http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Game_Quotes_Rockets_103_Soni-203219-34.html They Said It ... Game Quotes: Rockets 103, Sonics 96 ROCKETS HEAD COACH JEFF VAN GUNDY (on the turnover ratio for the game) "The last three games we have handled the ball significantly better." (on the play of the Rockets) "We're having a hard time guarding right now, but our low turnover (ratio), rebounding and shooting the ball well are keeping us in the games." (on the play of Dikembe Mutombo) "He didn't have the presence of mind to try to go back up and score or throw it out, ran a little clock and then they foul, inbounded to Luther (Head) and he got the 2 free throws. I think Dikembe (Mutombo) played nearly 20 minutes in the 2nd half and played really well. I thought Rafer (Alston) has really been struggling, he struggled in the 1st half, and I'm really proud of him because many times bad 1st halves usually compound with bad 2nd halves. Tonight, he showed great mental strength bouncing back and playing a very good 2nd half." (on the play of Tracy McGrady, especially during strong Sonics' runs) "He's been playing really well. We took some shots tonight because Damien Wilkins, I thought, was outstanding. Ray Allen was lights out, so I thought Seattle played really well and even though we struggled to guard them, somehow we found a way to win." TRACY McGRADY (on the Rockets being able to close out the game) "Another great night. As a whole, I think we did a great job as a team of closing out this game when a team is making a run late in the 4th quarter. I thought we were ready to play at the beginning of the game. We showed a better approach to the game tonight than we did in the last game. We've still got some things we need to improve on. They (Sonics) are a really tough team to guard. They are very athletic, but we found a way to win this game.” (on the Rockets’ effective play lately) "We’re real confident right now. I think the games that we’ve been in have been pretty close down the stretch and we found ways to win. That’s just how we feel. We’re playing confident basketball. When we were in this situation last year, I don’t think we were the type of ball club that knew how to close out games. This year, not only are we confident, but I think we keep our poise and find some way to get the win." (on the Rockets only committing 8 turnovers tonight) “WIth Yao (Ming) out, we really try to get our turnovers down to below 14 a game. Tonight we did a great job of taking care of the ball and limiting our turnovers. With that team right there (Sonics), you turn the ball over, the way Ray Allen and Damien Wilkins are shooting the ball, if we would have turned the ball over, they would have killed us tonight, so I think we did a great job of taking total control of the ball.” (on whether or not he can continue to score 30+ points a game and offensively carrying the Rockets) “I’m just going in the attack mode. I’m going back to what I used to do and that is score the ball. With Yao (Ming) in the line-up, I don’t have to do as much as I have to do right now. He is a big piece that is missing out of our line-up; I’ve got to pick some of that scoring up. I’ve got to lead this ball club while he’s out. I’ve done it before and it’s nothing new to me and I will just continue to do it.” SHANE BATTIER (on the Rockets’ withstanding Seattle’s run in the 4th quarter) “It was one of those games where we did a really good job of answering when they tried to make a push. We were able to create a cushion there in the 2nd half, 8-10 points, and keep it there. It gets a little scary there when Ray Allen keeps hitting one legged shots off the wrong foot, fading away from 3. But aside from that, this was a nice victory.” (on guarding Ray Allen) "He was making me work. I think he’s one of the best players in the NBA and I was just trying to make him work. Trying to make him run off screens. He is so fast and his release is so fast. He can get it going pretty quickly.” (on the Rockets' improved play of late) “We are getting there. We feel like we are rebounding the ball really well right now and our offense is coming around. There are still defensive lapses. We were able to set a defensive tone and that’s what we have to do if we want to try to win big in this league." (on the keys to the victory) “They shot 50% from the floor, but I think we had something like 16 more shot attempts than they did and that comes from doing a great job on the offensive boards and not turning the ball over. We also had 12 or 13 offensive rebounds. You can escape from having a poor defensive night and it was for us tonight, by doing those things.” RAFER ALSTON (on his bouncing back from a rough start shooting) “I’ve struggled like that shooting the ball before in my career. It’s always frustrating. You feel like you’re letting the team down and you feel like you’re not contributing. In the back of your mind, you know that you’re contributing in other ways. Sometimes when you continue to get open looks and you continue to miss them you’re like, ‘Oh, man, I’m hurting the team with my shooting.’ But the team has encouraged me to continue to be aggressive offensively and they continue to give me the ball and Coach (Van Gundy) continues to call my number.” DIKEMBE MUTOMBO (on his increased playing time with Yao Ming out with an injury) “Right now, I have to do whatever I can to do things like crash the boards and to get as many tips as I can and help the team win. I feel good. We had a great meeting yesterday where Jeff (Coach Van Gundy) mentioned that he is thinking about increasing my minutes. I was trying to rest and not do too much. We are working together and we understand that I’m not young, but I think there’s a lot of good improvement so that I can play without getting tired.” SEATTLE SUPERSONICS HEAD COACH BOB HILL (on his team's play) “Compared to last night, it was a whole lot better but we are still having trouble scoring. Ray (Allen) was awfully special. He was on a mission and he put us on his back and almost carried us. We're not rebounding and got beat on the boards and we have to be more competitive." (on the Rockets) "They shot the ball extremely well from the outside.” (on Tracy McGrady) "He's a great player and shot the ball well. He made shots and you have to give him credit." (on his team's rebounding problems) "Our bigs are not getting the job done on the boards. Everybody on the team has to contribute and work on our rebounding." EARL WATSON (on the team's recent play) "We have to take our game to a higher level and play with a determined edge where everyone has to find a way to do something special. We have to play with some pain and find a way to stop this road losing streak." (Is there a way to stop Tracy McGrady?) "My thoughts are just like everyone else and obviously no one has found a way to stop him. He's unreal. If there is a way to stop him, then it takes team defense that has to play together." CHRIS WILCOX (on the Rockets play) "They played well and rebounded and found the right rotations. We couldn't finish in the fourth quarter. (John) Lucas came in off the bench and gave them great energy." (on Tracy McGrady) "He's come back great (from his injury) and he is helping his team win games and he hit some clutch shots for them tonight." RAY ALLEN (on the game) "We were right there in the fourth quarter and gave ourselves a chance but didn't make our stops at the end. We ran the ball well and shared the ball as a team. Damien (Wilkins) shot the ball well and made quick decisions out on the court. We are not getting the rebounds we are needing to get. There's no rule book that says the bigs have to get all the rebounds and the guards have to help too." (on the team's play) "We make small, little mistakes at crucial times of the game and the other team makes a run on us. There are guys that just have to step up and play the game (with Lewis out)" LUKE RIDNOUR (on the team's play) "It was a tough loss. We're not closing out games in the fourth quarter. We're not getting into our transition game enough and we are not scoring well in the half court game."
Wait till Yao come back, Mr Watson. You will know the real meaning of 'HEADACHE'. Not only you have to deal with McGrady but also Rockets' star centre.
Haven’t had the chance to watch any of the last three games, wondering if T-mac is showing any explosiveness in his game?
People will say that he's getting more elevation on his jumper (but I haven't noticed it personally and I've seen all 3 games). He's definitely turning the corner quicker and more aggressively off the pick 'n roll though. As far as the post game quotes, I think Bob Hill gave the most cookie cutter answers I've ever seen. No personality...no insight.
You shot 50% from the field and you're having trouble scoring? I guess he's never heard of defense and rebounding. Perhaps this is how you tell the difference between a good coach and a mediocre coach.
lol at Rafer. "It ain't my fault, guys, my team keeps telling me to shoot so WHAT else can I do?" Hahaha Rafer's a baller. If you think it's hard to guard T-Mac 1 on 1, wait 'till Yao gets back. Hmmm double team McGrady? 2 guys gone. Double team Yao? 2 guys gone. That leaves 1 defender per 3 Rockets. Leave Juwan open? you lose 2 points. Luther? you lose 3 points. Battier? you lose 3 points. Rafer? You get the ball back. He's been making his 3's lately, and very easily, too. I'm not sure if that's because of elevation but it definitely has to do with his legs. Even Clyde said that he's drawing more strength from his legs which is the key to being a long range gunner.
thanks for the update, it's nice to hear mcgrady's got his mojo back... can’t wait to see him throw one down like he used to…or simply blow by the guy guarding him, without any contact.
TMac looks like a new man, looks like he's having fun again. I swear I saw him skipping up the court in one of the earlier games. He's moving much better now, looks real smooth, but real fast too.
I liked reading deke's quotes pretending I was actually listening to his voice, it makes it much more entertaining and funny. Well thats just me anyway
Same here All the quoted text reads alike and in the same tone throughout. On paper it comes across like the same person almost, it could all be Battier. But no way in real life is Deke saying the same words like everyone else lol
Is it me or like, you gave props to Juwan, even though his been trashed many times about not being able to score I think Rafer is in a slump, realisitcally from the 3 line his not that bad.
I'm glad i'm not the only one. not saying tracy wont get hes elevation back, but he dosent getup like he used into in orlando when he is shooting. however, hes explosive first step and hes ability to finish with maximum contact, is back. infact, he seems alot smarter and more mature then the former just pure scorer in orlando. he rebounds better, runs the offense better and now has more moves and ways to score. if anything, hes 3 point shot is better then hes orlando days now as well. when he couldnt penetrate, tracy started homing on hes overall skills in every other department of the game. he is a way better allround player now.
. I love t-mac quotes, ..One day he tells me that he is screwed up in the head by the injury,the next day he says,carrying a team is nothing new to him that he has done it before
