The way this team has been playing lately is something to be very proud of.. the second unit brings energy and veteran leadership off the bench with an attitude. But the main thing that caught my eye today is how the team wouldn't back down... 1) With TJones going strong to the basket 2) Bev taking a charge from LeBron and not being his door mat.. But it was Trevor who set the tone.. When Mozgov fouled Harden, Trevor jumped into face and wouldn't back down, even when he was warned by the ref. He took the Tech and still kept on going... With that move it reminded of Big Mase (who recently passed away) and old school basketball. The team played with a chip on their shoulder and set a statement that we want back down from anyone. GREAT JOB ROCKETS!!!!! <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nTS3G13wweU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> T_Man
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I liked the fight in the team but Dmo Jones and Smith can't be getting jitters on those pick n' rolls down the stretch.
Actually Jones did a good job, last year he would have folded... They set the tone on National TV... Don't F with us... Man I loved it... T_Man
Yes I agree, Mchale please dedicate a whole practice to layup drills for Christ sake. I can't stand another blown lay up.
He just needs to go up stronger and play above the rim. Maybe he doesn't fully have his legs yet. Loved the fore and heart from the team today though. Looking forward to the playoffs.
Credit to McHale a little bit for instilling some toughness in this team. I mean queue the Rambis clothesline vid if you want, but McHale and his team and his era were all some bruisers. Don't take nothing from nobody. I love it!
People on here trash Bev...but his toughness and play in the clutch more than offset his weakness in other aspects of the game. I want to see more of that from TJones and DMo. Josh will be fine, but DMo really needs to get tougher and TJones also. This was a great game for them to grow...but they need to get there fast. Ariza was simply magnificent...and of course James played like an MVP. Tremendous showing all around.
I like the heart the team showed today, but I completely disagree with their trash talking or dirty plays being a sign of "toughness". This is one of the biggest pieces of BS propagated by sports fans. You don't have to be an ass to be "tough". Mozgov, for example, didn't do anything all that dirty from what I saw, so Ariza's talk seemed uncalled for. Granted, none of us really know what happened down there, but still. Look at the Spurs. They are one of the classiest organizations of all time. Everyone notes how little they talk during the game. And it works, as evidenced by the fact that they are also one of the most successful franchises of all time. I don't think anything good comes of making your opponent hate you away from the ball. Talking trash and starting fights has no place in professional sports. That said, the only really dirty play the Rockets had today was Harden's kick to Lebron's nads... and I don't think James was actually aiming for his berries, plus I think the game had gotten so physical that it was just an almost unconscious retaliation.
I absolutely hate missed lay ups. There is no excuse for them. If you are that close dunk it. If I am the coach and you better be glad I am not, I have lay up drills by thousands or at least until they make 99% of them.
Loved the game but 2 rebounds from Dmo is pathetic. Dmo has to man, put his big boy pants on and bang and claw for every rebound. We need him cleaning the glass in the playoffs or we won't get past the first round. But if Dwight comes back and can defend and get boards, we're fine, but a big if. TJones is consistently improving, DMo is consistently inconsistent.
I'm honestly not trying to knock either player, but when you replace guys like Parsons and Lin with players like Ariza, Smith, Terry, and Brewer you're going to be a tougher team. I loved seeing Trevor take up for Harden today.
Sorry for last reply...so difficult to read so I just reposted b/c I can't edit. I think "Mozarrati's" play that Ariza defended Harden was CHEAP! If you look at the replay, he seemed to do a little more than hover over Harden after the foul with his feet. Initially I thought it wasn't much as well... Hell of a game. GOOOO ROCKETS!!!
Personally I enjoyed watching the Rockets Not get BULLIED by the Bully on National TV. I've seen waaaay to many games in the past we'd get dogged. When the Lakers lost to the Celtics in the Championship more than anything else they got bullied...when they met again kobe made sure that would not happen. It'll be interesting to see how relevant this game meant for the Rockets as we head towards the playoffs...this win and the Clippers win...both HUGE in the way we won both
