Nick Wright very impressed by Rockets' defense with two road wins in Utah!

4 star thread

Still waiting for the 5 star Max Kellerman thread

 

Same, CMONNN first take.

 

I was also impressed. We fixed everything that was wrong with game 2 on defense. Very few open threes, no dunks for Gobert. Rotations on defense were very active. Most of their points just came from straight up drives and challenging us at the rim which I will take any day over open threes.

We are actually pretty horrible on O right now. Our open 3's are just not falling, I just don't think we have knock down shooters like Klay, Reddick Korver. all of our 3 point shooters are streaky as hell and cannot be relied upon.

 

Rockets that played the Timberwolves were definitely not the Rockets that are playing the Jazz.

GSW isn't the only team capable of half assing and still get a win.

 

In my humble opinion, this series vs the Jazz was a pretty good "battle test" for the Rockets. They played and have won 3 so far against a very good and disciplined Utah team with a variety of versatile defensive personnel to really give the Rockets issues on offense. Case in point, Harden's not finishing with the efficiency of his usual self this series because Utah's rim protection is pretty darn good. They also defend the perimeter pretty effectively (recovering quickly), thus giving the Rockets the midrange (Thank God we have CP3).

The game 2 loss was a bit shocking for the Rockets in a sense because they probably did not think that could happen, let alone against the Jazz since the Rockets have won like what...24-25 straight at home prior to game 2? So yeah, that was a fire lit in many ways for the Rockets. What did they do after game 2? Faced with a daunting task of going to play 2 road games at altitude in a very difficult place to win for any team. Rockets went and took both road games emphatically with their defense and focus setting the tone in both games. They didn't shoot well in games 3 and 4, but their defense was outstanding.

All this said, Rockets overcame some adversity this round being a 65-win team with the expectations being put on them. I'm convinced at how well they've overcome that as a team. This will bode well against the Warriors (after they close out the Jazz tomorrow night hopefully). Warriors don't have a Gobert and that in and of itself makes me feel pretty good about the upcoming matchup. I don't care if they're the vaunted Warriors. The Rockets are hungry and have earned their status as the best team this season.

I believe this matchup with the Warriors was "circled" by the Rockets from preseason. They are FINALLY on the cusp of it, and when it's official, Rockets will be ready (as will the Warriors). But Rockets ain't scared of the championship pedigree. They know they can beat them wherever they play.

 

Those streaky guys are better defensively doh. That's why I always tell p3ople u got to play th3 game. Cause with d u can always be good at that. Even great shooters can be off. Believe

 

Zeke talked about losing game 2 on the postgame (NBATV). Losing game 2 gave Pringles a chance to coach. The team started drifting away from the team philosophy. Losing allowed made the players more humble and open to listening.

Kinda like parents and kids. You tell your kids not to do what ever because X will happen. The do what they want. X happens, then you can parent. They listen for a short time, till the memory fades and it repeats. Hoping the memory of the gm2 lost last for 9 more wins.

 

The "good" thing is the Rockets (provided they close it out tomorrow night against the Jazz) will finally get the matchup they've been itching for all season long, a chance to beat the Warriors and win it all.

This matchup in and of itself I think is enough to keep the Rockets on their toes. They had to get through 2 rounds in the playoffs, so unfortunately some complacency set in along the way because they just wanted to get it over with.

This round is what matters and the Rockets will have finally climbed the mountain to play and beat the Worriers.

 

Why didn't Morey sign him? He's having his best season rn.

 

Didn't offer him the full years available on the MLE so he didn't want to sign here.

We ended up signing Tucker instead.

He's one of my favorite players but will probably never play for the Rockets.

 

I don't think that was it. Morey never got back to him. They just let the deal down and Reddick was afraid Morey would trade him in the trade deadline.

 

We tried to but Redick wanted a four-year deal instead of the three that we offered. Philly just swooped in with the crazy one-year, $23mm deal and changed JJ's market.

IMO, he made the move to maximize his lifetime earnings. One year to test the Philly team and see what they offer him, and then he's free to test his market value again. Short-term, high-dollar proposition for him.

 

lol, Nick Wright talking about Houston's lame crowds.