The Rockets made a deal with the world champs, Pistons, and sent china-giant Yao Ming and their 1st round draft pick in exchange for bad boy 'Sheed.
"I'd really like to try new things" says Wallace.
"I admire mr. Van-Gundy and i've dreamt playing for him.... plus,
I knew that keeping the red headband in the closet will be worth it..."
The season opener was played at the TOYOTA CENTER in Texas, when the Rockets hosted the Knicks.
Line-Ups
Francis -- Marbury
Mobley -- Houston
Jackson -- Thomas
Taylor -- Thomas
Wallace -- Mohammed
HOUSTON ROCKETS VS. NEW YORK KNICKS toyota center
Tim Thomas dominated Jim Jackson,
JJ dominated the 4th quarter.....
The 1st quarter opened with some very physical D by the Rockets, and the presence of 'Sheed was really felt.
The Rockets led 13-2 very early in the game, showing some new skills that were missing last season. the only one that couldn't quite get in the rythem was JJ. he has been guarded very tight by stronger and taller Tim Thomas. the Knicks made a run and managed to trail 19 to 16 4 mins left, with alot of help from the Rockets offense which had the shot clock violation 3 times in the quarter. with a late run by the Rockets and mainly Franchise with 4 steals and 3 assits in the 1st QTR, the Rockets led 23-16 in the end of the quarter.
The 2nd QTR opened by serious lack of defense by the rockets and the Knicks were leading 30-29. but with alot of offensive rebounds the Rockets kept close with the Knicks. the Knicks enjoyed from alot of misses under the basket by the Rockets and from frightened JJ who was blocked 2 times by Thomas and was afraid to shoot.
The half time ended up with a 42-39 lead by the Knicks.
In the 3rd, the Knicks showed some incredible shooting and even made 4 three-pointers in 4 straight possesions! JJ was blocked again by Thomas and with some great shooting by Francis, the Rockets were lucky to trail 73-64 in the end of the 3rd.
Before the final quarter,Van Gundy gave his players some cheer-ups, and told them that though they lost the big lead, they can still show character and give something in exchange for the supportive crowd.
The Rockets came on the floor with Scott Padgett, JJ on the bench.
They played like in the Hakeem days... the Rockets were actually...Rockets.
An early 10-0 run gave them their first lead since the 2nd quarter, 74-73.
Jimmy Jackson came up and the crowd was booing Van Gundy for stopping the fast game and putting excellent Padgett on the bench, and they booed mostly JJ. Jackson came up hungry. the 4th block on him by Thomas made him hungrier....
In a 81-81 situation, Mobley recieved a great pass from Cato in the fast break and missed a very very important dunk.
Maurice Taylor made a three-pointer in the final second of the shot clock to get the Rockets an 84-81 lead. Marbz took the ball and dribbled the whole Rockets defense, untill he came into 'Sheed. Marbz ran outside the paint and shot a fade away jumper from the corner to set a 84-84 tie with 5 minutes to go.
Later, the Knicks led almost the whole final 3 minutes, but the Rockets kept themselves in reach with some big moves.
with the Knicks leading 89-85, Francis made a huge steal from Marbz' hands and made two free throws to set an 87-89, 2 points trail.
JJ Risen.
As the Knicks kept hitting shots and leading by 4-2-4-2-4, JJ made a huge jumper from the corner, but he stepped on the line and the Knicks were up by 2, again. 93-91.
JJ Risen.
He made a super-acrobatic dive to win the loose ball and made a full-court pass to 'Sheed who finished with a monsterous dunk.
the Knicks kept the ball too long and Mohammed was forced to shoot a three pointer that went off.
JJ Risen.
He took the ball and dribbled the whole court to finish with a KILLER DUNK ON TIM THOMAS. 95-93.
Mobley had the ball and was fouled. he made both FT's to finish the game.
Final score : 97-93 to Rockets.
Player of the game
Rasheed Wallace - 17pts, 21rebs.
Player stats
S. Francis - 29pts, 6ast
S. Marbury - 24pts, 12ast
A. Houston - 22pts
T. Thomas - 21pts, 9rebs, 4blks
C. Mobley - 17pts
