A team meeting after the 13th straight loss to air their differences. http://navigation.helper.realnames....chron.com&frameid=1&providerid=0&uid=30002813 Willis said this: We're at the point of the season you have to do some serious reflecting on what's important and how important the game of basketball is to you," Rockets center Kevin Willis, the meeting's primary speaker, said. "We have to focus on playing as a team, not as an individual." The Rockets have played as a team, Willis said, "In spurts. To win, it has to be consistent. I believe it (sunk in). I hope it did. Only time will tell. All the guys on the team have the possibility of being very good players. I hope what I said gets the guys to go out as a team, pull together. Stick together and get out of this thing." Gosh, I wonder who he is talking about? DaDakota
It looked like Moochie just does not have any confidence in some of his team mates when he has the ball. There was one play when OT was standing alone at the arc with a wide open shot, Moochie looked twords him and then dribbled into the middle of a bunch of guys wearing Heat jerseys and committed a turnover. On another play Eddie was wide open moving to the goal with his hand in the air calling for the ball and Moochie ignored him and dribbled around some more and finally took a long shot that seemed to be rushed, of course it missed. There was nothing between Eddie and the goal but space and oppertunity but Mooche just kept the ball himself. Mooche needs to learn to trust his teammates.
And his teammates need to learn how to put the ball in the hole. OT (I don't like that, makes me think of Otis) wasn't hitting tonight as well as he has been. Griffin hasn't exactly been shooting lights out. Why should Moochie pass it to someone who's only shooting in the low thirties? If that's the percentage shot he wants, then he'll go it himself... Which he has been doing. Until other people on this team start shooting better than the 30s percent-wise, I don't want him passing it too much. If he's going to pass it, he can pass it to Kenny, or someone else who happens to be shooting better that particular night. Why give someone the ball when you're 67% sure they'll miss the shot? Even Cat is shooting s*it right now...
The worst example of Moochie not trusting guys was in the second quarter. He had the ball on the wing with about 12 left on the shot clock. Griffin was in the block with a smaller man on him as the result of a switch calling for the ball. Moochie waved him off and signaled him to set a pick. Moochie dribbled for a while then used the pick GOING TO HIS RIGHT even though he is left handed, forced a pass to a cutting Torres who flung up a desperation shot as the shot clock ran out. Needless to say, he missed. That one, in particular, bugged me.
I don't hate any Rocket, and you have to pass to win in the NBA. The guys should realize that hogging the ball is not working, why not try passing? DaDakota
This is the same Kevin Willis that will get triple teamed and still heave up an ugly hookshot before thinking about passing the ball out, right? Look in the mirror Kevin...
As much as Mobley gets ripped for taking shots, I'm assuming he's talking about Moochie assuming he is talking about one player. This board has been all over Moochie for a month for dribbling to much, not giving guys the ball at right times, taking bad, rushed shots a lot of times early in the clock, and just disappearing down the stretch and failing to keep the team in together. Either way I don't think he was pointing out one player. If he was pointing out, say Mobley like some people think then I'm sure he would pull him aside and talk to him since Mobley is one of the stars of the team and you don't show up a key player in the media.
Why should Mooche pass them the ball? How about because Mooche is only shooting .379 for the and OT is shooting .455 How about because Mooche hit only 27 percent of his shots against the heat and while both OT and EG were significantly better hitting 33 and 40 percent respectively. How about because OT the better shooter than Mooche was wide open at the arc and Mooche decided to ignore him and take a much more difficult shot that he missed. How about because Eddie was wide open at the goal for an easy slam dunk and Mooche ignored him for a very difficult shot that missed. Don't give me a bunch of crap and then fade away treeman, explain to me exactly why you think a guy that shoots 37% for the season gives us a better chance to win if he ball hoggs the ball. Your post is the biggest load of crap I have read since I have been on this board. Sorry but that is just how I feel.
Mooch's problem isn't lack of confidence in his teammates., he just loves to hog the ball. He loves the limelight and is a stat freak.
Moochie and Mobley are both ball hogs. Every posession Its one pass and out every time. As a player I'd hate to play with these guys right now. If that was Walt Williams instead of Oscar Torres over there in the corner his little buddy Moochie wouldn't hesitate to pass the ball. Same goes with Francis. This trio of friendliness makes me cringe, becuase it hampers any consistent sharing of the ball. Most of the team has adopted this 'one pass and shoot' disease though. Torres maybe the only player who'll pass the ball after recieving it form Mooch. So one or two times you'll see two passes during a posession. But most players know that if they get the ball from Mooch that they better damn well shoot because with Mobely and Norris on the court they may never see that ball again. This is all very frustrating to watch as a fan.
My words exactly. Kevin is the #1 selfish player on a team loaded with selfish players. Moochie is giving him a run for his money, as well as Cat.
Passing is good! Ball movement is good! (similar to passing) Putting round ball in hole, good! (can be done up close) If players pass, ball moves, players move, player(s) move(s) near basket, get ball, put in hole. ALL GOOD! This called BASKETBALL. Rockets could learn to play. DRINKING AND DRUGS, BAD! MAKE PLAYERS STUPID AND UNABLE TO PLAY GAME!
At this point a player should pass the ball to the open man regardless of thier shooting percentage... it just may open up a second or "god help us" third pass to get a shot my dead grand ma could make
Exactly. If you're the PG, and you shoot the same percentage as someone else who\s wide open, then you SHOULD pass it. Because you ARE the PG. I appreciate Mooch trying and trying, but I don't think he's gonna start giving up the ball until he has his HUGE game. Can anyone that has studied psychology confirm this?(seriously) Another thing. When you keep having team meatings, it loses its importance after a while.
