Don't mislead, Sammy. It doesn't look good on Clutch, who inexplicably holds you in such ridiculously high regard. While it is true at one point the Rockets' lead was trimmed down to 2 in the 3rd quarter, the lead went back up to 10+ with both Yao and Rafer in the line up. As a matter of fact, Rafer out-performed MJ in the 3rd period: Rafer: 9'28", 5 points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3-PT), 1 PF, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 TO MJ: 2'31", 0 point (0-1 FG), 1 PF, 1 AST The numbers don't lie: http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20071101&game=HOUUTH Now feel free to cite MJ's intangibles in the 3rd quarter to boost your argument or find another stint to continue your Rafer-bashing.
<br> because they played the whole entire game......has that ever occured to you....or anyone else......our starters minutes were much more than the starters from other teams
this poll is stupid. its obvious mike james, bonzi wells, and scola will come off the bench the whole season because they provide such a great spark. would u really want rafer and hayes to come off the bench when our starters are struggling?
<br> are you kidding me.....did you watch the game.... <br> sure rafer got lucky and hit two shots......but he had that turnover.....and basically because of his stupid passing made yao turn it over twice....... <br> Its sad when you know that the opposing teams fans want you to have that player out there
Yeah I watched the game, rookie. Rafer got lucky when he hit his two shots ... hmm ... sorry son that argument doesn't fly, as Sammy would tell you in his own thread. True Rafer had a stupid turnover but he also had a steal so these two canceled out each other. True Rafer also made a lazy pass to Yao, but how do you turn over twice in one possession? LOL If you are still confused, I was not talking about one or two isolated plays, but the whole 9.5-min stint in the 3rd period in which Rafer played and which Sammy used as his strong "evidence" to bash Rafer and pimp MJ. In other words, I am trying to help Sammy out, if he's a lawyer arguing in court, citing a poor example doesn't help his case.
I say keep it as is for another couple of games. If the slow starts continue, Adelman obviously has to make a move. If we had lost either of the first two games I would be more inclined to make a change right now. Because MJ's perfect role is being first off the bench, let's give Rafer a little more time as starter. My first reaction would be just bring MJ off the bench sooner when we are slow out of the gate. Because he is so good at coming into the game with an attack mentality, why spoil a good thing by starting him and changing his focus to getting Yao and Tracy involved? Late in games, MJ is settled down and plays fine with Tracy and Yao. But when he comes in late in the first quarter, I want him putting instant pressure on his defender. Still, we cannot allow the slow starts to continue indefinitely and MJ should be moved to starter if the problem persists. Regarding Scola, I feel like eventually the gap between him and Chuck will become pretty wide as the season progresses. I say keep Chuck as starter as long as possible. Put Scola in the game sooner and see how that goes and only start him as a last resort. When we play weaker teams, Rafer and Chuck should be good enough as starters. But against the better teams we could continue having problems. I hope Adelman is able to create a team-first mentality where Rafer, MJ, Chuck & Scola dont care who starts. It could vary and be determined by who the opponent is. If the other PG is weak, Rafer should be fine. If the other PF is a very good offensive player (except for maybe Shirk), definitely leave Chuck in. It's great when Bonzi/MJ/Scola come in demolish the other teams reserves. Let's keep that going if we can.
<br> well to correct your reading problem....I never stated that he made yao turn over the ball twice on the same possession....thanks for manipulating my words <br> Second, a man who usually only makes around 33% of their shots is gonna be lucky if he makes two in a row <br> third, did you just try to insult me by calling me a rookie poster? HAHAHA. That's pathetic
I voted to start Scola over Hayes. what I hope eventually happens is that francis (1) gets in shape (2) has a good attitude about his role on the team (3) becomes the one that replaces alston as the starter. I'm a little worried about (2) happening though.
Thank you for the support wnes. I'm not trying to say that Rafer is better than James in any way, but the numbers do not lie. We are more efficient when Rafer is on the floor. If we were playing that poorly because of him, Adelman would not have him out there. He is a professional basketball coach with very good credentials and I trust that he will make the best decision for the team.
wnes, I know you are a frustrated man, who has lost a ton of face on this board, mostly to me, in fact I have but let me splain some things to you, my little china doll Please read the posts. This is the instance I'm referring to, it was rather hard to miss:: End of Second half, Rockets up 8. Battier then extends to 10 on the intial possession Jazz immediately go on 8-0 run, due to misfires from Yao and Rafer, and poor defense from both - look at the play by play: But this doesn't even give the full detail of what happened and give a full PBP. The problems were really on defense, where Rafer couldn't stop Williams penetration and Yao was, once again, hopeless vs. Boozer. Middle of the 3rd Period - Rafer hits 5 straight points - this is what I was talking about earlier in the thread: here is where I specifically acknowledged this in this very thread a few pages back http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=3209580&postcount=24 That's what I meant when I said hitting shots at the right time. I was thinking that the audience for that comment had watched the game, which evidently you didn't. Beginning = BEFORE the middle. Beginning of 3rd - Utha goes on 8-0 run. Middle: Rafer scores 5 straight points. End of 3rd: Mike James comes in for the last 2 minutes of 3rd - of course he doesn't match Rafer's stats, you idiot, he only played 2 minutes compared to 10 from Rafer!!! But if we include his stats from the beginning of the 4th he had like 6 points, 6 assists, some steals, blah blah etc. Are you really, really trying to argue with me that Rafer had a better game than James last night? Doubtful, so you must be speaking out of bitterness So I don't know where this bitterness comes from - is it because Yao sucked donkey nuts for most of the game? Or is it because you were bashing James like an idiot last season and now feel ashamed of your eventual face deposit when search is turned back on? Understand or you no understand? Eh, who cares, either way.. ALL YOUR FACE ARE BELONG TO ME
Hi i´m new, and i think the way things are is fine for the team, althou i think Scola´s best shot is being underused (JS off the pick n roll). Rockets best scenario is that Francis gets into shape and understand that he has the talent to be a playmaker and try to play that way, then you could either start Steve or James and leave Steve or Rafer, or Rafer or James depending on if you want to move the ball or not. (this will mainly depend on other teams defense) What i am more concerned about is that i see Yao a lil lost in Adelman´s style of play, there should be better with a coach that slow the peace of the game cause Yao is slow for this system. This is kinda off topic but it would be wise if we have a better pass first PG than Rafer because the other PG we have are all Shoot First and you dont want that on a team where your primary weapons are playing SG and C. It would be amazing if they can go after Jason Kidd he might be old but in the rockets he will only need assist.
This compounds your face loss. As a chinese, this must be a dark day for you YOU ARE NOW IN FACE DEBT TO ME. YOU HAVE NO CHANCE MAKE YOUR TIME
I would like to see three of the five scoring options on the floor at all times: James, T-Mac, Bonzi, Scola, and Yao. As to starting I would pick Bonzi over Shane.
At this moment, things should stay the same. As Scola learns/adapts, I do feel he should be the starter. We've started both games poorly, and another scoring would definitely help. Would hurt our second unit a tad, but Bonzi/James are playing well enough. James should remain the spark off the bench, season long. He's played better when he's the first or second option, and generally plays like it. That will never be the case with Yao and Tracy on the floor.
im really not concerned about who is starting. They all seem to get about the same minutes. That being said, Scola really impressed me last night with his performance and additude.
I say neither for now. Seeing as how they played this way all last year, the starting five are used to the lack of offense from Alston. However, if Alston can't find an offensive groove, I'd look for a change before the All-Star Break. IMO, James is best suited for coming off the bench, so this leaves Steve Francis for the potential starting PG. Either Steve gets in shape and proves he still has game, or there may be a trade for a starting PG. I'm thinking the latter, but hoping for the former. As for Scola, I like his ability to play both PF and center especially when playing against smaller second-string frontcourts, which will be the majority of the time. The Hayes/Scola frontcourt has been a pleasant surprise, and this will allow Scola, Hayes and Yao to all get starter's minutes. Bringing Scola off the bench gives Adelman these options. Finally, I also think keeping the starting lineup from last year intact has a little to do with Adelman trying not to disrupt the chemistry of last year and not seem like he's trying too aggressively to "put his stamp" on this team. This is not the main reason by any means but i think a small part of it.
