ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Knicks 3/2/2020

Small ball is vulnerable ball. If you don’t give it all from the get go, bigger (any) team gets more offensive rebounds than you, you don’t force the turnovers you are supposed to force, you don’t create space as much as you ought to, well, ocean is your limit. For instance, you can lose to the Knicks. Knicks!!!!

 

Its cuz of arrogance and overconfidence.

 

Lol, I knew it was only gonna take you one game.

 

I remember Westbrook having really amazing crunch time efficiency numbers during his MVP season.

But ya neither are known to be elite clutch players. Both have unique problems.

For Harden, it's hard for him to get a look in clutch time because he can be slow footed and on full court presses he just can't break free easily and can have a habit of pushing off defenders and getting called for offensive fouls.

For Westbrook, he'll be able to get to his spot because he's one of if not the fastest player in the NBA. The problem for him is he just isn't a great shooter.

Man imagine if Westbrook and Harden fused. Harden's skillsets and Westbrook's athleticism.

 

Yep and this is likely how the postseason will be called. The Rockets will not get some legitimate foul calls. When I brought this up on Twitter as a potential reason why the Rockets wouldn't beat a team like the Lakers, some people started mentioning on-court matchups. It doesn't matter if the opponent can't guard your 5 wing players if they can get away with a few good swipes at key moments.

 

dont know. Hardly ever happens. He is a nightmare when it counts usually. He’s a good player but he is not clutch. He doesn’t seem to care either. His defense is putrid most of the time too.

 

The Rockets have done this for years. It's in their DNA.

 

we ain't getting that 2nd seed. easier schedule means we will lose more games to below average teams..

 

Meh .. Knicks just made some great shots. On to the next.

 

Because the Rockets are a better team, and teams like the Knicks usually lose in overtime to the better team. The knicks were running out of gas at the end of the game. The Rockets just ran out of time.

 

The sky is falling, the sky is falling...

psst... I truly believe we will be okay.

 

This is a frustration take. I get it bro. Get some rest......we'll get 'em next time.

 

Yeah.... but any other team goes for a 3pt shot in that situation, especially when the Knicks have been guarding the paint well all game. Harden can get you shooting fouls from the 3pt line or he can make a contested 3pt shot. Giving it to Westbrook in that situation is stupid, especially when he wasn't really hot all game.

 

I dont see any reason why Demarre Carrol didnt play..

 

You know Pringles got bamboozled man as he often does.

When Pringles coaches well he deserves praise but when he gets outcoached he deserves blame as well. Let's keep it fair just like his extension.

 

You must have missed the come from behind win over Celtics 2 days ago otherwise your take would make no sense.

 

You thought the Rockets were going undefeated the 2nd half of the season? If we’re being honest we lucked up against the Cs.

 

1. Refs are reluctant to call fouls on the last possession of a game. Relying on a foul being called has cost Harden some embarrassing clutch time situations where he looked for the foul instead of trying to make the bucket.

2. Harden has issues breaking free from full court presses. You have 5 seconds to inbound, you gotta move quick. Westbrook is just naturally going to break free quicker and if you are the inbound passer, you don't want to risk getting a 5 second violation especially when they had no timeouts and you are going to give it to first open guard you see between Westbrook and Harden.

 

MDA is simply running too many guards right now and forcing them into the lineup.

Gordon is solidified in his role so if he’s gonna be a core rotational piece, then he has to drop either rivers or mclemore and give that spot to Carroll

 

yes it is frustrating losing like this way way more than we should. Pathetic showing tonight.