some touches. Regardless, I am not satisfied with Rafer just bringing the ball up the court and dropping it off to another player on the perimeter. A starting PG has to be able to do more than that, even in an Adelman-run system.
Just some thoughts and observations from a Rockets fan in New Hampshire (yeah... Celtics country..., sort of) after seeing the game and post-game coverage: <ol> <li>Homer commentary is so much more enjoyable when it's for your team. It's enough to make you miss Clyde Drexler. <li>One commentator said that "T-Mac is known for being a fake tough guy," while managing to overlook Paul Pierce's ridiculous attempt to oversell a collision with Artest. Pierce is every bit as much of a diva as T-Mac. I need only point to the oh-no-my-knee-is-hurt-oh-wait-here-I-come-to-save-the-day routine he pulled in the finals. <li>I was especially amused by Artest's performance art/mockery of Pierce some time later by dramatically flopping to the floor after one of Pierce's hands landed on his shoulder. I was even more amused that Pierce was called for a foul on that play. <li>Artest may be the only truly "street" baller who was on that floor tonight. He plays hard, he plays tough, and he plays to win. I'm kinda on the fence about him hipchecking Ray Allen into the "good seats" (over $100 for a folding chair by the court isn't what I'd call a good seat, but hey... location, location, location), but he just had a way of making everyone else on the floor look cotton candy soft in comparison. <li>Seeing how badly Luther is playing these days really makes me sad. <li>I was pleased to see Celtics fans extending hands to the Rockets for handslaps. This was one helluva game, and I was glad to see some Celtics fans acknowledging the Rockets' efforts... or at least, saying thanks for a surprisingly good preseason game. </ol> Let's see... yup, that's all I got. Helluva game. Counting down to the regular season. Keeping my fingers crossed. GO ROCKETS.
I never said he was good. i said solid. rafer has the ability to be good i agree. he needs to start using his good dribble penetration ability to attack the rim so he can creat open shots for the bigger guys in the paint or start drawing fouls. he needs to be more then just a guy who brings the rock. however, i do think he is still a solid playmaker who still has weaknesses in his game.
Thanks for the thoughts! Tommy was over the top tonight. I think the Celtics are scared of us. Tommy included. It was very entertaining to watch. Bill Walker needs a frontal lobotomy. Seriously. Relieve some of the ego pressure on his brain. His post game comments were unreal.
Didn't see the game, but I read the post-game Chronicle article, and I was surprised to learn that apparently Tmac actually came out way early for warmups and was sweatin'-which I must say is a first. Then this part excited me more than anything, because Tmac is finally starting to do that extra hard work and preparation to make himself a better player: He also did not have the usual elevation on his 3-pointers, but that was by design. After making just 29.2 percent of his 3-pointers last season, McGrady watched tapes of his form last season and compared it to during the seasons he led the league in scoring (when he made 33.9 percent and 38.6 percent of his 3s), and made a change. “Back when I was in Orlando, I didn’t jump as high and I shot the ball pretty damn good, especially from 3,” McGrady said. “I watched some film and for some reason, I was jumping high on my 3s. That’s why now it’s more of a relaxed shot.” He did not take any 3s in the game, but he was involved in just about everything else possible, and far more than he expected. “I thought I wasn’t playing,” McGrady said. “That’s why I came out here and worked the way I did. It’s great the way it turned out.” Thats a great sign. Now was it that hard to finally diagnose yourself through film watching? Perhaps something that trivial can net some positive results for Tmac, and consequently, the team.
I bet ya, none of those celtics fans thought of pissing off Ron Artest. When he has that mean look in his eye... look out, head for the hills.
He did take one three and got fouled, T-Mac-style. Most importantly, he made all 3 FTs afterward and 8 of 9 for the game. That's a good sign.
Basically that he wasn't to blame for starting it. That tmac was trying to bully him and gave him a cheapshot. I'll see if I can find the quote on one of the Celtics sites.
He's either lying or in denial. He undoubtedly shoved both T-Mac and Yao first. He got what he deserved from T-Mac. I don't think T-Mac should have let it carry on with Eddie House but it was nice to see him show some passion. Artest's attitude is contagious. Awesome to see him getting under people's skin and not losing control. He was actually acting as peacekeeper at times. This guy is a blessing.
It's also in the recap article on the Chronicle site: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6053598.html Which is baloney because I saw, replayed several times, exactly where T-Mac hit Walker. Unless Walker's throat is in the right side of his rib cage, T-Mac was nowhere near Walker's throat.
That Bill Walker is just unbelievable. He needs to realize that he's in the NBA now , where everyone is stronger and more physical. If he can't deal with the contact, then get out of the league, Rookie.
Frankly, what I'm having some difficulty with, is what appears to me to be an increasingly thuggish, defensive, spoiled brat mentality on the Celtics squad. Maybe it's just my perception, but it seems to me there are quite a few seriously spoilt apples in that clover green barrel.
Did you happen to hear the play where Luis bobbled the ball and recovered for the lay in and the announcer called that play "el lucko"... This guy is as tasteless as it gets, someone should really complain about him.
I could only catch a few minutes of the game. Is Houston defending the pick and roll differently this year? I saw a couple of plays with Chuck Hayes stepping out on the guard, but not recovering to his own man. Instead, he picked up a weak side post player. I think Scola was sliding over to cover Chuck's man.
Yeah, I caught that. It definitely got under my skin. It also told me that announcer has no idea Scola got 39 points in the Olympics with the Argentine team. That play tonight was not luck, but tenacity and grit. God, I hate New Hampshire.
