[Game 57] Rockets @ Queens

[bws94]

Blow out and Harden scores a lot but this wasn't that great a game.

There are issues here. The starters are good together but Beverley doesn't get to improve his skills, just hustle. Harden is everywhere and everything and the team overly dependent on him. The ball still doesn't move enough. Harden still plays too much point guard at the expense of the point guards getting into the flow of the game. And the bench guys aren't in sync with one another. Asik is rusty. Lin may be hurt, he lacks explosiveness and the crap with his minutes, sometimes a lot, sometimes backup minutes is just not acceptable. How can this big piece of the Rockets be used so irresponsibly by the coach? Lin is a big piece of the Rockets, one of their best 5 players and it seems the Rockets coaching staff has forgotten that. And what's going on with Jones? Someone who scored over 30 in a game and had so many big games is now struggling again. The Rockets aren't just Dwight and Harden despite the hype and promotion by the announcers. And not just Dwight, Harden and Parsons, they have Jones, Lin, at times DMo, guys that can score the ball and do other things and they aren't in the flow of the offense enough.

This isn't a great team to watch. I like Harden, he had some great scoring tonight, but I want to see him become more of a team player and he's headed towards a player with too much usage.

Even as a Lin fan (might be called LOF sometimes) I can't bear reading this...

Agreed. The team is winning (10 out of last 11?). Lin has to settle into the role that's asked of him, not the other way around especially at this juncture where wer're ramping for the playoffs. He may not be in the team's long term plans but while he's on the team he's got to try to play with consistency and to his capabilities for the Rockets to go far.

You have to get the bench going. Look at the amount of shots Harden took yesterday compared to the rest of the team. He took 20 shots, Parsons 8, TJOnes, 5, Dwight 9, Beverley 4. Too much usage is Harden is playing point too much and there's no offensive flow where he passes the ball off and lets the offense generate. He's too much the center of it at times. That isn't going to work that well in more competitive games. Lin is doing his role, but he is a rhythm player who needs on-court time to get into his rhythm and as one of the better players on the team, it would be good to see him get more consistent playing time. He's not the only one, but the coaches need to get him going. We need to see some of the other players get it in gear and play with confidence and contribute more to the game. Hopefully, besides Dwight, Harden or Parsons, like in the last game where Bev got 20, somebody else really gets in going tonight. And Lin and Asik start to raise the level of their games, the Rockets need them.

[13th Man]

Even as a Lin fan (might be called LOF sometimes) I can't bear reading this...

Agreed. The team is winning (10 out of last 11?). Lin has to settle into the role that's asked of him, not the other way around especially at this juncture where wer're ramping for the playoffs. He may not be in the team's long term plans but while he's on the team he's got to try to play with consistency and to his capabilities for the Rockets to go far.

You have to get the bench going. Look at the amount of shots Harden took yesterday compared to the rest of the team. He took 20 shots, Parsons 8, TJOnes, 5, Dwight 9, Beverley 4. Too much usage is Harden is playing point too much and there's no offensive flow where he passes the ball off and lets the offense generate. He's too much the center of it at times. That isn't going to work that well in more competitive games. Lin is doing his role, but he is a rhythm player who needs on-court time to get into his rhythm and as one of the better players on the team, it would be good to see him get more consistent playing time. He's not the only one, but the coaches need to get him going. We need to see some of the other players get it in gear and play with confidence and contribute more to the game. Hopefully, besides Dwight, Harden or Parsons, like in the last game where Bev got 20, somebody else really gets in going tonight. And Lin and Asik start to raise the level of their games, the Rockets need them.

The way that Harden was playing yesterday, you'd want him to take 40 shots. I know what you're getting at which is to have a more balanced attack but the Rockets have been the best team in the league in 2014 so why would you want to change that? Harden doesn't bring it every night either but good thing is that we have other guys that can inluding Lin who has helped them win a few games not too long ago.

Lin has had plenty of chances to prove himself as starter or to close out games but he hasn't been consistent enough to earn the coach's trust. He plays well in spurts but then does 180 for some reason. Nobody expects him to be Linsanity in his current role they just expect him not to suck. I think he needs to take a page out of Bev's playbook and try not to do too much sometimes i.e. homerun passes. He also needs to bring the same mentality to every game, some games he just looks timid and out of place you can't have that in the playoffs.

[bws94]

Agreed. The team is winning (10 out of last 11?). Lin has to settle into the role that's asked of him, not the other way around especially at this juncture where wer're ramping for the playoffs. He may not be in the team's long term plans but while he's on the team he's got to try to play with consistency and to his capabilities for the Rockets to go far.

You have to get the bench going. Look at the amount of shots Harden took yesterday compared to the rest of the team. He took 20 shots, Parsons 8, TJOnes, 5, Dwight 9, Beverley 4. Too much usage is Harden is playing point too much and there's no offensive flow where he passes the ball off and lets the offense generate. He's too much the center of it at times. That isn't going to work that well in more competitive games. Lin is doing his role, but he is a rhythm player who needs on-court time to get into his rhythm and as one of the better players on the team, it would be good to see him get more consistent playing time. He's not the only one, but the coaches need to get him going. We need to see some of the other players get it in gear and play with confidence and contribute more to the game. Hopefully, besides Dwight, Harden or Parsons, like in the last game where Bev got 20, somebody else really gets in going tonight. And Lin and Asik start to raise the level of their games, the Rockets need them.

The way that Harden was playing yesterday, you'd want him to take 40 shots. I know what you're getting at which is to have a more balanced attack but the Rockets have been the best team in the league in 2014 so why would you want to change that? Harden doesn't bring it every night either but good thing is that we have other guys that can inluding Lin who has helped them win a few games not too long ago.

Lin has had plenty of chances to prove himself as starter or to close out games but he hasn't been consistent enough to earn the coach's trust. He plays well in spurts but then does 180 for some reason. Nobody expects him to be Linsanity in his current role they just expect him not to suck. I think he needs to take a page out of Bev's playbook and try not to do too much sometimes i.e. homerun passes. He also needs to bring the same mentality to every game, some games he just looks timid and out of place you can't have that in the playoffs.

I think it is up to the coaches to get the players right. All players are different, different mind sets, approaches, and respond to different ways of being motivated from within and without. If someone has to work with a Lin, Asik, Jones, whoever is right now out of sync, try to get them in the groove and if possible, in-game if the lead is big enough. They need playing time and I still think this team needs more ball movement and less ISO one-on-one play and hoping that Harden, Howard and Parsons are hot. There are times Jones will do a good deal of scoring or Lin could do more playmaking and scoring, or Asik have plays run for him with other players as well like DMo especially if the opposing coaches make 2nd half adjustments to cover Harden/Dwight/Parsons. Harden was on fire, yes, but especially if he wears down and say his feet start barking again, he may not have the energy to produce like he has and his team mates may need to step up. I'm saying use all your weapons, recognize and use them because on any given night a capable player can come up big for the team. I think Rockets fans do too much analysis of Lin's "timidness" and some such things without the knowledge that Lin is just Lin and when he has the backing of the coaching staff like he did in NY, he plays at least aggressively. The key is to keep him from getting reckless. It's up to the coaches to tell him they believe in him, not lose it when he does something stupid because Harden and Dwight and sometimes Parsons do stupid things as well on the court, not try to make him like Beverley because they have different strengths, and let Jeremy play his game knowing he has support and can play through bonehead plays. If he does something dumb just say JLin, you are better than that, just let it come to you and he'll probably step it up. But he needs more playing time from now until the end of the season. Get him in the game earlier and when he is in get him in the flow. Same holds true for Asik (although Asik can do good things getting rebounds). To me, right now, the team needs more dimension.

[13th Man]

You have to get the bench going. Look at the amount of shots Harden took yesterday compared to the rest of the team. He took 20 shots, Parsons 8, TJOnes, 5, Dwight 9, Beverley 4. Too much usage is Harden is playing point too much and there's no offensive flow where he passes the ball off and lets the offense generate. He's too much the center of it at times. That isn't going to work that well in more competitive games. Lin is doing his role, but he is a rhythm player who needs on-court time to get into his rhythm and as one of the better players on the team, it would be good to see him get more consistent playing time. He's not the only one, but the coaches need to get him going. We need to see some of the other players get it in gear and play with confidence and contribute more to the game. Hopefully, besides Dwight, Harden or Parsons, like in the last game where Bev got 20, somebody else really gets in going tonight. And Lin and Asik start to raise the level of their games, the Rockets need them.

The way that Harden was playing yesterday, you'd want him to take 40 shots. I know what you're getting at which is to have a more balanced attack but the Rockets have been the best team in the league in 2014 so why would you want to change that? Harden doesn't bring it every night either but good thing is that we have other guys that can inluding Lin who has helped them win a few games not too long ago.

Lin has had plenty of chances to prove himself as starter or to close out games but he hasn't been consistent enough to earn the coach's trust. He plays well in spurts but then does 180 for some reason. Nobody expects him to be Linsanity in his current role they just expect him not to suck. I think he needs to take a page out of Bev's playbook and try not to do too much sometimes i.e. homerun passes. He also needs to bring the same mentality to every game, some games he just looks timid and out of place you can't have that in the playoffs.

I think it is up to the coaches to get the players right. All players are different, different mind sets, approaches, and respond to different ways of being motivated from within and without. If someone has to work with a Lin, Asik, Jones, whoever is right now out of sync, try to get them in the groove and if possible, in-game if the lead is big enough. They need playing time and I still think this team needs more ball movement and less ISO one-on-one play and hoping that Harden, Howard and Parsons are hot. There are times Jones will do a good deal of scoring or Lin could do more playmaking and scoring, or Asik have plays run for him with other players as well like DMo especially if the opposing coaches make 2nd half adjustments to cover Harden/Dwight/Parsons. Harden was on fire, yes, but especially if he wears down and say his feet start barking again, he may not have the energy to produce like he has and his team mates may need to step up. I'm saying use all your weapons, recognize and use them because on any given night a capable player can come up big for the team. I think Rockets fans do too much analysis of Lin's "timidness" and some such things without the knowledge that Lin is just Lin and when he has the backing of the coaching staff like he did in NY, he plays at least aggressively. The key is to keep him from getting reckless. It's up to the coaches to tell him they believe in him, not lose it when he does something stupid because Harden and Dwight and sometimes Parsons do stupid things as well on the court, not try to make him like Beverley because they have different strengths, and let Jeremy play his game knowing he has support and can play through bonehead plays. If he does something dumb just say JLin, you are better than that, just let it come to you and he'll probably step it up. But he needs more playing time from now until the end of the season. Get him in the game earlier and when he is in get him in the flow. Same holds true for Asik (although Asik can do good things getting rebounds). To me, right now, the team needs more dimension.

It's impossible for the coaches to maximize the potential and productivity of every player on the team, sacrifices will have to be made to satisify a team approach, Lin and Asik are the sacrificial lambs in this case because of Harden and Howard.

It's been established that Lin will not get to play like he did in NYC here. Even Lin didn't get to play Linsanity style once Melo was back, that's how the pecking order works in the real world. McHale sometimes allude to the fact that Lin plays with an agenda, meaning that he's trying to get buy-in from the coaches to let him run the show but that's never going to happen as long as Harden is on the same team. Lin has to either accept it or do what Asik did and look for other options, unfortunately for both, there are no other options.

So while you argue that the coaching philosophy is messed up (I question it at times as well), you can't argue against the fact that the Rockets are playing their best ball all season right now. If the Rockets fail to reach expectations this year then you revisit and make appropriate changes. I also feel that the players run this team, not the coaches but that's a slightly different topic.

[bws94]

The way that Harden was playing yesterday, you'd want him to take 40 shots. I know what you're getting at which is to have a more balanced attack but the Rockets have been the best team in the league in 2014 so why would you want to change that? Harden doesn't bring it every night either but good thing is that we have other guys that can inluding Lin who has helped them win a few games not too long ago.

Lin has had plenty of chances to prove himself as starter or to close out games but he hasn't been consistent enough to earn the coach's trust. He plays well in spurts but then does 180 for some reason. Nobody expects him to be Linsanity in his current role they just expect him not to suck. I think he needs to take a page out of Bev's playbook and try not to do too much sometimes i.e. homerun passes. He also needs to bring the same mentality to every game, some games he just looks timid and out of place you can't have that in the playoffs.

I think it is up to the coaches to get the players right. All players are different, different mind sets, approaches, and respond to different ways of being motivated from within and without. If someone has to work with a Lin, Asik, Jones, whoever is right now out of sync, try to get them in the groove and if possible, in-game if the lead is big enough. They need playing time and I still think this team needs more ball movement and less ISO one-on-one play and hoping that Harden, Howard and Parsons are hot. There are times Jones will do a good deal of scoring or Lin could do more playmaking and scoring, or Asik have plays run for him with other players as well like DMo especially if the opposing coaches make 2nd half adjustments to cover Harden/Dwight/Parsons. Harden was on fire, yes, but especially if he wears down and say his feet start barking again, he may not have the energy to produce like he has and his team mates may need to step up. I'm saying use all your weapons, recognize and use them because on any given night a capable player can come up big for the team. I think Rockets fans do too much analysis of Lin's "timidness" and some such things without the knowledge that Lin is just Lin and when he has the backing of the coaching staff like he did in NY, he plays at least aggressively. The key is to keep him from getting reckless. It's up to the coaches to tell him they believe in him, not lose it when he does something stupid because Harden and Dwight and sometimes Parsons do stupid things as well on the court, not try to make him like Beverley because they have different strengths, and let Jeremy play his game knowing he has support and can play through bonehead plays. If he does something dumb just say JLin, you are better than that, just let it come to you and he'll probably step it up. But he needs more playing time from now until the end of the season. Get him in the game earlier and when he is in get him in the flow. Same holds true for Asik (although Asik can do good things getting rebounds). To me, right now, the team needs more dimension.

It's impossible for the coaches to maximize the potential and productivity of every player on the team, sacrifices will have to be made to satisify a team approach, Lin and Asik are the sacrificial lambs in this case because of Harden and Howard.

It's been established that Lin will not get to play like he did in NYC here. Even Lin didn't get to play Linsanity style once Melo was back, that's how the pecking order works in the real world. McHale sometimes allude to the fact that Lin plays with an agenda, meaning that he's trying to get buy-in from the coaches to let him run the show but that's never going to happen as long as Harden is on the same team. Lin has to either accept it or do what Asik did and look for other options, unfortunately for both, there are no other options.

So while you argue that the coaching philosophy is messed up (I question it at times as well), you can't argue against the fact that the Rockets are playing their best ball all season right now. If the Rockets fail to reach expectations this year then you revisit and make appropriate changes. I also feel that the players run this team, not the coaches but that's a slightly different topic.

I'm not looking for LIn to play like in NY but I mention NY to show a contrast of coaching support vs. whatever McHale and company is doing with LIn. Lin has sacrificed enough. I'm not buying he has any agenda, the kid is just trying to contribute as best he can in the Rockets system and he certainly is playing out of position most of the time. He needs to play to contribute in a way he is capable of and that means finding his rhythm and getting his groove back. It is the height of inefficiency and stupidity to use a player of Lin's caliber in the way he is being used especially with his salary. He played 7 1/2 minutes in the first half of essentially a blow-out game. He clearly needs to get going, so play him.

I'm not talking strictly of Lin. I'm talking about getting Jones back into form, Asik, integrating DMo more, getting the whole bench unit playing more so as not to burn out the starters with so many minutes and to give the team another look in case the starters don't have it going. Anything less than that is short-sighted by the Rockets coaching staff.

[13th Man]

I'm not looking for LIn to play like in NY but I mention NY to show a contrast of coaching support vs. whatever McHale and company is doing with LIn. Lin has sacrificed enough. I'm not buying he has any agenda, the kid is just trying to contribute as best he can in the Rockets system and he certainly is playing out of position most of the time. He needs to play to contribute in a way he is capable of and that means finding his rhythm and getting his groove back. It is the height of inefficiency and stupidity to use a player of Lin's caliber in the way he is being used especially with his salary. He played 7 1/2 minutes in the first half of essentially a blow-out game. He clearly needs to get going, so play him.

I'm not talking strictly of Lin. I'm talking about getting Jones back into form, Asik, integrating DMo more, getting the whole bench unit playing more so as not to burn out the starters with so many minutes and to give the team another look in case the starters don't have it going. Anything less than that is short-sighted by the Rockets coaching staff.

Lin does get short-leashed quite a lot on this team but much of it is on him, he has to earn the coach's trust that he can sustain a high level of play in high-pressured situations. Latest example was the loss to GS where he basically did nothing in 4th Q and in OT. Bev stepped it up the following game with a huge 4th which might just take away Lin's closing minutes from hereon out.

They have been trying to get Dmo more involved but this team is pretty stacked right now that some players aren't going to be happy, guys like Casspi, Garcia, Smith. The heart of the team is Harden, Howard and Parsons, everybody else is basically complimentary or role players. If Daniels is as good as they say he is, I'm salivating at the 2nd unit potential of Lin/Daniels/Hamilton/Dmo/Asik. Now imagine if this 2nd unit can get it together, we wouldn't have to rely so much on the starters.

I think it comes down to team dynamics and the coaching philosophy. Take AB for example he goes from 3rd PG limited to garbage minutes to starter overnight in Denver. Dragic is playing like an all-star in Phoenix but would he have the same numbers here, probably not. So because of the makeup of this team which revolve around 3 players, everybody else has to play complimentary roles to them.

[bws94]

I'm not looking for LIn to play like in NY but I mention NY to show a contrast of coaching support vs. whatever McHale and company is doing with LIn. Lin has sacrificed enough. I'm not buying he has any agenda, the kid is just trying to contribute as best he can in the Rockets system and he certainly is playing out of position most of the time. He needs to play to contribute in a way he is capable of and that means finding his rhythm and getting his groove back. It is the height of inefficiency and stupidity to use a player of Lin's caliber in the way he is being used especially with his salary. He played 7 1/2 minutes in the first half of essentially a blow-out game. He clearly needs to get going, so play him.

I'm not talking strictly of Lin. I'm talking about getting Jones back into form, Asik, integrating DMo more, getting the whole bench unit playing more so as not to burn out the starters with so many minutes and to give the team another look in case the starters don't have it going. Anything less than that is short-sighted by the Rockets coaching staff.

Lin does get short-leashed quite a lot on this team but much of it is on him, he has to earn the coach's trust that he can sustain a high level of play in high-pressured situations. Latest example was the loss to GS where he basically did nothing in 4th Q and in OT. Bev stepped it up the following game with a huge 4th which might just take away Lin's closing minutes from hereon out.

They have been trying to get Dmo more involved but this team is pretty stacked right now that some players aren't going to be happy, guys like Casspi, Garcia, Smith. The heart of the team is Harden, Howard and Parsons, everybody else is basically complimentary or role players. If Daniels is as good as they say he is, I'm salivating at the 2nd unit potential of Lin/Daniels/Hamilton/Dmo/Asik. Now imagine if this 2nd unit can get it together, we wouldn't have to rely so much on the starters.

I think it comes down to team dynamics and the coaching philosophy. Take AB for example he goes from 3rd PG limited to garbage minutes to starter overnight in Denver. Dragic is playing like an all-star in Phoenix but would he have the same numbers here, probably not. So because of the makeup of this team which revolve around 3 players, everybody else has to play complimentary roles to them.

If you put all of your eggs in the Harden/Howard/Parsons box and the opposing coaches have a great game plan or make halftime adjustments for them and your other impact players who can produce like Lin and Asik aren't in sync and aren't playing to their capabilities, you have a weaker team. Lin needs to prove nothing. Lin has stepped up time after time after time in the 4th quarter for the Rockets, I don't believe in what have you done for me lately. Yes Beverley can be clutch, but Lin has been more apt to score in the 4th than Beverley and I like them both at end of games to produce. What happens in the next game if Beverley has 3 fouls early in the 2nd quarter? Lin plays, but do you want a Lin out of sync or one that at least is closer to finding his rhythm?

The second unit has to play to get it together and not have a coach so reliant on the starters so much he doesn't give them time to develop chemistry and gel. It sure took the starters a long time and finally Asik is back and Asik/Lin are the cornerstones of the 2nd unit. All I'm saying is McHale has to give them adequate minutes to get in sync and play well. Both of them are proven, it is just to get them up to their level their capable of playing. 7 1/2 minutes of playing time for Lin last game wasn't enough. He should play 25-32 minutes a game where he has proven he can produce. Asik at least 24, that's why I said they need to be integrated now into the games, especially against the lesser opponents.

[13th Man]

I'm not disagreeing that Lin is not being used to his potential, just saying that on a team with this makeup it is what it is. Lin becomes a role player with the 2nd unit because Harden isn't going to sacrifice his game for Lin and they have enough offensive firepower already with the 3.

Also, the way that they stagger the minutes is there really such thing as a true 2nd unit? Seems to me like there's always 1 or 2 starters on the court at all times except for garbage time. I'm one that thinks that Harden should not play the entire 1st and 3rd quarters, so you're not alone there. Hopefully with the depth that we have now, McHale will stop running the starters into the ground but I'm not holding my breath on that either.

[bws94]

I'm not disagreeing that Lin is not being used to his potential, just saying that on a team with this makeup it is what it is. Lin becomes a role player with the 2nd unit because Harden isn't going to sacrifice his game for Lin and they have enough offensive firepower already with the 3.

Also, the way that they stagger the minutes is there really such thing as a true 2nd unit? Seems to me like there's always 1 or 2 starters on the court at all times except for garbage time. I'm one that thinks that Harden should not play the entire 1st and 3rd quarters, so you're not alone there. Hopefully with the depth that we have now, McHale will stop running the starters into the ground but I'm not holding my breath on that either.

No, there isn't a real second unit. And I agree Harden shouldn't play entire quarters. But McHale is McHale, so we'll see. Tonight's game should be interesting. Go Rockets!