The only way to move forward, is to shake off the past, and the last game- and just get back to work.
This thread is dedicated to Omer Asik, time to show the Chicago Bulls why you deserved that poison pill!
I CALL UPON ANGRY LIN TO UNLEASH HAVOC AND WAGE WAR ON THE BULLS. (obvious bias!) But you can't tell me you can see an intent to lay down the law and that fighter in him and aggression thats been missing!
at Home -- the Toyota Center
Some are upset, depressed, and acting out negatively. But there is hope!
Yes! Can't win them all but will win eventually!
One day I hope for a sold-out crowd at the Toyota Center - that is LOUD and in charge!
This loud! (you don't have to watch the videos, just listen to the sound)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNNPK23PHy8[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuMTBV7XkA8[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvgIVtT5Cos[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9hmhYuPSb0[/youtube]
Here is to hoping that the Rockets improve and the fanbase returns to the Toyota Center ASAP!
STARTING LINEUP!
James Harden and Jeremy Lin
1 thing I'm missing from the Beard, he isn't dunking emphatically.
* Lin has been shooting very poorly and still continues to take only an average of 10 shots a game.. Besides his almost-triple double 2 weeks ago, he has been depressingly invisible offensively - outside of assists
* Harden had an upper respiratory infection, that may still be bothering him - with the Knicks later on this week. There is a possibility that Harden will be be rested instead.
* Could Sampson bench Lin because Harden is sick and he wants to test a new backcourt- TD & Delfino ?!
CHANDLER BANG
* Will Sampson start creating a larger role for Bang? The guy deserves to shoot more often - I honestly think he is being underutilized offensively - defensively he needs to grow more
Omer ASIKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
* Omer is having it tough physically - Remember he was coming off the bench last season for 15 min a game. Now he is playing 35-40 min AND actively needing to do more than just rebound. He is also fighting starters, not going against another team's 2nd unit/bench
* Keep on growing Omer! Drink your milk and eat your greens! You'll grow big and strong!
Patrick Patterson
* Every game Patpat fights to keep is starter's position. Here is another one. Expect this game to help Sampson decide the lineup versus the Knicks.
2nd Unit!
Toney Douglas!!
There is a % of the fanbase that wants him to start. Although they cannot explain why - other than to declare him a superior defender. They may get their wish soon?!
Marcus Morris
* Staples and the Lakers may have been a bit intimidating for Morris but expect him to continue to improve and grow. The last thing he should do - is stop being aggressive, keep on shooting and keep on hustling!
* Hopefully he speeds up his game more - as I can see him taking a lot of lobs for alleyoop dunks - besides shooting and playing D.
Terrence Jones
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQlbO8oX7M4[/youtube]
Screw pictures - Just use this for the rest of the season.
* You know your going to see more playtime for TJones ~ TJs proven with that alone - that he deserves to play. Confidence swag and gutsy attack.
Greg Smith
* Energy and Hustle
* He needs to take some better pictures on and off the court!
* He's got to play with more energy!!
Cole ALDRICH (I mispelled this before)
Although he provides a type of aggression when he is on the floor. He has to work on reducing poor fouls, and turnovers.
Questionable - Carlos Delfino - due to Groin Injury
Carlos has been playing phenomenally and brings a level of calmness with his veteran experience.
* I haven't read anywhere - how bad Delfino's groin injury is - though I do recommend more groin stretches
17pts 9rebs
18pts 6rebs..
I think those were the last 2 game results for him with the Vipers. Very excited.
I would like to see Harden dunk more. That is all.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln30QAkZX50[/youtube]
vs the Bulls..
On a side note: Derrick Rose has started cutting last week, which means his rehabilitation is showing progress.
Mid or late January at the earliest for a Bulls team struggling to stay in the hunt so that when Rose returns they have a shot at the playoffs. Although - destroying their bench does not necessarily spell hope in their future as of right now.
Note this is ASIK's reunion game! Just like Morey poisonpilled - NYK. Morey PPed on the Bulls to get Asik!
Words from Lin and Sampson - earlier this week...
“I think it’s getting better every game,” Lin said. “I think our first two games were too good to be true. Defenses started to adjust. Now we’re starting to get back to some of the things that worked for us before. I think it’s going well. Every game, we learn a little more and we get a little better.
“That’s still what we’re going through right now. We’re feeling it out. I think we’re trying to find sets and ways we can play off each other and complement each other.”
Lin went into Sunday’s game averaging 10.9 points, 6.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game but making just 35.5 percent of his shots. He has, however, increasingly looked to create off the dribble rather than rely on catch-and-shoot jumpers.
“Jeremy’s pretty smart,” acting coach Kelvin Sampson said. “He plays to his strength. He’s a better scorer/slasher than he is a shooter. He’s not a spot-up shooter. Jeremy is a creator. We always encourage him to attack close-outs. If the ball is swung to him and the guy is closing out on him, we want him to attack the closeout, and usually something good happens on the weak side.”
No qualms for Lin after sitting in OT
Jeremy Lin had no quarrel with Kelvin Sampson’s decision to sit him through Friday’s overtime. He had 11 points and 11 assists against the Trail Blazers on Friday but did not play at all in overtime with Sampson going with Toney Douglas against rookie Damian Lillard.
“For me, we as a team needed that win,” Lin said. “We trust each other. We trust the coaches. I was rooting for them, just like when I’m in the game, they root for me.”
Lin said he was not surprised since he was not spending the overtime waiting for that call.
“I guess I wasn’t really thinking too much about it,” Lin said. “He wanted T.D. to play the defensive possessions and me to play the offensive possessions. Obviously, it’s not like football where you can change whenever you want.”
(source: Ultimate Rockets)
If anyone wants to add a break-down of the matchup after this post - you are more than welcome. I'm a bit tired of the losses and so i'm just going to wish that they play well and I see improvement. Not going to make any guesses this time around!
