ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Knicks 10/9/2017 (Preseason)

I didn't watch the game, Hearing about the lack of lift from Capela is the most concerning thing of all. Extra muscle is needed, but not at the expense of athleticism.

 

It's ok. It just one game. Mike D might let the starter rest the last few games. He probably just want to experience all the combinations with the starters and the bench in the preseason. Won't get too much of chance in the regular season. If he played the starter like this in all preseason games, that might be a problem. If just few games? I am OK with the experiment to be honest.

 

those are some nice sneakers harden is wearing

 

Good game. I think we still need a 3rd pg to push the pace. Aaron Brooks type of guard with speed but more assist driven

 

Capela is expected to have a lack of lift right now. He just packed on a ton of muscle.

Normal process for young bigs. He is still conditioning too.

 

that look cp3 gave harden at 4:08 LOL

 

Romantic chemistry?

 

lololol

its the international nba league pass stream

 

WOW. The Knicks are all mad just because they suck. LOL.

Get some real NBA players if you suck.

Watch these loser Knicks try to take Harden out just because they can't play and cry when real NBA players are playing against them.

NYC is sad.


Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer

Lance Thomas was asked if Mike D'Antoni's decision to leave four of his rotation players, including James Harden, in the game late in the fourth quarter bothered the Knicks. "We're competitors. It's never good to have someone doing that on your floor," he said. "We're going to watch film. We're going to remember what that felt like. We're going to do our part to make sure it doesn't happen again." Jeff Hornacek seemed annoyed by what transpired, saying he wasn't surprised D'Antoni left his players in but indicating he wasn't happy with it. Harden said he wasn't trying to show the Knicks up late in the Rockets' 117-95 win.

 

To think, we had Ish Smith as a 3rd string PG, twice.

 

Capela was fine. I think this supposed drop-off in athleticism and lift is overstated.

 

Whose ass did Harden eat for breakfast gaatt damn fast as a mug

 

It's $8.9 million total for two years, but the second year is a player option. Feels like an overpay, especially with the player option.

 

Nice! Harden played 37 minutes in a Preseason game.

 

We need a new Prigioni.

 

This Johnson fella is awful.

 

Not that thrilled with this game, though 4 starters + Tucker and Mbah were solid, but underwhelmed by Harden and Nene.

Harden with all these underhanded lobs, careless and really not taking this very serious. I'm so happy we got CP3, another year of Harden at the helm would've been awful. Those TOs will cost us again plenty of games, just not as much since CP3 will get on him and demand the ball. Nene purposefully stepping back to take a 3 was very odd. I know it's a pre-season game but stick to your game. He also seemed slow, just hope it's pre-season form.

Tucker played good D, some surprising driving skills and passes and hit some threes. Ariza was his usual self, very good, but needs to shot more and drive less. I was happy with Capela, don't know why people are crying about his supposed lack of jumping ability. He had some great moves around the basket, especially on that dunk and that two-legged jump stop followed by getting his own rebound and shooting it with the left. Mbah again some nice drives, he can switch to his other hand really well on the move. Ego was hot in the beginning and Ryan did his thing, even on D was set sometimes.

The most disappointing as some have pointed out is MDA's rotation and minute allocation. There's no reason for Ariza and Harden to play that many minutes, especially since he didn't play CP3 and thus it was not the regular rotation anyway. I fear another season of running our guys into the ground and potential injuries will follow. Also, why was Johnson (8) playing so many minutes instead of a guy like Troy who actually was in the rotation last year? Also, why not try to see what Taylor can do? Just odd..

 

Yeah, it's 4.5M per year, i mean, that's not a terrible contract, i don't even dislike the player tbh, but i think they chould've still signed him to a more team friendly deal, especially that player option is kinda meh like jchu said.

 

Late reaction to the game: pretty solid.

The rotation was out of sorts with Paul on the bench, and I do sorta wish MDA had rolled with that and put out a garbage time team instead of riding Harden so hard. In the few minutes Harden rested, we continued to see that Gordon can't run an NBA offense (and we know that Taylor can't yet). I think a third legit NBA point guard is needed - maybe not immediately, but before the playoffs.

Kanter had some success inside early - guarding bangers like him will continue to be an issue while starting a Capela-Anderson frontcourt, but the offensive tradeoffs hopefully supercede that.

Mbah a Moute continues to surprise me with how fluid and intelligent an offensive player he's become. My mental picture of him is still from his Bucks days when he was a complete non-threat to shoot or dribble, and now he can do both with moderate effectiveness.

Chris Johnson was a dumpster fire. Not a good look for someone trying to make the team.

The turnovers kept the game closer than it should have been, but talent won out. That's part of why CP3 is here, to lock those mistakes down. We'll be fine.