Rockets/Blazers: free throws, ftl (again)
by grungedave on Apr 22, 2009 12:19 AM CDT
in Game Recaps
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PrintHey Rockets fans, did you think it was going to be easy? Do you really think the Basketball Gods would allow the Rockets to get a 2-0 lead and relax? No way. (And for you monotheistic readers... rest assured that there is no way in hell God would let my favorite team win without torturing me a little more.)
Enough with the blasphemy for today though...
Nothing about Game 2 surprised me.
Brandon Roy had a monster game. LMA couldn't miss for about 10 minutes in the 2nd quarter. Joel Przybilla established himself as the biggest non-Utah flopper this side of Manu Ginobili.
Meanwhile, the Rockets did not get the ball to Yao Ming. At all.
Then they missed free throws.
... and then they missed more free throws.
(Aaron Brooks of all people missed a free throw at a critical time. It was a freakin' epidemic that only Yao was able to avoid. Luis Scola had a real bad case of the "yips" from the charity stripe. Even Chuck Hayes cringed.)
But, hey, we knew Game 2 would be a much tougher battle. Brandon Roy made sure of it. Though, it might have helped if Ron Artest didn't go underneath the pick EVERY SINGLE TIME (stop that, Crazy Pills! Please! Fight through it!). Yao picking up a total bullshit fourth foul with 6:30 left in the third quarter -- hey, I sense a trend! -- and once again after a Blazer flopped. Joel P is quite the accomplished thespian.
It's okay, we got even and flopped a couple times against Joel. Payback is a bitch. Problem is that Joel is nowhere near as valuable an asset to his team as Yao is to the Rockets. It's a bad tradeoff for us. Then again, Joel didn't foul out, so he was able to camp in the lane for about 10 seconds when Roy hit the backbreaker 3 with 2 minutes left. That one hurt.... a lot.
And can someone please answer me this question: Why the hell was Von Wafer removed from the game in the 4th quarter? Our only consistent scoring threat... the guy who was continually going to the basket, drawing fouls and putting pressure on Portland? Yeah... him. Why did Sleepy remove him?
Lastly, it would be nice if Aaron Brooks would score his points when they are truly needed. He got most of his stats in Game 1 when the game was decided. And his flurry of crazy 3s tonight would have only helped if Joey Crawford didn't blow the whistle with 1.3 seconds left when Rudy tripped over his own two feet (i.e., not a foul and it should have been Rockets' ball).
It doesn't matter.... the refs are not to blame in any way, shape or form. Not that it makes me think Joey Crawford sucks any less. Because he sucks. A lot.
Nonetheless, to win this series, the Rockets will have to make free throws. Continue taking the ball aggressively to the basket. This is good. But no more missing 32% of your attempts (10 tonight). They will also have to keep Portland from shooting 51% (the Rockets shot 50% but we all know the playoffs are about defense...).
Fundamentals, gentlemen. Remember them. You have three days.
See you Friday night for Game 3.
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We all know adelman loves to have his starters finish the game...
but that was his sleepiest move of the night. Its like he forgot that yao had 5 shots and wafer had 21 points. Or that battier had 3 points and Wafer had 21. 21 freakin points. In the playoffs. Our most consistent scorer. And sleepy takes him out? WHAT THE FUCK ADELMAN Those kind of moves are why he didnt win the COY. Those kind of moves are why adelman is not liked by many people in houston.
Game 1 108-81 Rockets
Game 2 107-103 Blazers
Series tied 1-1
from a Blazers fan-- good ballgame
This could have gone either way. Both teams are capable of playing better (Houston by getting Yao the ball more, Portland by getting more from their bench).
Houston is in the driver’s seat in this series, for sure… but Portland probobly has around a 45% chance to win the series, instead of ~5% like it would have been if Houston had won game 2.
Hey Rockets fans. Blazer fan here. Great physical playoff game. I was at the RG and haven't seen intensity like that in years.
Joey Crawford has got to be the worst ref in the NBA. What the hell were those ticky-tack fouls he was calling in the first half? I thought this was the playoffs. He was reaming us real bad early, and then dishing out terrible calls to both teams in the second half. LET THEM PLAY!!!
I realized something this game. Everyone has been talking about how this match-up was the worst possible scenario for the blazers due to the tough players match-ups, but I disagree now after that game. Win or lose, this series is great for our young team. That was the most physical and intense game they have ever played, and a team like Houston is perfect to show them how playoff basketball is done. I am really looking forward to the next few games. We Blazer fans have been screaming for our young guys to get more physical and aggressive all year, and the Rockets are making them step their game up.
I really hope Dikembe is OK. I have always loved him.
We are playing more physical and aggressive
But our ball movement has gone down the shitter. I have never seen this much iso from our guys.
"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 22, 2009 4:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Great Game
It’s kind of a sad commentary that so few Houston fans are in a Houston thread hosted by a Houston blog, but I’ll let that slide. Great game all around. The officials were obviously pretty concerned about the game getting out of hand from the get-go, and I think both teams suffered equally from poor officiating. As jksnake99 said, both teams could have played better. The thing that Houston fans can take away from this is the fact that we (the Blazers) needed Roy to take such an active role on offense. Not exactly an encouraging sign. But then again, our bench didn’t contribute much either. As soon as Outlaw steps it up, which could be never, it takes some of the pressure off. There’s a lot riding on Game 3.
Game Thread
I know there’s nothing more annoying than the opposite fan base coming into your game thread responding to every comment about the game. Game threads are nothing but emotional reactions, so I hold no one accountable for what they say during the game.
I’ll just say I look forward to good competitive games in Houston. Hope Deke is not badly injured.
I fear for the day Paul Allen is no longer the owner of the Blazers.
He needs to reproduce soon so we have an heir in succession.
Great game
you gotta get the ball to Yao more if you want to win. Thats the bad matchup for us.
My best wishes to Dikembe. He’s one of the NBAs classiest acts ever, and I hope its not as bad as it looked.
--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog
I'm not surprised, but at the same time..
What gets me is we KNEW they were going to do their best to take Yao away from us, yet we failed to respond! Our worst fear was that our offense would stagnate and Artest would chuck brick after brick. It’s the same story all over again, it’s our achilles heel this year and something needs to be done about it quickly. We’re back in Houston for 2 games but if the Blazers manage to steal one then I’m afraid we could be headed for ANOTHER one and done. We HAVE GOT to find a way to get Yao the ball, even if we have to force it down his throat. Something’s gotta give. Come on Sleepy, wake up.
I made a comment earlier about taking Artest out of the game
The minute you get Houston down, Artest feels the need to shoulder the game himself and shoot some really difficult shots. That kind of attitude will kill the Rockets down the stretch. As tough as Artest pretends to be, he is a very psychological player. You can take him out of his rhythm easily, at least on offense, by pushing it and forcing him to go one on one.
Blazers Fans and Rockets Fans UNITE
in our hatred of Joey Crawford.
Because he sucks. A lot.
by LicketyBrindle on Apr 22, 2009 12:54 AM CDT reply actions
UNITED WE STAND
this series is making me a fan of the Rockets, and yes Joey Crawford sucks.
Joey Crawford is an abomination
check him out throwing TD out of the game for laughing…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu1Wz5JQEz8
I've seen that a millinon times before...
But I was just left speechless…again. I can’t imagine another scenario where a referee’s ego could be that out of check. It wasn’t even a heat of the moment thing where there was a quick decision. Joey Crawford T’d up a player for doing absolutely nothing…twice…in a minute span. It can be argued that his actions were just as bad as Donaghy’s.
by natrix964909 on Apr 22, 2009 4:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Joey Crawford
The minute I saw he was doing the game I was bummed not that it would be pro or anti Blazer just that he would yet again ruin the chances of a good game with his maniacal ego. This guy needs to go!
Crawford is the anti-christ
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 22, 2009 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions
IMHO, Javie is even worse
Open to playing some ping pong (uh - table tennis) with anyone who's interested. cdd37@yahoo.com
Fouls
I’m not here to complain about fouls because if you’ve ever watched the NBA you know that fouls are gonna be called pretty tightly in the playoffs. I just don’t wanna hear Portland fans complaining about the foul calls anymore. Poorly called game but Joey Crawford likes to have as much impact as possible. Almost had our sweep though… haha
by clutchcitywillreturn on Apr 22, 2009 12:55 AM CDT reply actions
FYI Deke is done
Dikembe Mutombo:
"I’m going to need surgery. For me, basketball is over. I cried so much about it when I was laying on the floor."
Dikembe Mutombo, Houston center
must be a dislocated kneecap.
That is really unfortunate.
He’s been fun to watch his whole career. I am very sorry that this had to happen in Portland. Something about stretchers and knees causes us Blazers fans to twitch uncontrollably. Here’s to hoping for no more injuries for the rest of this series.
I hope Dikembe returns
Joey Crawford and Violet Palmer need to find new jobs…may this series go to 7.
I got 6 years of playoff blue balls going on, and I'm ready to release. GO BLAZERS. ~Mortimer
He could get a new job
Busting skulls of douche referees.
by natrix964909 on Apr 22, 2009 4:57 AM CDT up reply actions
There was some blazer fans cheering as dikembe went down
In the 3rd row behind the houston bench. Collectively our section told him to show some class. As a fan of a team who has had back luck with injuries, I will never wish an injury on another team.
I got 6 years of playoff blue balls going on, and I'm ready to release. GO BLAZERS. ~Mortimer
Why even post this on a Rocket's blog?
He got a standing O (three times).
"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 22, 2009 4:25 AM CDT up reply actions
hey...
There’s always a “bad apple”… good to see that Portland tossed out that apple as quickly as possible.
I feel awful for Deke.
good game
just wanted to say sorry to see mutombo go down, hate to see it.
I have been a fan of his ever since he pulled down that rebound years ago with the nuggets, it was just great to see the wild abandon on his excited face, what sports should be all about.
See you Friday…
Support families in crisis in Portland www.give10tell10.org
Just got home from the game!
Blazer fan who agrees with most of your points. Von Wafer leaving the game in the 4th made no sense at all. Bad calls went both ways. Przybilla flopped to pick up that 4th foul on Yao (Battier flopped twice for all the Blazer flops put together, he just didn’t get the calls). I think Battier had a real legit complaint on the foul call that went against him on the Roy baseline jumper. That said, your angst about the Rudy trip is misdirected. I’m not sure that the TV got a good shot of it, but there was clear contact that caused the trip. Not remotely a bad call there. Lowry hardly argued it at the time. Holy crap was it hard to put that game away! Your team played really hard. Blazer fans would sure like to see 5 more games of this. I’m guessing Rocket fans would be fine with no more than 4 more.
realistic, logical account of the game.
this is why i like you guys.
The Dream Shake - Where Brooks > Alston happens.
"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak
Wish I Could Have an Opinon
I watched the game on NBA TV, and they didn’t really give Rockets fans a chance to complain about the refs. Literally no replays of close calls that went against the Rockets. I saw a replay of Roy making a layup where Yao got away with a foul about 30 times. Not a single replay of that Roy baseline jumper where they called Battier for the foul. Not a single replay of any other questionable foul calls on the Rockets. Plenty of replays of questionable foul calls on the Blazers. I’m not mad at the refs. I’m mad at the NBA TV editors. Have some class and be non-partisan.
by seanbergmanrules on Apr 22, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
thats the problem of not having TNT or some other 3rd party call a game.
Please, for the love of all that is holy, please stop using the following: "Book it.", "FTW", "Epic" & "Fail".
...no seriously--stop.
tv replays
you won’t typically see too many replays that aren’t favorable toward the home team. it doesn’t play well on tv.
The NBA lost
a great warrior tonight when Mutombo blew his knee out… You don’t have to be a Rocket’s fan to feel bad for the guy… Not the way he wanted to end his career. I watched the game from the comfort of my own home, and felt terrible when it happened, but thought that the P-Town fans showed some serious class in giving him a standing O…
With that said…As much respect as I have for the Rockets, and you as their fans, you should have no bitch about the reffing in game two, when you got ALL the calls in game one. Joel, yeah he might have embellished a bit, but Yao is a big sumbitch, and even though Pryzbilla is no little guy, Yao did indeed knock him on his ass a few times. If the calls in game one would have been as half as fair as this game, Yao woulda been fouled out in the first half!
Rudy got shoved before the ball was even thrown inbounds at the end of the game! In fact, it could have been a dead ball foul giving Portland two shots plus the possession! Roy drew at LEAST one more foul on Yao that never got called in the first half…All in all, I would say your superstar got his fair share of calls in game one…the difference is that they didnt automatically go his way in game 2. Heck, I don’t even really recall any make up calls after any of the initial calls tonight….maye an indicator that the refs thought that they wrre getting in right? Just a though…
Joey Crawford is a pain in the ass…I will give you that one…
Game three is going to decide the series I believe. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Rockets do what they did in game one, but of course all I ask for is that the Blazers only need win by one point…ha ha!
See ya in Houston, Rocket fan…
LOL
well i agree with ur first paragraph…
but seriously man wats with ur insecurities… no one here is blaming it on the refs. and before u start calling the shots you should check the replays with ur reading glasses on. maybe the reason yao isn’t getting called on some of those brandon roy kamikaze drives is because hes going straight up? If yao goes straight up, the only player who can barrel into him and get the call would be a guy wearing #24. last time i checked, roy’s jersey number isn’t 24.
of course yao got away with a few hipchecks here and there… thats like asking if the refs call it everytime oden puts 2 hands on his back, or when joel mysteriously ends up on the floor 5 feet from where yao is.
peace out .
calls were all over the place tonite
yao drapes his arm down over oden, no ssmall feat and oden gets the call, his 5th.
in the end our 3 big men were called for 16 fouls, you got plenty of calls
Support families in crisis in Portland www.give10tell10.org
dear aaron brooks and yao ming
shoot more.
your loving city,
houston
Gotta love that Adelman loyalty
putting back his starters in despite Lowry and Wafer outplaying Brooks and Artest.
by goingforthecorner on Apr 22, 2009 11:22 AM CDT reply actions
I'm more bothered...
Adelman coached up the team so much that Yao got all of 6 shots.
How hard is it to call a timeout and draw up a play for your best player? For all the great play calls from Game 1… Adelman sat on his hands in Game 2.
Get used to it huston
after watching Adelman in Portland for years it was the same thing last night he has a habit of pulling the hot hand in the end if it’s a bench player and going back to the starters, just his way
I agree with one thing:
Joey Crawford is terrible. Last night he was ridiculous, both ways.
I do find it funny that you call say that last foul on Lowry shouldn’t have been called. Come on man, I know it would have been huge for Portland to throw the ball away there, but that foul is ALWAYS going to be called in that situation, whether the trip was intentional or not. Rudy did not just fall on his own without being touched. I understand you’re a Rockets fan, but try to have at least a little bit of an unbiased view when looking at that.
And enough about Pryz flopping. We get it, you don’t like him or how he plays defense. Get over it. He is no worse than any of the other hundred floppers in the league, including a few that you have right there on your beloved Rockets. I think we all agree that flopping is a disgrace to the game. If David Stern wasn’t such a tool there would be something done about it, but the fact is that its a part of the game now because the league is unwilling to do something about it. Time to move on, we’re tired of hearing you bitch about it.
Joel's alleged flops = Battier's study of McMillan's play calls
So what? Both savvy veterans using all their skills and advantages to help out their respective teams….
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 22, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Dork Elvis needs to show Idle-man the door.
Pulling v-dub late made no sense. Can’t use d’ing up Roy as an excuse because nobody was stopping him anyhow.
Your a ten, but I'm on eleven!
If I hear one more Rocket Fan complain about fouls on Yao/Houston
I am gonna lose it. My questions to you would be: Do you watch Yao Ming during the game? Do you also watch Greg Oden and Przybilla? Finally, do you check the box score to see how many fouls each of them pick up? Yeah that’s what I thought. You can say Joel flopped. But the refs have put him in a position where he is forced to. None of your other “blown calls” can be confirmed with video evidence or testimony from outside the city of Houston. Plus, Yao would flop if he wouldn’t break his leg in the process. I’m out.
hey
Just because Yao is bigger and better doesn’t give you an excuse to flop.
Man up and play the game.
Joey Crawford sucks ass.
Did anyone notice the charge called against houston in the first quarter. The blazers in process of taking the ball out of bounds. Then the very same ref who a-blew the whistle, b-made the charge motion, c-signaled the foul to the scorers table, and finally d-handed the ball to the blazers to take out of bounds suddenly decides he made a mistake and reversed the call.
Then shortly after, blake is called for a handcheck at the three point line and a technical foul all in one? No matter how many times I see that on replay I can’t figure it out. Anyone have a clue?
The calls were terrible both ways, almost making the game unwatchable with houston being called for more ticky tack fouls, and portland being the victim of more just plain wrong calls.
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