I was at the game and I was stunned, shocked, and extremely happy when it went it. Since I was in the upper deck I didn't notice Rudy trying to get Steve to call a time-out. I was talking to my friends at the game about how much of a dynamic/open-minded thinker Rudy was to tell his team to not take the time out and go for the quick score. I thought it was a brilliant call to catch the Jazz unprepared and get the easy score. This morning listening to 610 on the way to work I found out that it was all Steve's idea and Rudy wanted a time-out. It was hard to figure out how Rudy felt about it and if it hadn't of gone in, he might have said something different in the interview after the game. There definitely is a lot of good and bad that went with this last second play, IMHO. Good: <li>We won the game. <li>It caught Utah off guard, they were expecting a time out. <li>Steve had a better look that he normally would if we called a timeout and had a set play. <li>Steve had the guts to go with his instinct. <li>The game was tied, so the worst scenario was overtime. Bad: <li>Steve went against the coach. <li>It possibly shows a sign of disrespect, depending on the person. Most coaches would be furious with a player not calling the time-out. Rudy seems to be more laid back, but I wonder how he really feels about the issue. What does everyone else think? B
i didn't know that. i was there as well.. and i thought it was a good move to not let utah set up the defense.. and just go down the court... rudy wanted a timeout?
I'm just happy they won. Glad to see them play better after the Warriors game. Wish everyone would stop worrying about what lotto pick the Rockets get and start cheering for the team... every game means something
I think it was one of the smartest moves I have seen from Francis. Maybe he did see Rudy and knew that the Jazz were expecting him to call a timeout. Since we were tied, he had nothing to lose....no guts, no glory. Good job Steve. DD
Dude, we beat the JAZZ!! Not only that, but we've beaten the Jazz TWICE in a row! When was the last time we beat the Jazz two times in a row?? The '95 playoffs? If you actually wanted the Rockets to lose this game, then that means you wanted the Jazz to win, and ANYBODY that wants the Jazz to beat the Rockets at any time isn't a true Rockets fan... The ONLY time I'll root for the Jazz to win is if it means they will face Sacramento in the playoffs. Other than that... I HATE THE JAZZ!
Any time we can beat the Jazz, I'm happy. I didn't know we even had any Time Outs left. It seemed to me to just be a perfect play. Steve stuck the jumper in Stockton's face.
If it meant we were taking a step closer to the playoffs, I would be thrilled....otherwise, I could care less who we lose to at this point.
We never ever ever ever ever want the Jazz to win. There is no way that Sacramento is worse than Utah (well I guess Vlade is as good a flopper as Malone and Stockton). As for the shot...I celebrated quietly. If we were in the running for the playoffs or were worried about playoff seedings, I would have been more excited. BUT, a win over Utah is a win over a good team. Some days, things are looking brighter, and others, we look like Chicago. I just hope Steve's decision to not call a timeout will not affect his relationship with Rudy and the Rockets organization. I hate the Utah Jazz!!!
Actually, I want the Jazz to play Sac in the first round, because The Kings b****slapped the Jazz all three times they have played this year... The only thing sweeter than Utah getting swept in the first round this year is getting beat by 30 points in each game doing so...
Good: 1. We beat the Jazz. 2. Steve gets practice at hitting game-winning clutch shots. It's looking like next year he will be "the man" and all that implies. 3. The rest of the team becomes more confident because they know Steve can hit the shot at the buzzer. 4. If you do it in the regular season, it's easier to do it in the playoffs. 5. Maybe this will spill over into other aspects of Steve's game, like making the critical defensive stop at the end of the game. Bad: 1. Went against Rudy. 2. Good vibes from this episode might carry over into another more important game down the road and cause Steve to get carried away and make a critical error. (see Moochie) All in all, I like the move and think it will pay off in the long run. You have to have someone who is clutch and the best way to get clutch is to have opportunities. The more you become clutch the greater your confidence and so you become even more clutch. If you become even more clutch while playing sound basketball within the team concept and flow of the game, you become one of the top players in NBA history. Still, Rudy should give him a wink and make him run a few extra laps just on principle. We don't want this attitude spreading to some of the others on the team.
OK...that sounds acceptable. Raising Jazz Fan's expectations only to "b****slap" them back down is fine with me. GO JAZZ!!!* * - I still hate the Utah Jazz!!!
Just out of curiosity, who, pray tell, is currently "the man" since Steve wont be it until next year?
I think he is making a reference to Moochie hitting multiple game winning shots, and now Steve is ready to be the one going for the game winners. B
In Steve's defense, every game winner that Moochie hit this season has come off a pass from Francis. The two game winners that Steve hit this year, he created the shot on his own... Moochie will NEVER be a go to guy...
I think part of the problem with Steve going for the game winning shot off a set play is the other team is expecting him to be taking the shot, hence him passing it off to Moochie to get the game winner. By Steve not calling the time out he didn't have to face the extra defense, making the shot easier to pull off, IMHO. I think the Rockets should try this once in a while to throw teams off, but not too much to where they will always be expecting it. Also, I think he wouldn't have tried it had we been down by 1. The key to the play was that it was a tie, so the worst case scenario was overtime. B
The guy with the ball doesn't have to be the one to call a timeout does he? If not, then if Rudy really wanted a timeout, one of the other 4 guys would've called it. However, I'm guessing that since it was a tied game, it was OK...but Francis and Rudy would've called the TO if they were down by one. Once again, thank you Karla.
I thought "Yes! We Beat the Floppers!" then I thought "NO!" I had jumped on one of my Cuttino Mobley bobblehead boxes. This is just part of Francis leading the team. He has to make quick decisions out on the floor. Good Job!
