[ClutchFans] Podcast: Game 1 loss a wake-up call or death knell for Rockets?

Thanks Clutch. For the podcast, and for the nice tidbit about seeing Terrence Jones at Katz's, as well as all you do.

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Re the game, more than a light-weight "wake up call" and less than a dire "death knell", the game could end up being for the Rockets that-thing-they-needed to challenge/propel/inspire them to play to their full potential. To kick them out of their comfort zone, and weld them into the lethal basketball machine they can be.

We heard how Terry Stotts had the Blazers gather around before Game 1 to watch video of Bev calling Lillard whiny. Last night's game, the rough way the Blazers' played Bev, and the high-wire tension of the entire last hour coupled with the devastating loss, must have (should have) seared them. (I have never seen J Lin so distraught in a post-game interview. He could barely talk. Dwight also looked more serious than I have ever seen him.)

I want to see the Rockets play with a lot more emotion, and desire, and desperation, in Game 2. If they do, I don't have any question they can win. They are that good.

 

Thanks for the podcast.

My feelings are that Harden won't have a game this bad for the rest of the playoffs. Howard needs to gather himself...from the opening jump he seemed like he was struggling with occasional bright spot. Our defense needs to go zone sometimes, and we have to double LMA. If we can keep LMA contained to 30 (god willing) that leaves Lillard to take over the series, which I don't think he can realistically do for the duration of a 7 game series.

McHale really got on my nerves last night. He played to Stotts' hand by taking out Dwight to prevent the Hack a Dwight. Dwight would've made a couple more during that period and we may have even gotten stops...that's the game right there. Lots more going on around that, but that, in my mind, cost us the game.

Also, we need to go with our hot hands. I love Harden but as the night went on we relied on him way too heavily even though he had a bad shooting night. More ball movement, less ISO. Again I put this on the coaching staff.

I am hoping this was a wake-up call in one way or another. Sigh....on to Game 2.

 

I honestly lost a little hope in this disappointing loss. Harden and Howard have to dominate the game. they are the better duo and need to show that. also someone needs to be aggressive with lma, rough him up a little. we cant let 46 and 18 ever happen again

 

Rockets can't leave batum lillard or Matthews open from 3pt line so they can't double. I don't think many here at CF have thought of that

 

Basketball 101: One player goes to double, another player rotates over to cover the open player, then another player rotates over to cover that open player, then the player who went to double recovers on his man.

It's called Help defense rotation. But obviously this would take some coaching, which the Rockets do not have.

 

Bcos he has done other aspects of the game veryyy veryyy veryyy well...

 

Agree. The long faces mchale expressed after the lost... Hmmm priceless!!! He looked so clueless most of the time.

 

Basketball 101(b): When you double another player on an NBA playoff team, doubled player finds the open man. The ball moves faster than the rotating defenders. You lose.

 

A well coached team with leadership this would be a definite wake-up call.

With this Rocket's team WHO KNOWS.

 

So doubling somebody never works in the playoffs....OK. Let's just watch Tjones get backed into the paint for the next 3 games and get swept. Brilliant!

 

1. You can double team as the entry pass is being thrown. True, the ball can move faster than a rotating defender. But most NBA players can move faster than 2 ball passes: post entry and kick out.

2. You can double team from the weak side. This is more tricky ... but it's much harder to pass from the post to the weakside corner, than it is to pass to the top of the arc.

Double Teaming the Post Player

Watch this instructional video. It will completely open your MIND

 

Clutch,

This was the FIRST Podcast I ever listened to in my car on the way to work and it was MILES better than Sirius radio.....

I loved every minute of you guys, good work and thanks for cranking one of these out for us - well after the game and late into the night.

Your work and dedication to bringing us the goods is sincerly appreciated.

DD

 

I don't think we should need to double. Robin Lopez is not a great offensive player switch up assignments and put Dwight on Aldridge. Dwight is a former DPOY with the footspeed and size to check Aldridge. Let him

 

Wake up call for sure. We thought we had the game and then when they closed the lead we panicked by jacking up dumb shots.

 

Not too worried. We played badly and lost by 2 only. When Harden is performing at his average we would have won.

 

2012-13
32pts vs Greg Smith
31pts vs Asik
29pts vs Asik/Patterson
27pts vs Asik

2013-14

28pts vs TJones
27pts vs DMo
31pts vs TJones
21pts vs TT

Next game, start
Lin or Daniels/Harden/Parsons/Asik/Howard
Let TJ and Lin work their 2nd unit.
Do NOT let Bev play. Dude is going to hurt himself even more.

 

Lopez isn't a great offensive player, but he's a very good offensive rebounder and will give us problems if the smaller T. Jones is not boxing out.

 

Dude, Daniels in that line up would have the Rox down by 30 at the end of the 1st quarter alone. You've got to be crazy.

 

Lopez is a good offensive rebounder, but I think you have to pick your poison. I would prefer to take my chances with Lopez on the offensive glass than let Aldridge manhandle Jones all night.

 

Harden seldom has back to back horrible games. I'm sure he'll bounce back, however, we really need to mix up our offense a bit especially in crunchtime. Makes no sense to keep insisting on a very predictable crunchtime offense. I sincerely hope that the coaching staff has been working on plays for various scenarios with the players. Furthemore, it should be pretty much automatic for the players so they don't get flustered in those situations.