Yao Ming Mania - Latest Comments in Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

Re: Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

andrew — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:02:09 -0000

Luther Head plays like a WNBA player, hence the name "lose her head". SHE should not be resinged after this season.

Re: Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

Ben — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:48:39 -0000

What's wrong with Carl Landry? He has been terrible since coming out of the injury. If he could perform as well as he used to, we might have a shot.

Re: Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

Ree — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:14:11 -0000

First of all, I don't think Rockets can win this series. To be honest, I'm doubting they can win one, the talent disparity is just HUGE.

Now that being said, I respect their spirit and think they really need to take care of the following areas:

1) FINISH THE DAMN LAYUPS!!! Is it really that hard to finish those???
2) My god, go practice the foul shots!! They are called FREE throws, you know!
3) McGrady, this is not going to be a t-bashing post since I did two of them already, and I respect the fact that he's playing with injury and a depleted casts, but he really needs to be more aggressive in the fourth quarter. I forgot who said it, but one of the person on TV said 2 minutes into the fourth quarter that Mcgrady should take 75 percent of the shots from this point on for the Rockets to have a chance, I agree.

Well, then we'll just pray he actually sinks them. The point is, he can spot shooters for three quarters, but in the fourth, he has to change to a higher gear when it's the fourth quarter... even though I don't really know whether he has that second gear.

Re: Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

Daniel — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:55:43 -0000

John they missed too many damn layups. Bobby Jackson had too many shots and Battier didn't get enough. McGrady set a lot of guys up for easy shots and they were missed. You can't win an NBA game if you can't make a layup. The defense was solid, the offensive gameplan seemed ok, it was a lack of execution. I'm not sure if it was because of the Jazz defense, the Rockets just playing badly, or a combination of both. Hopefully they'll come out ready to execute tomorrow or this is going to be a short series.

You think Wilson will kill himself if the Rockets win this series?? He's probably already on suicide watch knowing their record without Yao is better than their record without McGrady??? It's pathetic how many people live vicariously through Yao ignoring the fact that Yao would spit in their faces if he knew they were happy the Rockets lost game 1.

Re: Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

Wilson — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:11:07 -0000

ARE THE HOUSTON ROCKETS THE FIRST TEAM IN NBA HISTORY TO WIN 22 GAMES IN A ROW IN A SEASON AND BEEN SWEPT IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE POST-SEASON???

Re: Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

Wilson — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:08:07 -0000

I DON'T UNDERSTAND SOMETHING...LAST YEAR PLAYOFFS AGAINST THE JAZZ, JVG PUT YAO TO GUARD BOOZER AND THIS YEAR RA IS PUTTING MUTOMBO TO GUARD BOOZER...WHY PUT CENTERS TO GUARD BOOZER INSTEAD OF USING A PF LIKE SCOLA OR LANDRY TO GUARD BOOZER???

Yao and Dikembe can't guard their center, Mehmet Okur, because he plays alot on the perimeter where he can hit long jump shots and 3-pointers. Boozer is more of their low-post threat. Deke did get a couple of blocks on Boozer, I believe. All in all, Utah is a tough matchup for any team defensively (add in Kirilenko, Williams, Millsap, etc). They have a legitimate shot at winning the West. -- John

Re: Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

Wilson — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:29:25 -0000

NO YAO THIS SEASON = NO FIRST ROUND SUCCESS FOR ROCKETS!!!
WITH YAO NEXT SEASON = NBA CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR ROCKETS!!!

Re: Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

David — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:15:16 -0000

It's so difficult to stay positive about the rockets. They are so inconsistent.....

Re: Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

jeff — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:33:39 -0000

It is unreasonable to expect success in the play-offs from a depleted team. What they have done up to this point is already over-achieved. Even if this team goes out in the first round, I still rate T-Mac as a rare talent in the league. If we cannot build a successful team around him and Yao, it is our fault. I have been wondering what will happen to these two guys, if they are in the Nuggets or the Cavaliers.

If the Rockets continue to get guys like Bobby Jackson or the D-League for the supporting cast, Yao should demand for a trade. It is business. Do not be sentimental. There are not too many years left in Yao's career, as he was held back for too long by the Chinese officials. It would be a pity for Yao himself and the Asian people, if he retires from NBA empty-handed.

Jeff, I would agree with your first paragraph above. These playoffs are so unusual that the Rockets don't have 2 of their starters in the lineup. It's really hard to get down on them because of it.

Regarding your second paragraph, we really can't slight Bobby Jackson or much of the supporting cast. They got Jackson in a last-minute trade before the deadline when many people thought they were okay with Alston and Aaron Brooks being the point guards (including me). Jackson helped them get where they are, and did as much as you could hope for in the regular season. There just weren't any other point guards available at the time of the trading deadline who they could afford. I believe the Rockets did a great job of building the best supporting cast they could. It helped them win 22 games in a row. They just need a little more seasoning, and these playoffs will help them get there.

The one exception might be Luther Head. If he continues to play like he has this season, the Rockets cannot afford to have him as being their backup shooting guard next season. There are too many other players out there that can offer more scoring support on a consistent basis and handle the ball better. -- John

Re: Homecourt advantage evaporates after Game 1 loss to Jazz

Wendy — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:10:46 -0000

Ok. Rockets in five.