Game Preview: Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz - Game 73 - March 24, 2009 9:30PM CST
The Match-ups:
Point Guard
Brooks - An absolutely awful game versus the Spurs somehow in the end didn't hurt the Rockets. He has to step up his game, or Kyle Lowry will eat more and more into his minutes. I'm not saying that's necessarily a bad thing, but wouldn't it be nice if that didn't happen? It would mean they were both playing well, right? I'm liking that idea quite a bit.
vs.
Williams - I think I write the same thing every time about Deron Williams: He's the second best point guard in the league. Look at his stats though, he's having exactly the same year as last year, he hasn't improved, and he's actually shooting a decent percentage worse from the field and three point line. This changes nothing for tonight, he still kills the Rockets, I just thought it was interesting. One day the guys will learn how to defend the pick and roll, and here's a hint, Yao shouldn't be part of the defense.
Edge: Jazz - This game is the one that Rick Adelman should start Kyle Lowry. Call it a "Match-Up decision" and let's be on with it. I doubt he will, but it would be nice. I'm still holding out hope for ABZ to have a huge game and get some confidence against the Jazz. We all know the Rockets are going to need it.
Shooting Guard
Battier - He's killed the hitch from his shot and it's made a world of difference. 2-3 from the three point line the rest of the way would be phenomenal. It would also be a pipe dream, but I like to dream. Shane has the capability to hit those shots because he's left wide open at least 3 times a game from the corner.
vs.
Brewer - He's capable of being more than he is, in fact, when Boozer idioticly signs somewhere else this summer, I bet he does just that. He's never going to be a star, but he can clearly do more than he's doing right now. Then again, maybe my opinion is skewed because he lights up the Rockets like fireworks on Chinese New Year in Hong Kong.
Edge: Jazz
Small Forward
Artest - Maybe it's just me but I didn't even notice that he took 20 shots. He's played very well over the last 3 3/8 games. This is the Ron Artest that can lead the Rockets deep in the playoffs. Now we just have to avoid him going "No Layups" in Utah again, no matter how funny it would be.
vs.
Miles - Utah pays him more than the Rockets pay Scola or Landry. LONG LIVE DARYL MOREY!! Sadly this is the contract that Von Wafer's agent is going to go after, and it's not going to happen with the Rockets.
Edge: Rockets
Power Forward
Scola - Having a blow up year. I read recently that after next year he'll be a restricted Free Agent, not a free to go Free Agent. Can any back that up with proof? If so, I'm still not sure that the Rockets should wait to sign him longer term, but it definitely means they should think about it. Waiting would mean they are at the mercy of what is out there for him, but at least they know if they are willing to pay, that he's there no matter what. I expect a huge game out of him. He's due against the Jazz in every way.
vs.
Boozer - Officially my least favorite player in the league. He's naturally talented and he works hard, I just don't like him. He could give every penny he makes from here on out to charity and I still wouldn't like him. Since the last person I disliked in the league this much happened to be Karl Malone, he's right at home on my most hated team.
Edge: Jazz
Center
Yao - While he wasn't dominant against the Jazz last time out, he's actually playing them pretty well this year. Against the Spurs something was very wrong. Sometimes you just are out of rhythm on the court and that was clearly the case on Sunday. He still righted the ship in time and led the team to a victory at the end of that game. He's clutch and that's exactly what the Rockets need.
vs.
Okur - If you think Mehmet Okur is as good as Yao Ming then may the basektball gods have mercy on your Jazz homer fandom. That said, he is better than I have given him credit for, clearly. I still have this strong feeling that he lays an egg and I get to throw it in Jazz fans faces tomorrow.
Edge: Rockets
Injuries/Suspensions
Houston Rockets
OUT - Carl Landry
Utah Jazz
OUT - None
My Prediction: Screw the Jazz, Rockets win
0 recs |
48 comments
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Comments
Nice preview UofT
Amazingly, I agree with your “edge” breakdown. Unfortunately for the Rockets the Jazz still:
A) Have a deeper, stronger, more accurate, better defending bench.
B) Have a match-up that favors our style (Yao v. Okur). Relax Rocket-lovers, nobody’s saying Okur is a better center. Yao is a fantastic center (top 3 in the league). Any sane Jazz fan would love to have him on our team. Still, Okur (being an outside shooter) is a horrible match up for a low post defender like Yao and will make up points elsewhere.
D-Will, the bench, and the Rocket’s ESA stagefright are gonna put the Jazz up +5.
by boomgoesthedynamite on Mar 24, 2009 2:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
But Utah Jazz suck the big one!
It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!
by USMC_Texas on Mar 24, 2009 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yao top 3?
are we counting erick dampier here?
by flipasta on Mar 24, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, Samuel Dalembert.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Mar 24, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's
1. Yao
2. Dwight Howard
3. Al Jefferson
4. Everyone else
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 24, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was just joking about Dalembert.
But I think at this point you have to consider Duncan a center, in which case I would have him over Jefferson. I know that hurts Houston to hear that, but Duncan controls the paint, defensively, better than anyone save Dwight Howard.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Mar 24, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When he plays defense on all the other centers
I’ll consider him a center. Duncan is a power forward, just because he plays center on the roster officially doesn’t change that in my opinion
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 24, 2009 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i always considered him a center too. but i dont like putting him on ‘best center’ lists cause he could conceivably be number 1. not the way hes playing now, but generally. i’ll stick take yao though. ;)
and al jefferson needs to get serious about consistent defensive commitment before i even talk about him in the same breath as yao/duncan.
by flipasta on Mar 24, 2009 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Someone please find this for me
I need the video where Erick Dampier claims to be the best center in the west. I mean really need it, it’s paining me not to have it
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 24, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No - Mark Jackson trumps everyone.
This was Mark Jackson’s list of the top 3 centers in the NBA:
1. Dwight Howard
2. Andris Biedrins
3. Yao Ming
His reasoning for having Andris over Yao? “Dude got 18 double doubles in a row. Yao can’t do that.”
checkmate.
"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak
by Tom Martin on Mar 24, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love the dynamic of him and Van Gundy
All the basketball knowledge in the world versus someone that could play basketball but knows nothing about it.
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 24, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jaron Collins
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Mar 24, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jazz Suck
I hate the Jazz. I hate everything about them. Okur looks like roadkill, and what else do I have to say about a guy named Boozer. Go Rockets. Go Houston. Utah, go away.
by mutombo4life on Mar 24, 2009 2:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually
Boozer is a pretty cool name.
It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!
by USMC_Texas on Mar 24, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He had it legally changed.
His name used to be Thomas Witherby.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Mar 24, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This pisses me off
My second son’s name is Austin, and that’s Boozer’s middle name. I’m sad now
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 24, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
UTO
My sons name is Rockewell and we call him Rocket. I just realized it the other night. I threw up in my mouth.
I’m heading to the Department of Name Change right now.
Don’t laugh, I think we really have a dept called that here.
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Mar 24, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ha
That is good
It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!
by USMC_Texas on Mar 24, 2009 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
*Rockwell
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Mar 24, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was certainly thinking Rock"e" well was a dumb spelling
just wasn’t going to say anything
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 24, 2009 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A true scholar
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Mar 24, 2009 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the only way the rockets lose this is because landry got shot. yao is overdue for his weekly eruption, and scola is way too mobile and good in general for boozer to step off of him [to 2x-team yao]. fuck accuscore, we got this one. i’m wearing my Wafer jersey for good luck
by olivarezq1 on Mar 24, 2009 3:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I just had sex with accuscore, per your request.
And I have to admit: it was a little overrated. And please don’t prematurely use Landry’s injury as an excuse. Carl wouldn’t want you to do that.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Mar 24, 2009 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sloppy Seconds
I’ve been banging Accuscore all day long.
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Mar 24, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But was it 10,000 times?
Otherwise, it’s a poor sample size.
by Basketball John on Mar 24, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, no. I'm no Wilt the Stilt. We will just have to deal with the small sample size.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Mar 24, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am like Jerry Sloan when it comes to internet abbreviations.
What is that one?
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Mar 24, 2009 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I lost feeling after 36 so I'm not sure.
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Mar 24, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hurr it's funny because you took it literally!
y’all are the most painfully white-bread fans in the NBA.
by Only_A_Lad on Mar 24, 2009 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Link?
Not a single link to TBJ. You bitches. Now you’ve gone and done it. Jazz by 7 tonight.
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Mar 24, 2009 4:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's called Laziness on my part, not a slight
No link to SLC Dunk either, and we actually like them ;-)
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 24, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus, feel free to put one here!
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 24, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll wait.
I’m sure all my gloating that will come tomorrow morning after a big win will provide ample opportunities for your readers to find our blog.
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Mar 24, 2009 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Negative
You forgot to put the negative before seven!
It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!
by USMC_Texas on Mar 24, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vegas
Vegas doesnt lie. Jazz will cover.
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Mar 24, 2009 4:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
bullshit
Vegas told me Wake Forest would win. So I put money down.
Then Vegas told me Louisville would hit the OVER in round 1.
Vegas lies!!!
by grungedave on Mar 24, 2009 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's a reason...
we have shiny buildings in the desert. Vegas wins.
by boomgoesthedynamite on Mar 24, 2009 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
but alas
I won in the end… Duke/Texas hit the over and so did Maryland/Memphis. I win.
by grungedave on Mar 24, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
for non-spamming purposes
here’s the link to CB Jack’s place he calls a blog:
by grungedave on Mar 24, 2009 5:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
How exactly do y'all keep getting tickets to give away?
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 24, 2009 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
whores dude
They are all whores. Except that they accept tickets as currency.
by grungedave on Mar 24, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're kind of a big deal...
Our blog smells of rich mahogany and leather bound books…
We’re the blog that gives back.
We bleed True Blue.
www.truebluejazz.com
by CB Jack on Mar 24, 2009 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're stealing them from work
Aren’t you?
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 24, 2009 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As much as I want to blame...
…the referees and the rugby-style play of the Utah Jazz for our loss in Salt Lake City last night, I really can’t do that! The Jazz were flopping all over the place as usual but they weren’t getting the calls. The bench for the Utah Jazz straight up killed us in the paint last night and their defense was stifling, not to mention a poor offensive effort on our part (we’re lucky to have made as many 3 pointers as we did or the score could have been much, MUCH worse.) We still have some work to do before the playoffs..or if/when we face the Utah Jazz in the first round it could be another one-and-done for this Rockets team. I love the Rockets, but right now I’m just being a realist!
by UHoustonFan on Mar 25, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The referees had nothing to do with that loss, plain and simple
NOTHING
There have been many times the Rockets have lost games in Utah due to the refs, last night was not one of them
(UHF I know you aren’t saying that)
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Mar 25, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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