Rockets stop slide in Oklahoma City - 100-91
by Xiane on Nov 29, 2009 9:21 PM CST
19 comments
Thoughts on Rockets 100 vs Thunder 91 (Game 17)
Tonight's Episode Sponsored by: Bullet Points - The Lazy Man's FriendTM
* First order of business - Luis Scola. PF might be the position we can cover fairly well in the short term, but we need Scola, every single night. Let's all hope that Luis comes right very soon after Etan Thomas hurt him on practically the first play of the game. I think we may miss Pops a bit right now. Will we see Joey Dorsey and his wallet full of $1 bills? The fictional side of TDS certainly hopes so. Get well Luis.
* Second order of business. I am heartily sick of the Bill Simmons "Team That Shall Not Be Named" schtick when it comes to the Oklahoma City Thunder. I feel tremendous sympathy for Seattle and its fans. Only a cad wouldn't.
There is no question Seattle was jobbed. But is it really OKC, as a fanbase's, fault? Should the enthusiastic fans watching a good young team bear the wrath of a city, a nation or an internet sports commenting phenomenon with a bully pulpit?
The whole sorry affair appeared to be a combination of bad acts on the part of Seattle's former owner (The Starbuckeroo), the OKC group, dithering on the part of the city of Seattle and an obviously pre-arranged deal with Stern and the NBA owners.
When you've got a buyer who has all along looked like he wanted to move the team to a nice new facility in his hometown, why be surprised when he does just that? We like to think of teams as our own, and God knows, we fund them as if they were, building arenas and whatnot. In the end, however, they are private property, and owners in the USA can generally do what they want with their property. You may say we're foolish to build arenas, and maybe that's true, but tell that to Seattle, where a rather nasty point about new facilities seemed to be made by the NBA.
So while the loss of the Supersonics was a terrible outcome for the loyal and great fans of Seattle who did not deserve anything like that treatment, and there was without question treachery on the part of a number of actors, the fans of OKC are not to blame. Being petulant about a team and city isn't hurting Clay Bennett, Howard Schultz, or David Stern. Let it go, at least when it comes to OKC and its fans - they are 2nd least blameworthy group in this mess.
* Seeing OKC again, I still think this is a collection of players struggling to become a team. On a talent level, this is an amazing group. From an execution and strategy level, they tend to look flat when playing Houston. Sometimes their massive collection of ability is enough to overcome a very good opponent. But in 11 straight games, that combination hasn't been enough to beat the Rockets.
* Wow. We needed this win. After the Dallas Debacle - Part II, and the Spurs crushing 3rd quarter, I felt as though doubt was starting to creep in regarding the whole program. This is unnecessary. The Rockets are able to compete with anyone, most nights. But when things go wrong, or when we play a team that's pure poison for us like Dallas, things can get ugly fast. Our big players do make a difference. They bring certain things, every night, and sometimes those things (Defense, insanely efficient shooting from Yao. Explosive scoring, the ability to create good shots, and excellent passing from McGrady.) are vital. There's a reason those guys are considered stars, despite the efficient and strong performance of our "No Stars"lineup.
* I've been accused of jinxing Carl Landry, so I'll try not to do that. But, but... Wow! Right now he's just an amazing force around the basket. If he got some of the calls that "star" big men get, he'd be even tougher. Remember, after the vile Etan Thomas (nice gratuitous shot at Brook's head) lacerated Scola's eyelid, he got 3 quick fouls - so most of his 21pts and 10 rbs came in the 2nd half.
Three UP
1. Aaron Brooks - 21 pts on 8-15 shooting, 3-3 on 3pts, 4 assits, 5 steals(!), and most importantly, 1 turnover. Yes, the wanton giveaways came to an end tonight, and it made a huge difference. A mature and poised game from Aaron, and despite somewhat similar stat lines - he played much better against Westbrook tonight.
2. The D on Durant. Kevin Durant can make impossible-seeming shots with some frequency. He can make easy shots with even greater frequency. At least 10 of Durant's 25 points came on "how did he make that" shots. That's all you can do, or hope for.
3. Landry is mentioned above, so - David Andersen. The big Aussie is finding his game in the NBA, he's moving much better on defense, and was frequently offering solid help D in the paint. His shot is as smooth as glass - we need to see more of it.
Three Down
1. Trevor Ariza channeling Ron Artest. 7-23 type nights are a problem. I like his aggressiveness, but he's not quite aggressive enough - he can get to the rim, but can't make the shot go - try to dunk more, Trevor. Also, his 3 seems way out of rhythm.
2. Etan Thomas - lacerated Scola's eye, and very nearly connected on a vicious, unnecessary, Karl Malone-style elbow to Aaron Brooks, who was simply standing near him. It's not in character for the Rockets, but a takedown of Thomas by his ridiculous ponytail would have satisfied my unrealistic revenge fantasies quite nicely.
3. A quiet night for Battier, who looked tentative when it came to open shot
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Rocket developement machine keeps on chugging
Taylor got some minutes in 2Q. 2 really good passes,1 solid pass and getting burnt on D a couple of times. Really showed an ability to penetrate and pass. Wouldn’t be shocked to see him get some meaningful minutes as the season progresses.
Yes, it's easy to forget we're not even 1/4 of the way through the season yet.
Budinger fit in so well that we’re seemingly not paying much attention to Taylor. But this guy was an offensive force in college- drawing double teams every night.
Also, watching Andersen tonight was like watching a different player from the earlier games. He’s in position much more, is contesting shots without fouling, and is, alas, occasionally just giving up on D on some shots, but given the incredibly touchy whistle he’s gotten all year, you can’t blame him.
Go on, try to beat them. Try to score on them. Stay in front of those guards. Try to tap out an offensive rebound on that Lilliputian front line. They're so awful, you're so good ... go on. Beat ‘em. - Kelly Dwyer on The Rockets
Dorsey also ..
should be given quality minutes.. would you imagine this two develops and reach their potentials..
we are really, really a very solid team from a to Z, (except COOK..hope he retires voluntarily)
Cook is going nowhere,
as long as he’s paid.
Go on, try to beat them. Try to score on them. Stay in front of those guards. Try to tap out an offensive rebound on that Lilliputian front line. They're so awful, you're so good ... go on. Beat ‘em. - Kelly Dwyer on The Rockets
does it look like Cook put on some muscle to anybody else?
Oh, and I’m sure Cook will find someone to pay him. It’s going to be more and more difficult, since Isiah Thomas is no longer around and it looks like Dunleavy is going to finally get shitcanned this year, but somebody will waste a roster space on him.
I don't think the NBA is anywhere near
the stat savvy saturation standing sovereign in MLB.
(Alliteration! Whee!)
Go on, try to beat them. Try to score on them. Stay in front of those guards. Try to tap out an offensive rebound on that Lilliputian front line. They're so awful, you're so good ... go on. Beat ‘em. - Kelly Dwyer on The Rockets
Did anyone say Kyle Korver?
The Charles Barkley 2009/10 Ancestors Count: 2 Grandmothers , 0 Mother Alltime: Reg. 25-0 Playoffs 7-0
"There were arms coming from everywhere, and I knew they weren’t going for the ball," Miller said. "I was just trying to get [the shot] up before they called some crap like ‘on the ground.’ "
"What do you want me to do?" Wright asked. "Do you want me to Derek Fisher him?"
"Give them some fucking credit, i mean for real." Jackson said.
"I just fell on my face for no reason," Bryant deadpanned. "I'm a klutz."
"Fucking right i'm preachin' it!" Carlisle replied.
"Rough life, isn't it. It's tough all over, isn't it." Smith chuckled.
" Let the Golden Child do that, or one of the NBA Without Border kids do that, it's all fine and dandy." -- Wallace on flopping in the NBA (for the low price of just 30,000 $). "They've got to know that he's a [darn] flopper. That's all Turkododo do."
Mutombo, Ewing and Yao at the restaurant...
MUTOMBO: "The chicken is the bomb."
EWING: [Rubbing belly] "I gotta go work out tonight. I'm full. You got a treadmill for me?"
YAO: " Leave your car keys here and run home. I'll give you the keys tomorrow."
As the boxscores pile up, I continue to assert that Ariza’s more likely to shoot us out of games, than into them. It’s frustrating to see.
Agreed.
How many times has he taken over 10 shots from 3 point land? Crazy if you ask me.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
damn if you do damn if you don't
everyone expected/wanted TA to be the “Go-To” guy, so something got to give. he got good nights, and bad nights….
don't bully me, i am from the D(etroit)!!!
I'd just say we haven't found the happy medium yet.
He needs to slow down on his three. It’s not like it’s going to be blocked 90% of the time. He needs to try to dunk the ball. Honestly, I’m not happy with the efficiency, but I also think there is real progress being made. He’s getting in position for good shots off his drive, which is something he could never do before.
I’m going to say it comes together for him sometime after the new year, and his efficiency starts climbing again.
Go on, try to beat them. Try to score on them. Stay in front of those guards. Try to tap out an offensive rebound on that Lilliputian front line. They're so awful, you're so good ... go on. Beat ‘em. - Kelly Dwyer on The Rockets
Zombie Sonics
I can’t speak for all of us, but I think it’s necessary to point out that Sonics fans don’t blame Oklahoma City for what happened. Any Seattleite with knowledge of the situation saw the writing on the wall when Schultz sold the team. That was not OKC’s fault. It was Howard Schultz’s fault for rushing to sell the team without giving local buyers a chance to organize. Bennett’s group did what was expected, and all of us Seattle fans knew it from the beginning. It doesn’t change the fact that we fucking hate that guy. But the fact remains that Howard Schultz deserves even more of the blame than Clay Bennett. If Schultz wasn’t the greedy prick that he is, we’d still have a team. And at least Bennett hired Sam Presti.
I’ve followed the franchise for 20 years now and really hold no grudges against the OKC fanbase. The jealousy factor makes me kind of hate them for being so extremely spoiled by adopting a team with such a bright future. But I don’t actually hate them. I’m an exiled fan of the franchise I used to love, and as hard as it for me to cheer for them, it’s even harder not to. The fact that I’ve always hated Starbucks makes it a lot easier.
Fair enough.
As an outside observer, I just trying to ask what is accomplished by hammering on OKC, not be Seattle fans, but by Simmons and possible Simmons wannbes and dittoheads. My experience of OKC is generally a positive one, with friendly people being the rule there. As I see it, they’re thrilled to be more “big time”, and less in the shadow of Dallas and Texas, and happy to have something besides OU sports to talk about. They may be annoyed at me for that characterization, but so be it.
OKC was promised a team by the Bennett group, and it got one. I think it got absolutely the wrong team, as there was nothing really broken with basketball in Seattle, but Bennett bought the best team that was on sale. The culpability in this, as I see it, goes to Schultz, Stern and Bennett (not for moving the team per se, but for not being upfront as to intent and generally acting the ass).
Go on, try to beat them. Try to score on them. Stay in front of those guards. Try to tap out an offensive rebound on that Lilliputian front line. They're so awful, you're so good ... go on. Beat ‘em. - Kelly Dwyer on The Rockets
Generally speaking, there still exists the vibe (not exclusive to OKC fans) that Seattle lost the Sonics because the fans didn’t care enough about the team. As annoying as Simmons can be, him championing the Thunder as a bastard child is, if nothing else, a mainstream reminder that Sonics fans still exist.
For my part,
I never thought that the move of the Sonics was a result of apathy on the part of Seattle fans. I thought it was more the idea that the city/county didn’t want to buy another facility after splashing out for (expensive) new baseball and football stadia and that the existing facility was fine. I thought that various interests aligned to punish Seattle for stadium fatigue, but I could be wrong.
Houston did 3 new facilities in about 10 years, with nothing really wrong with the old ones, except they weren’t such ideal viewing platforms or profit centers. The Astrodome sits abandoned with no one able to figure out what to do with it, but the city unwilling to tear down such a groundbreaking and historic facility.
Go on, try to beat them. Try to score on them. Stay in front of those guards. Try to tap out an offensive rebound on that Lilliputian front line. They're so awful, you're so good ... go on. Beat ‘em. - Kelly Dwyer on The Rockets
My general feeling about the Thunder
is that Seattle ended up getting a better deal out of this than most cities that go through this (Baltimore, Charlotte, Los Angeles, the NY baseball teams, and – yes – Houston), so the legal battle should probably be seen, if nothing else, as a small victory for the fans. And, hopefully, that will deaden some of the pain after the NBA inevitably makes its return.
On the other hand, my feeling about OKC is that they are exactly to blame for all of this. Yes, the fans are to blame. Yes, the ownership is to blame. Yes, the city and state governments are to blame. They’ve harmed every one of us, not simply Sonics fans.
Team owners these days have the fucking audacity to demand stadiums when their teams are awful, and then they have the gall to tell us that taxpayer-funded arenas will somehow (magically) make up for the cost. Bullshit. Any economist (and every economic study) knows that’s a load of crap.
I feel nothing but sympathy for fans and cities who stand up to this bullshit. But the only way consumers are going to control costs is if they all recognize the idiocy going on and don’t vote for shiny new taxpayer-funded sports venues. Or, at the very least, build the damned things inexpensively and design them for many purposes (like, say, the Astrodome). Or (here’s a funny idea) let the people who want to own the stadium pay for its construction. Crazy, I know. But this can only work if there’s some level of solidarity here.
Oh, and I freely admit I’m something of an elitist when comes to these things, and I think OKC is nothing but some prairie cow-town that as a matter of principle just shouldn’t have major-league professional sports. Actually, I feel the same way about the entire state of Tennessee. Ironic, I know, given what is often said of my hometown, but it’s not my fault if people don’t recognize Houston for the cultural and economic metropolis that it is.
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