Gameday Preview Charlotte Bobcats at Houston Rockets

by David A. Arnott on Apr 9, 2010 9:27 AM EDT

Pump Up Music: Damone -- "Just What I Needed"

The Big Picture: My favorite analogy for the Houston Rockets is that they're a supercharged Old Man YMCA Team. Though the epitome of that aesthetic, Shane Battier, will miss this game, we're going to see lots of fundamentally sound screens, quick starts to the fast break, Kevin Martin's flick of the wrist that makes Shawn Marion's "jumper" look like Ray Allen's, Luis Scola's crazy scoop shots, and shocking athleticism from Chase Budinger, Trevor Ariza, Aaron Brooks, and Jordan Hill.

Since the Bobcats are in the playoffs, and only 2 games out of the 5 seed, it'll be interesting to see if Larry Brown reduces playing time for the crunch time core. Stephen Jackson has a hammy issue. Tyrus Thomas dislocated his thumb the other day. Gerald Wallace is always a step away from something breaking. Boris Diaw will probably play each of the remaining games, because he has a chance to start all 82, but other than that, it'd be tempting to sit guys for the sake of making sure they're healthy come Game 1.

Key to Victory: Martin and Jackson are a fascinating matchup, because they're both productive, but in opposite ways. Jackson is a tenacious defender and volume scorer, while Martin is one of the league's most efficient scorers and an acceptable defender. Both surprise opponents with occasional strong moves to the rim. And both have weird shooting motions that look like they take too long to work, but do just fine for their purposes.

Detail That May Interest .08% of You: Daryl Morey, Rockets GM, wrote this post about zoning laws in Houston.

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Comments

I wouldn't call Kevin Martin an acceptable defender.

I seen Jamal Crawford giving it to him one night. Had Martin jumping everywhere, looking like he was doing the Harlem Shake.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Apr 9, 2010 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

Which is acceptable

when you are playing the Bobcats. If he played for the Bobcats, that type of defense would not be acceptable.

by bogakbridgetaker on Apr 9, 2010 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

This song...

Though not bad…if my wife sees it and not “The Cars” singing it…I may get to technicals called on me and I’ll get thrown out of the blog

by andrewlail76 on Apr 9, 2010 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

Is she a big Cars fan?

I got some stories for you about the Cars that she might like to hear some day.

by Ourdaywillcome on Apr 9, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Loves them...

and has recently been learning how many songs that Rick did not sing…

by andrewlail76 on Apr 9, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

lol Most notably, "Drive."

I know Elliott better than Rick. I even sat session drums on some of the tracks on Elliott’s solo album.

by Ourdaywillcome on Apr 9, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Benjamin Orr

He’s the main one that sang stuff that Rick didn’t, isn’t he?

She’s been a long time fan, and is embarrassed that she didn’t know that Rick didn’t sing them all.

by andrewlail76 on Apr 10, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Ben did lead on Drive and several others.

It was the growth of his healthy ego that broke the band. He started wearing about 4 pound of makeup everywhere and he and Rick started fighting a lot because they each felt like they should be cock of the walk. Ironically, Elliot walked first because he got sick of listening to it.

by Ourdaywillcome on Apr 10, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Playoff Tickets on Sale!

https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=bobcats&o=610031&g=833

Special offer code: PLAYOFFS

by milky C on Apr 9, 2010 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

This legit?

"Rufus On Fire" :http://www.rufusonfire.com/ - where even the haters get a little love...or get dunked on by Gerald Wallace. Either one.

by maverick24 on Apr 9, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

yup

by milky C on Apr 9, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Sweeeeet.

"Rufus On Fire" :http://www.rufusonfire.com/ - where even the haters get a little love...or get dunked on by Gerald Wallace. Either one.

by maverick24 on Apr 9, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Another Playoff Ticket Link

http://www.ticketmaster.com/Charlotte-Bobcats-tickets/artist/931493?brand=bobcats&camefrom=CFC_BOBCATS_PPS_OPTIN_040910

Special offer code: SERIES
The $35 tickets look like a bargain. First 3 rows of upper deck in corner still available.

by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Apr 9, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Got mine. Upper Level Baseline Row B

"Rufus On Fire" :http://www.rufusonfire.com/ - where even the haters get a little love...or get dunked on by Gerald Wallace. Either one.

by maverick24 on Apr 9, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Lets Go!

I feel good about this, even if we rest Jack or Gwall. Only person that scares me on houston is Scolaaaa

Random Gif for the sake of continuing my tradition

by Aznhobo on Apr 9, 2010 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

Lol.

"Rufus On Fire" :http://www.rufusonfire.com/ - where even the haters get a little love...or get dunked on by Gerald Wallace. Either one.

by maverick24 on Apr 9, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Keeping Emeka Okafor would have caused The Bobcats to miss the playoffs

Fortunately playing Nazr, Tyson, Theo, occasionally Sagana at Center worked out as well as having Emeka. For a good part of the season against certain teams, we played the fourth quarter without a Center. A small line-up with Boris as our big-man, and GW grabbing the boards worked just fine.

The reason why keeping Emeka Okafor would have caused us to miss the playoffs is because we would have been unable/unwilling to take on the Stephen Jackson contract. LB, MJ, & BJ would have likely found another way to trade Radman, Raja, and/or other players. However, they would have had to target receiving one or more players with a shorter duration contracts and less talent.

I agree that Emeka Okafor was a more valuable player on the court this year than Tyson Chandler was. However – the bottom line = Trading Emeka’s multi year contract allowed us to sign JAX.

by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Apr 9, 2010 3:23 PM EDT reply actions