A Look Back: Individual Players Great Games for 2003-2004

Its the offseason! With not much new to talk about now that our roster looks set I thought it would be fun to look back at the past season.

I tried to find a single game for each Rocket player from last year where they performed well and give there stats for the game and quotes about there performance.

I hope this pumps up Rocket's fans even more for the next season by showing all out talented players!

Warning: this is a long post.

Jim Jackson: Jan. 28th vs. Kings 28 points, 9 rebs, 11-12 FG

http://www.nba.com/games/20040128/SACHOU/recap.html

Former King Jim Jackson made his first 10 shots and scored a season-high 28 points for the Rockets, who have lost two in a row following a three-game winning streak. Jackson played with Sacramento last season but signed with Houston during the offseason.

"The 28 points don't mean a thing to me without the win," he said. "I have friends over there who will probably be friends for life, but tonight we just wanted to win after losing in Miami. All the points are just numbers to me."

Maurice Taylor: Jan 21st vs. Knicks 21 points 10-15 FG, 5 rebs

http://www.nba.com/games/20040121/NYKHOU/recap.html

Taylor scored 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting off the bench for Houston, which has won four of its last five games. He had 13 points in the second quarter, when the Rockets outscored the Knicks, 31-9, to take control.

"Every time I come in the game, the first thing Steve (point guard Steve Francis) says is, 'The first three plays are for you,'" Taylor said. "He wants to come to me early, so I guess I have to listen to the point guard."

Clearance Weatherspoon: Feb 25th vs. Cavs 12 points, 9 rebs

http://www.nba.com/games/20040225/CLEHOU/recap.html

Yao Ming and LeBron James were upstaged by Clarence Weatherspoon.

Weatherspoon scored nine of his season-high 12 points in the fourth quarter to lift the Houston Rockets to a 90-84 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Weatherspoon, acquired from New York in a midseason trade, took charge in the final period. He made four baskets, including a jumper that gave Houston a 78-74 lead with 3:02 remaining.

"I just came in and tried to add some energy and be active," said Weatherspoon, who also had nine rebounds. "As a veteran, that's what I try to do. The last couple of weeks, I've been able to find a way to score, and I think that's why I was in there. I've been able to get myself going and be a part of the offense."

"I think he's played consistently well," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "He's an excellent defender and a very good rebounder. He's not a 'mistake' player; he doesn't turn the ball over, and he brings an intensity that we need. Plus, he's a very good jump shooter. He's been tremendous."

Scott Padgett: April 14th vs Mavs 18 points, 11 rebs 8-13 FG

http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/review04_padgett.html

With a playoff spot locked up the Rockets rest a few of their regular starters, giving Padgett a chance for some extended minutes. The 6-9 forward takes advantage of his extra playing time to record his only double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes of action as the Rockets drop a 92-89 decision to the Dallas Mavericks.

Bostjan Nachbar: April 25th 6 min, 5 points, 1 Karl Malone torn jersey

http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/review04_nachbar.html

Nachbar provided one of the few highlights in an otherwise dismal postseason for the Rockets with his hard foul of Karl Malone in Game 4 of the Western Conference first round playoff series with the L.A. Lakers.

After a driving dunk by Nachbar and extra hard foul by Malone in the second quarter of Game 4, Malone found himself all alone seconds later on a fast break situation. Nachbar caught Malone from behind and as the Lakers forward went up for the layin, Nachbar returned the hard foul to prevent the easy bucket, much to the delight of the sold out Toyota Center crowd.

Yao Ming: Feb 22nd vs Hawks 41 points, 15-21 FG, 16 rebs, 7 assists, 2 blocks, 11-13 FT

http://www.nba.com/games/20040222/ATLHOU/recap.html

In the longest game of his career, Yao Ming did not seem tired.

Yao scored eight of his career-best 41 points in triple overtime to lead the Houston Rockets to a wild 123-121 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks, their sixth victory in seven games.

Yao made 15-of-21 shots and added 16 rebounds and a career-high seven assists in 50 minutes for the Rockets, who were coming off a 97-88 loss at Dallas on Saturday.

"I think I was very tired to the point I felt numb," Yao said through an interpreter. "I just had to keep going. Feeling tired is a bad feeling, but losing is worse."

"He did everything," Rockets guard Steve Francis said. "He rebounded, he scored, he passed and he defended, too. It was very exciting to see him lead us the way he did."

"We played zone to control Yao and he still had 41 points," Hawks coach Terry Stotts said. "The last shot he made shows exactly how good he is. He's an imposing figure out there with a nice touch. He got points off of rebounds, he got us in foul trouble and he made his free throws. He did a little bit of everything out there."

AND NOW THE NEW ROCKETS (and there alot of them )

Juwan Howard: Apr 12th vs Bulls 38 points, 13-19 FG

http://www.nba.com/games/20040412/ORLCHI/recap.html

"We knew that we could keep feeding Juwan and get something done," Orlando forward Drew Gooden said. "He only missed about six shots all night, so he was feeling it. Our main priority was to give him the ball. He saved us in the fourth quarter when they were making that run."

"Howard was outstanding tonight," coach Johnny Davis added. "He made all the big plays and he made all the big shots and he kept us steady out there on the court."

Tyronn Lue: Mar 5th 20 points, 6 rebs, 6 assists, 2 steals

http://www.nba.com/games/20040305/ATLORL/recap.html

Tyronn Lue scored eight of Orlando's final 10 points as the Magic defeated the Atlants Hawks at home for the eighth straight time, 101-96.

"We have confidence in anybody out there on the court," McGrady said. "They doubled up and Ty was the open guy. He has ice water in his veins; he's not afraid to take those big shots."

"I'm tired man," Lue said. "My teammates found me, I got some decent looks and knocked them down. This team has a lot of pride. We're better than what our record shows."

"Tyronn had an outstanding game in terms of controlling the flow of the game and making big shots," Orlando coach Johnny Davis said.

Tracy McGrady: Mar 10th vs Wizards 61 points, 10 rebs, 5 assists

http://www.nba.com/games/20040310/WASORL/recap.html

Tracy McGrady became the first player in more than four years to eclipse 60 points, going for a staggering 62 as the Orlando Magic posted a 108-99 victory over the Washington Wizards.

"My teammates came to me and told me to get 60, then they told me to get 70," McGrady said, laughing. "I was going for 70 and if I would have made my free throws, I would have had it. But this was a big night for me personally because it's been a long season. It's been a frustrating season, but this will give me a little boost."

Using his usual assortment of drives and jumpers, the 6-9 superstar became just the 17th player in NBA history to score 60 points.

Reece Gaines: Apr 1th vs Pistons 14 points, 4 rebs, 4 assists

http://www.nba.com/games/20040410/DETORL/recap.html

Reece Gaines was a bright spot with a season-high 14 points.

Dikembe Mutombo: Nov 29th vs Hornets 13 points, 12 boards, 5 blocks, 2 steals

http://www.nba.com/games/20031129/NOHNYK/recap.html

It is not a coincidence that the New York Knicks have produced their best stretch of the season as Dikembe Mutombo has lifted his game.

Mutombo again made an impression with 13 points, 12 rebounds, a season-high five blocked shots and two steals as the Knicks held on for a 79-74 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday.

The 7-2 center has averaged 12 points, 11.2 rebounds and three blocks while New York has won four of five games after starting the season 3-9. Mutombo had nine points and five rebounds in a tight first quarter Saturday.

"If I can give my contribution on the defensive end, I think I can help us win," he said. "The coaches are asking me to control the paint. I'm also feeling much better (after a groin injury)."

"I'm really amazed with his ability to score," New York coach Don Cheaney said. "He's a great defender, a great rebounder and a great shot-blocker. But it's great for us (that he) scores as well. He's very solid inside; he makes things happen in there."

Bob Sura: Apr 10th vs Celtics 15 points, 10 rebs, 11 assists

http://www.nba.com/games/20040410/BOSATL/recap.html

Bob Sura became the first player in franchise history to record consecutive triple-doubles as the Atlanta Hawks prevented the Boston Celtics from clinching a playoff spot with a 110-99 victory.

Sura, who was forced to the locker room bleeding from the mouth early in the fourth quarter, collected 15 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. He reached the milestone when he pulled down his 10th rebound with 10:23 remaining.

"I've been close a few times in my career and to get them back-to-back feels pretty good," said Sura, who joined New Jersey's Jason Kidd and Dallas' Antoine Walker as the only players with consecutive triple-doubles this season. "I'm excited about the way I've been playing. I feel fortunate for the opportunity here (in Atlanta) to get out there and play."

With just over nine minutes to play, Sura was accidentally hit in the mouth, a blow that required stitches to his lip. He returned to the bench but with the Hawks holding a comfortable lead, did not re-enter the game.

"Bob Sura has been instrumental in how we've been playing," Hawks guard Jason Terry said. "He has tremendous heart and he's a fierce competitor. He's the type of guy you want to see when you're going to war (on the court)."

When Sura walked back on the court with 2:51 to go, he received a standing ovation from the crowd.

"That gave me some chills out there," Sura said. "I go out there and lay it on the line every night for my team and for the fans and to get that kind of respect, I appreciate that."

Charlie Ward: Nov 22nd vs Sixers 18 points, 4-6 3 pt FG, 5 assists

http://www.nba.com/games/20031122/PHINYK/recap.html

"I think (we had) more people movement as opposed to ball movement," said Ward, who made 7-of-10 shots, including four three-pointers. "Tonight, most of the guys out there are pick-and-roll guys as opposed to one-on-one guys. We played off each other."

Philadelphia trailed by 20 points early in the final period before a late rally cut the deficit to 91-85 with 2:25 to go. But former Sixer Dikembe Mutombo made two free throws and Ward -- who scored eight points in the fourth quarter -- sank a three-pointer to seal it.

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I think these games show that we have alot of talent on our team with any number of players that can step up and perform well on any given night.

What games did you read that surprised youor mage you pumped for the coming season?

Feel free to add your own games or memories of Rockets player games from the past season. Thanks.

 

Thanks Gatorfan76. I liked your post too about Yao's book but I am staying away from it becasue I want to read it all fresh when the book comes out in the stores Sept 22nd.