Game 9: Hornets @ Rockets Open Thread

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 5:14 PM CST in Game Threads Comment 144 comments

Houston, TX, 7:30 CST
	@
5-3	AP	5-4
The Dream Shake Preview
Some Real Good Game Notes From Last Night
A Unique Take on Defense: The Coase Corollary
NOLA Times-Pic \|\| Houston Chronicle
ffensive Efficiency: NOH 108.5 (7th), HOU 102.2 (25th) Defensive Efficiency: NOH 104.5 (15th), HOU 100.1 (3rd)
Christopher \|\| Peterson	Backcourt	Aaron Brooks \|\| Tracy McGrady
	>>>	Ron Artest
17 foot \|\| Ceiling Fan	Frontcourt	Luis Scola \|\| Yao Ming
L L W L W (most recent)	Last Five	L W L W L (most recent)
A Rocket would probably set a Hornet on fire. Or crush it.	In Real Life...

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No Rafer tonight

I hope CP can draw a few quick fouls on Aaron Brooks early.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 7:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Decent start

Houston’s offense looks good. But 10 of those points were off long jumpers, so I’m sure the Hornets will take that.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 7:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lots of perimeter shots continue to drop for Houston

Decent D in general

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 7:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't Seem

Like we should be down by 8….weird game…

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Chandler doing an amazing job against Yao so far

And really nice And One

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting first quarter

Rockets lighting it up from the perimeter- 61.8 eFG% That’s sure to decline a little bit. Otherwise, real good job by Houston of getting to the line.

New Orleans has 0 turnovers after 1, Chris Paul plays all 12. I’m looking forward to the Brown/Wright/Butler/Pose bench here in the 2nd quarter.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Too many fouls from this second unit

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Von Wafer? What the hell?

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I love the defense from Brown-Butler-Wright-Posey. Defensively that’s a powerful unit.

I also love it when Devin Brown is playing off the ball when at the point. Getting to run around screens and act as a scorer at times. That looks very effective.

by NBR on Nov 15, 2008 8:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

True

They just need someone to handle the ball and drive. Julian Wright, maybe?

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Those final two possessions where Brown had to create off the dribble from the three point line weren’t pretty.

I think that unit will have to rely on ball and player movement, cutting and passing, in order to score. I’m not convinced any one of them can create consistently enough off the bounce as a penetrator.

by NBR on Nov 15, 2008 8:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Byron’s grand visions of JuJu being a point guard might not all work out.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Wright’s problems are fixable. I think his biggest problem is that he plays at 100 miles per hour when he’s on the ball penetrating, and he plays at one speed for too often. So too fast and no change of pace. Stuff you mostly see from rookies ….. which Wright hasn’t gotten past yet.

Once he slows down and learns where his options are I think we’ll see a big bump in decision making and his ability to get the most out of his skills.

That time looks further off than we’d all like it to be though.

by NBR on Nov 15, 2008 8:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That it does.

Love the jump shot and athleticism, but you’re right. He’s going too fast too often.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This second unit looks pretty awful

They’re playing adequate defense, but scoring wise, it’s not working. Nobody can penetrate, there’s no inside presence. So basically it’s a bunch of 6’7" guys taking contested 20 foot jumpers… not a good strategy if you want to win.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Totally

Devin Brown and Ju-Ju looked great, but it didn’t translate to nearly enough points. Everyone is missing shots.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ugh, Von Wafer is burning us. What is going on??

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Have the Hornets, um,

scored in the 2nd quarter?

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lol

10 points apparently

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's cut this to single digits before half

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Stupid play from Posey

Just walk back to the bench. That was a good call on the loose ball foul on Posey.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I thought he was walking away

So he WOULDN’T curse off the ref.

Unbelievable what’s happened to this game. They looked great in the first quarter. The hell?

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 8:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ugh, pretty sad to see how that bench stint went down.

This is looking like the Lakers game in terms of deficit. Hopefully, we can start coming back a LOT sooner.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Rockets have allowed a lot of teams to make runs against them this season. Their offense has stuttered with regularity. So there should be a good window of opportunity at some point.

by NBR on Nov 15, 2008 8:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good to hear

Haven’t been able to see the Rockets play all that much this season

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice hustle

by Mo.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

By the way

Where is Ron Artest? Anyone seen him?

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Gee thanks...

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops...

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If I Was Byron...

…I’d tell the team to stop drinking before the games. And/or to practice. Shooting. Ever.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hahahh

That seems like a reasonable strategy

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else hate how

NBA TV gets local commentators to do their games? This is so ridiculously biased.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

Word on the street is it’s almost never the Hornets guys. We have the local CST here in Nola, so we don’t even have the option of watching that feed.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I watch on League Pass

and I get Licht and Gil for home games. But roadies are always the road guys. Don’t know about NBA tv though, this is the first game I’m watching on there this year.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I prefer most of the local commentators to the guys NBA TV and ESPN choose.

Some teams wreck my head though.

by NBR on Nov 15, 2008 8:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

Some guys are really good- the Clippers and the Sonics are generally enjoyable.

But yeah, I agree on the ESPN. Unless it’s Hubie Brown or Jeff van Gundy, they generally suck.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I love Van Gundy

I’m on old NY guy, so I’m biased. But he’s great.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My favorite is when he makes fun of his fellow commentators

Like when Marc Jackson complimented some Knicks player last year, and JVG goes ’You’re just doing this to get that coaching job, aren’t you?’?

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Peja

Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Peja get steadily better last year? I wonder if he maybe spends too much time on the beach in Greece with his supermodel wife and tanning, instead of working on his shot. Maybe he just needs to get back into rhythm.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I can’t recall. I remember he fell off a little bit in the last month of the season, but I don’t remember any of the rest.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Peja

Did look very tan coming in. Compared to how pasty he got by the winter of last year.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 8:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Does his family even live in New Orleans?

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Peja's real life

is completely a mystery to me. He has kids, right? He had A kid at his bowling thing…. As far as I know, he just shows up on the court to be a vicious sharpshooting killer with an accent. Then he disappears again… until next game.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 8:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lol

I read somewhere that he has a place in the “posh” part of New Orleans. Whatever that is. You guys would probably have a hell of a lot more of an idea what that means than me.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure.

I do know he has a very black BMW.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder what Chris Paul drives.

I know Mo has a ridiculously awesome car. Let me see if I can find the link.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I remember being worried about Peja during the early parts of last season. He was only scoring 13-14ppg at that time. For the rest of the season he was dropping 17-18ppg.

I thought that slow start was mostly due to him working back into game shape after the long spell out with injury though

by NBR on Nov 15, 2008 8:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I sort of remember that now. We were all super worried that he’d collapse on the floor after every shot haha

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hornets come back a little, but Rockets doing it to us

Some halftime numbers:

eFG: Houston 51, New Orleans 36
FT/FG: Houston 30, New Orleans 20
OREB: Houston 24, New Orleans 21
TOr: Houston 15, New Orleans 7

So they’re outplaying us pretty much.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lame.

Second quarter explosion? I’m in.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I just hope TC can D up Yao like that for 2 more.

Tall task probably

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's Mo-Pete's car

Clicky cliky.

142,000 dollars ?!?!

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hmm the vid doesn't work any more

But there is this ironic quote at the end of the page:

Question: Stupidest thing you ever did with your money?

Peterson: I try not to do anything too stupid with my money. Me being from Michigan, me being from Flint, I don’t really try to live outside my means. I try to save my money. I ain’t going to make it rain.

LoL

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I remember that from last year.

Where he drove around and talked in his car. Black Benz, right?

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He needs to Keep Running Him.

They need to run more. Let CP go nuts and them try to figure out what he’s going to do and lose TC to the CC’n.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yep

How are you watching by the way? Do you get NBAtv?

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice shot by West

We really need him to hit that 17’ shot.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 8:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If he can get going

Paul won’t have to shoulder all the scoring like he had to against L.A.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 8:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, we can't guard anyone

Chris Paul is finally going strong. But the lead hasn’t been cut down at all.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

They are calling the offensive fouls tonight.

I mean West dipped, but Scola’s feet were clearly shuffling. I mean. He didn’t even have position at all.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Eh

That shoulder was too dipped. I doubt they even looked at the feet on that one.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So Yao can't stop CHANDLER

Why?

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hah

I liked that yell after the dunk

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No I mean seriously

Tell me how where our offense is coming from now makes sense at all.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Too quick for Yao.

Yao isn’t moving well to start the season, either carrying an injury or recovering from injury, either way he isn’t moving well.

I want to see Chandler run Yao on the fastbreak more often. Try to wear Yao down. Maybe get a few easy hoops.

by NBR on Nov 15, 2008 9:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I said that very early

That it was obvious in the first quarter they couldn’t match his speed. And they should run the CCC over and over. Right over the top of Yao.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Crescent City Connection?

How come that never caught on? Such an awesome name.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It did here

It was like the ONE COOL THING Bob and Gil ever made up. Keep in mind they come up with cheesy puns and giggle over them every game.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha, like calling "Deep Frye" yesterday

I don’t get to watch Bob and Gil often, but when I do… man…

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry guys

I just now saw the email with the questions for the preview. We’ll have to get together for the next game. I can still answer them if you would like

BTW, I have tickets to the March game in NO, so my wife, Dave and me will be making the trip from Houston there.

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

No worries!

We’ll do it again next time. Good game so far, you guys are cruising…

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We were cruising last night too...

Then the Spurs went on a 20-6 run

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wish.

But right now, I have a tough time believing they could hit 10 baskets in a quarter, let alone part of one.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yao getting rattled.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

But not Luther Head.

Go figure.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ahhhhh

Game?

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I said it over at the Dream Shake, but how is it that there are 3 awesome Hornet's blogs?

I mean, it’s nice to have the market cornered and all, but it’s also great for fans to have lots of points of view

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It is pretty awesome.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think one of the great things...

…is that we all kind of take a different approach. It gives people three unique content providers, not just three blogs spouting the same stuff.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's all good

… because I don’t blog about real stuff anyway. :-P

I would do another Posey diary tomorrow, but I think the poor guy is gonna be suicidal.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha, please, please do another one

That was easily the post of the year.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I have not read it

But with that endorsement I will bring it up now…

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh, I'm sure even non Hornets fans would enjoy it

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

I read it at work and kept cracking up out loud. It was potentially damaging.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Who said I wasn't a Hornets fan?

I mean, the Rockets are my team. But CP3 and David West are my two favorite non-Rockets, I’ve always liked Peja, I think the greatest play in the NBA right now is CP3 to Chandler for the oop, Posey spent a year in Houston and I was pissed when he left, and I like Julian Wright a lot

They are the only team I will just randomly watch in the NBA

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

http://hornetshype.com/wp/2008/11/10/the-real-diary-of-james-posey/

I don’t know. I have to channel my inner Posey for awhile to get inspired. That one kinda had to percolate the whole day.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Are y'all watching it on NBA TV?

If so, how do you like are homer announcers?

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

And yes, that's Clyde Drexler that just repeats what Bill Worrell says

Or says lot of words together that may, or may not work

Also, Matt Bullard of 3 pointers from the corner fame and that ESPN show where he dominated but got screwed out of the job

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lol, I remeber when we got Matt Bullard from you guys

I was so happy. Then he ceased to exist.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I completely forgot about that!

Ya, I loved him on the Rockets. I owned a Matt Bullard #50 jersey, let’s put it that way

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"If that had gone in we were going home"

Our guys are not great on the basketball end, but very, very funny. If by funny you mean like your grandpa who everyone sort of humors.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with Bob on that one. I mean, shit they've hit just about everything else....

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like Byron going with the second unit.

Let’s hope they can provide a spark.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Finally!

Hilton does something good.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Finally!

Someone hits a shot.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You're excited that Tracy McGrady isn't shooting 2-12 again too?

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lol

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And to be fair, it's not like he's shooting well tonight 5/12

That’s how awful he’s been so far, I’m excited about 5/12

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Rough turn with McGrady. From 14 and us running again to 17. Ugh.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

They just said CP3 hasn't been effective

Yet he has a double double 10 points and 10 assists with only 2 turnovers

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

This is just one of those games...

…where he hasn’t been assertive on offense, so doesn’t have many points. He’s been getting TC involved really well, and has brought out that little backwards bounce pass to DX, but West is missing the jumpers mostly.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If we can't cut this to 10 with around 4:00

it’s probably a lost cause. And given Houston’s D, it doesn’t look very likely. Well played game by the Rockets.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ju-Ju!

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Beautiful

Beautiful move.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Byron just brought the starters back to the bench (instead of having them check in)

Throwing in the towel

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

No, just a time out. They'll be in.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

I think my feed is a little bit slow

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, at least Utah lost again..........

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I hate Utah

So very, very much

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What just happened with CP3?

Are they going to start hacking Chuck Hayes?

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Why foul Aaron brooks???

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hack-a-Chuck

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Oh..

I could’ve sworn CP fouled Brooks?

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

They were just getting to the penalty. Thus 3 quick fouls and then they went against Chcuk.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lol @ being fouls away from the penalty

with 4:00 left to go. Only the Hornets…

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm so confused

Is he that bad?

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

In every possible way

Did you not just see him shoot?

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha

Even Byron Scott was laughing. That was… perhaps the oddest looking free throw stroke I have ever seen, no exaggeration.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But like seriously?

He’s in the NBA and he consistently is that bad?

Like he was so bad our announcers had the cameraman intentionally close up on his feet… and sure enough! WOW.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Nov 15, 2008 9:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's comedy for the whole family

Chuck is the worst offensive player in the league. He’s also one of the top 3 or 4 defenders in the league at the PF spot. We love him. At Kentucky they adored the guy

by UofTOrange on Nov 15, 2008 9:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like KU

has produced some pretty good defenders between him and Rondo.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ibid.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 9:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Houston is totally owning Chris Paul. And absolutely no movement by the other Hornets. They were all just standing around, glued to the ground, watching Paul get quadruple teamed. Brilliant.

by atthehive on Nov 15, 2008 9:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs