<div align="center"><font color="red">Rockets (29-38)</font> vs <font color="green">Mavericks (52-15)</font> Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX 7:00 CT; TNT . Offensively, he is of no threat, and defense will be key here. But really, Yao is a monster. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/dirk_nowitzki.jpg[/imgl]<font color="green">Irk Nowitzki </font> PPG: 25.9, RPG: 8.8, APG: 2.8 Now, I do know that Nowitzki's first name has a D at the beginning, but here's the way I see it: Dirk minus the Defense = IRK. Until Nowitzki proves his greatness on both sides of the ball, he should not be MVP. But he has improved, I will give him that. He is the engine of this team, and there isn't anyone on the Rockets not named Bowen that can stop him. Gas-hole and Irk have been dancing buddies for a while, the Rockets have to be careful Irk doesn't fall or something. </font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="red">Yao! </font> - Keep Yao in the game, as T-Mac is out. He will be the Rockets go to guy, and it's their job to feed the hungry, big man.[*]<font color="red">Hit your shots</font> - We've been lucky that the Rockets are where they are, if you take in their horrendous shooting. When you are open, you make your shots. I don't know what Van Gundy does in practice, but some players really need to get that shot in tune. Especially without T-Mac, and against Dallas, shooting is key.[*]<font color="red">Team Defense</font> - On Irk, the whole Rocket team must make an effort to stop him. Feed off each other on the defensive end, and control the tempo by getting out on the fast break. [*]<font color="green">Limit Yao</font> - Foul, foul, foul if you have to. Yao cannot be a factor if the Mavs want this to be an easy W. Which, Yao will probably be a factor, so it'll be atleast a contest.[*]<font color="green">Stay out of foul trouble</font> - Though this isn't a big problem for the Mavs, when Yao is around, it always will be. The big men must stay on the court, so that Irk isn't stuck guarding Yao on more than one occasion. Terry and Irk HAVE to be playing for Dallas if they want a comfortable win.[*]<font color="green">Boards!</font> - Rebound the ball. When Irk Nowitzki is your leading rebounder, you need to rebound the ball. [/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> I don't predict Rocket losses, no different here. Here's hoping we don't get whipped. Yao has a big night. Rockets: 94 , Mavericks: 87 <font size="1"> *All pre, and post-game discussion should go in here. Thanks. **I don't really think Dirk is as bad as I say, I just don't like the guy .</font>
Is it just me, or does Rawle Marshall look A LOT like a skinny Dwight Howard? I think Dallas lost to the Clippers in their last game, so I wouldn't be surprised if they jumped on us early and delivered a knock out punch. Avery Johnson seems to be a very good motivator as a coach. Look for Hayes to get some playing time for the Rockets tonight, guarding Nowitzki. He did a pretty good job last time chasing him around, and Van Gundy did say in the paper today morning that he thinks Hayes might deserve a little more PT.
OK well this game does provide one good thing. It gives us another look at Maciej Lampe. For the forth quarter lets have a line up of like Lampe Swift Hayes Head and Frahm and see what each of these players can do and if Lampe has shown any improvements.
So frustrating I turned the TV off. Luther Head has maybe the worst shot selection of anyone on the team and Yao needs to be more assertive. If he doesn't score, we don't win, simple as that. Without McGrady, we're just not a team engineered to beat the Mavericks. We have no answer for Dirk Nowitzki and every other shooter they have. Also won't mind if we picked up gems like DeSagna Diop, Josh Powell and Rawle Marshall as well. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Mike James tonight: 37 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists.</div> Know what though? I was watching most of this game and James was really bad down the stretch. Took a big charge but squandered two possessions and missed two free throws. His shot selection and decision making down the stretch is just terrible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post"> Know what though? I was watching most of this game and James was really bad down the stretch. Took a big charge but squandered two possessions and missed two free throws. His shot selection and decision making down the stretch is just terrible.</div> Alright, but would the Raptors have won the game without his 37 points? Right now, we're getting bad shot selection and decision making down the stretch with Alston, but aren't getting those 37 points and 7 threes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Alright, but would the Raptors have won the game without his 37 points? Right now, we're getting bad shot selection and decision making down the stretch with Alston, but aren't getting those 37 points and 7 threes.</div> Probably not, but it's not that hard to beat the Knicks.
I think Luther has been playing pretty well the last 3 games. Best stretch of games for him since early in the season.
I only see one player step up and thats luther head... Yao needs more help than that.. but i dont care if we lose.. I know now we wont make the playoffs.. I want us to lose all the rest of our games from now on so we can get the highest we can..
Well at least something good is comming out of the end of the season. The development of Luther Head. Give Lampe some TIME! We lost by 20 and he is still rotting on the bench.
During the game, Doug Collins was saying that JVG had told him his gameplan was to pass the ball to Yao every possesion, than pass it out when the double comes. For some reason, Yao barely got the ball in the 3rd. They need to pass to Yao in order to take advantage of the double. A few other notes. The Germanator did not live up to that name. And what is with that sign that Swift does when he dunks. It looks like the bird sign Chris Anderson use to do.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting evolidiot:</div><div class="quote_post"> A few other notes. The Germanator did not live up to that name. And what is with that sign that Swift does when he dunks. It looks like the bird sign Chris Anderson use to do.</div> Swift used to do it when with the Grizzlies. Maybe JVG gave him the ok to do it with the Rockets. All those celebratory signs players do when they make a play look silly.
Well, I would think that since Swift's last name is also the name of the bird, that sign is meant to represent a swift, and also his last name. Weirdo theory.
WTF is a swift? I've never ever heard of a bird that goes by that. Canaries, sparrows, crows, pidgeons, eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, herns, robins, blue jays, cardinals, ducks, and etc I have all heard, but a swift? If I haven't heard of it, it makes me feel stupid that Stromile Swift actually is more learned that me. My theory is that Swift thinks is looks "hawt".
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">WTF is a swift? I've never ever heard of a bird that goes by that. Canaries, sparrows, crows, pidgeons, eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, herns, robins, blue jays, cardinals, ducks, and etc I have all heard, but a swift? If I haven't heard of it, it makes me feel stupid that Stromile Swift actually is more learned that me. My theory is that Swift thinks is looks "hawt".</div> Dictionary.com: #2 Any of various small dark insect-eating birds of the family Apodidae, related to the hummingbirds and noted for their long strong wings and swift flight. Something like a swallow.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Luther has been playing pretty well the last 3 games. Best stretch of games for him since early in the season.</div> Agreed! He doesn't look as bad as he did last month. something like 10 steals in the last 4 games so far. Swift may be a bird-watcher.
