ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Pelicans 12/29/2019

Figured we would lose but got to watch a lot of younger players, and even though they lost their way a bit, still fun to see....

Clemons is going to be a very good scorer for us off the bench and Harty needs to be the backup C now.

DD

 

For a team that is used to outscoring opponents when the D isn't there, they have to hit around or over 120 regularly.

 

MDA stopped calling plays or the players stopped executing them?

 

double post

 

That ‘17-‘18 defensive rating had far more to do with Jeff than MDA. Credit to Mike for stepping away to give Jeff room because his defensive schemes are atrocious.

 

It’s more likely that MDA fell back into old habits. When times get bars, people don’t rise to the occasion they fall back on their tendencies/training. That’s exactly what MDA did during the N.O. run.

 

And MDA could very well have won 2 championship with the Suns, he had bad luck with injures like he did with Chris Paul, he could very well have 3 championships. The modern NBA offenses are because of him, puts some respect on his name. I hate you guys are so reductive on here.

 

I think MDA is an above average regular season coach. But he’s not a championship level coach. MDA has been close but being close only counts with horse shoes and hand grenades. Teams that are serious about competing for titles don’t hire coaches like MDA. But to be fair to Mike, he’s only doing what Alexander brought him here to do...win regular season games and boost ticket sales with offensive explosions.

 

Russ would have made a difference against these bums

 

People aren't really mad. It's fake outrage being used to somehow blame MDA for tonight's loss. Don't fall for the BS.

 

Defense first mentality needs to be developed and this year that’s just not going to happen. Maybe never with Harden’s genius on offense. This was always going to be a loss, dont know why people are upset.

 

Next game Hart and Clemons will get zero playing time again.

 

I can’t critique MDA tonight . The only thing he could have possibly done differently was play thabo ? I do wish he had subbed out maclemore for rivers in the 4th . But rivers needed a rest at some point . He’s shown a lot of faith in maclemore for some reason , but I like a coach giving a player a chance to succeed .

At this point unless thabo is hiding his true form , he wasting a roster spot . And one of nene or Tyson has to go ... hopefully nene , Tyson might be a good leadership presence , he has won a ring .

MDA could have played Hartenstein or Clark more earlier in the season, but he hasn’t and I can’t look back with certainty and said that Absolutely would have helped . Just with s gut feeling . But hey,they could have gotten injured if they played more .

All in all I hope we take into consideration the efforts of Hartenstein, Clark , Clemons , and House tonight . Danuel had a good game driving to the rim tonight . Pj I always love , a couple of those previous guys can give him a break .... he needs one, soon.

Get well james and Clint , rest up Eric and Russ . PJ was our only core player not limited or out tonight . The role guys kept it close for 3q , maybe a hit shot there , or a break or two different goes our way in the 4th then it’s a squeaker.

This team has real talent . Hopefully we can jettison some unwanted pieces for an upgrade . MDA for all his faults is a real nba coach . He’ll go small and feature his best players and if we hit enough shots and are active on D things generally go well . I just wish he’d realize that he doesn’t ALWAYS have to do that and would instead give some of these young guys time (and not time caused by having to replace injured players)

 

I gotta give it to LOFs

still can find a way to blame harden on a loss he didnt play in

 

How is what I said blaming Harden?

 

I can't believe freaking Lonzo Ball hit 7 3's and of course against the Rockets.

 

Guess that is main difference between you and me, you expect to lose while I'm sure we will win.

No right answer, it's about the attitude.

 

well, I mean, u said a MDA led team would never defend at a high level so some examples were brought up to show that that is not the case

I’m not sure what u mean about him getting canned in NY. What does that tell u? NY is not a place where people go and succeed.

MDA teams are not terrible defensively...they are usually slightly below average, and on occasion they have been elite...they are terrible when he is coaching garbage 20 something win teams like the Knicks in 08-09, 09-10, and the Lakers when they were led by Swaggy P

even now, we are 16th defensively...that is nowhere near terrible...we are slightly below average and often inconsistent...terrible would be bottom 5, not 16th

Since MDA has arrived, we have been ranked 17th, 6th, 16th, and 16th defensively. That is considered terrible why? That is consistently slightly below average with moments of great D and moments where the D is trash. In 17-18, we had excellent wing defense with Ariza and Luc. CP3 was also great. We had the personnel to play stifling perimeter defense. Where is that personnel now? We had wings with size and length to go along with Paul and PJ. We have yet to actually replace what we lost defensively with Ariza and Luc. That is why we got dudes salivating over Robert Covington.

 

Maybe he has finally seen the light. Yeah yeah, I know, get real. I'm hoping so anyway.

 

Harden has played without Westbrook, Capela, EGo and won this season.

He's certainly won without both CP3, EGo and Capela in lineup as well (last season not that long ago).

Comment was factual.