How did Bobby Sura do this game people? I only saw the 2nd half and he didn't look much except he penetrated a lot and couldn't hit his open jumpers. Was he doing ok in the first half and did he start?
Sura was a spark off the bench. The Rockets played better as a team when Sura was on the floor, compared to when Lue was on the court. Lue started, Barret got a minute or two in which Denver extended their lead, and Van Gundy decided to play Sura in the second quarter. He proved to be more effective than either Lue or Barret, even though he couldn't hit a jump shot. He's better at penetrating and creating shots for others and rebounding -- two things this Rockets team sorely needs. Next game, I'd like to see Tracy running the offense and creating more for others. Frankly, I don't feel comfortable when the ball is in Lue's hands. I don't think he makes very good decisions with the ball. When Sura comes into the game, he can run the offense.
Well, I'm used to being optimistic, and I have been in the other Rocket threads...but what in the world happened? I really wish I could watch these games. It seems to me (from what everyone is saying, and from ESPN) that Yao is a much weaker player than everyone thought he'd be this season, and that McGrady is having problems making teammates better, and passing out of double teams. I don't understand why this team is losing, though. I'd blame the coach, also, for not making adjustments...and the fact that the Rockets don't have a strong guy to run the point. I'm not going to say that Yao and/or T-Mac need traded, because it's too early for that...but come on...if this keeps up, I can only imagine what upper management will do.
Yao has regressed in key areas, which I find surprising. His scoring is about the same, but he's not rebounding, blocking shots, or passing the ball even at the rate of his rookie season. He often seems somewhat lost on the floor, which is inexcusable since he played all season last year with Van Gundy and this is his third year. We have to stop making excuses for him like "He's still learning the game." or "He's still young." Yao is 24. He should be entering his prime, but he's playing like a rookie. I think McGrady has been doing a good job getting the ball to open players. His passing isn't a problem. We need better spacing on the floor to allow him to penetrate and create more.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Yao has regressed in key areas, which I find surprising. His scoring is about the same, but he's not rebounding, blocking shots, or passing the ball even at the rate of his rookie season. He often seems somewhat lost on the floor, which is inexcusable since he played all season last year with Van Gundy and this is his third year. We have to stop making excuses for him like "He's still learning the game." or "He's still young." Yao is 24. He should be entering his prime, but he's playing like a rookie. I think McGrady has been doing a good job getting the ball to open players. His passing isn't a problem. We need better spacing on the floor to allow him to penetrate and create more.</div> Sounds right...since you'd know much more than me, being a Rockets fan and probably watching every game. :thumbsup: I did notice that McGrady went 1-11 from the field, but had 12 points or so from the line...so maybe he's taking bad shots, but also trying to draw fouls by his penetrations? I don't know.
McGrady's shot selection was fine, in my opinion. I didn't notice any bad shots. Like Kobe, he'll take a lot of long jumpers even if there's some ball pressure and he's typically fairly accurate with it. They just didn't go down this game. He also got doubled a lot, and he didn't have much opportunity for driving to the basket. When he did drive, they usually fouled him. Some may look at the boxscore and say we lost the game because of McGrady (like YaoMing04-05), but his 1-11 isn't why we lost the game. T-Mac and Jim Jackson took good shots, but they just didn't go down. It happens. I'm more concerned with our rebounding and defense, and Yao's terrible game overall.
My thoughts to this point: Someone needs to tell Yao that he's 7'6" 315lb. Seriously, why can't this guy put his weight into a guy long enough to hold position and catch a damn entry pass? Half the time the ball gets thrown to him in the post he just winces and throws his arms out like a little girl. Basically he plays like the biggest you know what since Garfield. I just don't understand it. Look at Hakeem for example, who came from a different world and very humble background. He knew how to seperate off the court demeanor from on the court demeanor. Hakeem was the kindest, most selfless, most approachable guy OFF the court, but he was a freaking nightmare ON the court. I just don't see what's so hard about realizing that while your inside those white lines, people are bringing their agendas to your door step and you'd better be ready to bring yours, and with some damn ferocity. Until he grasps that, it's going to be an eternal struggle. As far as McGrady, I don't know where to start. He IS doing a good job rebounding, and he IS doing a good job passing (he would have 7apg or more if Yao didn't lose entry passes or blow dunks on a nightly basis). That said, I have to disagree with durvasa on Tracy's shot selection. He takes way too many 3's, and to compound the problem he takes LONG 2's. I'd much rather he drive to the hole and pick up some free throws, but if he's going to shoot a long jumper, he needs to shoot a 3! Too often he shoots just inside or with his foot on the three point line, which is the worst shot in basketball. He takes too many damn turn-around fadeaway jumpers too. I understand that he CAN make them, but hell, IIIII can make those too, but it'd be much more efficient for him to back down his defender and use his length to get a closer look. He also doesn't ever follow his shots or get back on defense quickly...you have to do one or the other or you're not playing your hardest. Sura looked good, especially for someone that has apparently only been through 2 light practices, with no contact. I liked what he brought to the game in terms of testing the defense, but he seemed to get caught in baseline traps quite a bit, although he found ways out of them. The open shots will start to fall eventually, you can't fault him for shooting tonight. One of the hardest things about basketball is getting your in-game shot back. He picked up a couple of unnecessary fouls, but I liked that he was pressuring the ball when they were called, and I like his intensity. He just seems to bring an attitude and a pulse to the team unlike Lue or Ward. I'm looking forward to seeing Sura in action on Tuesday and I hope he gets extended minutes, though I seriously doubt he starts. I think the rockets need to let things flow more. The lineup we saw tonight showed promise (Sura, McGrady, Jackson, Padgett, Weatherspoon). They can actually get out and run, not so much in the sense of finishing breaks at the rim, but more in terms of getting open jumpers in transition, which Jimmy and Scott do very well. For the stretch that they were on the floor tonight, I actually ENJOYED a game for the first time in a while. Imagine that...enjoying a game instead of analyzing it and agonizing over mistakes. Juwan Howard should go. He brings nothing to the table that Maurice can't bring or that we can't afford to let go. Ship him off for a box of Cracker Jacks for all I care, just get him away from the court. He's shown himself to be nothing but a complete cancer to this point. Bostjan needs more minutes (preferably with Sura/McGrady/Padgett/Weatherspoon). I'd like to see that group run a little. That's about all I got for now.
Yes, I agree that the people who need more minutes are Nachbar and Weatherspoon. Especial, if Van Gundy wants to continue with his slow paced half court game, i think Spoon needs to be in there.
Agree with Sniper's points..Yao I think is really killing the team right now by not being more assertive when the team's depending on him. Bob Sura had a good game yesterday. The whole team body language wasnt good yesterday even at home, except Sura. Hope he energizes the team back to winning ways.
Good things I saw: Sura's Court Vision: He should be our new starting Point guard, found the open, man - played defense better than anyone else. He had 6 assists or something like that right? He was the only thing that keppt us in the game. Sura's 'dont start **** and there wont be ****' attitude. Putting that lick on Melo' was something, In my opinion, he should've done, Anthony STEPPED ON HIM! Barrett's play: Yet again, AB proves useful. Though he got burned on the defensive end, and had 1 TO -- no points either, he was the only one making the effort to push the ball. Yao, and McGrady were walking up the court. Padgett's energy: HE did GREAT, but, he shouldn't start. Why? Because, if we can use him as a 6th or 7th or 8th man, he bring energy to the table. Our bench, with the return of Sura, is looking real good. Yao's effort You guys are gonna hate me for this, but Yao did his best in that situation. JVG tried to get Yao back in the game, which was a mistake, yes, but Yao is still learning a different game with a different player. Last year, during clutch plays, who took them?> Yao? Nope, never actually. Steve was always there to try making a play. McGrady is different. Is he clutch? I bet he is, but he knows, and believes that Yao needs to be involved. BAD BAD BAD things. JJ's shooting - I like JJ on this team. But when the guy shoots more than Yao, and only makes 25% of those, I don't care if Yao misses all of his shots, you gotta give it to Yao. He shot WAY TO MUCH. Wheres J Howard? - I don't know what he has done wrong (I mean, take out Mo Taylor please..) but really, he gives us energy too. Our bench is so under-rated, when he is in there, it makes a hellava lot difference. Yao + T-mac = 22 points, 6 -- yes 6 TOs, and only 11 rebounds? - These guys gotta get goin, fast. I don't understand how they score 50 points in one game, not even half of that in another. Boki + Padge + Dre' + Deke + Spoon = ENERGY I don't remember that line-up in the game AT ALL. These guys are fast, and can rebound. Put Sura in instead of Boki or AB, but we didn't have the speed to keep up with the game. Bad loss, we can rebound (no pun intended :mrgreen:, ok it was..) next game. Just my 2 cents.
First off, Yao has to develop, and fast. I know, I know, everything takes time and patience, but with the return of Sura, and as more games go by, excuses are running out. He needs to more effective, thats the key. It doesn't matter if he gets the points or not, what's crucial is his rebounding. It's very inconsistent and on some nights, gets about 10 while other nights gets 4. We are building a team around him, and he must realize it and really step it up. If he rebounds more, offensively or defensively, his points should gradually start going up-it'll be a sign that he is in tune with the low post and is getting his job done. Next off, I'm starting to get worried about JVG. His changes in the lineup have actually hurt us in my opinion since it slows down the chemistry building process. How can Lue, Ward, or Sura know where the players are going and how to set up plays? I agree that we should have a bench lineup that may consist of Barrett, Nachbar, Padgett, Weatherspoon, and Mutumbo. They bring intensity, tough defense, and hustle to the court and should be valued in crunch situations. JVG must figure out his lineups soon or else we'll just keep losing and his job will be in question. The Rocket's selection of shots and ability to shoot them is pretty bad too. Right off the bat, when McGrady is being double teamed, just pass the ball to the open man and there will be a free shot. However, the problem is the shots just aren't going in and I really don't know who to blame. Some nights they just don't go in and you'll need to rethink your strategy and maybe pass it down to the low post? This team of Rocket's is just troubling me, but I'm guessing they'll just need to work on their chemistry and maybe get some trades involving the PG and PF spots going.
I agree for the most part with Sniper. Though I do think Tyronne played good as he didnt turn the ball over much, he made good passes, and he started hitting shots as the game got on. Though Sura played good I'm not sure about his shooting just yet, and also im not sure if he can keep up the assists, thats just me. I think Juwan Howard should play personally because Maurice Taylor is garbage, especially as a starter. Howard was playing good before Van Gundy stopped playing him the last couple days. McGrady needs to know what hes going to do before he drives, if hes going to pass know it, if hes going to lay it up know it, and he most take better shots, his shot selection was horrible. Yao just needs to play, hes not playing, hes just going through the motions, he needs to hit his shots, rebound, and be a force on defense. Rockets also need to hit shots, and rebound, thats all.
Get Jvg Out Of Town.........i Don't Know About You Guys But I'm Concerned With This Team........the Way They're Playing Resembles The L.a. Clippers (maybe Even Worst)..........jesus Christ Yao 17 Points In 2 Games......are You Kidding Me.........we Need A Pg (sura Isn't Going To Be The Answer) Who Can Shoot (we Should've Got Mcdaniels In The Offseason) And A "power" Forward With Some "power".......i Think Mo Taylor Is A Lot Better Coming Off The Bench And I Would Like To See Him Stay, But In Order To Get A Good Pf We'd Probably Have To Give Him Up............the Problem Is Jvg He's Had Francis,mobley,tmac,allen Houston,sprewell,and Yao....and With That Being Said He's Never Had Good Offensive Teams.....the Man Knows Nothing About Offense, You Know Sometimes I'd Like To See Him Keep Yao In The Game If He Gets Into Early Foul Trouble, I'd Like To See Him Try To Run More, Damn I'd Just Like To See A Smoothly Ran Offense........off With His Head!!!
The Rockets are not a running team. No. Although we have fast players in McGrady, Lue and Nachbar, we have made a commitment to build our franchise around Yao, who cannot run and thus will never be on the fast break. What we are doing and have to do is to run it slowly and give Yao the ball often in the low post. However, nights like last night will happen at times, when Yao simply can't buy a basket and turns the ball over every time he touches it. In those moments, would we still have confidence in passing him the ball? I don't blame Jackson and McGrady at all for trying to do more than they can. After all, how do you expect them to get the ball to Yao when Yao's not producing?
Everyone who is saying that Juwan needs to play, I'd love to hear your reasoning for that, because he's a blackhole on offense (0.5 apg) and he's the joke of all jokes on defense (he has ZERO blocks in 271 minutes). I realize I'm not anywhere close to setting foot on an NBA court, but I guarantee you'd I'd have at least 1 block in 271 freakin minutes (and I wouldn't even need a 30mil+ contract). If you look at 82games.com you can clearly see how much Juwan has hurt us while on the court. For example, our starters are +30 and just subbing in Juwan for Maurice drops them all the way down to -15. That's ridiculous. THE DREAM: Why do you capitalize the first letter of every word? I just curious because I just tried it and it takes effort...seems like it just wastes time and has no point.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If you look at 82games.com you can clearly see how much Juwan has hurt us while on the court. For example, our starters are +30 and just subbing in Juwan for Maurice drops them all the way down to -15. That's ridiculous.</div> Maybe that's why he's been doing so horrible. Perhaps Howard is supposed to be a starter since he is a slow, post up player and doesn't add energy to the game. However, Taylor on the other hand has an offensive drive that can really light up the bench and change the aspect of the game when Yao or McGrady aren't on the court. He, along with Lue, Weatherspoon, Barrett, Padgett, and maybe Nachbar are those types of players. Have we even tried starting Juwan Howard yet?
In the pre-season in which he did well, I just think he needs more minutes, the most minutes hes played all season is 28, and only averaging 19 a game.
