Rockets vs Clippers Game Thread

[KungFuJoe]

Lin's shot was off. It happens. He had some good looks just couldn't make them. He had all his points on free throws so he was being aggressive.

He wasn't running much on offense but it seemed like everyone was out of sync.

He did another good job, defensively, again Collinson who shot 4/14. Canaan did well but was obviously a bit overwhelmed at times and decision making wasn't there (seemed there were times he couldn't wait to get rid of the ball) Asik had a good game in place of Howard.

What happened to TJones? 2 points? 19 minutes? He do something to piss McHale off?

[panarama]

He's not a better fit next to Harden. Neither is Beverley if Harden plays WITH Jeremy and the whole team plays team ball. Harden and Jeremy have played well together and need to play well together since Harden plays so many minutes. It's desperate and silly to have Canaan come in to play with the first unit based on this Clippers game. If you look at the totality of what Lin has done alongside Harden, it's possible for them to play fine together if they alternate playmaking and actively look to keep Jeremy in the flow. Two things needs to happen. Lin needs to move off ball and go to the ball in the offense and not camp out in the corner and Parsons and Harden need to look to get him involved, get him touches. But the whole team just needs to move more, cut, motion offense. You can get tons of assists from both Lin and Harden if players moved around more and not depended on both of them to penetrate as much.

Lin just had a bad game. He's been having mostly good games since his horrendous slump. Bad games happen. He'll play better with the starting unit in coming games. No need to overreact to this game. The Clippers are a bad matchup anyway even when the team is full strength because of their personnel, the best point guard in the game, and one of the best coaches in the game. McHale is not a good coach and he made big errors last night even if he didn't get a good game out of some key players.

I'm really not focusing on Lin at this point and yes he was terrible just by focusing on his pts but overall, I thought Lin had above average performance considering when compare it to rest of the team. And, Yes, that would be the most ideal for Lin to be productive in the game utilizing the rest of team mates' full potential. And contrary to what the media thinks, Harden doesn't actually make anyone better around him esp. in half court game or at least as of yet but I just don't see Harden and Lin co-existing while playing well with each other at any time soon. I've seen too many times guys are just standing around when Lin is actively looking to distribute especially when Harden is around when opposing team decides to play a solid defense on us, during half court setting. Lin needs to just camp out in a corner and become a spot up shooter and be a good complimentary role player next to Harden and let Harden does what he wants since that's what the current management wants.

I totally agree with you about Harden. Do you see any adjustments being made? Saying McHale keeps this offense and Beverley is out for at least the first round of the playoffs and if they advance the second round?

I'm sure McHale is far more knowledgeable than myself when it comes to BB but I just don't see him influencing his BB knowledge to his players in right manner hence I doubt there would be any drastic adjustment in the foreseeable future.

Having said that, the starters and the bench were gelling along just fine just before Bev's injury.

The void left behind by Bev can be duplicated by having one of our players buy into McHale's demand which is to compliment Harden by playing a spot up and good defense. Canaan was doing just that with the starters while shooting nicely yesterday but then he only just did that with the 2nd unit and got short leashed there after from McHale. If McHale thinks Canaan isn't a starter material then be creative for once and use Parsons as PG until Bev comes back or get a vet or a D-Leaguer asap.

The void left behind by Lin from 2nd unit can't be duplicated by anyone at this pt and that's where we are gonna suffer in playoffs.
Lin excels when he gets to have others involve, unlike starters where Harden can do it all, the 2nd unit definitely needs a traditional floor general to excel and he was certainly doing that with the 2nd unit before Bev's injury.

[BaYBaller]

Looks like McHale went with Parsons PnRs to run the 2nd unit, which is fine but I still think you need to stagger Harden and Lin's minutes.

Canaan looked a bit lost on defense out there, but it's to be expected. It's really the TOs that killed us (ours and not really forcing many TOs from LAC).

Was also interesting how we stuck Parsons on Paul. We were able to do that since we could slide Lin to guard Collision and Harden on Barnes.

[ChokeFasncists]

The league along with the Rockets management are overly relying on Harden's game.
Rather than Harden's game, it should be a team game when esp. when Harden gets to meet superior opposing physical talents.
The management wants Harden to be MJ. MJ knew how to score just like Harden yet the difference is MJ made his team mates around him better, having his team mates playing in optimal level. Harden doesn't have that capability or as of yet so the management has to clarify and let Harden know how to utilize the talents surrounding Harden in tip top shape. Yet, I saw plenty of times Harden yelling back at McHale when sh*t gets heated on the court so this team needs some management leadership at this pt.

But as of now, I agree, Canaan is a better fit for Harden since this team IS Harden's.

He's not a better fit next to Harden. Neither is Beverley if Harden plays WITH Jeremy and the whole team plays team ball. Harden and Jeremy have played well together and need to play well together since Harden plays so many minutes. It's desperate and silly to have Canaan come in to play with the first unit based on this Clippers game. If you look at the totality of what Lin has done alongside Harden, it's possible for them to play fine together if they alternate playmaking and actively look to keep Jeremy in the flow. Two things needs to happen. Lin needs to move off ball and go to the ball in the offense and not camp out in the corner and Parsons and Harden need to look to get him involved, get him touches. But the whole team just needs to move more, cut, motion offense. You can get tons of assists from both Lin and Harden if players moved around more and not depended on both of them to penetrate as much.

Lin just had a bad game. He's been having mostly good games since his horrendous slump. Bad games happen. He'll play better with the starting unit in coming games. No need to overreact to this game. The Clippers are a bad matchup anyway even when the team is full strength because of their personnel, the best point guard in the game, and one of the best coaches in the game. McHale is not a good coach and he made big errors last night even if he didn't get a good game out of some key players.

I'm really not focusing on Lin at this point and yes he was terrible just by focusing on his pts but overall, I thought Lin had above average performance considering when compare it to rest of the team. And, Yes, that would be the most ideal for Lin to be productive in the game utilizing the rest of team mates' full potential. And contrary to what the media thinks, Harden doesn't actually make anyone better around him esp. in half court game or at least as of yet but I just don't see Harden and Lin co-existing while playing well with each other at any time soon. I've seen too many times guys are just standing around when Lin is actively looking to distribute especially when Harden is around when opposing team decides to play a solid defense on us, during half court setting. Lin needs to just camp out in a corner and become a spot up shooter and be a good complimentary role player next to Harden and let Harden does what he wants since that's what the current management wants.

Isn't it a easy solution just to start the game with Lin getting himself and everyone involved, including Harden; then Harden will get his as the game progress? Hero ball isn't good enough to beat good teams.

[Mr. E]

One thing that needs to be said that we couldn't have had a worse possible opponent to try to suddenly alter the roles and responsibilities of this roster than the Clips.

...Or OKC, I guess. With a few days off and a chance to get some practices in I hope to see some better results.

[moofs]

mchale will do anything to bench lin

reporter disguised as lof - "WHY LIN NO START?"
mchale - "i just you know uhh you know i just uhh i just gotta go wiht uhh you know, sometimes ugotta like do this thing and uhh go with the gameplan and maybe draw up a play once in a blue moon or something and gotta just go out there and play harder"

[panarama]

He's not a better fit next to Harden. Neither is Beverley if Harden plays WITH Jeremy and the whole team plays team ball. Harden and Jeremy have played well together and need to play well together since Harden plays so many minutes. It's desperate and silly to have Canaan come in to play with the first unit based on this Clippers game. If you look at the totality of what Lin has done alongside Harden, it's possible for them to play fine together if they alternate playmaking and actively look to keep Jeremy in the flow. Two things needs to happen. Lin needs to move off ball and go to the ball in the offense and not camp out in the corner and Parsons and Harden need to look to get him involved, get him touches. But the whole team just needs to move more, cut, motion offense. You can get tons of assists from both Lin and Harden if players moved around more and not depended on both of them to penetrate as much.

Lin just had a bad game. He's been having mostly good games since his horrendous slump. Bad games happen. He'll play better with the starting unit in coming games. No need to overreact to this game. The Clippers are a bad matchup anyway even when the team is full strength because of their personnel, the best point guard in the game, and one of the best coaches in the game. McHale is not a good coach and he made big errors last night even if he didn't get a good game out of some key players.

I'm really not focusing on Lin at this point and yes he was terrible just by focusing on his pts but overall, I thought Lin had above average performance considering when compare it to rest of the team. And, Yes, that would be the most ideal for Lin to be productive in the game utilizing the rest of team mates' full potential. And contrary to what the media thinks, Harden doesn't actually make anyone better around him esp. in half court game or at least as of yet but I just don't see Harden and Lin co-existing while playing well with each other at any time soon. I've seen too many times guys are just standing around when Lin is actively looking to distribute especially when Harden is around when opposing team decides to play a solid defense on us, during half court setting. Lin needs to just camp out in a corner and become a spot up shooter and be a good complimentary role player next to Harden and let Harden does what he wants since that's what the current management wants.

Isn't it a easy solution just to start the game with Lin getting himself and everyone involved, including Harden; then Harden will get his as the game progress? Hero ball isn't good enough to beat good teams.

*Fixed*

Exactly that isn't good enough to beat good teams but it seems the management thinks Harden can do it all and supports Harden unconditionally at this point so the players has to adopt to what the management wants.
Please read my post above, I've explained in better detail on how I feel about the situation.

Also, let see how it plays out, and like what Mr. E. has said, Bev's injury couldn't have happened at any worst time.

[ChokeFasncists]

I'm really not focusing on Lin at this point and yes he was terrible just by focusing on his pts but overall, I thought Lin had above average performance considering when compare it to rest of the team. And, Yes, that would be the most ideal for Lin to be productive in the game utilizing the rest of team mates' full potential. And contrary to what the media thinks, Harden doesn't actually make anyone better around him esp. in half court game or at least as of yet but I just don't see Harden and Lin co-existing while playing well with each other at any time soon. I've seen too many times guys are just standing around when Lin is actively looking to distribute especially when Harden is around when opposing team decides to play a solid defense on us, during half court setting. Lin needs to just camp out in a corner and become a spot up shooter and be a good complimentary role player next to Harden and let Harden does what he wants since that's what the current management wants.

Isn't it a easy solution just to start the game with Lin getting himself and everyone involved, including Harden; then Harden will get his as the game progress? Hero ball isn't good enough to beat good teams.

*Fixed*

Exactly that isn't good enough to beat good teams but it seems the management thinks Harden can do it all and supports Harden unconditionally at this point so the players has to adopt to what the management wants.
Please read my post above, I've explained in better detail on how I feel about the situation.

Also, let see how it plays out, and like what Mr. E. has said, Bev's injury couldn't have happened at any worst time.

I did read it. I just think it isn't that tough for the coach to kinda realize that a small change might/could take this team to another level.

[bws94]

Isn't it a easy solution just to start the game with Lin getting himself and everyone involved, including Harden; then Harden will get his as the game progress? Hero ball isn't good enough to beat good teams.

*Fixed*

Exactly that isn't good enough to beat good teams but it seems the management thinks Harden can do it all and supports Harden unconditionally at this point so the players has to adopt to what the management wants.
Please read my post above, I've explained in better detail on how I feel about the situation.

Also, let see how it plays out, and like what Mr. E. has said, Bev's injury couldn't have happened at any worst time.

I did read it. I just think it isn't that tough for the coach to kinda realize that a small change might/could take this team to another level.

McHale should make a priority of getting Lin going. He said himself how important Lin is to the team. He is one of the top 5 players on the team. As much as I like Beverley's intangibles, hustle, defense, measure of ball security, it's Lin that can be the damaging x-factor because he can breakdown defenses to score or distribute. He just doesn't have the sort of swagger he needs to have right now. Beverley looked great before the injury, he's ready. I don't know how he'll play now but he'll give you what you need and doesn't need to be in rhythm unlike Lin, who is a rhythm player.

[cw3k]

McHale should make a priority of getting Lin going. He said himself how important Lin is to the team. He is one of the top 5 players on the team. As much as I like Beverley's intangibles, hustle, defense, measure of ball security, it's Lin that can be the damaging x-factor because he can breakdown defenses to score or distribute. He just doesn't have the sort of swagger he needs to have right now. Beverley looked great before the injury, he's ready. I don't know how he'll play now but he'll give you what you need and doesn't need to be in rhythm unlike Lin, who is a rhythm player.

Lin needs to go back to the bench and let Canaan start. There is really no reason to play Harden and Lin together when everyone know Lin needs the ball more than Harden. Ball at Lin's hand create a lot more ball movement and this is what make better team. Harden at the point is bad. Yes, Houston can win game, just like the Kings and Bucks and can win games. If the team and fans goal is having the Rockets win game, then let the status quo remain. But if you Rockets to win a championship, Harden cannot play the PG. He has to play off the ball.

Lin has his problem. I don't know what he was thinking when he drive in and jump up and try to pass. Just throw the freaking ball up and try sell a foul. Rockets has one of the top flopper in the league, go learn from him and master this like all other all stars. Just name a few: Griffin, CP3, James, all have master this.

[panarama]

*Fixed*

Exactly that isn't good enough to beat good teams but it seems the management thinks Harden can do it all and supports Harden unconditionally at this point so the players has to adopt to what the management wants.
Please read my post above, I've explained in better detail on how I feel about the situation.

Also, let see how it plays out, and like what Mr. E. has said, Bev's injury couldn't have happened at any worst time.

I did read it. I just think it isn't that tough for the coach to kinda realize that a small change might/could take this team to another level.

McHale should make a priority of getting Lin going. He said himself how important Lin is to the team. He is one of the top 5 players on the team. As much as I like Beverley's intangibles, hustle, defense, measure of ball security, it's Lin that can be the damaging x-factor because he can breakdown defenses to score or distribute. He just doesn't have the sort of swagger he needs to have right now. Beverley looked great before the injury, he's ready. I don't know how he'll play now but he'll give you what you need and doesn't need to be in rhythm unlike Lin, who is a rhythm player.

Those are some good point, Lin needs to at least to become an all star level and get his confident/swagger going to have guys esp. Harden or McHale to buy into his game plan but as of now I don't see that happening since the Rockets are Harden centric team. Yet, I can see Lin just being selfish with his shot selection while negating his all around game while padding his stats to become an all star level but I don't see that happening either. So, he needs take time to mature his all around game gradually to get the respect of his peers to buy into his game esp when he is on the floor with the starters. For those reasons, I really think the second unit is where he can horn his all around skill set besides, the second unit does need his service more so than the starters as of now. Lastly, the guards in this league who impacts the game are at least second or third best player of their own team.