Game 8 - Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns Wednesday November 12 9:30PM CST
by UofTOrange on Nov 12, 2008 5:56 PM CST
in Game Previews
Email
Print
The Matchups:
Alston vs. Nash – This match up shouldn’t even be given that moniker. We’re talking about a multiple MVP award winning PG vs., well, a never award winning PG. Alston has not been the reason the Rockets have 3 losses, but he’s also not the reason they have 4 wins. He’s just out there.
Edge – Suns – I have nothing more to say
McGrady vs. Bell – McGrady has been either very on, or very off this year. Unfortunately he was very off in our last two games. He’s still better than Raja Bell, and is no way that a knock on Bell. He’s actually one of the most underrated players in the league in my opinion. I really like his game, he’s a player that you hate on one team but would love on yours. Kind of like Matt Harpring, but he’s a lot better than that.
Edge – Rockets - Tracy played some good games last year against Phoenix, look for more of the same tonight.
Artest vs. Barnes – Artest has shown us the best and the worst of his offensive game. I’m not sure he’s shown us the best of his defense, but he’s been nothing short of solid on that end in any game. His energy is always there, but you can see that he’s not sure exactly how he should fit into our offense schemes. Frankly, I don’t blame him, we’re completely disjointed there. Barnes is a good player, good energy and fun to watch on the court. I still can’t believe he’s on the Suns now.
Edge – Rockets – Pretty simple pick here
Scola vs. Stoudemire – Scola has arguably been our best player so far this year. Other than the Clippers game where he was taken out of the mix with fouls (including his daily 2 fouls that are absolutely ridiculous), he has been taken out of the game when he has been dominating. His usage on the court makes absolutely no sense to me. When he’s out there the offense seems to flow. I know that Landry has been solid too, but you will never explain to me why you sit a guy shooting 7/10 (this has happened twice) for extended periods of time.
Edge – Suns – Stoudemire is scary good on the offensive end, one of the most gifted players in the league. Luckily he doesn‘t really play D so Scola will have open looks.
Yao vs. Shaq - Yao has not always risen to the challenge all the way with Shaq. I don’t’ like being a whiner, but referees poorly officiate Shaq. The do about 10 times worse officiating Yao. It’s never more evident than in games where the two matchup. In those games Shaq shot 110 free throws to Yao’s 45. That’s laughable on every possible level.
Edge – Rockets – Yao has actually played pretty well the last few games, with poor rotations getting him out of rhythm and poor offensive usage getting him out of his real position.
My prediction – An embarrassed Tracy McGrady absolutely goes off tonight. Rockets win it with his scoring and everyone else’s defense.
193 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
4r shizzle
But first, I am looking forward to Amare’s lock down D and perhaps Leandro can get a block on Yao. He is a bit taller then Nate but he’s got limited up’s. Enough I think though to stuff the big guy :)
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Nov 12, 2008 8:07 PM CST up reply actions
dude...
I think I could block Yao’s shot right now. He is more grounded than a 15 year old who missed curfew right now.
What up what up
I’m here tonight, being that we’re on national TV!
Also – um, Rudy Fernandez is fucking ridiculous.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 9:36 PM CST reply actions
RIDICULOUS baseline Abdul-esque hook shot by Yao!!
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 9:57 PM CST reply actions
Yeah.
In the pre-game, they said the Rockets big three had a “meeting” of some sort to admit they weren’t all comfortable on the court together yet.
Apparently everything is all good, and they just decided to feed whoever has the hot hand.
I’ll believe it when I see it… and I wonder how much of that report was true.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:14 PM CST reply actions
I think the plan with Scola
Is to put him on the bench in the 4th quarter when he’s hot. But nice try.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:16 PM CST reply actions
Did that woman just tell us
That Shane Battier is stitching his own clothing?
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:16 PM CST reply actions
Aaron Brooks
Missing a free throw? Has Calvin Murphy taught you nothing about being a midget in the NBA? You can’t EVER miss a free throw
What in the living HELL is Shane talking about???
“When I’m out there, you don’t know what I’m doing”
Wha?
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:17 PM CST reply actions
Is CP just gonna hang around and pop 3s all night?
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:21 PM CST reply actions
Crazy Pills!! Great nick, btw. Yours?
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:27 PM CST up reply actions
Aaron Brooks is 6 feet tall in the same world that
Tracy McGrady is a good 3 pointer shooter
Luis Scola gets to play in the 4th quarter
And
Chuck Hayes is a good free throw shooter
That's an awful call on Barnes
But I like it
I don’t like that Tracy feels he has to do that to have a chance to score though
Tracy is committed to this beard thing. Eeeevil!
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:34 PM CST reply actions
Yao is outplaying him, he has 11 rebounds already.
Not to take anything away from Shaq, he is playing hard.
Just looked this up out of curiosity
Chuck Hayes and the worst shooting form in the history of free throws : 56.9% career FT shooter
Shaq: 52.5%
That’s just messed up
Yao is in great shape
Shaq is fat.
Yet – both seemingly in the same kind of basketball shape.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:47 PM CST reply actions
Yep, Yao still hasn't gotten there
But he sure looks a lot livelier today than he has in any game not against Dallas so far this year
His voice amuses me... but his content is bad - so far.
I mean – he’s no Emmitt Smith – but the noises that come out of his mouth make me laugh.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:57 PM CST up reply actions
Man, the talk radio in Houston is crazy right now
I don’t know if you ever stream the Houston radio shows – but you should hear people talking like the season is in serious jeopardy right now. Trade Yao! Trade Tracy! Just like every single other year. I don’t know WTF it is with Houston sports fan – of which I’m a lifelong one – but man, it angers me.
We’ve played SEVEN games with freaking RON ARTEST having joined our team!!
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:56 PM CST reply actions
The average radio listener is an idiot
That’s why I like 1560, they actually call people out when they are stupid.
I should be fair, Charlie Pallilo does too
Yeah, idiot is one way to put it, LOL
I wish Lance Z’s show matched up to my schedule.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:59 PM CST up reply actions
Is it time?
DHo had 30 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks tonight. Is it time for me to say that he is better than Yao? Is that even a knock on Yao?
Head to head Yao will still destroy him though. So does that mean Yao’s still better?
Then again - Yao hasn't nearly hit his stride yet this year
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:58 PM CST reply actions
Yao right before his injury last year was better than DHo right now
But we aren’t seeing that right now
Why does Scola draw so many horseshit fouls?
I mean, I guess that was a reach??
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:02 PM CST reply actions
That's being generous.
Though he does seem a bit more active in the third.
Why did that woman pet T-Mac like a puppy? LOL
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:13 PM CST reply actions
It was in a commercial
And I almost went there on the Miyagi joke but couldn’t quite put one together
One of the things I love about the NBA
Are the rare occasions where the players interact with fans courtside.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:15 PM CST reply actions
What a freaking third quarter!!!!!!!!
OH SHIT WHAT THE FUCK TRACY!?!?!?
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:20 PM CST reply actions
Yeah, surprised Tmac's not gone
He’ll get a suspension though.
Shaq however, will continue sucking dick and being a gigantic punk pussy bitch.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:26 PM CST reply actions
Also - Nash didn't get that off in time. I slo-mo DVRd it.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:29 PM CST reply actions
Sorry I went a little bananas with the foul language up there.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:32 PM CST reply actions
I would like for everyone to see my prediction for this game
Dear God, please do not let that be a jinx. Amen
Yep, you called it f'sho
And on a night where he was a game-time decision, too!
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:39 PM CST up reply actions
I just went back and watched that Hakeem move again.
My god – that was a thing of beauty. PERFECT execution. More, please.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:39 PM CST reply actions
Yeah - and a multi-millionaire who refuses to fix his cowlick.
Cuz there’s like… a surgery or something.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:42 PM CST up reply actions
And I have to give it up to the guys at Bright Side of the Sun
They are being very realistic about this game
As long as they don't think the Rockets were at fault for that "fight"
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:49 PM CST up reply actions
They called Shaq out for the push, called Barnes a bitch and agreed that Nash had no business getting in there
I’d say they were all over it
So nobody had a childish meltdown?
That’s good. /blush
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:50 PM CST up reply actions
Well, Almost
If Alston were a real man, he would’ve slugged Barnes. Damn the fines! Barnes punked you, Horry-style. Pushing is for bitches, Shaq.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
I kept waiting for Artest to come off the top rope with the steel chair.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:54 PM CST up reply actions
I was waiting for Artest to break up the fight
But get charged for technical because he’s Crazy Pills
careful now
Hey, re-read the disclaimer… there is no dissing of Robert Horry allowed in this blog. None. No exception.
Meaning he got exactly the result he wanted, just like Horry
But when Big Shot Rob did it, it helped his team win. Not sure what Barnes accomplished
Aaron Brooks is looking so good right now
Not just shooting, but (more importantly) passing and movement.
He lives close to the stadium
And, why invest in a car when you only make the minimum? Save your pennies for a rainy day.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Guys making 30K a year buy cars, the NBA min is substantially higher than that
That being said, I’m all for riding the bike, I mean, why not?
Ballgame!
ZERO fast break points for the SUNS – at HOME!!
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 11:59 PM CST reply actions
Oh yeah
I’m a huge, huge Tmac guy.
I mean – the WORST case scenario is that his contract expires in two years and DARYL MOREY has 23 million to work with. No reason to trade him.
by HoustonDiehards on Nov 13, 2008 12:02 AM CST up reply actions
He just said he saw the Phoenix doctors. Those guys are miracle workers.
They had a broken down Shaq playing immediately
They brought Stodemire back from microfracture surgery
They have kept Nash on the floor when Dallas thought he was done
This is actually the first Rockets game I get to watch on TV in Australia this season, and not only do I get a double-digit win, I get a near-brawl, too!
That is fantastic bang for your buck
Are you not able to get the internet feeds? I’ll try and post them in these threads whenever I find them
I do get the feeds...
The problem is that they eat up a major chunk of my monthly download/upload limit. (Australian broadband sucks ass.)
just have to say
Fuckin’ A that was a fun game to watch!
Except for Alston going all street thug again (why does he allow himself to get mindfucked by role player on other teams???)
That said – Matt Barnes is and always has been a goon.
Nice game fellas
Best D I’ve seen on Amare in a long time. Great job clogging up the lane and hustling back on rotations.
Catch you next time for the grudge match.
Nash v. Alston – clash of the titans
Blogging Suns Basketball
Agreed. We usually get scorched by him.
Our game plan worked for all but about a 4 possession period. Then Hayes came in and you heard nothing more from him. Scola and Landry were doing a great job frustrating him before that.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Video: Boston works in a half-court football snap after winning the tip
- Judging the choices for the Eastern Conference All-Star team reserves
- Judging the choices for the Western Conference All-Star team reserves
- Jeremy Lin draws inspiration from Tim Tebow
- Stephen Jackson is already tired of Milwaukee
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
