Just several takes IMHO... 1. Not playing with effort, looks like slow motion. After every rebound, we look for James who walks the ball up the court allowing the defense to get set. Then he starts his routine, as players watch and the other team doubles, then does the right thing and passes to players who can't hit a shot or make a play. 2. Not hitting wide open shots, James and Russell are getting us great looks. However, teams are applying the Phil Jackson model making the Houses, Rivers, Westbricks, and Tuckers beat them from 3 point range (Gordon and Mclemore are the only capable shooter). They can't do it! 3. Our defense is very porous, teams are forcing James to guard on the perimeter and they blow by him creating wide open looks. He played great defense on the perimeter one time that forced a missed shot. 4. MDA has zero strategy when are 3s aren't falling. He just stands there as we hoist up 3 after 3. Is there an alternate plan available? 5. The TEAM CHEMISTRY is flat our horrible. Rivers, Gordon, House, and Tucker give off the worst vibes ever. Nobody wants to stand around and watch one guy dribble between his legs and hoist up 3s. We've seen this before and it doesn't work in the playoffs. It's not working in the regular season as well this year.
we have a 3pt shooting offense with only 2 players (Mclemore, and Gordon) that can actually catch and shoot a 3
One serious question . . . . what PROOF do you have of this? Where did they say . . .Harden wanted CP3 or Harden wanted Russ so we did it for him ? Seriously . . . this is narrative until I hear or see PROOF Rocket River
That's a gigantic leap you made there. Bad vibes are strictly due to Harden's ISOs? Have you got even one item of data to back that up? Any proof at all? Or is it just easy to come to that conclusion because you personally don't like that style?
Houston takes the most 3's in the league, even though we are 20th in percentage made. Our field goal percentage isn't much better, even though it consists mainly of dunks, alley oops, and layups. Heck most our our midgets get blocked even trying layups. The Rockets are18th in FG percentage. We don't distribute the ball much, and are 27th in assists. We've gradually rid the team of all players with length and good defense, and are now 17th in defense. We ISO way too much, but it puts Harden in the in the record books. We play with no passion or urgency at times, except for Westbrook and Tucker. You can't deny their effort....ever. Add in Mr. Midgetball MDA and Mr. Let me overcharge you at my businesses, yet save myself luxury tax on the Rockets Tilman, and there is your answer.
MDa’s. stupid small ball line up- Sucks and does not work! Players to scared to shoot! - miss GG that dude never hesitated. 7 man rotation- Lost our legs- again Tilman - LTS
We all know what's the #1 problem that's dogging this year's team. ONE player in particular has failed to contribute anything at all on the court. Nothing. Zip. Zilch. And that player is... Spoiler
It starts at the top. bad and cheap owner Team plays with no energy or focus. Bad defense. No offensive schemes or plays. No ball moment or movement without the ball. no one can really shoot. Harden has very little help. And goes on his mood swings of not carrying. westbrook bring the energy but is too wrecked with the ball. He needs to slow down a bit and know his ability. It seems he can’t finish layups because he has less lift than before. He didn’t have time on the offseason to workout. We have a bunch of guys that don’t help or help very little. Nene, green, Thabo and Chandler. and of course house gets minutes but does nothing. So that’s like 5 guys out of the 15. then we have Clemons and Hartenstein barely getting any minutes. Especially Isaiah even though he has shown flashes he barely gets any minutes. then we have Tucker not shooting more and making silly fouls. Besides that he is good but we ask too much of him. Ben is fine. Eric still can’t get his shooting back. He has his moments. capela always soft and not a team player. When Harden is not engaged capela can’t help on offense.
Good point, I have zero data to confirm. However, when you look at how the interact among each other it's definitely not a good look. Especially after Harden lets his man blow by him for the umpteenth time! Then Harden returns the look after they miss wide open 3s when he's double team. Teams have basically figured out that House, Clint, and Tucker cannot beat you playing 3 on 2. So they double Harden and stay with Russ and force 1 of those 3 to make a play. Guess what, not happening.