When the suns were up 40 halfway through the third, D'Antoni didn't take his starters out while the rockets took everyone out. What a dick.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Down by 45 at the end the third. Worst margin of defeat in NBA history is 68 points. Hopefully, we don't break that record. This is exactly the kind of team we should have played Chuck Hayes a lot of minutes.</div> I feel sorta sad for Hayes...he tried really hard in the third and could've the whole game (and maybe would have kept it closer with his rebounds), but he only gets 10 minutes to play.
EVERY team has it's ups and downs. Honestly, I don't care if we lose by 5 or 50, but we're gonna lose. The Rockets will bounce back, it seems all the fickle fans decide to come out nowadays. Not saying anyone here is a fickle fan, but you cannot go praise JVG's system after we owned the Clippers, but then HATE the man when we get owned by the Suns. Who cares, we were on the road, our defense sucks right now, and you can tell something is bothering Tracy. We came off a statement game against a LEGIT Western Conference Contender, we're going through another statement game against a LEGIT Western Conference Contender. The Rockets just aren't ready yet. A win is a win. A loss is a loss. Before the JVG flame-war begins, I just thought I'd say that.
That "TNT - The Drama Continues" is funny considering Rockets game And hey, here (in Italy) we can hear commentators voice during commercial breaks: they are making fun of us
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting chineseafro:</div><div class="quote_post">When the suns were up 40 halfway through the third, D'Antoni didn't take his starters out while the rockets took everyone out. What a dick.</div> LMAO...I don't know why but that was funny as hell. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mag:</div><div class="quote_post">EVERY team has it's ups and downs. Honestly, I don't care if we lose by 5 or 50, but we're gonna lose. The Rockets will bounce back, it seems all the fickle fans decide to come out nowadays. Not saying anyone here is a fickle fan, but you cannot go praise JVG's system after we owned the Clippers, but then HATE the man when we get owned by the Suns. Who cares, we were on the road, our defense sucks right now, and you can tell something is bothering Tracy. We came off a statement game against a LEGIT Western Conference Contender, we're going through another statement game against a LEGIT Western Conference Contender. The Rockets just aren't ready yet. A win is a win. A loss is a loss. Before the JVG flame-war begins, I just thought I'd say that.</div> And right now I may seem like the fickle ringleader or something, but honestly. We have to play these guys 1 more time this season. You can say our record is 20-32 as of now. We finished last season 51-31. If you still have any playoff hopes...especially since you can almost say we have yet to beat a legit 2nd round team...all I can say is damn, you are in for a dissapointment. Just let it go man. This season needs to be forgotten. We should be looking forward to a great rookie next season, and hope Luther Head really develops. After a couple of good off-season moves and signings, we should try and make a run at the title. Makes more sense than whatever you got planned for this season. Let me crush any playoff hopes you have left. We need AT LEAST 44 wins to have a shot at the playoffs. We would have to go 24-6 to make the playoffs. We meet PHO again once, SAN 3 more times, and DAL 2 more times. That is 6 games right there. You have got to be in denial if you think we can still make up this season.
Ugly, ugly game. I think the Rockets are just looking forward to the ASG break. As a coach you just need to take the video footage of this game and destroy it. I thought Bogans looked good out there in a Rockets jersey. Stromile Swift continues to annoy me though. He argues with the refs everytime he tries to score. Then he dunks the ball and gives the Suns players hard looks, even though his team is down by 30 and he's getting lit up on the other end.
that's just his style i guess..wat do u expect from a player's expression when a team is down 30?..kneel down n cry?
As strange as this may sound, I think the Rockets have a better chance of beating the Suns if they have Amare. I'm assuming that if Amare plays, he would defend against Yao and there would be less double-teams. In this game, everytime Yao got the ball he was double-teamed immediately. It was like their first meeting where Yao would be sandwhiched. At the beginning of the third, he got two dunks when he had Diaw 1 on 1. And about Yao not getting any rebounds. He is a decent rebounder, but wll probably never be a dominant one. From the games I've watched, it seems like Yao is always looking to box out his man instead of going for the rebound. He should go after the ball instead of always boxing out, like Chuck Hayes. Hayes is always chasing for the rebound, not boxing out than hoping the ball bounces his way. In this game, Yao did a not do a bad job of rebounding, even though he got 0. That may sound strange, but Yao did not surrendered any offensive rebounds, I don't think, and he did not miss any rebounds he shuld have gotten, which were none. The Suns were shooting lights out, so there were barely any rebounds to get. Also, JVG needs to start Stromile in a game like this where the Rockets need to defend speed. He had a couple of good minutes on the offensive end when he was in the game. Here is my game plan as an arm-chair coach. Start Rafer, Bogans, Mcgrady, Swift, and Yao. Everytime on offense pass the ball into Yao. We should expect Yao to be double-teamed, so the other four players should either be ready to shoot the three, or are cutting to the basket. Take advantage of the double-teams until they stop. Once only one player is Yao, it'll be easier for him to operate. The Rockets should also be running more of the pick-and-roll that was so successful last year against Dallas. There seems to be two pick-and-roll plays the Rockets do not really take advantage of very much. First one is where Yao fakes a pick up top, than rolls to the basket. Most of the time he is open for a few seconds. If Yao gets the ball, he will either have a dunk or a vey close range shot. The second play is where Yao actually sets the pick than rolls to the basket, as Mcgrady drives to the basket. T-Mac will either have an easy basket or he could lob it to Yao. I know Yao has fumbled the balls occasionally from those passes, and it seems that most of those were low passes. When Mcgrady is in the air, he can either throw a pass above his head or a low pass. It seems like Yao would have an easier time catching a high pass, and it would also put the ball in a position where there is less chance of it getting stripped. I think I've said enough for my third post. Right now I have diarrhea of the mouth. And Swift just got injured. I hope he's not going to miss any games. I agree with Reggie Miller when he said it is the first time that someone tried a behind the back pass in the final seconds of a 40 point blowout, than get injured. Swift is definitely not the brightest player on the team, but I think he has the athlethic ability to help the Rockets in the future. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting kramer_k:</div><div class="quote_post">I feel sorta sad for Hayes...he tried really hard in the third and could've the whole game (and maybe would have kept it closer with his rebounds), but he only gets 10 minutes to play. </div> As much as I like Hayes, I don't he would've made a big difference. If he got five offensive rebounds and we converted, that would still only make up ten out of the 40 points we lost by. I haven't seen the numbers, but it doesn't seem like we allowed many offensive rebounds. If we got outrebounded its because Suns were making most of their shots, so there was not rebounds to get.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting evolidiot:</div><div class="quote_post">As much as I like Hayes, I don't he would've made a big difference. If he got five offensive rebounds and we converted, that would still only make up ten out of the 40 points we lost by. I haven't seen the numbers, but it doesn't seem like we allowed many offensive rebounds. If we got outrebounded its because Suns were making most of their shots, so there was not rebounds to get.</div> Hayes' impact would have been more apparent on defense. Yao's inability to guard screen and roll really killed us. Of everything that happened in the game, that was clearly our biggest weakness, and Phoenix (to their credit) exploited it. I think a lineup of: Alston, Wesley, Bogans, McGrady, Hayes might have been our best bet tonight. I wish Van Gundy would have tried that in the first quarter, when it was evident that Howard and Yao were out of their depth defensively.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting steam03:</div><div class="quote_post">that's just his style i guess..wat do u expect from a player's expression when a team is down 30?..kneel down n cry?</div> How about hustling back down the court and playing defense like a man? While he stood posing, his man was flying down the court scoring or creating an opportunity for a teammate.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">How about hustling back down the court and playing defense like a man? While he stood posing, his man was flying down the court scoring or creating an opportunity for a teammate.</div> There are a lot of players in the league who have developed that bad habit. Most of the time, it's not a big deal. But when you're playing against the Suns, who are looking to get down the court quickly basically in every situation, you can't afford to not run back. I thought McGrady did a very poor job of running back as well. It'll be interesting to see how the team responds after the all-star break. Where are we at mentally, as a team? I know Yao will respond by playing extra next game. McGrady ... I'm not so sure. If what happened his last year in Orlando is any indication of how he'll respond to such a loss, it could be a long second half.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">There are a lot of players in the league who have developed that bad habit. Most of the time, it's not a big deal. But when you're playing against the Suns, who are looking to get down the court quickly basically in every situation, you can't afford to not run back. I thought McGrady did a very poor job of running back as well. It'll be interesting to see how the team responds after the all-star break. Where are we at mentally, as a team? I know Yao will respond by playing extra next game. McGrady ... I'm not so sure. If what happened his last year in Orlando is any indication of how he'll respond to such a loss, it could be a long second half.</div> Yao isn't the type to give up - I bet he'll be trying much much harder after the break. T-Mac gives much more respect to the Houston fans and its organization than he did for Orlando, so I don't think he'll become lazy. And I sure hope he's not looking to give up his All-Star status. oh and what are these off-court issues anyway? It can't be too serious...can it? If those go away by the break, T-Mac should play like he did in the Clippers game every day - not too much, but enough to carry the team and create momentum for everybody else.
today's score is very natural. bacause Rockets is Suns and the worst compatibility. and there should be Amare for Rockets by you.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting evolidiot:</div><div class="quote_post">As strange as this may sound, I think the Rockets have a better chance of beating the Suns if they have Amare. I'm assuming that if Amare plays, he would defend against Yao and there would be less double-teams. In this game, everytime Yao got the ball he was double-teamed immediately. It was like their first meeting where Yao would be sandwhiched. At the beginning of the third, he got two dunks when he had Diaw 1 on 1. And about Yao not getting any rebounds. He is a decent rebounder, but wll probably never be a dominant one. From the games I've watched, it seems like Yao is always looking to box out his man instead of going for the rebound. He should go after the ball instead of always boxing out, like Chuck Hayes. Hayes is always chasing for the rebound, not boxing out than hoping the ball bounces his way. In this game, Yao did a not do a bad job of rebounding, even though he got 0. That may sound strange, but Yao did not surrendered any offensive rebounds, I don't think, and he did not miss any rebounds he shuld have gotten, which were none. The Suns were shooting lights out, so there were barely any rebounds to get. Also, JVG needs to start Stromile in a game like this where the Rockets need to defend speed. He had a couple of good minutes on the offensive end when he was in the game. Here is my game plan as an arm-chair coach. Start Rafer, Bogans, Mcgrady, Swift, and Yao. Everytime on offense pass the ball into Yao. We should expect Yao to be double-teamed, so the other four players should either be ready to shoot the three, or are cutting to the basket. Take advantage of the double-teams until they stop. Once only one player is Yao, it'll be easier for him to operate. The Rockets should also be running more of the pick-and-roll that was so successful last year against Dallas. There seems to be two pick-and-roll plays the Rockets do not really take advantage of very much. First one is where Yao fakes a pick up top, than rolls to the basket. Most of the time he is open for a few seconds. If Yao gets the ball, he will either have a dunk or a vey close range shot. The second play is where Yao actually sets the pick than rolls to the basket, as Mcgrady drives to the basket. T-Mac will either have an easy basket or he could lob it to Yao. I know Yao has fumbled the balls occasionally from those passes, and it seems that most of those were low passes. When Mcgrady is in the air, he can either throw a pass above his head or a low pass. It seems like Yao would have an easier time catching a high pass, and it would also put the ball in a position where there is less chance of it getting stripped. I think I've said enough for my third post. Right now I have diarrhea of the mouth. And Swift just got injured. I hope he's not going to miss any games. I agree with Reggie Miller when he said it is the first time that someone tried a behind the back pass in the final seconds of a 40 point blowout, than get injured. Swift is definitely not the brightest player on the team, but I think he has the athlethic ability to help the Rockets in the future.</div> I agree with you with the amare part. Suns were too quick for rockets and it hurt Yao when he got doubled by little guys. Swift is always a bonehead and will never change. Swift could get over head passes because they didn't front him. Suns are really great at guarding post players since they doubled Yao real quick. Rockets defense was really slow and with Nash the suns were just dropping every open shot with his type of passing and speed it was just impossible. That was just embarassing and shows no hope at all at how rockets defense got sso easily destroyed by nash. Rockets did better in the 4th only because NAsh wasn't playing. Rockets have good garbage players but they're just not good enough it seems against quick teams. Rockets are just not a good enough team against quick teams. PHX, Hornets, etc. Going small seems to be the trend these days..and rockets have big n slow players <div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Hayes' impact would have been more apparent on defense. Yao's inability to guard screen and roll really killed us. Of everything that happened in the game, that was clearly our biggest weakness, and Phoenix (to their credit) exploited it. I think a lineup of: Alston, Wesley, Bogans, McGrady, Hayes might have been our best bet tonight. I wish Van Gundy would have tried that in the first quarter, when it was evident that Howard and Yao were out of their depth defensively.</div> Yao's defense weakness as he is a big guy that suns exploited. 1. Kurt thomas shooting outside and yao slowness to guard him Rockets weakness on defense -Basically everything. Maybe they should have doubled nash. But JVG is too stubborn. -Rockets just don't have a good enough small roster that could stop them so the normal roster were just too big and it was torture to watch these bigger helpless players not being able to defend suns quickness. -Jon Barry, Rafer, Head, Bogans, Tmac and Yao..all of them can't guard the quick phx players mainly nash and marion yao's offense weakness 1. Doubled so his post moves were very bothered and couldn't execute What's sad is the rockets roster couldn't stop nash. THeir best bet was to double nash but there doubling requires quickness tht the rockets don't have. Head and Rafer doubling nash wouldn't really help, since the rest are just too slow to get back and guard open man which was usually the 3 point line
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kramer_k:</div><div class="quote_post">Yao isn't the type to give up - I bet he'll be trying much much harder after the break. T-Mac gives much more respect to the Houston fans and its organization than he did for Orlando, so I don't think he'll become lazy. And I sure hope he's not looking to give up his All-Star status. oh and what are these off-court issues anyway? It can't be too serious...can it? If those go away by the break, T-Mac should play like he did in the Clippers game every day - not too much, but enough to carry the team and create momentum for everybody else.</div> He has said that involves a close friend. I think it's that, and a combination of other things (his recent poor play, the pressure of possibly missing the playoffs, the stress of a new kid, etc.). It almost sounds like he has depression.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting evolidiot:</div><div class="quote_post">It was like their first meeting where Yao would be sandwhiched. At the beginning of the third, he got two dunks when he had Diaw 1 on 1. And about Yao not getting any rebounds. He is a decent rebounder, but wll probably never be a dominant one. From the games I've watched, it seems like Yao is always looking to box out his man instead of going for the rebound. He should go after the ball instead of always boxing out, like Chuck Hayes. Hayes is always chasing for the rebound, not boxing out than hoping the ball bounces his way. In this game, Yao did a not do a bad job of rebounding, even though he got 0. That may sound strange, but Yao did not surrendered any offensive rebounds, I don't think, and he did not miss any rebounds he shuld have gotten, which were none. The Suns were shooting lights out, so there were barely any rebounds to get.</div> First of all, I'd like to say welcome to the forum! Its one of the most active of the site and is pretty much alive everyday. Anyways, I also think there's another way of looking at his rebounding. Its true that Yao probably won't ever average rebounds in the teens, probably a little bit over ten maybe but I don't think you can say thats because of his technique. Because he's so big, he's also slower "going for the rebound". Take a look at the jumpballs in tipoffs of games. He actually doesn't get the majority of the ones, that I watch anyway. I actually realized this after watching a couple of games. His reaction time seems naturally slow which means its actually ideal for him to just box out and let his teammates snag the ball. There's a reason why Hayes can chase for the rebound. Because he's much faster and all the other big men are being boxed out by Yao. This is the biggest reason why Van Gundy frustrates me. On paper, Yao and Hayes could actually be a very deadly combination. Yao would be allowed to drift outside and shoot jumpers while Hayes, because he's such a good rebounder, can get some offense rebounds to dish back out. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting evolidiot:</div><div class="quote_post"> I think I've said enough for my third post. Right now I have diarrhea of the mouth. And Swift just got injured. I hope he's not going to miss any games. I agree with Reggie Miller when he said it is the first time that someone tried a behind the back pass in the final seconds of a 40 point blowout, than get injured. Swift is definitely not the brightest player on the team, but I think he has the athlethic ability to help the Rockets in the future.</div> I'm actually happy Swift got injured. He's one of the most frustrating players to watch. Several posessions he fumbles the ball and creates a turnover (which by the way, was what killed us this game aside from the Suns shooting). In addition to that, he just looks so lost out there on the court. He really doesn't have any post moves, and even when he gets the ball, he's not aggressive at the right time. Sometimes he would shoot jumpers, which is actually horrid in itself since he's not that great of a shooter. On other times, he would just straight up try to dunk it even when there's probably no possible way of it going in. Oh, and he was such a liability last night its not even funny. He kept arguing with the refs and didn't get back of defense, which resulted in so many fast break opportunities for Phoenix. Granted, no one can keep up with the Suns in the open court scenario, but Swift is probably our second most athletic guy on our team, there's really no reason he can't! Anyways, sorry, I had to vent about Swift. Nice points you made by the way.
Thanks for he welcome AznxBaller. I agree with most of what up say but I still believe Yao can change his technique to get more rebounds. Their is one play in the suns game that demonstrates my point. A Suns player took a shot, and Yao, instead of keeping his eyes on the ball, he looked behind him 2 or 3 times to look for someone to box out. The shot went in, so their was no rebound to get, but this play kind of shows that Yao may be being too fundamentally sound in always looking to box out. If the shot had missed, Yao would've had a hard time getting the rebound because he kept looking behind, even though there was no one close to him. I don't know the actual stats, but I think Yao has gotten the majority of the tip-offs since he came back from the surgery. I know in the past Yao did not have very good success with tip-offs, but it seems like he has improved recently. One thing is true, Yao is slow off his feet. Maybe with his height, it takes a fraction of a second longer for a thought to travel from his brain to his feet.
