More thoughts from Tuesday’s Rockets-Lakers game
Wednesday, October 31st, 2007
by John
I had a few more things I wanted to write about regarding Tuesday night’s game against the Lakers that I didn’t have time to write last night because the game ended so late.
It might be a symbol of great things to come that Yao Ming scored the first basket of the Rockets’ season, scoring on a reverse layup with 7:37 remaining in the first quarter after catching a sweet pass from Rafer Alston. On the next possession, Yao scored again on nice fadeaway jumper. Other Rockets had their chances to score first, but collectively they went 0-for-5 to start the game.
Did you see what Yao did with 5:09 remaining in the first quarter? He got the ball at the edge of the lane about 8 feet away from the basket, then made the most aggressive move I’ve seen him make in a long time. He dribbled strongly toward the basket with authority, was going to throw it down, and was fouled. Maybe his plan is to do that more often. After all, who is going to stop a freight train that’s 7′6″ and 300+ steamrolling his way to the basket? At minimum, he’ll get fouled and go to the line.
For all those critics who think Mike James is a ballhog…if he was a ballhog last night against the Lakers and he performs that way, then I’m all for it. Ballhog away! He was extremely effective scoring 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting. And I don’t mind a hot 3-point shooter taking another 3-pointer right after hitting one. You play the hot hand.
I had a few more things I wanted to write about regarding Tuesday night’s game against the Lakers that I didn’t have time to write last night because the game ended so late.
It might be a symbol of great things to come that Yao Ming scored the first basket of the Rockets’ season, scoring on a reverse layup with 7:37 remaining in the first quarter after catching a sweet pass from Rafer Alston. On the next possession, Yao scored again on nice fadeaway jumper. Other Rockets had their chances to score first, but collectively they went 0-for-5 to start the game.
Did you see what Yao did with 5:09 remaining in the first quarter? He got the ball at the edge of the lane about 8 feet away from the basket, then made the most aggressive move I’ve seen him make in a long time. He dribbled strongly toward the basket with authority, was going to throw it down, and was fouled. Maybe his plan is to do that more often. After all, who is going to stop a freight train that’s 7′6″ and 300+ steamrolling his way to the basket? At minimum, he’ll get fouled and go to the line.
For all those critics who think Mike James is a ballhog…if he was a ballhog last night against the Lakers and he performs that way, then I’m all for it. Ballhog away! He was extremely effective scoring 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting. And I don’t mind a hot 3-point shooter taking another 3-pointer right after hitting one. You play the hot hand.
