Houston @ Philadelphia GameThread, Jan 6, 2009 6:00 PM CST

Game 36 - Houston Rockets at Philidelphia 76ers Tuesday 6:00PM CST

by UofTOrange on Jan 6, 2009 11:30 AM CST in Game Previews Comment 36 comments

Houston Rockets at Philadelphia 76ers, Jan 6, 2009 6:00 PM CST

The Match-ups:

Point Guard
Alston - Rafer played a solid game in Atlanta, yet still was a key component in the Rockets losing in the end. That says all you need to know
vs.
Miller - Eats players like Rafer for breakfast, can't really hang with guys above him.
Edge: 76ers

Shooting Guard
McGrady - No idea if he is going to play tonight or play in Boston. No word yet. If he doesn't go, and Von Wafer doesn't start, someone may need to call the police on me.
vs.
Green - Really Philly? Willie Green? Really?
Edge: Rockets

Small Forward
Artest - The jury is still out as to whether he will play tonight. I'm hoping he sits, but think he'll play.
vs.
Iguodala - Not worth the money he's paid, but we have a certain player like that too. I think he's a very good/great second banana, and maybe that is the plan with Elton Brand when he's not injured, but is Brand really a one himself?
Edge: Even

Power Forward
Scola - Just keep doing what you are doing
vs.
Young - He's better, sooner than I expected him to be. He has the talent of an all star in the games I've seen him play, but is still a few years off from contending for that spot.
Edge: Rockets

Center
Yao - While his rebounding has creeped up, Yao's scoring has come down. I look for him to break out tonight
vs.
Dalembert - He always seems to give Yao trouble. Here's hoping Yao takes that personally
Edge: Rockets

Key Reserve
Brooks - Mighty might needs to get back into the flow of the offense. His play creation is what made him/the second team so good early on.
vs.
Williams - Who is Lou Williams?
Edge: Rockets

Injuries
Houston Rockets
OUT - Shane Battier, I hate seeing you out, but I know you need it

Philidelphia 76ers
None - Okay, that's not true, Elton Brand is out for the game. Clearly that is a huge injury

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Comments

closer than you think

I’m not exactly sure that the McGrady/Green matchup is in the Rockets’ favor.

by grungedave on Jan 6, 2009 12:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I Hope this is a joke

I am a Sixers fan mind you, but even a hobbled TMac would eat Willie Green for lunch. Green is absolute garbage.

Chris Iafolla http://heardinthecheapseats.com/

by Chris Iafolla on Jan 6, 2009 12:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well, you haven't been watching T-Mac recently, then...

Seriously, though, the Rockets fanbase is all up in arms and has its collective panties in a bunch over T-Mac right now. Expect much hand-wringing and rage, depending on whether he has a good or awful game.

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 6, 2009 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Williams - Who is Lou Williams?

Sixers fans say the same about Brooks.

Adelman said Tracy McGrady will play tonight in Philadelphia, making it likely McGrady will miss Wednesday’s game in Boston. Adelman prefers that if McGrady must miss one game in back-to-backs, he play the first if he is ready.

"We’ve got to win some games," Adelman said. "We have to have guys on the court playing. I’m at the point, if you’re OK to play, play the game. Don’t pick a game (to miss). I don’t care about Boston. If Tracy goes out and plays a lot of minutes and needs to sit out Boston, then he sits out Boston."

Link

by Cornholio on Jan 6, 2009 12:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lou Williams...

Is a 22-year old SG/PG averaging 12.1 points per game. He is one of the more explosive players on the Philadelphia roster and a very promising young player that has a bright future in this league. Aaron Brooks is a 23-year old PG averaging 10.5 ppg. For sure, this is not a decided advantage for the Sixers, but it certainly is not an advantage for the Rockets either.

Chris Iafolla http://heardinthecheapseats.com/

by Chris Iafolla on Jan 6, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It was actually a joke

I know exactly who Lou Williams is. He’s a good player, and I think he’ll get better.

by UofTOrange on Jan 6, 2009 3:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If I recall correctly

He was Mr Basketball in Georgia when he was drafted, right? Had some weak tryouts for a straight from HS guy, but still showed a lot of promise

by UofTOrange on Jan 6, 2009 3:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Injury

On the Sixers injury front—you left out the fact that Elton Brand is out. I know you are well aware he is injured, but just thought I would point that out.

Chris Iafolla http://heardinthecheapseats.com/

by Chris Iafolla on Jan 6, 2009 1:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ya, I don't know why I didn't put that in there. I thought about it after the fact

He hasn’t really played and considering I actually commented on him in the preview I should have written that. Stupid being lazy and trusting what ESPN says!

by UofTOrange on Jan 6, 2009 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No worries

I almost figured that you simply left it out because it is so obvious and you commented on him in the preview. And you correct, Lou Williams did come out of the Georgia high school system. He’s one of the classic cases of being victim of some poor advisors. He had a huge upside, but was simply not ready for the NBA game when he was drafted. The Sixers took him on a flyer hoping he would one day live up to his potential.

Chris Iafolla http://heardinthecheapseats.com/

by Chris Iafolla on Jan 6, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs