Rocket Fan Worried

[ABM]

Love it.

http://www.chron.com/disp/discuss.mpl/sports/6376087.html?p=4

FreckleFace wrote:
I am so tired of us being called Choke City (For those of you who haven't read the other sports venues, that's what we are being called AGAIN. It goes something like this: "The Rockets, who could have finished with the second seed and home court advantage for two rounds with a win, were the only one of the three teams tied for third that lost last night. Instead of opening at home against the seventh seed, they will be opening on the road against fourth seeded Portland, a team with one of the best home records in the NBA.")! Will we ever be Clutch City again? Players "late" to the practice before the most important game of the season and arguing at mid-court among Hayes, Mutombo, and Battier. Players shoulders dropping and giving up after Kidd's 4 quarter trey (It was actually visible, sad and visible.). "Professional" coaches who have yet to figure out what to do when Yao is fronted are a dime a dozen (By my count there have been seven typical solutions to fronting Yao POSTED ON THIS FORUM! Our coaches have tried two, one of which we obviously do not have the personnel to implement and the other depending on a 7'6" slow player getting "free" on his own.) Not only did we blow up, we blew up with hilium. I'm not quite ready to say tear it up and rebuild it yet, but it seems some serious evaluation needs to be done about this group of players and coaches, maybe even management, though it's difficult to evaluate management because you never know how much imput the head coach has and how much control the owner has. How many of us are willing to bet our hard-earned money that we will advance out of the first round this year? Not this fan. IMO.

SugarLandSmarty wrote:
I bet Kobe wakes up this morning in LA and says "OMG, we get the Rockets in the second round? Well no championship for us this year, woe is us!"
.
Oh wait, that was Kobe Smith. Kobe Bryant is slapping high fives and saying "When we beat Portland in the second round we get to the Western Championship round, no problemo"
.
Portland in 6. What a waste of a season to play like they did, have the opportunity to win the division in the last game, be up at halftime, and then not even get home court advantage. Aaarrrggghhhh

 

[Trip]

Well, you're pretty much the favourites, what with the homecourt and all.

 

[ABM]

Well, you're pretty much the favourites, what with the homecourt and all.

Houston REALLY screwed up last night...................and most (if not all) of your fans know it. It boils down to the fact that, once teams begin to aggressively front Yao, the Rockets tend to shy away from him. Simple as that.

Bottom Line: Houston will go as far as Yao's teammates allow him take them.

 

[maxiep]

Familiarity breeds contempt. Their fans don't see what a problem the Rockets are for us. This is going to be a very tough series for us from which to emerge victorious. By my count there are two teams that could go into a series feeling at all confident against us: Dallas and Houston.

 

[ABM]

Familiarity breeds contempt. Their fans don't see what a problem the Rockets are for us. This is going to be a very tough series for us from which to emerge victorious. By my count there are two teams that could go into a series feeling at all confident against us: Dallas and Houston.

I see kind of a 1-2 punch coming against Yao. In other words, front him. When Houston goes for the lob (and they will), have player x come over and stand directly behind Yao....effectively "pinching" him. Yao would then be forced to pass or foul.

I know it's not as easy as this, but I still think Nate will come up with some fronting and rotating strategies. Of course, Rick's no dummy, so I'm sure he's anticipating this and will have a counter plan in place.

Gonna be a fun, fun series!

Blazers in 7.

 

[BlazersBlood]

Familiarity breeds contempt. Their fans don't see what a problem the Rockets are for us. This is going to be a very tough series for us from which to emerge victorious. By my count there are two teams that could go into a series feeling at all confident against us: Dallas and Houston.

Yup. They'll be up to the challenge. It will be interesting how Nate adjusts during the series to free up Roy and shut down Yao.

 

[andalusian]

The Rockets are really a tough match. I will go on record saying that in my mind - Portland has two options this playoffs - get out on the 1st round or go to the finals. In my opinion - if this team wins the first round - they are going on a mad mad romp.

 

[STOMP]

Well, you're pretty much the favourites, what with the homecourt and all.

is that DA on the left?

STOMP

 

[Boob-No-More]

This is going to be a battle. Both teams have the defenders necessary to stop the other team's best offensive weapon.

With Joel, Oden, Lamarcus and Frye, the Blazer have the length at center and power forward to front Yao and send a 6'11" power forward to double from behind. Between Joel and Oden, they also have 12 fouls to give - but Yao is an excellent FT shooter. So, they don't really want to make a habit of sending him to the line.

With Artest and Battier, the Rockets have two big, tough defenders to put on Roy. They will always have one or the other in the game when Roy is on the floor. Unlike other teams, this means the Rockets won't have to double Roy when he has the ball - which means fewer wide open 3s for Rudy and Blake.

It's going to be a tough, grind it out, low scoring series. Welcome to playoff basketball.

BNM

 

[Trip]

Portland's bigs front Yao really well; his games against you guys show that. The Rockets will need to attack the basket if they can't get Yao the ball and try to get Przybilla in foul trouble. Oden in his first game against Yao wasn't nearly as effective. Main key for Houston would be for Artest to move the ball and not take so many stupid shots. There are times when he comes down the court with shot already ingrained in his mind. Once that happens you can't even get the ball out of his hands.

 

[MAS RipCity]

Just contain Brooks and Scola and we will be fine. Give Yao his 20, let Ron-Ron jack up shots..we need to slow down those role players. Limit their 3's and attack, attack, attack. Aldridge will have to carry us for us to win, since Brandon will be the focal point of the defense.

 

[STOMP]

Portland's bigs front Yao really well; his games against you guys show that. The Rockets will need to attack the basket if they can't get Yao the ball and try to get Przybilla in foul trouble. Oden in his first game against Yao wasn't nearly as effective. Main key for Houston would be for Artest to move the ball and not take so many stupid shots. There are times when he comes down the court with shot already ingrained in his mind. Once that happens you can't even get the ball out of his hands.

yup... Yao vs the 12 fouls of Joel and Greg will be a key to the series. Oden seems to be making strides of late so maybe he can get Ming in some foul trouble too. Artest has been a matchup nightmare for Portland for a few years now and he seems to know it and play with supreme confidence. But Roy is equally a matchup problem for Houston where both Artest and Battier struggle with his speed/shiftiness. LA's length allows him clear looks vs Scola, but Luis always seems to have nice games scrapping and hitting open looks when left alone.

Should be fun

STOMP

 

[Boob-No-More]

Just contain Brooks and Scola and we will be fine. Give Yao his 20, let Ron-Ron jack up shots..we need to slow down those role players. Limit their 3's and attack, attack, attack. Aldridge will have to carry us for us to win, since Brandon will be the focal point of the defense.

I think Aldridge is the key to this series. His length creates match-up problems for the Rockets power forwards. He has also been playing extremely well since the all-star break. The Blazers should pound the ball into him early to try to get a couple quick fouls on Scola. He can then simply shoot over any of their back-up 4s.

BNM

 

[Trip]

I think Aldridge is the key to this series. His length creates match-up problems for the Rockets power forwards. He has also been playing extremely well since the all-star break. The Blazers should pound the ball into him early to try to get a couple quick fouls on Scola. He can then simply shoot over any of their back-up 4s.

BNM

I actually think Landry would do a better job defensively on Aldridge. He's quicker and more athletic. Of course, the Rockets' best option for defending Aldridge would be Chuck Hayes. He gives away no position and has utilized Battier's "eye-coverage" defense.

On offense though Scola's much more effective. His knack for always being in the right place will come in handy with Portland looking at Yao.

 

[Boob-No-More]

yup... Yao vs the 12 fouls of Joel and Greg will be a key to the series. Oden seems to be making strides of late so maybe he can get Ming in some foul trouble too.

Yes, but as an 0.866 FT shooter, you don't want to send Yao to the line too often. Play Hack-a-Yoa and you're playing to his strength. Better to double him front and rear than resort to fouling him.

I do like the idea of using Greg to get Yao in foul trouble, but I have a feeling Rick will play Mutombo when Greg is in the game to avoid that happening. Deke won't give them anything on offense, but he can still match up effectively against Greg on the defensive end.

BNM

 

[andalusian]

I do like the idea of using Greg to get Yao in foul trouble, but I have a feeling Rick will play Mutombo when Greg is in the game to avoid that happening. Deke won't give them anything on offense, but he can still match up effectively against Greg on the defensive end.

It is impreative for Greg to stay out of foul trouble. If he does - the Rockets will not be able to play Deke for long - since their offense will really suffer with Yao out. Greg needs to bang his way to the post against Yao. He is strong enough and quick enough to do that.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I actually think Landry would do a better job defensively on Aldridge. He's quicker and more athletic. Of course, the Rockets' best option for defending Aldridge would be Chuck Hayes. He gives away no position and has utilized Battier's "eye-coverage" defense.

Actually, neither Landry nor Hayes has been able to guard Aldridge in the past. They do a decent job of keeping him from establishing position deep, but Aldridge has a great mid-range jumper with a high release and simply shoots over the shorter Landry and MUCH shorter Hayes.

BNM

 

[Trip]

Actually, neither Landry nor Hayes has been able to guard Aldridge in the past. They do a decent job of keeping him from establishing position deep, but Aldridge has a great mid-range jumper with a high release and simply shoots over the shorter Landry and MUCH shorter Hayes.

BNM

I've got all three games this season saved on my computer so I'll take a look later. IIRC, Hayes has always been the one to give Aldridge the most trouble on his turnarounds. Once Aldridge gets in the air Hayes bulls right up to him and sticks a hand in his eyes. Maybe it's just one isolated play etched into my memory, but if so the impression that gave me was pretty strong.

 

[STOMP]

Yes, but as an 0.866 FT shooter, you don't want to send Yao to the line too often. Play Hack-a-Yoa and you're playing to his strength. Better to double him front and rear than resort to fouling him.

I'm not advocating a Hack-a-Ming stategy of trying to send him to the line. Dude will get there though because he's such a threat on the block. He's probably the easiest guy to make an entry pass to I've ever seen and Adelman absolutely will be running things through him. Joel and Greg have the best shot on the roster of slowing him down so them not fouling out is the key to the game I'm referring to.

STOMP

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Let Yao get his points, I'm fine with that and even Artest ,but we can't let guys like Wafer shred our defense and go to the hoop uncontested.

I know that this is a series that Ptown must go into thinking it's a street fight. Houston has pushed us around all year, that can't happen or this will be done in a hurry!

I don't like this matchup for our young young team, but if we can get past the Rockets the rest of playoffs could be really interesting.

 

[crandc]

A bit off topic, but a co-worker around the corner from me is the first cousin of Carl Landry. He took her to dinner last week when the Rockets were in Sacramento and then Oakland.

She does not follow basketball. I had to tell her last week about the Portland/SA/Houston tie. But I think we should maybe avoid each other for a couple of weeks.

 

[STOMP]

I've got all three games this season saved on my computer so I'll take a look later. IIRC, Hayes has always been the one to give Aldridge the most trouble on his turnarounds. Once Aldridge gets in the air Hayes bulls right up to him and sticks a hand in his eyes. Maybe it's just one isolated play etched into my memory, but if so the impression that gave me was pretty strong.

Chuck measured 6'5.5 barefoot at his predraft with a 8'8.5 standing reach... LA came in 6'10 & 9'2. Thats the same sort of advantage that Yao enjoys.

STOMP

 

[Trip]

Well I just skipped through the two games where Houston faced Portland at home, and both times Hayes did an excellent job on Aldridge one-on-one. On backdowns Hayes played him so tight that when Aldridge turned around to shoot Hayes was right in his face. The height advantage for Aldridge is neutralized in those instances because Hayes doesn't go for the block; he just puts a hand right before your eyes. It seemed to have thrown Aldridge off, because he was hitting the exact same shots with Scola on him.

Where the height advantage plays to Aldridge's benefit is when he runs a pick and pop with Roy. Hayes often left him to help on Roy. Roy would hit Aldridge with a pass, and Aldridge gets an open 18 footer. If Hayes were more athletic or longer he might have been able to recover in time, but with his height he was unable to throw a hand in Aldridge's face before the ball left his hands.

I'm not saying Hayes can shut Aldridge down, but that he's actually our best shot at slowing him down. I'm not scared of Roy, more of Aldridge.

Here's a video I found on youtube of what I'm talking about. I would have cut out some clips from the Rockets/Blazers games but I'm right in the middle of an exam stretch and can't afford the time.

[youtube]IuvicmG_zgk[/youtube]

 

[maxiep]

A bit off topic, but a co-worker around the corner from me is the first cousin of Carl Landry. He took her to dinner last week when the Rockets were in Sacramento and then Oakland.

She does not follow basketball. I had to tell her last week about the Portland/SA/Houston tie. But I think we should maybe avoid each other for a couple of weeks.

Rather than talk basketball, ask her about he's recovering from the shooting. Hoops is one thing, but what happened to Landry I wouldn't want to happen to anyone...even K*be.

I was glad to see him back on the court.