ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Raptors 1/8/2017

Defenses will really attempt to lock down Harden come playoffs. Could Eric Gordon be that second playmaker to make them pay or will the Rockets rely on the bomb squad?

 

Because all teams during the regular season don't already do that now correct? Seriously, defenses have been game planning for Harden over the past couple of seasons including the playoffs, this year will be nothing new. The Rockets (Harden) see this scheming every night.

 

Basically, Eric Gordon is Harden Lite, when Harden sits, Gordon does what Harden does just with better shooting and less distributing. Most teams don't have someone that can stop Harden, let alone a team that can stop both Harden and Gordon for a full game.

 

Sometimes I think his turnovers are overblown, but he just has some really bad ones that are inexcusable. Those are the ones he needs to work at eliminating from his game. You have to look at them on a case by case basis and consider what he was trying to do and what was the end result. Sometimes he is really trying to make plays and is putting tremendous pressure on the opposing defense so you live and die by it and he simply needs to make a better pass and that is on him. For example, the behind the backs to nobody, throwing it out of bounds, and lobs that only Wilt Chamberlain can catch. Also at times he might over dribble while the defense loads up on him, but again, we don't have many guys on this team that can create out of a busted set so he is left to figure it out on his own and try to make something out of nothing. Then he had a few that I don't really fault him at all for like he got called for palming the ball (really) and the offensive foul when he elbowed the guy in the nose which was bad luck.

It would be nice if he could bring his turnovers down to 5 a game. I think that is a realistic goal and if he is averaging 12 assists to 5 turnovers I think you have to take that. It is still a better than 2:1 ratio.

 

You know it's an amazing, efficient offense when so much of this highlight is someone driving to the basket uncontested and laying it up while there is a wide open shooter in the corner waving his arms that he's open. Two of the best shots in basketball open at the same time <3.

 

Isn't it great to finally watch games and know it is possible to come back, even when you are down by double digits? We have had a lot of great games this year, and I sure love watching my Rockets.

I have so much more confidence in our team this year than last year. Yes, I get frustrated watching players that are ice cold on their shots keep taking them, instead of passing it to someone who is on fire like Ariza was last night. But, as usual, we came through, and players stepped up and did what it took as a team to come from behind and snag another victory on the road.

GO ROCKETS!!!!

 

Except Gordon doesn't draw fouls the way Harden does. I wonder if he'll start to get more respect from the refs as he gets more exposure for the great season he's having.

 

Yeah, he doesn't draw fouls the way Harden does but he has other ways of making shots. This game is a perfect example of that. His 3's weren't falling but he was able to get to the paint with ease.

 

Good defenses like the Grizzlies, Jazz, Spurs and maybe the Warriors are different than the average NBA team we face every night.

 

I'll be convinced once this team beats Memphis.

 

I gotta hand it to pringles, he uses every possible lineup for any situation. Having the chemistry we have on this team makes the different looks effective. The balk iq - I wish there was a stat for that - has risen dramatically since Dwight left. I see now why Harden played ISO a lot more back then. Not to mention, McHale and JB lacked the brain power to lead Harden - he is a student.

 

Ego is so strong that the fouls don't affect his shots that much when he drives so hard to see. He needs some coaching from Harden.

 

Gordon used to get 5-6 free throws a game in his "prime", which was really good, but his shot selection now isn't conducive to drawing fouls. He averages fourteen shots a game, nine of which are from downtown. His shots are from very deep and usually open, so he'll only get free throws on his handful of drives. I'm fine with that, he's injury prone and I think this style of play can extend his career.

 

If rockets could even get half the crowd the raptors had during a regular season game

 

yup I agree and if MDA can save the "new wrinkles" for the playoffs that would best case scenario so other teams don't have a lotta tape/film on it

 

I interpret it differently. Just like the long 3's that Harden takes with approximately 40 secs left in a quarter (2 for 1) . Make or miss, it sets up the next possession where the other team will guard the 3 pt shot and he can drive to the rim with ease.

Even though Gordon shot 1-9 last night from 3 land, notice how tight they still guarded him which allowed him to drive to the basket with ease. Still ended up with 18 pts.

 

Calvin Watkins ‏@calvinwatkins 1m1 minute ago
Eric Gordon is questionable for Tuesday's game against Charlotte with a sprained left big toe. http://es.pn/2iVBb7s

 

Beating a good team on the road....GOAT!!!

 

Toronto dropped a ton of points on us, but if you look at the possessions we guarded them all pretty well compared to how they guarded us. They were hitting contested shots, we were getting tons of layups. Almost all of Harrell's shots were either from passes off of penetration or the Raptors just not boxing out. He probably had more dunks than their whole team. Harden and Gordon got to drive to the hoop easily. Valanciunas is athletic, but he's slow footed on defense and didn't protect the rim at all.

Toronto's offense is really iso heavy, which makes it impressive that they're the third best offense in the league. Despite the point total, I'm happy with the defensive effort. Even Harden played great D. And we were giving them buckets in the last minute anyway as not to foul.