I kept thinking about this post by @coyotetex all game and how true it seems it will be for the rest of this season. Playing LA tonight was a huge test for what was said right off the bat and Houston prevailed.
Thanks man! What's crazy is that the Rockets only lost the rebounding game by 1. RoCo was huge on the boards. But WOW what a statement game! Every contender in the west is watching film of this game tomorrow. Given what the Rockets did at the trade deadline and the fact the Rockets went all in on small ball and Roco debuted with the team tonight, this was quite possibly the biggest regular season game of the year.
I agree. Great post and great insight for what this trade signifies for the team for the rest of this season
Did anyone else notice what the minutes looked like tonight? PJ only played 31, Westbrook at 37 and harden at 35. Everyone else at 30 and under. This bodes well for the future if this minutes distribution is the new normal.
DA went 9 deep tonight. And our bench outplayed the Lakers bench by a wide margin. By removing Clint from the rotation, DA has made room for other non-shooters to get minutes (like Sefalosha who is also a limited offensive player) without having to put 2 non-shooters on the floor at the same time. Sef was very solid on defense tonight and looks like he can provide 10 - 15 good minutes each night off the bench as part of the 2nd unit.
Very good point, Thabo had some really nice strong moments even going against AD in the paint, he can be effective when playing to his strengths and any offense he gives you is a bonus ! The reduced mins (assuming it stays this way based on matchups and injuries) wI’ll be huge if we move up in the standings for the playoffs. Still worry about this being a viable plan in 7 game series but this was an impressive win tonight in so many ways.
PJ picked up his 4th foul early, which pro ably earned him a little extra bench time than usual. If MDA can keep him at 33-34 I'd be thrilled.
I was avoiding clicking this thread, thinking this is just a post by some random wanna-be analyst. Boy, was I wrong! Excellent analysis, coyotetex!
Westbrook - Harden Era Watching the game I realize what is happening. I want to applaude Harden for this ego less basketball Let me explain As a lead on a basketball team - not spiritual/mental leadership (there is some but . . .) purely based on basketball ability/play When Leading Harden is a 10 Westbrook is a 9 CP3 is an 8 Paul George is a 9 when deferring to another player Harden is still a 10 Westbrook is a 7 CP3 is an 8 Paul George is a 9 Harden can get his at any time As a decoy he is unparallelled So look at the combos Westbrook - Harden = 19 Harden - Westbrook = 17 Harden - CP3 = 18 Westbrook - PG13 = 18 PG13 - Westbrook = 16 Harden is drawing a double team and alot of attention This is why Westbrook is better next to him than to PG13 IMO This is why allowing westie to drive is the best basketball Harden can literally get his at any time . . .and everyone in the stadium is waiting on it .. every defense is preparing for it meanwhile. . . Westie is FEASTING Not only him . . but everyone else is FEASTING Watching the game last nite I realize their are 2 types of 3 pt shots Open shooters and Regular shots. I would wonder what the splits are on our players for each I guess I am saying. . THIS COULD WORK Rocket River
People want to act like that Dallas team . . .without Luke .. . . . .did not beat the Bucks unless I am mistaken Rocket River
