Luis Landry to the rescue! Oh, and Yao, too.

by grungedave on Feb 3, 2009 10:15 PM CST in Random Commentary

The Rockets ~~hold~~ survive a double-digit fourth quarter lead!
You see, it's possible! Even with Tracy McGrady playing!
(okay, so T-Mac didn't play much in the 4th).

Tonight was all about the tough rebounds... specifically the 23 collected by Luis Landry (to go along with 18 points). Scola and Landry do the dirty work -- which is exactly what the Bulls wanted no part of tonight. Those extra offensive rebounds were the difference when the Rockets pulled away in the third.

Yao and Brooks making free throws was a nice touch as well.

So good to see the Rockets play as a team with everyone healthy.

*** I still maintain my desire to trade for Kirk Hinrich. Rafer's and Kirk's respective efforts tonight further justify how awesome such a trade would be.***

In the end, the Bulls simply could not stop Yao Ming without resorting to fouling. Joakim Noah had enough of it and collected his sixth foul shortly after the 4th quarter started. The rest of Chicago didn't fare much better. Yao collects 28 points - on 75% shooting - and 8 rebounds (hey, when Scola has 18 rebounds we can't expect Yao to get double figures, too).

Yao Ming is a badass.
There is only one person in the NBA who can stop him:

P1_violetpalmer_medium

Okay, maybe two...

Ism_steve_javie_medium

But this person cannot stop the Great Wall:

Yeah, Yao is like good and stuff.

GO ROCKETS!

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My friend looked it up

Hinrich is locked up until 2012 at ten million per year. Feel like picking that up?

"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak

by Tom Martin on Feb 3, 2009 10:39 PM CST reply actions

yes

You can’t overpay for solid PG play.
Exhibit A: Rafer Alston and his $7M

by grungedave on Feb 4, 2009 8:24 AM CST up reply actions

10 MM isn't really that bad

It’s not ideal, but you’d have a good young PG locked up through 2012 AND he does everything perfect for Adelman’s offense

by UofTOrange on Feb 4, 2009 8:54 AM CST up reply actions

And no recap tonight

If you want something, here:

3 up: Luis Landry, Yao, McGrady

3 down: Battier’s lack of threes, Luol Deng Defense, and another Brent Barry DNP.

1 horrible: Rafer.

Stat of the Night: We blocked 9 shots!!!

Someone find me a picture of that McGrady dunk and that will be the recap.

"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak

by Tom Martin on Feb 3, 2009 10:44 PM CST reply actions

we're goin streakinnnnnnnn!

by fiddycent on Feb 3, 2009 11:28 PM CST reply actions

This game was just an aberration

WAFER MUST START OVER TMAC!!1

by goingforthecorner on Feb 3, 2009 11:35 PM CST reply actions

indeed

SHE-MAC SUCKS! TRDA HIM NOW!

Actually, the best part of those posts at ClutchFans is that 99% of them are by people with some version of “T-Mac Rox” or “I<3Mac” in their names.

by Only_A_Lad on Feb 3, 2009 11:43 PM CST up reply actions

uhhhhh

Other than the dunk, what did T-Mac do that was super special?

Defense? No.
Passing? Okay, he was good (not great) at it.
Moving on offense? Hahahaha
Mid-range shooting? Good god no.

I like the 7-14 FGs total, but Yao was the difference maker. Not Tracy.

by grungedave on Feb 4, 2009 8:26 AM CST up reply actions

I never said T-Mac was the difference maker

I’m only saying that the “HAI GUIS WE SHUD RILLY TRADE T-MAC!” crowd has become tiresome, and that he had a good game last night.

His defense looked alright to me (he was put on Deng for much of the first quarter, and Deng proved to be having a great night, anyways), and he seemed to be playing the help role more. His passing still looks good, just as it did back in October. You’re right that he still needs to move off-the-ball more.

His mid-range jumper was not falling tonight. Shit happens.

He shot 50% on the night, taking only 2 three-point shots. He finished the night with 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists. Just admit that he had a good game. It won’t hurt, I promise.

by Only_A_Lad on Feb 4, 2009 8:43 AM CST up reply actions