OK, so I only got to watch half of the Sonics game last night thanks to the combined conspiracy of FOXSW and Optel Cable, but here are my observations: 1. Defense...no sustained intensity. Who cares if you score 100 points when you allow 110? The running game will only work if the defense stiffens up. 2. Walt Williams...what is UP with this guy? Seems like every time he touched the ball last night it turned into an instant turnover or a missed shot. Let's change his nickname from "Wizard" to "Gizzard" because he is stinking up the Laptop like fried chicken's innards! 3. Free Throws...can anyone on this team hit them consistently? Didn't the Rockets used to be a good FT shooting team 2-3 years ago?? What happened??? Can anything be done about this?? That's it...if I post anymore I'll puke my coffee. Now bring the flames!!!! ------------------ Just Win Baby! More Than Four Times!
Part of the reason that we allowed so many points was because we didn't have Cato(not to mention Hakeem). The Sonics got a ton of offensive rebounds which led to a bunch of second chance points. And our interior defense also sucked. And I'm not only talking about Gary Payton's layups at the end of the game. It was happening all throughout the game. Pretty much a layup drill for Payton and the Sonics. With Cato there, we would have gotten more rebounds and better defense. Walt played like crap yesterday, but he was having a good streak going. He played 2 or 3 games pretty well. Tonight was just an off night for him I guess. I think he was just trying to force the action. ON one play, he shot a fadeway jumper as soon as he got the ball. The shot didn't even come close. He needs to stop forcing the action.
Seriously guys, think about how close we have been these games without cb and dream. Now we are close to getting hakeem back, We could win alot of games with him helping us in the 4th. How many are you guys tired of mobley shooting the ball when he is having an off night? I am
Francis3, I think it only looks like we are playing some of these teams close. Not everytime, at times we are in control but I think some teams play at less than maximum speed against us then step it up in the 4th for the W. Could be wrong. Dream will certainly improve our competitiveness though. Thank goodness he should be back soon. We had our chances to win with Payton and Vernon missing so many shots but we missed many of our own instead, and yes I mean my man clutch, CAT. Carlos can be excused for missing many since he had a bad case of the flu and I didn't know that but thought he was having a heck of a game playing with heart.
BBallfanatic, PRECISELY. One thing I noticed when I had season tickets a few years ago..before moving to Austin. Is that most NBA players coast through about 3 quarters and turn it on in the fourth. There is less effort on the court then at the local YMCA, where if you win you keep playing, if you lose you sit. I wish they would structure contracts based on the teams Wins vs Losses. Then players would hustle more often. The Rockets are losing in the 4th because other teams turn it up a notch and we can not yet. DaDakota
RMT you are SOOOOOO right!! I have been thinking the same thing about the defense, or lack thereof for...well, the entire season. I mean how many games have the Rockets let their opponents score over 100 points? Answer - 14 times. And four more times we let our opponent score at least 98 points. I am sorry, but that is pathetic when we are only averaging 97.9 points per game. Forget hoping this player or that player starts hitting baskets. What this team needs are some serious practices where the focus is defense. I won't even touch on the other two points you made cause you pretty much hit it right on. I think I am going to the double signature from here on out! ------------------ Without a good defense, there is no offense. We don't need no stinking badges!!! We need some stinking WINS!!!
Pimpster, thanks for the props. Our Rockets used to pride themselves on tenacious defense. It is that kind of defensive play that ignites the running game and leads to a crapload of easy buckets. One does not work without the other. The intensity should come with time, but for now it just isn't there. Hopefully Hakeem's return can crank it up a bit. ------------------ Just Win Baby! More Than Four Times!
