Bobcats nearly bottle the Rockets, but douse the heat

The aftermath of the next two battles at home. A tale of two polar opposite games. And yet, both showing much improvement from Vincent's Bobcats.

The Houston Rockets blazed in to Bobcats Arena with a fiery start of 5-1. Under Adelman's Run and Fun offense T-Mac and Yao have flourished. It also can't hurt they have a full host of players coming off the bench with names like Mike James, Bonzi Wells, and Luther Head. These guys can play and would start for most teams. Side note: Steve Francis did not travel for the game.

The Bobcats were ready. They continued that inspired play seen in the 2nd half of their last game against the Bucks. The defense by the Cats was outstanding, with decisive traps, fronting blocks, quick rips, and an in your face style that seems to be missing from Charlotte's brand of ball. We were all led to believe that Vincent wants to run and the roster would be loose with nearly all coming in and out with a frantic pace. The 86.7 points for the Cats and a higher differential for the opponents seems to state something else. What's interesting is, removing the two blowout losses by the Suns and Philly...we see a team able to win with nearly a bottom of the league offense. Hmmm.

Defense is keeping them in games. Defense is winning out. Emeka's electric play defensively with rebounds and blocks; Gerald being lightning quick defender; and the dual-point guard monster of "Jefmond McFelton" is causing opposing teams problems. They're making good teams look sloppy. We've been most successful running the "small" lineup and Vincent is leaning on it heavily and is running a tight roster. McInnis, Felton, Emeka, G-Force, and time split between the SG's J-Rich and MC13 (Matt Carroll's self-referred nickname) is a potent one. Since adopting it we came back to beat the Bucks (led by the best shooter in the league, Michael Redd); stuck it to the Rockets leading the whole way (I'll get to the conspiracy-worthy finish in a second); and hammered the Heat...leading by as many as thirty points. I think Vincent is on to something. Tonight is the formidable test on the road against SE division rivals, Atlanta. They have an absolutely stunning list of athletes on that team. They could readily run the offense that Vincent had originally intended for the now injury-depleted Bobcats. Josh Childress, Speedy Claxton, Al Horford (may give Durant a run for ROY), Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Pachulia, Marvin Williams, Shelden Williams, etc. are deep with talent. Of note: my favorite college shooter in years, Acie Law IV is on that squad and if they make a playoff run this year watch for this guy to make a name, much like a Daniel Gibson or Mike Bibby did in recent years.

I do have to comment on the finish to Rockets game, where a win was ripped from us. We were down by one point...Gerald Wallace drives to the hoop from the top of the key curling baseline with 6-7 seconds left...jumps...hangs...lets the ball go after getting held on the arm and bumped with the body. The shot didn't go in, but a whistle blew. The crowd erupted with joy for the obvious call. A defensive foul...right? Well...it was a call alright, but an offensive foul...a charge. Another ref. changed that call to a "clear out". The replay showed that none of this was the case and, in fact, Wallace was fouled. A good ref. knows to not call that play either way, unless it is brutal and blatant. Let them play. And let their play decide their fate at the end of a game. Never have a refs decisions dictate their fate like that. It is not right. It is shameful. The right call is a defensive foul. The best call is a no-call. Neither was the case. What would've happened? Don't know. The players didn't get to decide...