Never smart to complain before the game is over, but that final play in regulation was DISGUSTING. In case you missed it ... With 15 seconds left and game tied at 86, Mobley walked the ball up court, stopped about 35 feet from the basket and milked the clock for an isolation. It was obvious he was milking way too much clock. He just stood there dribbling. With 4 seconds left he threw it to Francis who had no choice but to throw up a desperation, off balance three that airballed. Win or lose, no excuse for that. 15 seconds was plenty of time to get off atleast a decent look. [This message has been edited by Clutch (edited March 04, 2000).]
Ahhhh...the intelligence of Mobley. (sigh) I hope he learns how to play SMART basketball. Some never learn. DaDakota
Another question for bored statisticians: What is our FG% coming out of timeouts? What is our Defensive FG% coming out of timeouts?
DaDakota -- That was pretty weak. I don't think I've ever seen a Rockets guard not take too much time off the clock in the closing seconds of a quarter/half/game. This trait is not specific to Mobley.
You are right Clutch, but did you notice that after Francis went and talked to him quietly that the ball started moving. He gets totally out of control, except when Francis is there to check it. They are a really good team. If you doubt it, watch close next time!!
Freak, Mobley has done the same thing time after time this year. He seems to have no concept of the shot clock. His turnover to assist ratio is one of the worst on the team, yet he is very talented. I think Mobley is a bit of a head case, but I am hoping he matures. The problem is that he is already 25 or 26. DaDakota
DaDakota -- If we could go back and watch all the times that Francis has had the ball in the closing seconds of a quarter, I think you'll see that he does the same thing almost every time as well. Even Drew does it quite a bit. For some reason the Rockets don't know when to "start" the play, or begin their move, in the closing seconds. A lot of times they just take so much time off that they end up pulling up and shooting a three with a man in their face. I noticed this a long time ago, and it's a bit irritating.
according to Rudy, he told Mobley that the most important thing was that he wanted us to take the last shot. Rudy said in the Chronicle, he did not want NJ to have another shot. Rudy did not want a turnover or free throws for that matter to give NJ a shot at the last shot. DaDakota,,,the TO to Assist ratio does not work for Mobley because he is often throwing out of a double team meaning he is often 2 passes away from the person that is open. Mobley stepped up big in the 4th. You have blinders on when you watch Mobley. You only see his mistakes.
HeyPartner, I disagree about the Turnover vs Assist ratio. Francis gets double teamed too, but we use it there. What about the times Cuttino runs the ISO and penetrates and dishes? Or throws it away? I don't see why if you are double teamed it should increase your Turovers, and take away assist opportunities. He has a propensity to turn it over, as does Francis. It is a pet peeve of mine. Make the simple play, no need to do fancy for fancy sake. DaDakota
So does that mean that the turnover-assist ratio cannot be used for Kevin Johnson, John Stockton, Gary Payton and every other point guard who has been trapped to death in the backcourt by the opposition?
Im with you cabbage. Why is it Mobley's stats never "tell the true story" Stats are universal for everyone. No one has a different set of them. This goes hand in hand with the Mobley iso thread. Bottom line is Mobley puts up alot of shots, doesn't hit a good amount of his shots, turns the ball over as much as he assist the ball. And the team loses a larger clip when he is the focus of the offense. At least with Francis, he gets 7 assists. He grabs 5 or 6 boards. He gets steals at a decent clip. I guess Im the only one that doesn't see Mobley's "quickest first step in the NBA" Again, not to rip Mobley. I just think he needs alot more work than some think.
Hafta agree with you shake. Mobes needs to play within the team to make us a better team. Its ok if he iso's some of the time, but he would be much more valuable if he dished it off once in a while after he penetrated. I liked his performance in the Net game, hopefully that is what the future holds. ------------------ If you tell a joke in the forest, but nobody laughs, was it a joke?--Steven Wright
Clutch, I'd take a desperation three and overtime over a tie game and Stephon Marbury with the ball and two seconds on the clock. You go Cat-
WOW, Finally some people who agree with me about Mobley. I would trade him in the offseason in a second if it would bag us a McGrady etc. I think it will be painful to watch Francis and Mobley make the same mistakes, at least Francis makes up for it in other areas..except defense. Mobley has to be our most valuble trade commodity. Since the Rockets have to make a trade to take advantage of the 4.5 million trade exception, I am rooting for Mobley and Williams to be involved in a trade. As for the friendship with Francis? Stevie can make new friends...and winning cures all. DaDakota
Alright Stat-meisters... If Stats are so important, then Fantasy basketball would be more accurate. Let me add two observations from going to over 20 games this year, and watching another 20 on TV. Mobley's Assists and Rebounds could be higher if he had Anderson's role. This is a team game, and Rudy ball as concerns Mobley is about spreading out along the arc and letting Mobley create for the team. It is crap to say he doesn't get others involved. His job is to react to what the defense gives him. If the defense plays a zone and doesn't want him to get his teammates involved, there is little he can do but shoot himself or passively give up the ball. Blame Rudy for not having an answer yet for the zones. I get the feeling some of you guys actually think Mobley is ignoring a sideline play call and making it up himself. That is what Francis is allowed to do. Mobley is doing what the coach instructs him to do; that is why Rudy loves him so much. I much prefer having conversations with Dreamshake, et al about blaming Rudy for the ISO, than to blame the player who has been put in that role by Rudy. When Rudy tells Mobley's 4 teammates to spread around the arc, and the defense doubles Mobley early, there is little chance Mobley is a pass away from the open man. Guys, he can't make that pass, so he doesn't get an Assist. But, that man was open because of Mobley. Thus, the play was a success. I don't care who gets credit. Why do you guys always need to quantify who gets credit. Who cares: 2 points are on the board because the defense got burned for doubling one of our players. When they don't double, and Mobley drives, I have seen many times where the dish drew a foul. Again, no assist. Who cares: we are on the line shooting two. The play forced the defense to grab Cato's arm so he wouldn't slam the ball down. About Mobley Rebounds: Mobley's job is to play transition d. Rudy does not allow him to go for risky rebounds like Francis and Anderson. I'm not saying he could be a better rebounder than Anderson/Francis; I'm saying why do you care? Only one guard can go for offensive rebounds. The others better move back down court. I could turn this Francis rebounding thing on its head and say he hurts us on transition defense when he goes for offensive rebound from the top of the key. But, I like it when someone comes driving to the rim. If Francis can outjump Mobley, let him do it. But you stat-mongers should understand, somebody has to back up when the shot is in the air, because Francis's man likely went running to the other end. If you don't like a player, at least understand their role given to them by the coach, before you make stat comparisons to someone with a completely different role. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited March 07, 2000).]
HeyPartner, That would all be good, if he was successful most or a good portion of the time. The FACT is that his shooting percentage SUCKS, his Turnover ratio is horrible, and his defense is porous at best. Now, is he THAT bad? No, of course not, but he is far from a polished player. I concede the point about getting back in transition D, this explains why our transition D is so FRICKEN HORRID !!! I know it is hard to believe, but I like Mobley a lot. I just think he needs to make SMARTER decisions. It is hard for me to watch him make bonehead play after bonehead play. I know he is young, but it is painful to watch. Young is no excuse !!! There are plenty of young players who play intelligent basketball. Mobley is not one of them....YET !!!! DaDakota
DaDakota said: "That would all be good, if he was successful most or a good portion of the time. The FACT is that his shooting percentage SUCKS, his Turnover ratio is horrible, and his defense is porous at best." Hate to point something out but Mobley has caught Francis in FG% (they are both at 41-42%). If you use the same criteria then neither Francis or Mobley are allowed to shoot any more? Plus remember about a quarter way into the season that Mobley was shooting 36-37%, so Mobley has been shooting the ball well lately. I also think Mobley is a better defensive player than Stevie. Both will get better, but neither are very good defensively. Mobes needs to improve his TOs, but so do Francis as well. PG naturally have alot more assists than other players, but I will give you that the ball is safer w/ Francis than Mobley. My point is if you use FG% then neither Mobley or Stevie should shoot, neither plays defensive, and they both lose the ball. Both of these guys are maturing, and they are our future. I honestly don't see us trading Mobley, RT likes him too much.
