As long as overall team assists is high and overall team TOs are low, Harden is doing his job. I like what I've seen so far. Yes, competition is weak, but we were getting blown out by this calibre competition same time last year. Cautiously optimistic.
2 preseason games!!! Against the Knicks and the Sharks! C'mon. Let's at least get through all of preseason and maybe start the regular season.
Literally anything is better than last year man. Let my Rocket Red happiness run wild for a little while.
Last one to score will win. Hope we can outscore everybody, our defense looks like a sieve. #blitzkriegthrees #oledefense
Pringles is a genius on offense, that much is not in doubt. His team are always geared towards exploiting the full dimensions of the court so as to stretched out the opposing defenders. Same thing with running the fast break: space to pass, dribble and shoot is what Pringles' offense seeks to exploit. The aim is not beat the opponent on the spot with iso skills but to beat them to spots they can't possible cover (the three point line, the full court in a fast break). No, considering the players on the Rockets' roster (many good shooters), fans will be spoilt by the offensive display. However, having followed the guy from the SSOL to the Knick's linsanity era, be aware that whatever Pringles' offense shall win, his matador defense will give away a hundredfold.
I would rather have a solid preseason even if it doesn't ultimately mean anything than a really rough one like last year. I don't think anyone is saying this 3 game sample is going to reflect their overall success this season, but I do think we can all agree that it's very encouraging to see the team improve in some of their key weakness areas last year. I'm also really encouraged by James running the point - always knew he could do it, but it's pretty incredible to see him in the Steve Nash role finding players who are making good cuts. Definitely a few times the timing is off and resulted in a TO, but it's VERY clear to me that he sees the game like an elite PG and that's encouraging because so far it looks like he FINALLY has the roster & system around him to take advantage of those skills.
I remember in the pre-Dwight year that we had the Lin/Harden/Parsons/Delfino small ball lineup. That's the last time I saw beautiful basketball in a Rockets jersey. The offense had a flow to it and we were nearly impossible to stop when we were hitting 3s. The current team has better shooters and Capela/Nene are much better offensive talents than Asik was. I just hope we can stay healthy.
Dude, one preseason game (sharks don't count) and people are putting up stats! I have plenty of feel good optimistic moments, but the reality is I have no idea what this team is. They certainly don't look like a contender or a very good team on paper and based on history. Chances are this is a 50 win team at best. Now, I hope I am wrong, but I am not going to change my mind after 1 preseason game against an NBA team - the knicks no less!!
Overall sentiment is understood, but offense looked good against the Pelicans as well...so two games. Granted, adding offense-only players should do that.
While that's true, and they scored 131 points against the Sharks, they also scored 130 against the Knicks and 123 against the Pelicans. It tells me that they are going to be extremely hard to stop. It doesn't matter if they are playing the Sharks or NBA teams... they look unstoppable on offense.
Anyone that says that preseason don't matter, must have forgot that last season happened. I'm not saying we are a favorite to win a title this year, but I do think that the preseason so far should give us much hope, excitement and expectation for the upcoming season.
Don't get me wrong, loving the new style and offense and very excited for season!!! but GSWs/Spurs comparisons won't count till season/playoffs, harden and Co are getting a lot more burn in the preseason (vs other teams) so D'Antoni can get everyone comfortable (new coach and players), at least I'm assuming. I think this season will be exciting regardless and this team will be a refreshing change for that sour taste last year.
The only thing this preseason is proving is how bad McHale and JBB was. Even Dwight is looking good in Atlanta.
