Moreso due to our nonexistent perimeter defense. It's going to be the sole reason we lose in the playoffs this year.
Not even close. Lin isn't to blame either. Also, in before the lock. This could have gone in the game thread.
No defense. Howard had points, but where were the blocks? Harden let Ellis and Dirk blow right by him all night. And Dirk was scoring on TJ all night.
The bench was an absolute ZERO. Lost a lot of the lead b/c of them. And of course the Rockets still have no answer to the zone.
Defense is why the Rox lost. They play so lazily on D and Harden can be a liability out there at times.
I hate to blame refs, but damn that was a horribly officiated 4th period....oh yea, and our perimeter D.
...because the entire team was trying to make up for Harden not playing defense, going for steals, forgetting his man and getting in passing lanes... and it all adds up and that's why you lose! If anyone can't see that you're clearly deluding yourself. We will never..ever.. be close to good with that kind of bullsh1t D, its a waste of the entire team and coach's effort and someone should call him out on it instead of being his lapdog (coaching staff).
Our total defensive intensity wasn't there. I don't think it was more that we lost as much as it was Dirk putting his team on his back. Stepping back from it, he had a crazy effort down the stretch. A ton of positives about the game though to take away. I said before, we need to expect this to happen for just a little longer, while we learn how to better communicate and execute in these situations with this new team. We are well ahead of schedule with our team in terms of gelling.
Harden's free throw. Superstars gotta get those in. Coach didn't draw up a good play with nearly 7 seconds left. That is enough time to draw up something.