ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Bulls 12/25/2012

zilches · Dec 26, 2012

Arthurprescott2 said: ↑

NICE. I hope Noah cries himself to sleep. Hate that guy (carryover from hate for his father, former french tennis player Yannick Noah, a sorry excuse for a human being. It might not be fair to hate a dude for the sins of his father - but then again, he's french so f-it, F you Joakim Noah).
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I seriously hope that you don't own weapons.

Rokman · Dec 26, 2012

Houst0ne said: ↑

Forgot to add the video.. Bulls even failed at halftime

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IiMUfxmZO8M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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I was just about to post this video!! The more I watch it the more I laugh!!! Oh man! I have tears in my eyes! I must have a black soul or something.

zilches · Dec 26, 2012

shuh said: ↑

The script for Rocket's games is becoming clear: blowout the opposing team by the end of the 3rd quarter, and then put the bench and rookies in. Nice way to give them playing time Hope this can become a tradition.

The game was fabulous. Pretty much the same performance as the last one against the Grizzlies. Run, drive to the basket, get some fouls, shoot threes.. all in a very high paced offense. Also, we really are defending better. Our defense was the best I've seen so far for 3 quarters.

The bads:

- the beginning of the 4th. Up to then, we were flawless. Suddenly, no one was able to stop Nate Robinson and they cut the difference to 15 in less than 3 minutes. For me, the main issue was not letting Nate score, but was not slowing down the pace. Come on, we were 30 point up, and we only had to slow down, take our 24s, and that would be it. The fast pace was the main reason that allowed them to cut the difference so fast, instead of doing that in a spam of 7+ minutes. It's nice to run, but some wisdom and experience will teach us also to slow down when needed, hopefully.

- Bench play: tonight, our bench was not stellar. Since our starters were, we didn't need the bench this time, but the fact is that the energy level was not kept through the rotations.

The goods:

- Offense. Obviously, putting 120 point on the best NBA's defense requires a deadly offense. To do that twice in a row with 2 different teams, just shows us that the Rockets' offense is no fluke. The Grizzlies defense used to be #1 before we've put them to second place, in their first 100+ point allowed in 23 games. Now, Chicago's defense was the new #1, and we score the most points they've allowed in Thibodeau's era. Our transition game, drive to the basket and shoot 3's, are becoming an unguardable threat.

- Performance distribution: 4 of our starters had very efficient production on several areas. Lin with points and assists (20/11), Harden with points, assists and rebounds (26/6/5), Parsons with points and rebounds (23/5) and Asik with points and rebounds (20/18). Morris had a very competent night also. Aside that, our FG%, and overall game were very efficient. The ball was moving well, everyone making shots, drives, assists, steals. That's team ball.

- Interior defense. Tonight, mostly because Asik, we owned the paint. We outrebounded them, and their bigs had a very tough night, as indicates Noah and Boozer's PER, that were some of the lowest from their side. Also, the transition defense should be included here. Even with a mobile center in Noah, the Bulls weren't able to score on layups. I have a hard time trying to remember any dunks or layups from their side, either on transition or in halfcourt.

- Taking control of their comeback attempt. Through the play of our starters in the 4th, we were able to stop their run and increase the difference again. To cut momentum is a hard thing to do, especially as visitors. To do that and shut them up was a very nice sign of control and mental toughness.

The players:

Lin: Strong performance, assisting well, driving as usual in the last games, and this time, hitting the mid-range jumper and even posting against Nate Robinson (that one was cool). He seems faster each time, and now it seems that his pre-surgery form is coming back. On defense, very nice job, well coordinated with Asik, shutting down penetrations and contesting jumpers. He just had to figure out how to stop Nate Robinson at a certain point, but overall, Lin owned Nate on offense, and put his trash talk to shame.

Harden: Solid game, and is amazing his ability to draw fouls in a "soft manner". He doesn't get hit to hard, but he is able to get to the line by being deceptive with his steps and with the way he teases the defender putting the ball almost at his reach, make him try to slap it and getting to hit the arms instead.

Parsons: 4-5 from the 3-point line, nice drives, dunks, excellent defense. He shot well tonight, which was essential to our game, and allowed Lin and Harden to drive more with the spacing he provided.

Morris: His defense was amazing o Noah. He shut Noah down, boxed him out, and made him work very hard for his points and rebounds. On offense, competent, despite not a good shooting night from the 3-point line. Earning his position as a starter and proving that he can hold his own against forwards/centers bigger than him.

Asik: Man of the game. He was a monster, securing the paint on defense and being very efficient on offense. The first time I've seen him blocking so many shots, and also, besides making Boozer a non-factor, helped our guards to shut the driving lanes of the opposing guards, and I really have a hard time to remember a layup or dunk from Chicago. On offense, nice dunks (that one over Noah was a beauty) and tips. He seems to be finding his offensive style, with more energy to dunk, and also keeping a soft touch on reverse layups. He was really a dominant figure on both paints, and Chicago must be regretting letting him go.

Bench: tonight, our bench was a little bit quiet. The show was all on our starters. TDouglas were not as energized as usual, and the intensity of our game dropped a point with him on court. Delfino is proving to be a good perimeter defender, and holding the candle to Parsons, but tonight, Parsons was just too good to be sitting, so Delfino didn't have much playing time. The same with Smith, since Asik was a Bull killer tonight.

If we didn't let they attempt a come back at the beggining of the 4th, probably our rookies would have seen 6-8 minutes, but that's ok. DMo was the best rookie, with some nice layups, and Machado the worst, despite some good assists. Few playing time for them, but, if we keep the tradition of blowing up the opposing team by the end of the 3rd, they would certainly have more opportunities in the next games

Overall, the team is putting an impressive performance over and over. I really didn't think we would have won the last two games, against the two best defenses in the league, by such margins. Our style is taking form, and our gameplan is working out. A fast paced game, with high efficiency and several players driving to the basket or shooting threes. Our defense has improved enormously, and it seems that we can really outrun almost everyone.

I'm very concerned about young/athletic teams as the Thunder or Miami, since I sense they are a bad matchup for us. But who knows? Let's think about the Wolves tomorrow, since we have a very tough schedule in the next 5 days, and it will be a nice test of our stamina and mental toughness.
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You have sports-writing talent. Perhaps you could contact Clutch about writing some game recaps?

MadMax · Dec 26, 2012

Holy crap, that was fun to watch!

Little Bit · Dec 26, 2012

kent335 said: ↑

I love the question asked to Jeremy. "What do you love about Shanghai?" HAHA
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I thought it was so random.

Carl Herrera · Dec 26, 2012

Rokman said: ↑

I was just about to post this video!! The more I watch it the more I laugh!!! Oh man! I have tears in my eyes! I must have a black soul or something.
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Strange. They didn't have Red Panda or another Chinese performer.

just a word · Dec 26, 2012

The_Yoyo said: ↑

whaa? I am not a lin hater or LOF - I am a Rockets fan but I may say the first two may be true (though I dont believe he can spin as fast as rose in the lane - he may get into the lane as well as rose.

but i cannot for a second believe he has a release as quick as ray allen. if anything I felt lin's release was slow especially on his set shots. Ray has one of the most accurate and quickest releases I have ever seen.
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Just watch the vid:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Dt4trJ5GGLs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://www.youtube.com/embed/Dt4trJ5GGLs

imo, it just seems slower because Lin seems to need more time to 'decide' to shoot, instead of to pass.

deshen · Dec 26, 2012

This might be the best game played so far this season.

Skyhoop · Dec 26, 2012

just a word said: ↑

imo, it just seems slower because Lin seems to need more time to 'decide' to shoot, instead of to pass.
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I think you're right the delay in decision making. His shooting coach talks about dichotomy between a "shooter's mindset" and an "attacker's mindset" at 6:30. The speed of the release is not the problem.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VIQJGIkIvog" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://www.youtube.com/embed/VIQJGIkIvog

Yao4REAL · Dec 26, 2012

Anyone noticed Jon Barry telling Bulls to Hack Osik?? OMG, this f***** don't even know what's he's talking about. Osik has been shooting great at the line. This shows Jon Barry don't know shyt about what's happening around the NBA and each team circumstances.

When Lin is playing well, he continues to remind the audience how he's been struggling shooting the ball and can't go left and wonder if the coach should bring him off the bench or not....this f***** is getting on my nerve....Lin has been great for the last few games....and instead talking about his FG% of that last few games which is i believe close to 50%, he choose to talk about the negative...that f***** is annoying.

ArtV · Dec 26, 2012

Awesome game but ther was one thing that bugged me was the pre-game/halftime/post-game reports.

Pre-game...the Bulls D will shut down the Rockets O. Blablabla... That's ok because that is what they believe.

Halftime...uhhh the Bulls better come stronger in the 2nd half....how about those Lakers...they are awesome now that Nash is back...true contenders...Clippers coming up...

Post-game...those are some ugly sweaters...how about those Lakers...Nash is really what this team needed...Clippers are a good team too..coming up next...

WTH?!?

No talk of how they were underestimating the Rockets and how they dismantled the Bulls on their home court on Christmas.

Grigori · Dec 26, 2012

Yao4REAL said: ↑

Anyone noticed Jon Barry telling Bulls to Hack Osik?? OMG, this f***** don't even know what's he's talking about. Osik has been shooting great at the line. This shows Jon Barry don't know shyt about what's happening around the NBA and each team circumstances.
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That was funny though when they did try to hack-an-Asik...then realized that it was their first team foul.

OpportunityCost · Dec 26, 2012

Here we go with idiot ISO ball again. One person dribbling(Harden) four people standing around. That is way to easy to defend in a half-court set. I guess McHale will never learn.

jocar · Dec 29, 2012

dacman said: ↑

Yeah its just a bold prediction, but hope this becomes reality:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...mes-harden-will-lead-rockets-to-a-playof-spot
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wow

Will Houston make the playoffs?
Yes
97.7%
No
2.3%
Total votes: 2,963

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ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Bulls 12/25/2012

zilches Member

Rokman Member

zilches Member

MadMax Contributing Member

Little Bit Member

Carl Herrera Contributing Member

just a word Member

deshen Member

Skyhoop Member

Yao4REAL Member

ArtV Contributing Member

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