ClutchFans Game Thread: Pelicans @ Rockets 3/2/2016

Point of Agreement

 

D-Mo Only Fans will be coming at you like...

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When the criticism is objective, sure.

When it's nothing but witch-hunting each and every Harden mistake and not looking at the overall game he's playing, then it's stupid.

 

What is it about Capela that scares you so much?

He already looks more than capable as a rim protector and finisher. Add 20lbs in the off season, and if he could just make a free throw...

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bickerstaff said he sat Beverley and Howard early in the second half so they could finish their &quot;conversation. &quot;</p>&mdash; Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/705241139490631680">March 3, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Can you really count on Capela to average a double.double like Dwight does?

 

Rockets are terrible and the coaching isn't very good, but I thought JB putting Ariza on Davis despite DMO being inserted in the starting lineup was a good call.

Ariza has always played Davis really well, but I'm not going to say Davis' injured toe didn't help today.

Davis doesn't play well agasint small players.

 

I have a huge list, and I have admitted that Clint is one of those Rockets that I'm not quite sold on just yet. In his defense, he's an extremely young player who was forced into a less-than-desirable situation as a new player. In a sense, he was thrown into the fire due to injuries to Dwight and a lack of forward/center depth.

If he's out there just to rebound and defend, I'm okay with that. He's bullied and needs to add a TON of muscle, but my greatest concern with him is whenever he's part of ANYTHING on the offensive end. Right now, Clint is a liability on offense. Freethrows aside, because none of our bigs shoot from the line very well, Clint goes through stretches where he cannot finish at the rim. Or, he cannot catch the ball on a simple pass. He is abysmal at running the pick and roll, not only with a weak pick, but again, the inability to finish around the rim.

I could go on, but at this juncture in the season, I'm much more comfortable with experienced players and guys that have some sort of offensive threat.

Thank God for Dwight being healthy, DMo is back, JSmoov is getting into shape, TJ is available and, now, we've got another scoring threat in Super Cool Beas.

Clint just needs time to develop. We're fighting to make the playoffs, and unless it's the perfect situation for defense or a fresh body, Clint's "raw" talent terrifies me out there.

I understand why he has fans. I'm not there yet.

 

You said, "this game was the t***." I corrected you and said "t*** up."

"t*** up" means broken; dead in the water, floating.

Rockets won but they didn't play well at all.

 

Ok - I guess I'm just not seeing what you are seeing?

Over the course of the season, Capela has looked to me to be a big part of what has gone well for us. Offensively, sure, he can't make his own shot. But NBA centers don't really do that much anymore do they? More of a set a pick and finish in close role. He ranks 3rd for the team in points produced per 100 possessions while he is on the court (1. Harden 2. Dwight). And first in defensive allowed points per 100 possessions while he is on the court (ie, the lowest number).

I really don't think he is that raw. Seems to do what he does quite well right now. Can he add a turn and hook? If not, no big problem, he is without a doubt a rotation player at the moment. 7ppg and 7rpg with over 1bpg --> those are pretty good numbers for a 20mpg backup aren't they?

If our guys are ever going to try on the defensive end, then we need 48 minutes of Dwight or Capela in the middle.

 

Why would Capela being a competent player mean he has to replace Dwight?

Having said that, if he is 7 and 7 in 20 minutes, what makes you think he wouldn't average a double double as a starting C?

 

JB - "Guys, we are dominating the paint, but we are not hitting our threes.. keep shooting threes!"

Players - "Sounds like a good idea, OK!"

 

Thx. New one for me:grin:

Any win- no matter how ugly is "the t***" in my book.

 

Interesting stat line that you mentioned. I wasn't aware of the 3/pp.100 stat. I think his numbers as a back up are fair, but that's all he should be right now: a backup center. We had some early success with him as a starter, but when teams finally picked up on not needing to defend him, we were playing 4 vs. 5 on offense, or sometimes, 3 vs. 5 when Dwight couldn't score or make free throws.

To your point about CC's potential, I definitely think he CAN develop a baby hook, and he's young enough that, with the right guidance, he could learn to bring his game out of the paint. During warmups, I've seen him take some 10-15 ft. jumpers, and his form is alright. He's just not used to shooting the ball consistently, so when he has to take any shot with the exception of an easy dunk, it usually turns out badly for us.

On the defensive side, I'd agree with you, he's not that raw. On the offensive end of things, he may be the rawest player we have. In my house, he's known as "stone hands" for all of the times he couldn't catch a simple pass or fumbled the rock during a pick and roll. He'll get better with time.

He frustrates the hell out of me, but it's on offense and we really shouldn't be including him on any offensive set. That's not his fault, but my blood pressure has gone down since we've added some guys/rotations where he wasn't part of the offense.

 

It is a shame that Donatas is really putting in work and working harder in practice than in real live games

Well, good memories of him and his best streak of games last year when Howard was out.

 

39 pages. 1 page per Harden-point scored.

 

Ugh please Andrew Gouldlock save us.

 

I would see the guy as a 5 I guess? So no surprise he didn't work out as a starter at the 4 spot.
JBB has a lot of explaining to do about 'what on earth is going on at the 4 spot?' Everyone who has played NBA previously, and has had a go there, has looked awful.
Another scary stat, of our PFs who have played some (Smith, Motiejunas, Jones), adjusting for minutes played, Jones has scored the most points, is the best rebounder, turns it over the least, blocks the most shots, and the team scores more with him on the court compared to the other 2, and he is tied with Smith as the best defender. And he has been complete garbage.

If you get 3 guys who made meaningful contributions at the NBA level in the past, and find all 3 are struggling, perhaps there is a 'systems' issue in play. And no, it has nothing to do with the team philosophy - these guys thrived under that same philosophy in the past.

I'm far more terrified of having any of those 3 players on the roster next year as compared to having Capela on the roster! Clint, is backup centre, is good. These other 3, yikes - sure, could just be coaching, but at what cost are we game to lock ourselves in with them under a new coach??

 

Yes, we "convincingly" beat the pelicans. We are on our way boys!!