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Well, anyone who’s familiar with me knows I’m nostalgic about 17/18 but...

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by LorneMalvo, Apr 4, 2019.

  1. LorneMalvo

    LorneMalvo Member

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    This team definitely has some advantages over last year.

    1. Superior ballhandling/creation depth through House/Rivers.

    2. Far superior foot speed and quickness over the Ariza/Luc/Anderson trio.

    They are truly smothering defensively. Just nightmarish. Capela is probably gonna have the most energy outside rim protection in his career this postseason because when they stunt/show and recovery, teams can’t even get a ball handler in the paint.

    Clint looking ridiculously alive on offense lately is no coincidence. He’s not having to try and block 10-15 rim shots a game anymore.

    Faried at the 4 is also a solid option for his closeouts on the perimeter and finishing/rebounding. Hurray if he drains a couple 3s as well.

    Last but not least: ADDED CHEMISTRY.

    The Paul/Gordon/Harden/Capela group are all in sync offensively and they run flawless, dynamic sets with multiple options if screening/ballhandling and passing. They also clearly trust each other.



    And as a unofficial HOF member I must say Danuel flat out looks better than Ariza. Not the man defender but literally better at everything else and just clearly more mistake prone but so useful in so many different spots on both ends.
     
    #1 LorneMalvo, Apr 4, 2019
    joshuaao, Relativist, Hakeemtheking and 1 other person like this.
  2. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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    Rocks have a winning record home and away too.

    DD
     
    #2 DaDakota, Apr 4, 2019
  3. topfive

    topfive CF OG

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    Who are you again?

    And why would any of us be familiar with you?

    That said, good post!
     
    #3 topfive, Apr 4, 2019
    BigShasta, LorneMalvo and TheRealAllpro like this.
  4. Voltik

    Voltik Member

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    I rather have an experienced vet in Ariza gaurding Durant in the playoffs then House. It could be our Achilles heal in the playoffs as SF position is one of the most important for switching defense. House is better everywhere else...younger, more athletic, cutter, and better passer.
     
    #4 Voltik, Apr 4, 2019
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  5. thekad

    thekad Member

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    Yeah, House was clearly the difference along with added playmaking talent in Rivers. And both of them aren’t negatives defensively. Faried can also bring a few center minutes without tanking the team when Nene doesn’t have it most nights.

    The fact that they dumped House to the G-League and are going to lose him next year over a couple of dimes in Tilman’s pockets is actually hilarious.
     
    #5 thekad, Apr 4, 2019
  6. windpuppy

    windpuppy Member

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    James Harden is a better player than last year, and that's all it matters.

    More scoring weapons, more willing defender, more mature as a leader.
     
    #6 windpuppy, Apr 4, 2019
    YaoMing#1, chadyang and topfive like this.
  7. Hakeemtheking

    Hakeemtheking Member

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    True this, but Thicc will be the designated defender to hound Durant into submission. The only question is whether the refs will allow Thicc to do his thing defensively or call fathom fouls.
     
    #7 Hakeemtheking, Apr 4, 2019
  8. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    [​IMG]

    In the House.
     
    #8 daywalker02, Apr 4, 2019
    疯狂伊文戴德蒙 likes this.
  9. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    [​IMG]

    Never cross dat guy!
     
    #9 daywalker02, Apr 4, 2019
    疯狂伊文戴德蒙 likes this.
  10. ClutchCityReturns

    ClutchCityReturns Contributing Member

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    Plot twist: it's a BBS veteran who forget to sign out of their burner. :eek:
     
    #10 ClutchCityReturns, Apr 4, 2019
    thedreamsteam, topfive and Astrodome like this.
  11. riko

    riko Member

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    The biggest difference is harden is lights year better this season
     
    #11 riko, Apr 4, 2019
  12. LorneMalvo

    LorneMalvo Member

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    I really don’t believe this. He’s just shooting more.
     
    #12 LorneMalvo, Apr 4, 2019
  13. count_dough-ku

    count_dough-ku Contributing Member

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    He's not light years better. More dominant, but he was a beast last year too.

    This team is definitely deeper than last year's. I just checked the box score for Game 1 vs the T'Wolves last season and the starting lineup was:

    Capela
    Tucker
    Ariza
    CP3
    Harden

    The bench was:

    Nene
    EG
    Green
    Johnson

    Jump ahead to this season and EG has replaced Ariza in the starting lineup. But look at how many more options D'Antoni has off the bench. Faried, Rivers, House, and Shumpert to complement Nene and Green. That's a much better scenario than relying on a washed up Joe Johnson, a one-armed Luc, or God help us, Ryan Anderson.
     
    #13 count_dough-ku, Apr 4, 2019
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  14. BasketMAD

    BasketMAD Member

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    I'm guessing they'll put Tucker on Durant.
     
    #14 BasketMAD, Apr 4, 2019
    BigShasta likes this.
  15. Voltik

    Voltik Member

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    Tucker won’t be on Durant for many possessions as you need more players that are versatile lengthy defenders, on a switching defense to have a chance of beating the Warriors, by limiting effectiveness of Curry and Thompson.
     
    #15 Voltik, Apr 4, 2019
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