New and Improved Game Thread Rockets against Nuggets

[ShaY]

I just think Alston is too much of an offensive liability. He only truly contributes by scoring when his 3 pt shot is falling, but the problem is that it usually isn't. AB has teams closing out on him when he's going to take an open 3, whereas the game plan is usually to make Alston become a 3 pt shooter. AB is far better than Rafer at penetrating and finishing, and having him out on the floor with our starting lineup really opens things up offensively and spreads the floor. Another thing I like about Brooks is that his offensive game, penetration, and quickness requires the opposing PG to actually burn some energy on defense whereas with Rafer they're usually just shadowing a spot-up shooter. I think it would be best to let Alston run the 2nd unit to bring some stability to our bench, especially now that we've seen how effective Ron Artest can be as a 6th man.

Also, I disagree about Brooks on defense. I would like to see AB vs Deron Williams before I really judge him, but keep in mind that in 2 starts against Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups he was great defensively.

I agree that Rafer is too much of an offenssive liability , thats why I think a Jameer Nelson type pg can take us to another level.

I don't think we can get someone like that through trade.
Maybe Mike Bibby will sign here for the MLE next year.

[Iggyemu]

I just think Alston is too much of an offensive liability. He only truly contributes by scoring when his 3 pt shot is falling, but the problem is that it usually isn't. AB has teams closing out on him when he's going to take an open 3, whereas the game plan is usually to make Alston become a 3 pt shooter. AB is far better than Rafer at penetrating and finishing, and having him out on the floor with our starting lineup really opens things up offensively and spreads the floor. Another thing I like about Brooks is that his offensive game, penetration, and quickness requires the opposing PG to actually burn some energy on defense whereas with Rafer they're usually just shadowing a spot-up shooter. I think it would be best to let Alston run the 2nd unit to bring some stability to our bench, especially now that we've seen how effective Ron Artest can be as a 6th man.

Also, I disagree about Brooks on defense. I would like to see AB vs Deron Williams before I really judge him, but keep in mind that in 2 starts against Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups he was great defensively.

I agree that Rafer is too much of an offenssive liability , thats why I think a Jameer Nelson type pg can take us to another level.

I don't think we can get someone like that through trade.
Maybe Mike Bibby will sign here for the MLE next year.

We don't need that guy. After we got Artest we stopped needing anything on offense in terms of personnel and just started needing health and smarter line up decisions. I just don't understand how Adelman can simply sit back and think we are better off with Alston running the team. Ok so he pushes the ball where McGrady does not...but do we ever score on those types of plays? Not really. Only Scola runs and teams usually get back and we still end up in the half court. Alston's inability to strike fear in his defender is the single most reason for our weak offensive game. Avery Johnson said it best....no matter what....you always put 5 guys on the floor that are not an offensive liability. We been running around with a big offensive liability for the last 5 years....is it any surprise that our offense has been in the high 20s for those years?

I dunno what goes on behind closed doors. Maybe McGrady does want to run the team like he did last night. But quotes from him seem to suggest that he is up for whatever the Rockets need. I can believe that simply b/c he knows that he is really good with the ball in his hands. It won't all come together like it did last night. But if last night wasn't a launching pad for simply giving the ball to McGrady and letting him run this team then I dunno what is. If its starting Brooks...or playing McGrady, Battier and Artest together....along with Scola/Landry and Yao.....we need to see more of what we saw last night. This team will not reach its potential with Alston running the point. I don't even care about the defense....I feel Battier and Artest can guard most point guards in this league. All I care about is getting this team to a place offensively where when they need a basket they can get a basket no matter where or who they are playing.

[Don Draper]

I think the main reason Rafer Alston is still a Rocket this long is because of his contract and the fact that nobody wants him. Would would take a subpar playmaking PG who can't shoot over 40% in season? I agree with that even a minor upgrade in PG would make a huge difference. Rafer Alston his hands down on of the worst starting PGs in the NBA. He is just playing on a good team.

[ShaY]

Adelman likes Alston so much because he is the best we got , Brooks is starting to emerge and get better and better but I am still not ready to make him the starter.

Adelman said he expected Francis to be the starting pg , and James and Francis were ahead of Alston going into training camp last year but Alston out played him.

Until we get a better pg it's gonna be Alston , Brooks needs to show me more.

[smapor]

Adelman likes Alston so much because he is the best we got , Brooks is starting to emerge and get better and better but I am still not ready to make him the starter.

Adelman said he expected Francis to be the starting pg , and James and Francis were ahead of Alston going into training camp last year but Alston out played him.

Until we get a better pg it's gonna be Alston , Brooks needs to show me more.

I truly believe AB is going to show all of us more.

The current starting linup of
T-mac
Yao
Shane (or Artest)
Scola (or Artest)
AB

is a solid starting group, we can play defense and all 5 are not an offensive liablitiy. As long as T-mac is running the half court show, AB issues on leading the offense is a non-factor. Of course, we would love it, if AB can run the offense, but that comes with Time and experience. I think starting AB now, would be the best time, come playoffs.

[MaxRider]

both Alston and Brooks are inconsistent
oh @#$%
Yao and T-Mac are inconsistent as well
but at this moment Alston is showing more consistent than Brooks
just because Alston is not shooting 40% from 3pts line doesn't make him bad
actually Alston is shooting the 3 better than T-Mac (except this season)
as of today
Alston is shooting 37.1% and Brooks is shooting 38.0%

[King Roosk]

Max, you wanna talk about percentages? AB shoots 38% from behind the arc on 3.3 attempts, compared to Alston shooting 37% on 4.8 attempts. AB shoots 43% from the field overall, Alston shoots 36%. AB is a 92% free throw shooter, Alston is just under 83% from the charity stripe. I don't think the percentages really matter a whole lot in this argument, I'm just showing you that if you're trying to support Alston's case by using percentages then you won't win.

Anyways, I think Iggy said it best: "Alston's inability to strike fear in his defender is the single most reason for our weak offensive game". When our usual starting lineup of Yao, Scola, Battier, Mcgrady, and Alston trots out there, the defense knows exactly what's coming. They know that we're going to run the offense through Mcgrady and Yao, Scola is going to occasionally cut and spot up for that short jumper, Shane will be in the corner, and Alston will be spotted up somewhere around the top of the key. I know we got Artest to be our 3rd scorer, but from what I've seen, I don't think he'll be effective in the starting lineup and last night may have proven that bringing him off the bench is the best idea.

Therefore, we're back at square 1 with a slow starting offense that can't get us big enough cushions to comfortably win games. The defense knows Alston is going to jack up 3s, and for the most part they're willing to live with that. An Alston 3 pt attempt is usually a victory for the opposition. Even when Rafer drives, he has a sub-par floater that most likely won't go in. Rafer Alston is clearly the offensive weak link for our starting squad, and teams usually successfully exploit that. Now, I think things can change if Brooks shows us he's capable of starting. AB is so quick at getting to the hoop, and he's very nifty at finishing around the basket. He shoots the 3 better than Alston, his shot selection is better than Alston's, he actually makes his defender sweat while guarding him, and his youth/athleticism is really something that we could use in our starting 5.

Furthermore, Brooks is 2-1 as a starter for this team beating CP3 and Chauncey Billups and losing to Tony Parker during a typical early season Rockets implosion. I didn't expect to be this impressed with Brooks so early, but he may be the difference between another 1st round exit and going deep into the playoffs.

[KiDdFrESh]

What a great win by the Rockets. They got off a great start but played a TERRIBLE second quarter. I took my soon to be baby mother to the game and we got Scola wigs. It was funny. I was really proud of the way the Rockets were able to keep there composure and come back to win against one of the hottest teams in the league right now.

T-Mac f*cking WRECKED SHOP !!! Prior to him sitting out those 2 weeks I called 610 radio and said that he needed to sit now and that he would come back and play his best ball of the season. Of course they laughed at me, but it looks like I was pretty dead on.

Since his return, the Rockets are 2-1 and T-Mac is posting:

21 PPG 9.7 RPG 7.3 APG 1.0 SPG 1.0 BPG

19-49 FGs (38.7% FG%) 7-14 3Ps (50.0% 3P%) 18-20 FTs (90.0% FT%)

Battier, Brooks, Yao, Artest all played well last night.

Lets keep this up.

FREE STEVE !!!! hahaha

[MaxRider]

The reason I supported Alston is because of all those "let start Brooks" hype Brooks is getting after one good game. He's showing flashes, but not consistent enough. At least when Alston is not shooting well, I can still see him playing good defense and getting Yao/T-Mac the ball. When Brooks is not shooting well, I see him lost on both end of the floor. If Brooks start then our 2nd unit suck. Artest can't beat people off the dribble. Landry can't create his own shot. Hayes got no offense. Alston well for some reason he did play better without Yao or T-Mac, maybe Adelman should bring him off the bench with Yao or T-Mac on the floor with him.

PS
I still seeing those pictures of Brooks getting blocked against Clippers and Warriors on my head. I guess getting blocked is better than missing them.

[Mike12345]

Theres no need to compare stats between alston and brooks. Theres no stat that says alston is a better overall defender and more experienced. Thats the bottom line. Otherwise there stats are very similiar.

Against a team like denver i like brooks starting though,,,,,because we must be able to knock down open shots its as simple as that,,,,,and alston isnt as effective in that category.

At the same time in terms of the alston brooks discussion,,,,,I do feel Alston is expendable and a package including him and another player and maybe a 2nd round pick for an upgrade at the PG position i would approve of.

[Mike12345]

Just finished watching the game,,,,,,wow what a great game for rockets fans.

We finally came together on this game,,,,,and it was at home. Tracy did such a good job leading us and trying to get everyone involved,,,,and we foudn yao in good spots with great ball movement.

Aaron brooks,,,,wow this kid is for real,,,,,he showed great poise and played very hard on d. Artest played hard and what more can u ask of him,,,,,he didnt start,,,,he didnt get that many minutes,,,,but in crunch time he was game.

I dont think thers one negative thing i could say about tonights game was good to see battier knock down a few 3 pointers hes getting back to game form

no negative?
rewatch the 2nd quarter
we gave up 38 pts

No negative in terms of the rockets future,,,,,and we gave up 38 points to a team that has been on fire and very hard to beat. 38 points is a ridiculous number,,,,,but the pace of the game was fast and our defence locked down in the fourth.


In the big picture only positive thigns can be taken from this game,,,,and the amount of depth we have. We had a bad quarter and still have a long way to go as a team in terms of chemistry but it was a huge win for us against a sizzling team