We don't close out teams for several reasons. We stop getting back in transition. We stop contesting 3 point shots. We tend to get cute and cocky with high risk passes that lead to turnovers. We get lax and start settling for high risk shots instead of attacking the basket which would at least lead to more foul calls. We can't or won't post up anyone(Harden) and Russ is our only player willing to take a mid range shot in the 4th quarter because those are "inefficient" places to shoot from apparently even for Harden. Our over effort and execution in 4th quarters is something that has to addressed and actually fixed before the playoffs.
perfect example of a game where we need Westbrook to step up when harden is being suffocated. The outlook isn’t great based on what we’ve seen early this year. Above average team - but not great.
1. We get alot of quick foul calls at the beginning of the 4th . . making for a parade to the line at the end 2. We don't get alot of foul calls going to the basket just 2 to add to the list Rocket River
Westbrook did step up, though. Team just doesn’t focus and doesn’t play hard. They aren’t disciplined. They have a bad coach. They can’t lock in for a full 48 minutes. You’re right, it is not a good outlook for this team. They clearly have no chance against the Lakers/Bucks/Clippers tier, but they barely look like they belong with the 2nd tier of teams too.
Any I wonder if that's what comes with the territory when you have 2 of the best passers in the league. They make a lot of crazy, yet brilliant passes, but many are risky as well. They are the best scoring combo in the league yet #1 and #3 in turnovers per game. 14 turnovers in a game between your leaders is only going to lead us to a loss They just have to play smarter at times, and concentrate on what they are doing, especially in those last few minutes of close games. They need to reign in the egos, find the open man, stop forcing shots and stop trying to force a pass into Clint when he is surrounded by defenders. They just need to stop getting sloppy with the ball. Anyone can miss shots, and bad calls happen, but giving the game away is inexcusable. There is no excuse for playing stupid and sloppy when it matters most. Three turnovers in 3 1/2 minutes by any one player with under 5 minutes left in a close game is just not acceptable.
This idiot played a 7 man rotation at home against the Sacramento Kings. Harden played 40 minutes. Man...
If he had pulled him out at 35 minutes we might have won. He was tired and frustrated already, which is understandable, and got sloppy and unfocused. He just kept turning the ball over at that point.
now that I've looked at the final play over and over. Barnes had a wide open go to the basket, had PJ not have helped harden on that play. So because PJ had to step over, it allowed the play to break down how it did. Pay attention to all the action from the beginning. It broke down from the start with Barnes not even being guarded
Kings blew out the Mavs, I guess the Rockets weren't paying attention. It is hard to see that a lot of teams play hard against Harden in the waning minute, but against the so-called scrubs of the Kings, we played soft. That was an open shot, but we should of left 0 seconds on the time. Didn't we watch the Saints beat the world-beaters in the Texans? We never learn from mistakes.
yeah unfortunately, it was drawn up perfectly that allowed a couple different looks to open up. They chose one of the latter options rather than go for the tie and it ended up winning the game for them. very bad defensive communication and execution on the rockets part.
I have to be honest, I came out of that game more optimistic. Sacramento was shooting far better than usual on contested shots, and won on a Hail Mary. But we saw the Russ we needed, and that combo - plus a healthy Gordon - can contend.
unless it was agreed upon from the beginning then there wouldn't be. obviously, the entire team were all on different pages from the get go
These short rotations kill our legs. PJ tucker stands no chance to be fresh when playoffs come around.
Couldn't watch is again yesterday, but reviewing it: Tucker had to cover for Harden being late to Barnes cut to the basket and that gave Bjeli the daylight to hit the shot. Anyway, it was a really long three, sucks it went in.
