http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Game_Quotes_Rockets_84_Laker-204006-34.html They Said It ... Game Quotes: Rockets 84, Bulls 77 Jeff Van Gundy On the game tonight: "They are a good defensive team. Their record of 15-3, now 15-4 shows it. We missed some makable shots and in the second half just shot a little better, that was the difference. We are a confident team. That is not our problem. Our problem is playing good vs good teams like this. To win against a team like this you have to make plays and make shots. I thought we did a good job and played efficiently in the second half." On the "Gordon" defense: "Yes, at the end Shane was on Ben Gordon. Rafer was doing a good job on him. I also thought that Ben Gordon could have problems against size. I had Shane on Deng but when they went exclusively to Ben, I switched him over on him. I also thought Chuck made some really good effort plays and showed a lot of aggressiveness out there. When we're playing that small, we have to be playing technically better." On their rebounding: "Dikembe rebounded well again tonight. I also thought Chuck got a couple of late ones that were also important. I really liked how our guys got right back in this game in the second half playing so well. Last night was the same thing. We're just a team that hangs in there. We have been without McGrady or Yao both since about December 9th. This is not a "woe is me" team, but they fight and play as a team and find a way to win. They're good competition and terrific teammates." Tracy McGrady: "It seems like we just couldn't get it going. I was tired, I was tight, they did a great job of denying me the ball. I came out firing in the 2nd half and it seemed to open things up a bit." On his 4th quarter: "With Ben Gordon doing what he did in the 4th quarter, I had to match him." "I felt like we were going to win the whole time. The first half we just played terrible basketball. They keep coming at you and had a comfortable enough lead to win at home but we were fortunate to win the game. They've been really good at home so to win, especially after playing last night, was really big for us." On Yao being out of the line-up: "When you lose 25 or 26 points a game, I have to be more of a playmaker. I have to change my game and look to score more often. With him being out, I have to go out and play more like I did in Orlando which was looking for my shot much more often." "I think it's important for everyone to compete even if we have some injuries. You should look at it like this is your time. We have to continue to have guys step up their game. Mutumbo has done that. Luther Head: On returning to Chicago: "It's fun, man, to hear people cheer for you on the road was nice." Shane Battier: "Well, when we came in at halftime and obviously our offense didn't look pretty out there. Coach said to continue to concentrate on our defense. We started to execute much better offensively in the 4th quarter and that got us going enough to get through it. The win was huge. Anytime you can beat the Bulls here as well as they've been playing, you just take it and go back to Houston."
big big big big big win now we have to keep it up...o boy o boy wat wud i do if the rockets continue on and beat the lakers....and for the first time since being a rocket i think tmac will out play bryant wednesday night....touch wood
This was a special win against a strong young team- after losing in OT and beating Utah-I liked Van Gundy's quote about our confidence and not giving up T-Mac is playing beyond himself right now-carrying this team
haha is it me or was JVG giving Rafer credit for his defence? that being said, looks like T-macs mind set has returned at least
Rafer does play good defense a lot of the time. I know it's popular to hate Rafer right now, but his defense has improved measureably this year.
This whole thing about "hate" when a player really truly sucks is just getting tired. If you are a true fan of the rockets and want them to go the distance you should be concerned. Do you know how many Tear Drop/Layups Rafer Missed in the bulls game. He is a good Back Up- and it is not even funny if the head coach is really BSing about Rafer. Loyalty is great- but if it hurts my rockets everyone is expendable.
did you watch last nights game rafer got burned time after time by gordan in the 2nd half. if his defence has improved i dont see it, jvg pulled him to put in shane in the final mins cuz he was such a def. liability......dont fool yourself HE SUX!
Do you know anything about Ben Gordon? When he's hot and gets a chance to size up a team, nobody is more dynamic on offense. He is an incredible talent that torches a good many teams. Did you know as a rookie he led the NBA in 4th quarter points? Leaving Rafer on him was JVG's fault, not Rafer's. Why there was rarely any help defense until the final minute remains a mystery. Rafer is a terrible defender (and player) but don't blame him for Gordon's 4th quarter torch job last night. Watch a few more Bulls games and see why. We are fortunate the last minute help defense and switch to Battier threw him off.
that's it: QUOTE OF THE YEAR... I've heard a lot of idiotic Van Gundy post game quotes, like his favorite excuse: "we didn't defend the pick and roll", but this gotta be the best one yet... Rafer was doing a good job on him, YEAH, A GOOD JOB!!!!! Gundy is trying 2 make a point; it's not about winning basketball games for him anymore. it's about proving that he was right when he traded James for Rafer. he doesn't want to "change his mind" and admit that he made a mistake. and he doesn't want 2 get laughed at if he pulls him out in the middle of the season. instead, he is playing him max minutes to let him "regain his confidence" and play well. but guess what, it's not doing him any good. Gundy looks more r****ded every game he plays Rafer. I am really embarrased for him. it's very unfortunate that I have to "pollute" a "JVG praising thread" with my JVG "hating" posts. but this is really sad. when your coach makes a false statement that's obvious for an 11 years old kid, u know something is wrong. and all of u defending Rafer, please stop. at least not right now. wait until his shooting % go up from dead last and then try to defend him. his defense? are u kidding me? the only good thing about him is that he plays the passing lanes, but this is a gamble and he usually gets out of position and results in an easy 2. we got schooled by r****ded PGs the whole year. u call that good D?
I really wonder sometimes if some of you actually know what decent defense looks like. against non-superstar players, Rafers team defense is passable ,and even decent most of the time. To say that he is horrible at defense is purely axaggeration to help your normal hatred towards him. Im as concerned about his shooting as wnyone, but at least I recognize the importance of the stability he brings to the poistion. The way I figger it If his coach and his teammates and our own announcers (who are probably as smart about basketball as anyone behind a mic) alll agree he brings anough tot he court to offset his lousy shooting, IM more inclined to go with their opinions since the mesh pretty well with what I know about the technical aspects of basketball. flame away...it dont bother me
