<div align="center"> <font color="red">Rockets (0-0)</font> vs <font color="blue">Jazz (0-0)</font> Wednesday, November 1, 2006 7:30 CT; FSNSW </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(R. Alston, K. Snyder, T.McGrady, S. Battier, M. Yao)</font></font></div> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/rafer_alston.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Rafer Alston</font> 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. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kirk_snyder.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Kirk Snyder</font> 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. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tracy_mcgrady.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Tracy McGrady</font> 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. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shane_battier.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Shane Battier</font> 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. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/yao_ming.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Yao Ming</font> 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. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luther_head.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Luther Head (Sixth Man)</font> 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. </font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="blue"> <font size="1">(D. Williams, G. Giricek, A. Kirilenko, C. Boozer, M. Okur)</font></font></div> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/deron_williams.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Deron Williams</font> 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. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/gordan_giricek.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Gordan Giricek</font> 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. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/andrei_kirilenko.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Andrei Kirilenko</font> 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. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/carlos_boozer.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Carlos Boozer</font> Being constantly injured after the infamous Boozergate, Carlos Boozer has played only 84 games these past two seasons. However, when he does play, Boozer is solid. 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. 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. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mehmet_okur.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Mehmet Okur</font> 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. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/matt_harpring.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Matt Harpring (Sixth Man)</font> 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. </font> <div align="center"></div> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="red">Star Players </font> - After last season where they weren't exactly on the court with each other a lot of minutes, the two superstars will be looking to come out strong tonight. If they can each put up star type numbers and do their job defensively, it'll make the game run much smoother[*]<font color="red">Check the frontcourt</font> - With Boozer and Okur, the Jazz have a pretty good frontcourt offensively. Thus, guys like Battier and Yao will have to make sure they limit Okur's and Boozer's touches in the game. However, if they do get the ball, the Rockets frontcourt will need to make sure they don't get too many open looks.[*]<font color="red">Team Offense</font> - Sure, we know what the Rockets stars can do. However, that really means nothing if the rest of the team doesn't help out with scoring. That means guys like Battier, Head, and Alston are going to have to try and find their scoring rhythms and make sure Yao and McGrady are not blanketed with double teams. [*]<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. [*]<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. [*]<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]<font size="3">Prediction</font> AznxBallers prediction (on behalf of the Rockets Preview Team): Rockets win, 95-90. <font size="1"> *All pre, and post-game discussion should go in here. Thanks.</font>
My apologies for being late, AXB covered it well, but here it is: <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.
Wow, the thread looks great. Hopefully it can set a precedent for the rest of the gamethreads. I can't wait. I finally get to see this new Rockets team in action. I hope T-Mac can show us he is not all talk and come out strong.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Someone fix where it says David Wesley.</div> Fixed, thanks for the heads up.
<div class="quote_poster">AznxBaller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> [*]<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.[*]</div> How can we put Battier on AK-47? That would me T-mac would have to guard Boozer... I think we will have to go with Tmac guarding AK.
Thanks for putting this up Aznx. Looks great. A bad start to the season certainly won't be good, so the Rockets will need to win this. Our schedule is pretty tough at the start, hopefully the team can overcome that. Know what's really cool though? Just getting the NBA back! :
I think it's interesting that Yao is starting the season in the same place where his last season ended. Hopefully, the Rockets and Yao leave town with their health and a win.
Great preview guys! It would be nice for the Rockets to start the season with a good record. I just hope there would be no major injuries to key players this season season otherwise it will be a struggle again and will be painful to watch if they go down through the season.
<div class="quote_poster">ownage Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How can we put Battier on AK-47? That would me T-mac would have to guard Boozer... I think we will have to go with Tmac guarding AK.</div> Well, I was thinking since Boozer has 50 pounds on Battier, that Howard and Hayes would cover him the majority of the time. Allowing our best defensive player (Battier) to guard there best offensive player (outsideo of Okur) AK47. T-Mac can guard Gordan Giricek no problem.
Nice layout but it's so wordy and i'm guessing repetitive so I didn't bother reading it all. Good try and effort though..just write less next time. I really hope snyder and battier will turn this team around...they looked really good in preseason. Yao, hopefully, can handle the double teams and not be overwhelmed. I also hope NOVAK gets some playing time.....
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Lately, the Utah Jazz have not made things easy here for the Houston Rockets. The Jazz host the Rockets in the season opener for both teams Wednesday. Utah has won five of its last six contests at the Delta Center over Houston with the exception of a 99-85 victory by the Rockets on March 28, 2005. The Jazz did take two of the three meetings during the 2005-06 campaign. This will be the first of four regular-season matchups. During the offseason, Utah selected Ronnie Brewer in the first round of the draft and Dee Brown and Paul Millsap in the second. The Jazz also made a trade with the Toronto Raptors for BYU product Rafael Araujo and a deal with the Golden State Warriors to bring in veteran point guard Derek Fisher. Carlos Boozer is back after participating in just the final 33 contests due to a strained left hamstring last year, joining do-it-all swingman Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur in the frontcourt. Utah could have its hands full with newly acquired Rockets Shane Battier, Bonzi Wells and former player Kirk Snyder, who will try to pitch in to the high-powered attack behind Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Due to injuries, Yao (toe) missed 25 games last season while McGrady (back) was absent for 35. Houston posted a 5-2 record in the preseason while Utah went 4-4. </div> www.nba.com
<div class="quote_poster">back-on-track Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Off the topic, aznxballer, how do you divide the thread from the middle vertically?</div> [noparse][div=50%] This will show up on the right side ... [/div] This will show up on the left side ...[/noparse]
