Game Preview: Houston Rockets at New Orleans Hornets- Game 69 - 7:30PM CST - March 16, 2008
by UofTOrange on Mar 16, 2009 8:29 AM CDT
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My wife and I will be at the game and I'm really looking forward to it. I haven't been to New Orleans since before Hurricane Katrina. That's more of a coincidence of my two boys being born than anything else, since I love going to NO. We'll spend Sunday and Monday there going to a few of my favorite spots. Then Monday night, a little Rockets vs. Hornets action. I'm looking for a great game and oddly enough will see Chris Paul in person for only the second time. Should be interesting seeing how the New Orleans fans act towards this team in person. I'm very much looking forward to it and have been since I bought the tickets in October. As of right now, I have a free ticket just send me an email at leegrammier@gmail.com if you are interested. It's open to a Hornets fan or a Rockets fan. I'm putting this preview up now because I likely won't have much computer based internet access until Tuesday.
The Match-ups:
Point Guard
Brooks - His shot count has become obscene at times, but honestly, he's really doing a good job. Not a great job, but a good job because he has been able to stay pace on the offense end with the points he's giving up on the defensive end most nights. That said, he's playing with the starters like he thinks he's still with the second team. Maybe that's what needs to happen. It would be a really good team decision if Aaron's pride could handle it. And it would be a great move for him. I think he's up for it, but I'm not sure if we'll see it soon enough.
vs.
Paul - If I started a team today, the only player I would even think about starting a team over him with is Kevin Durant, and that's because I know what Durant is going to become. I would choose CP3 100 times out of 100 over Lebron to start a team with because he makes every single player on the court better, and when they don't oblige, he can take over a game. I like that he's a team first player, it's a thing of beauty to watch. I truly believe that when it is all said and done that people will argue whether he or Magic is the best point guard in history. At this point, I can see him getting to number one in my mind. And he hasn't even won his first championship yet. I just hope that New Orleans is able to see it.
Edge: Rockets
Shooting Guard
Battier - Why didn't the Rockets hide their PG on defense and let Shane come over and guard Parker?
vs.
Butler - Basically what I would expect from Von Wafer if he was the Rockets starter stats wise. Big games on occasion and he can put a spurt together, but clearly the worst player in the starting line-up.
Edge: Rockets
Small Forward
Artest - He has to stop being a chucker, it's borderlining insanity. Shooting the ball is fine, but get it in rhythm and get it in the offense. If you are missing your shot, take a break, be the great passer that you are. Please?
vs.
Stojakovic - He's been out for 5 games, but the Rockets prior to last year were the kings of people coming back to play them, and I can see it happening here. Either way, doesn't change the
Edge: Rockets
Power Forward
Scola - He's been the answer to the Rockets third player prayers since McGrady went down. Scola has even closed the gap at PF between these two teams despite David West playing even better this year.
vs.
West - West is an all star, it can be said that he's my second favorite non-Rocket. My liking of him is unhealthy. He's picked his game up yet again this year and I really think he's going to catch fire in the play-offs.
Edge: Hornets
Center
Yao - He has dominated Chandler from day 1, and it's not going to change. If the Hornets try their normal one on one defense on him then Yao will have a huge night.
vs.
Chandler - The king of the alley oop. Chris Paul has made him an actual NBA player with his passing, increasing people's view of him by about 40%. He better thank his lucky stars that he didn't have Westbrook passing to him instead of CP3.
Edge: Rockets
My Prediction: I want this win badly. I'll be live and in person and it would be a lot of fun. Here's hoping that Hornets fans are good sports and can handle a guy in an Olajuwon jersey making some friendly noise for the visiting team. I'm not going to jinx it by actually giving an opinion though, sorry.
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lol
edge to rockets at PG???
a joke or mistake?
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Mar 14, 2009 10:41 PM CDT reply actions
Yao vs Chandler
Yao – He has dominated Chandler from day 1, and it’s not going to change.
Last few years I’d agree, but this year it’s been closer. Yao has still outplayed Chandler this year, but not by much. Definitely not domination.
by goingforthecorner on Mar 14, 2009 10:57 PM CDT reply actions
69
God, we really need this game. I was disappointed by the crucial loss to SA. If we won that one, I wouldn’t be as worried about this game. NO lost to Chicago, so we have a good chance. We just need to keep CP3 and West in check. I hope Brooks doesn’t get manhandled by CP3.
Also I think Peja is still out, so I expect Artest to exploit NO’s small forward. Julian Wright will probably be playing instead of Peja, so Artest has a huge advantage. Now, Butler won’t be the worst of the starters.
Um
Dammit is it really march 8th 2008 again?
"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak
jumpers
The key to this game is jumpers. We cant let them hit theirs. We have to hit ours. I think Yao will just dominate Chandler, unless of course he gets bogus calls on the road which he always does. Brooks might have something to prove against Chris Paul, I would think he has extra motivation since he has to guart Paul.
live from the game
Who the hell is Marks?
And Scola is hustling his ass off
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
Barry playing well today
why hasn’t he played like this before??
WHY
did we give Artest the last shot in the half..
Artest should just STOP shooting
argh..he’s outta control!
ugh
Von Wafer’s +/- has to be off the chart.
Naturally Coach Sleepy just HAD to get RonRon back in the game for Von when we got an “insurmountable!” 8 point lead.
Boring
good thing I’m watching 24 instead. Much more drama!
by goingforthecorner on Mar 16, 2009 8:31 PM CDT reply actions
Somebody wake up coach!!!
No coach in their right state of mind would let a player get to 0-11!!!!!
NOBODY
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Mar 16, 2009 8:33 PM CDT reply actions
Did somebody give Artest an economic stimulus?
A couple of minutes ago he could not buy a basket
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Mar 16, 2009 8:41 PM CDT reply actions
law of averages
4-15 is still nothing to be happy about
Hmmm
I didn’t realize you can get fouled, take two dribbles, and still get a continuation.
The NBA: Where rewriting the rulebook every night happens (if you’re a superstar)
Smart Hornets
why even bother rotating on Artest if he’s going to brick wide open threes?
by goingforthecorner on Mar 16, 2009 9:04 PM CDT reply actions
The House of Bricks by Ron Artest
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Mar 16, 2009 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions
He's shooting 50% from inside the arc.
Why does he keep shooting threes ?
by Chuck DeBruce on Mar 16, 2009 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Artest *gasp* drives to the basket and lays it in!
I’m pretty shocked and proud that we’re even in this game. All because of MOUNT MUTOMBO
by goingforthecorner on Mar 16, 2009 9:07 PM CDT reply actions
Beautiful fast-break
Thanks to Lowry, we all know Rafer couldn’t do that…
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Mar 16, 2009 9:12 PM CDT reply actions
Carl Landry is closing out this game
on his own, someone tell Ron to get out of his way…
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Mar 16, 2009 9:22 PM CDT reply actions
Nice win
Specially since Yao didn’t play, Mutombo filled in perfectly
Those gotta be the ugliest 18 pts Ron has gotten on his career, hopefully he shot his way out
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Mar 16, 2009 9:28 PM CDT reply actions
Did we actually win this game?
Probably the biggest WTF game of the year. If you’re the Hornets, how do you lose this game?
by goingforthecorner on Mar 16, 2009 9:29 PM CDT reply actions
Even better news, Rockets lose to the Thunder!
by goingforthecorner on Mar 16, 2009 9:33 PM CDT reply actions
Wow, every time I looked up
The Spurs were crushing them
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
Wafer played outstanding
Wafer did it all…
penetrate, pass, make shots… make an “answer” 3. Very efficient.
and Landry was just a beast in the last 4 minutes.
great game.
Game was a lot of fun in person
The Rockets simply out hustled the Hornets for about 80% of the game. We also got some phenomenal calls to go our way. Yes CP3 got two ridiculous calls his way, but we got some incredible WTF calls.
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
yeah,
there were a lot of calls that went the Rockets’ way, but (overall) I think it was officiated pretty fairly. Artest’s performance in the second half (when he actually started to get in front of the 3-point line) was very good. Deke contributed a pretty solid game. Scola was a monster, as was Landry. Brooks and Lowry did really well.
Personally, I like going to Hornets games. The fans are good people, but they also really get into it. Fun game to see in person.
I wore my number 34 jersey proudly
The fans were really nice
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
Hornets fan here.
Mutombo traveled, goddammit.
Having stated that, the Hornets and Ron Artest switched roles in the second half. The Hornets have horrible ball movement when it isn’t in Chris Paul’s hands, and they passed up several good shots in an effort to run the shot clock out.
In the end, the Hornets loss because they were completely inept on the offensive end. Well, whatever. See you in the playoffs.
Or the Rockets can go against the Jazz. Both the Hornets and the Rockets LOVE the Jazz, right?
Tru dat... look forward to the matchup myself. CP3 is pissed at us now!
Your a ten, but I'm on eleven!
by JakedaSnake on Mar 16, 2009 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Deke
didn’t travel. He (and all former Knicks centers) are covered under the Ewing Law – up to five steps may be taken before or after dribbling the ball. More may be taken, but this is at the discretion of the officials.
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