Official Houston Rockets Preseason Watch And Discussion Thread

Well, here it is! The Rockets are about to kick off their 2004-2005 season with a whole new lineup and a lot more drama! And what better place to check out how Yao and T-Mac and the rest of the gang does but here? I will post recaps, box scores and news about our team throughout the preseason so that you will stay up to date! This thread will also be used to discuss the games. Please refrain from making seperate threads for every game as everything will be in here.

 

3 Games Into the Preseason

October 10, 2004. Miami Heat @ <font color="red">Houston Rockets</font>

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaquille O'Neal collected 17 points and seven rebounds in his debut for the Miami Heat, but Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady had 10 points apiece as the Houston Rockets posted an 85-75 triumph in the exhibition opener for both teams.

Yao and McGrady, the Rockets' prized offseason acquisition, sat the entire second half in anticipation of the team's flight to China later Sunday evening. </div>

Recap ll Box Score

Points Leader-Tyrone Lue with 14
Rebounds Leader-Scott Padgett with 6
Assists Leader-Scott Padgett with 3
Final Score: 85-75

October 14, 2004. <font color="purple">Sacramento Kings</font> @ <font color="red">Houston Rockets</font>, played in Shanghai, China

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Yao Ming received a hero's welcome. The same can't be said for Jeff Van Gundy's exit.

Yao scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 26 minutes before Van Gundy kept him on the bench for the entire fourth quarter as the Houston Rockets edged the Sacramento Kings, 88-86, in the first NBA game played in China. </div>

Recap ll Box Score

Points Leader-Yao Ming with 14
Rebounds Leader-Juwan Howard with 12
Assists Leader-Charlie Ward-6
Final Score-88-86

October 16, 2004. <font color="red">Houston Rockets</font> @ <font color="purple">Sacramento Kings</font>, played in Beijing, China

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Bobby Jackson made sure the Sacramento Kings did not leave China empty-handed.

Jackson scored six of his 13 points in the final two minutes as the Kings rallied to their first preseason win with a 91-89 victory over the Houston Rockets.</div>

Recap ll Box Score

Points Leader-Juwan Howard with 15
Rebounds Leader-Yao Ming with 8
Assists Leader-Tracy McGrady with 4
Final Score-89-91

<font color="red">Current Record: 2-1</font>

 

Well I've been able to watch the two China games...

I like what I see in David Hawkins, although his size could be his likely undoing...but he has a knack for scoring and could be utilized as a spot energy player who can score easily...

I think Ward works well with the starters and Lue works better as a backup...I think Lue/Taylor could be dynamic off the bench and Lue's speed works better as a change of pace off the bench...

Yao still is not as aggressive as I would like him to be...he needs to really stop worrying about passing and realize that players are sacrificing their shots just to get him the ball...

TMac has been admirable in his willingness to try to fit in...

We still need a pure shooter off the bench and Nachbar really needs to step his game up...he's being given the chance to earn minutes and is playing subpar...

Besides adding a shooter, I really hope the team stays the way it is...Sure we could use help at PG but the trio of Ward, Lue and Sura (when he returns) should be more than enough...

I'm really impressed with Mutombo and our interior defense is just gonna be sufficating...


thats all for now

 

I know its early, but after 3 preseason games who do you think deserves to be in our regular rotation?

This is how I see it:
5 - Yao, Mutombo
4 - Howard, Taylor, Padgett
3 - Jackson, Bowen, Nachbar
2 - McGrady, Hawkins
1 - Ward, Lue, Sura

New guys I really like from what I've seen are Ryan Bowen and David Hawkins. Padgett is solid. Nachbar sucks; no way Van Gundy should play him ahead of Bowen.

I still don't like our PF situation. Howard is solid, but Taylor is too 1-dimensional (good scorer, but not much else).

 

As for me, I think our PF spot will be one of our strongest positions. I like what JVG did in the second China game, starting Padgett and bringing Howard and Taylor off the bench simultaneously. After that game and Padgett's performance, I'm actually in favor of starting Padgett at power forward in the regular season. He has the perimeter game to draw the opponent's power forward to the perimeter, which eliminates the possibility of Yao being double-teamed by two big men. Padgett also doesn't require a lot of shots, and for what he lacks defensively, Scott makes up with hustle and 100% effort. However, if we still go with Howard starting, Padgett could play the role of Matt Bullard: coming off the bench as a power forward who sinks killer threes.

As for the regular rotation,

5 - Yao, Mutombo
4 - Howard, Padgett, Taylor
3 - Jackson, Bowen, Hawkins
2 - McGrady, Sales
1 - Ward, Lue, Sura

Reece Gaines and Bostjan Nachbar have really got to step up...

 

Yeah, I really like Scott Padgett and I wish there was a way to get him more playing time. Realistically, I don't see him starting over Howard. And I doubt Taylor will be relegated to a third-string role.

We know that Van Gundy is going to have to eventually pear it down to a 8 or 9-man rotation. Who doesn't make the cut?

For the guards, we'll probably keep McGrady, Ward, Lue, and Sura in the regular rotation. At forwards: Howard, Jackson, Taylor. And at center: Yao and Mutombo. Assuming the roster stays intact, these 9 guys will probably be playing regularly. Additoinally, McGrady can play the small forward, and Howard or Taylor might play center in certain scenarios.

That would leave out two of my favorate players on the team: Padgett and Bowen.

 

Injuries will still have to factor into your rotation, durvasa, but it makes sense. I see all of those guys averaging 15+ minutes per game, so I think it'll be up to Bowen, Padgett, Nachbar and Hawkins to fight for the scraps; Reece Gaines lost his bid with that horrible performance against the Kings.

 

The two China games were intresting to watch. I agree with Trip that Van Gundy changed the starting Lineup to see how other players can produce. Scott Padgett who started, scored 11 points and 6 rebounds. I can't wait for the game against the Bulls tonight.

 

Hm.. Hmm... Hmmm.. My opinions differ from many of yours. One thing we share is that Boki is not playing well. Another thing -- Yao and Tmac need more time to play, their cohesiveness is not what I expected. Yao sets a pick, Tracy doesn't use it, but 1 thing is that both of them are willing to let the other take over the game when theyre hot. Ryan Bowen was sub-par, as was Reece Gaines. Charlie Ward is not doing well IMO, and David Hawkins, like Tripl3 said, is good, but his size makes him disadvantaged.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As for the regular rotation,

5 - Yao, Mutombo
4 - Howard, Padgett, Taylor
3 - Jackson, Bowen, Hawkins
2 - McGrady, Sales
1 - Ward, Lue, Sura

Reece Gaines and Bostjan Nachbar have really got to step up...
</div>
I thought Sales played PF? I think our PF positions can be the strongest, but we lack defense. I think Mo's gonna get traded, even ESPN is talking about it. JVG will never start Mo over a health JH. Mo's contract is too big for him IMO, and even though he was a steady contributor, we can, and hopefully will, be able to do better. Rotation:

C - Yao, Deke
PF - Howard, Mo (if he stays), 'Spoon
SF - JJ, Padgett
SG - McGrady, Sura, JJ
PG - Sura (when he's back), Lue, Ward (I think he's gonna start for a while, then JVG will hand the reigns over to somebody else.)

Just my 2 cents.

 

A good game today against the Bulls. Van Gundy played the starters more, and I think we got more of a feel for what the regular rotation will be like, except Howard will likely start over Taylor.

McGrady, Yao, and Jackson all had their best games of the preseason. A couple things the Rockets need to work on:
- Defensive rebounding. I don't think Howard is quite as good a rebounder as Cato, and that could hurt. Yao needs to step it up on the defensive boards this year.
- McGrady needs to utilize Yao's picks better, IMO. His defender is easily going over the top. Granted, with his speed, he can get himself free regardless, but it there will be more open shots available if he uses the pick better.

 

Houston Over Chicago!

October 21, 2004. <font color="red">Chicago Bulls</font> @ <font color="red">Houston Rockets</font>

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Tracy McGrady looked like the player the Houston Rockets wanted when they traded for him in the offseason.

McGrady scored 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting to lead the Rockets to a 98-78 preseason victory over the Chicago Bulls.

The point guard position appeared to be a potential problem for the Rockets with Steve Francis gone to Orlando in the McGrady deal. But Charlie Ward made a couple of early 3-pointers to get Houston off to a good start. Tyronn Lue, sharing the point with Ward while Bob Sura is sidelined with a back injury, collected seven assists.

Yao Ming added 20 points and eight rebounds and Jim Jackson 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets (3-1), who were playing their first game back in the United States after a trip to China, where they split two games against Sacramento. </div>

Recap ll Box Score

Points Leader- Tracy McGrady with 27
Rebounds Leader- Yao Ming/Jim Jackson with 8
Assists Leader- Jim Jackson/Tyrone Lue with 7
Final Score- 98-78

What a great blowout by the Rockets! I couldn't see the game but the box score reveals a lot about JVG's plans and how the game went. First off, Bostjan Nachbar seemed to have fallen into Van Gundy's doghouse, after clocking no time in the Beijing game, and his three fouls in 9 minutes of this game probably didn't help either. JVG's checking out which of our three power forwards were most suited for the starting spot; after starting Howard for the first two games, Padgett got a start and a wonderful performance in Beijing, and Taylor started this one. However, his performance was the worst, as he went 1-7 for 4 points and just two rebounds. Reece Gaines seem to have lost any hope of significant PT too; after playing 20 minutes in Beijing and putting up an awful performance, he never left the bench against Chicago. The last thing I have to add is that Charlie Ward and Tyrone Lue seem to be faring well as our current point guard too. Things will get interesting when Sura returns though. I expect all three to fight for the starting spot.

 

Taylor's performance doesn't worry me. We all know how well he can play offense. If he played defense well last night then that is great news no matter how bad he played offensively. Did anyone watch the game? If so, how did he do on defense?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 32 PHX/HOU 1:</div><div class="quote_post">Taylor's performance doesn't worry me. We all know how well he can play offense. If he played defense well last night then that is great news no matter how bad he played offensively. Did anyone watch the game? If so, how did he do on defense?</div>
Well, looking at the box score, Tyson Chandler, Antonio Davis, and Othella Harrington, Chicago's power forwards, totalled zero points. However, they also took only a combined 6 shots amongst them. Good defense or bad offense? I'd like to find out too. Could some one who's seen the game inform us?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Good defense or bad offense? I'd like to find out too. Could some one who's seen the game inform us?</div> I can tell you that Nocioni is a great player. Othella was just there to get fouls, Davis was non-existent, but Chandler didn't do much either. I remember Yao blocking him and Eddie Curry, and a few plays later, getting knocked down by Curry, sinking the basket from an Offensive rebound. That game, Tracy used Yao's picks well, but both had quiet nights in terms of, 'WHOA! Tmac scored 27 points.. Wait YAO scored 20?! JJ ALMOST HAD A TRIPLE DOUBLE?!' At school, everybody was talking about how odd the scoreline was for the Rockets to score 98 points so easily.. and it was true. The Bulls' focus was on the guards, Deng did well, Hinrich almost had an under-hand alleyoop to Chandler, but Yao got in the way of it. Ben Gordon didn't do too much, nor did Duhon. The power forward defense wasn't all that good, but we got some nice steals, JH got one, threw a long ball, McGrady dunked it.. Boki played effectively IMO, he got a niiiiiiiiice lay-up, and then sunk a T-mac esque shot -- hand in the face, go one way, fake the other, throw it up swiiiishhhh -- it boosted his morale. I'm hoping JVG doesn't play Tracy and Yao too much against Orlando -- some feelings might be flying there -- I wouldn't be suprised to see Francis and McGrady go a little one on one, but that might lead to a "disagreement." I stopped watching the Astros game, so I could watch this one. The Rockets were down in the first quarter, but still, they dominated the second half. I was hoping we'd score 100 points, all we needed was some free-throw conisistency.

 

Magnomonkey, did Taylor have a good game in your opinion? Although his stats were bad, but did he show good hustle and defense? As PHX32/HOU1 pointed out, we all know that a 1-7 performance from Mo is not regular, but did he show good dedication defensively?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Magnomonkey, did Taylor have a good game in your opinion? Although his stats were bad, but did he show good hustle and defense? As PHX32/HOU1 pointed out, we all know that a 1-7 performance from Mo is not regular, but did he show good dedication defensively?</div>

He did not distinguish himself. He needs to pick it up.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Magnomonkey, did Taylor have a good game in your opinion? Although his stats were bad, but did he show good hustle and defense? As PHX32/HOU1 pointed out, we all know that a 1-7 performance from Mo is not regular, but did he show good dedication defensively?</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He did not distinguish himself. He needs to pick it up.</div> I totally agree. You could see McGrady calling for the ball, and Mo just shoots it up. At one point, Tmac had everything going for him, Mo just got in the way of Yao and McGrady. I think Mo should be traded, he's not doing so well, but we might need him when he gets 'hot.' To answer your question Trip -- not at all. He was lazying around, pump-faked like 50 times on a shot, then questioned the travelling call. The only reason he stayed in the game is so he could 'get his feet wet,' J Howard is gonna start for sure. He didn't put effort into rebounding, thats what killed me the most. Tracy and JJ were flying around for rebounds, Mo and sometimes Yao were just watching. Good performance, its good to know that we can have 2 of our consistent players (Mo and JH) not play that well, and we can still win. We gotta step it up against the Magic though.

 

Thanks for the clarification, durvasa and Magnomonkey. In regards to whether Mo Taylor should be traded, I'd say no. Although he doesn't provide much defense and rebounding, he is still our best scorer off our bench and without him, our bench loses about 10 points a night. Besides, he has a pretty fat contract that will only result in us getting ripped off if we try to shop him around. Lastly, there's still the issue of loyalty; Mo has always been one of our most loyal players, remember the fact that he turned down big contract offers from other teams to sign with us fairly cheaply. Trading him would be betraying his trust and loyalty in us.

Against Orlando, it's undoubtable that Steve Francis will want to play his best and prove that us trading him was a mistake. McGrady will probably also try to outdo Francis, and sparks will fly as these two battle it out. We'll also see how Yao does against a physical post defender like Kelvin Cato. All in all, I do believe we will win the matchup against Orlando, but the win will be a hard-fought one, and the Francis/Mobley duo will put up a monster performance in a losing effort.

 

Apparently Van Gundy isn't going to play McGrady and Howard tonight against the Magic. Disappointing from a fan's persepctive, but understandable. McGrady might have received a harsh reaction from the crowd, and those two players have logged the most minutes in the preseason thus far. It'll be a good opportunity to see some of the other bench players in extended minutes.

Edit:

The Rockets got spanked by the Magic. Van Gundy used the game to play the bench players more minutes, and they were manhandled. Nachbar still can't hit a jumper to save his life. Reece Gaines is a terrible ball-handler and decision-maker for a guard (Jameer Nelson stole the ball from him in the backcourt on two straight possessions, scoring both times). Rockets committed a ton of turnovers. Just a very bad outing, overall. Hopefully, this won't reflect the kind of season the Rockets have.

Orlando looked very good, on the other hand. Dwight Howard, the #1 pick, was very impressive. He's already an excellenet rebounder and shot-blocker, and I expect him to easily average double figures during the season as well. He has to work a little on his touch around the basket, maybe develop a nice mid-range jumper, and he'll be an all-star in this league. Grant Hill was very good as well. He did an exceptional job directing the offense, and his jump shot was money. I don't know if he can still slash to the basket like in his prime, but I think he'll average a solid 12-16 ppg this year.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Dwight Howard, the #1 pick, was very impressive. He's already an excellenet rebounder and shot-blocker, and I expect him to easily average double figures during the season as well. He has to work a little on his touch around the basket, maybe develop a nice mid-range jumper, and he'll be an all-star in this league</div>

Yes, we got our butts kicked. Boki and Gaines just shot themselves in the foot. Though boki had 9 pts 7 rebs, he played worse than J' Oneal did for the Blazers. But with that being said, we cant lose faith like the Blazers did. Look at JO now, dominating the east. Will Boki turn out like that? No clue, but picking up his option is better than having to pay it off anyways. I can't agree with you on Dwight Howard. Though he is good, and will probably win ROY, I don't like him as a player. Yes, he plays like a veteran, but KG, JO, TD, 'Sheed, should all have field days against him. His boxing out is wretched, but Emeka's is fine-tuned. If he was guarding J Howard, he would have dominated him. Mo stuck to the outside, and dropped 18 points. J Howard would go inside, outside, probably run over him before he got a block on him. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm hoping JVG doesn't play Tracy and Yao too much against Orlando -- some feelings might be flying there -- I wouldn't be suprised to see Francis and McGrady go a little one on one, but that might lead to a "disagreement." </div> I'm quoting myself, and thank god he didn't. Francis looked pissed off. He is a lot different from last year. Did anyone see him take it to the hoop and just throw it away? McGrady could've posterized Mobley, he lost a lot of his defensive skills. But I'm sure something bad woulda happened had T-mac played, and even if Yao played hard, and more minutes. I'm sure JVG told him to take it easy, just try getting some work done.. He looked as if it was practice. Not really, dominating, just carelessly throwing up shots. Not a fun game to watch, Mobley was ehhhh, Cato was still Cato, and Francis was everything we expected him to be. Boki was horrible, Gaines was just plain bad. Bowen showed a lot of heart, and Lue was ok, he could've done better. I think we're trading Mo somewhere, bcus my cousin told me in Chicago, the tv commentators were talking about how JVG was show-boating Mo, so he would draw interest from anyone. Just my 2 cents.