Okay, so the season is upon us and the first game of the season is next Wednesday. Let's collaborate on the season-opener and kick it off with a bang! Pick one of the following parts: Projected Starters: Rockets (C to SF) Projected Starters: Jazz (C to SF) Projected Starters: Rockets (SG to 6th Man) Projected Starters: Jazz (SG to 6th Man) Keys to the Game: Rockets Keys to the Game: Jazz I'd appreciate if y'all could have your respective parts done by the coming Monday so I could have some time to format it and post it a day or so in advance. Thanks. For an example, look at post 8 in this thread. http://www.justbball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47579
<div class="quote_poster">Mag Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'll take Keys to the Game: Rockets, if there aren't any objections.</div> First come first serve. It's all yours.
Give me Keys to the Game: Jazz Unless there is a die-hard Jazz fan out their that wants this part. Thanks.
Just a reminder, need your respective parts by tomorrow. I guess I'll cover for whoever didn't sign up yet.
I better get on it then. I like that example you used. "Stay Out of Foul Trouble - in west Philadelphia, born and raised, on the playgrounds where I spent most of my days Smart Defense - chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool, all shootin' some bball outside of the school No 4th Quarter Breakdowns - when a couple of guys, they were up to no good, started makin' trouble in the neighborhood. I got in one little fight, my mom got scared, she said "you're moving with your auntie and your uncle in Bel-Air."
<font size="4">Keys to the Game Jazz:</font> <ul>[*]<font color="blue">Get Yao into foul trouble:</font> The most effective way to limit Yao Ming is to get him out of the game as soon as possible. Set screens to get Deron Williams free so he can run at Yao, create the contact, and get the foul called. Okur needs to post Yao up early as well in order to try and get some fouls on him.[/list] <ul>[*]<font color="blue">Contain Tracy McGrady:</font> Adre Kirilenko has to contain McGrady. Slow him down, block his shots, and pester him on defense. Do whatever it takes to stop him from getting into rhythm. He also needs to stay in the game offensively which wont be an easy task with Battier playing defense on him.[/list] <ul>[*]<font color="blue">Control the tempo:</font> If the Jazz can come out and get a fast paced game going, they can mess up the Rockets offense. This will hurt Yao’s game and cause him to be too tired to stay in. The Rockets aren’t good at starting games and if the Jazz can play up-tempo right from the beginning, this will put the Rockets down by a big margin early.[/list] I wish I could help out some more, but I have an important essay due tomorrow. Sorry.
In progress ... Center: After a break out year in which he averaged 25.7 ppg and 11.6 rpg after the Allstar game, Yao enters his 5th season as perhaps the best center in the game. Yao greatest strength is his devastating low post game. Within 8 feet from the basket, he is virtually unguardable one on one. He possesses a deceptively quick baseline spin move, a steady turnaround jumper, and jump hooks from a variety of angles and with either hand. Expect Yao to be the primary scoring option while he's on the court. Power Forward: Shane Battier, whom the Rockets traded their 8th pick for, is the projected starting PF for the team. On offense, he brings reliable spot up shooting (especially from the corners), smart passing, and activity on the offensive boards. He also has an underrated low post games, with an ability to efficiently score on jump hooks with either hand. Defensively, Battier has been one of the top wing defenders while in Memphis, and should continue to thrive in that capacity as a Rocket. He's an exceptional help defender, and despite being undersided at the four his quick hands and smart positioning allow him to pester opposing post players. With his myriad skills, high basketball IQ, and incredible hustle, we can expect him to be the ultimate compementary player on the team. Small Forward: Tracy McGrady starts his 3rd season with the Rockets with question marks surrounding his back, While his days as a 30+ ppg scorer are likely over, he remains the most explosive scorer and dynamic playmaker on the team. Look for him to get Yao involved early and often.
Jazz SG to 6th Man SG: Gordan Giricek The Jazz are not a team with lots of long-range shooters, and Giricek is their best shooter. A year ago, Giricek played just 37 games, and started 36 of them, averaging 10.6 PPG despite shooting just 30.5% from three. He's been much better in the preseason at 36.4%, and he'll need to make a few against the Rockets for Utah to have a chance. Defensively, Giricek is far from solid, and the Jazz will have to help him frequently against the quicker Kirk Snyder. PG: Deron Williams Williams is one of the best young point guards in the league and one of its quickest. In his rookie season a year ago, Williams played impressively, starting 47 games and averaging 11 points and 5 assists per. He did a great job running Sloan's offense and will look to take a bigger role this year. Against the Rockets and sometimes-erratic point guard Rafer Alston, Williams should look to get in the passing lanes and get a couple steals to get his team out on the break. 6th Man: Matt Harpring Harpring is a jack of all trades, but master of none. He's a good defender, and somewhat above average at everything else. Somewhat like the Rockets' Battier, Harpring should come off the bench to help shut down TMac and help offensively as well. He won't wow you on the stat sheet, but as long as TMac has an off-night and the Jazz win, Harp will have done his job. Rockets SG to 6th Man SG: Kirk Snyder With Bonzi Wells likely to miss the Rockets' season opener, Kirk Snyder should get the nod at the two. Acquired from New Orleans from an offseason deal, Snyder has been solid during preseason. He's never been a high-percentage guy, and failed to shoot over 40% in the preseason, but his defense is solid and he gets to the basket. The Rockets don't need 20 points from Snyder; 12 and a few defensive stops will be more than enough. PG: Rafer Alston Rafer Alston needs to focus this season. Last season, Alston had an average year. He got 6+ assists a game, but his long range shooting deserted him for most of the season. With the open looks that he'll get from TMac and Yao this season, Alston should take full advantage. So far in the preseason, Alston's shot has looked good, and he'll certainly hope he stays hot against the Jazz. He'll also need to play at full-speed, or else he'll be exploited by Deron Williams. 6th Man: Luther Head Due to the injuries to the team a year ago, Head was thrown into the mix early. He was outstanding early on in the season, then he lost his touch as it went on. A streaky outside shooter, Head was often taking ill-advised shots and missed often. In the preseason, Head has been solid, besides the last game when he went 0-10 from the field. With the Rockets missing Bonzi Wells, Head will need to provide a spark from the bench, and 0-10 would definitely not cut it. _______________________________________________________________________ Could you post this tonight or tomorrow Aznx? I'm not gonna be in tomorrow, and it'd be good to get it up a day in advance. If Mag's still missing, I guess you might have to fill in...Thanks.
Jazz SF to C SF: Andrei Kirilenko A fantasy stud, Kirilenko fills up the stat sheet with everything from blocks and steals to rebounds and points. He's an absolute defensive beast and is great at bringing help defense down low with his wide wingspan. Tonight however, he's going to have his hands full trying to contain McGrady, one of the best offensive players in the NBA. Offensively, Kirilenko has a decent offensive game. Although by no means is he a great offensive player, Kirilenko works well in the Utah system as the third option. Expect him to have around sixteen or seventeen points per game tonight. PF: Carlos Boozer Being constantly injured after the infamous Boozergate, Carlos Boozer has played only 84 games these past two seasons. However, when he does play, Boozer has put up solid numbers. Offensively, he's solid and will give Utah around seventeen to twenty points per game. In addition, Boozer is able to score with efficient percentages and will most likely play a big factor tonight in providing Utah enough scoring. His other note worthy attribute is his rebounding. Since his Cavalier days, Boozer has done a great job of getting on the boards and grabbing down the rebounds for his team. Expect him to give his team around nine or ten rebounds tonight, providing for them a nice advantage over his Rocket counterpart- Shane Battier. C: Mehmet Okur Perhaps one of the best centers in the league, Mehmet Okur anchors out the frontcourt for Utah. After really having a stellar season last year, expect him to bring close to a 20/10 type of game. Defensively, he's fairly decent, but its the other end of the court where he excells. Okur has a pretty good post game and jumpshot, which makes guarding him very tough. However, its his ability to hit the three pointer that separates him from most of the other centers in the league. By drawing out the opposing center to the three point arc, he provides easier buckets for cutters for the Jazz. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Could you post this tonight or tomorrow Aznx? I'm not gonna be in tomorrow, and it'd be good to get it up a day in advance. If Mag's still missing, I guess you might have to fill in...Thanks.</div> Umm, alright. But, it probably won't be in the columned format since it takes way too long to do that.
It seems that every part has been taken care of. Sorry guys I have'nt checked my e-mails last weekend. I got the notice just now. If there's anything I can add just tell me.
Snap, my apologies for being late. . I lost track of time. <font size="3">KEYS TO THE GAME: ROCKETS </font> <font color="red">Feed YAO! - </font> As if this wasn't a given, but the Rockets need to get the big fella' involved early and often. No matter what anyone believes, he is the staple of this team. He won't change the game in a span of 35 seconds, but he can definitely impact the course of the Rockets' ship. It'll be up to the perimeter players, specifically, Snyder and Alston, to get him the ball and make sure they look for him before themselves. <font color="red">Play Perimeter Defense - </font> With Yao most probably handling Boozer, it's up to guys like McGrady, Wells, and Battier to contain the potent players of the Jazz squad. Guys like Kirilenko and Okur can abuse us from the outside, so it is imperative that we stop them. Playing well on the perimeter would force the Jazz inside, where, the Rockets' size and new-found athleticism will help. Defense is the essence the Rockets breathe, and with more athletic players, we must keep it that way. This is an ensured "W" if the Rockets can execute defensively. <font color="red">Tempo/Ball Control - </font>Thankfully the turnover issue was resolved in the preseason, against the Magic (though Spanoulis would disagree). However, this is the regular season, so teams will be playing tougher D. The Rockets must not only take care of the ball, but also set the tempo of the game. Leading back to the other two keys, the Rockets must force Utah away from a shooting exhibition into a Rocket-styled ball game. We've done it before against Utah, and we can definitely do it again. I felt Snyder looked for his shot too often in the preseason, and though his ability to get to the basket was amazing, it won't fly in the regular season. Feed Yao/McGrady first, and then work it around to find the best shot. Tempo is the fire that will win this game, and the Rockets have the tools necessary to wield it. Prediction: An easy win for the Rockets, capped off by a monster showing by Yao. Rockets 112 Jazz 87
<div class="quote_poster">blueracer Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It seems that every part has been taken care of. Sorry guys I have'nt checked my e-mails last weekend. I got the notice just now. If there's anything I can add just tell me.</div> I covered for you. No worries. Make sure to take a look at the schedule. I know you're quite timely with previews so no worries, but it's imperative this season that we get the same preview format, so I'd appreciate it if you follow the template. Thanks man.
<div class="quote_poster">Mag Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Posted it in Game Thread, sorry again, guys.</div> I'm gonna kill you!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I know you're quite timely with previews so no worries, but it's imperative this season that we get the same preview format, so I'd appreciate it if you follow the template. Thanks man.</div> I hate the template.
