Clutchfans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 8/20/2020 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 2)

covington dont take 8-10 3s a game.

 

OKC doesn't seem to have an answer for switch defense right now. Their guard combo line up, can't hunt a big, and use PnR to manipulate. Rockets also doing a good job on Adams, denying deep catches.

Rockets is playing championship type defense.

 

i came in to check this thread and rockets happened to be down.
it was so depressing and negative as it always is here.
the thunder are pros and arent just going to lay down.

i think with no home court it might be tough for thunder to muster gentleman sweep and this might well be 4 and out.

but next round rockets will inenvitably face some adversity and you will see this board meltdown.

i cant get over how rockets are consistently decent to good and yet around here its always negative and 'blow the team up' its fine to think that sometimes yet here we are with a good shot and people still want to be negative..

i dont go to other teams boards but the basketball side of the conversation is pretty negative rockets and even here a guy like harden gets trashed.
it makes this board disappointing but hardly new or exclusive to here..its how it was in houston before the board when we were down 3-1 against phx and won and its how it was here when down 3-1 on clippers and won. i think houston fans are pretty negative and a bunch of youngins here that have never smelled the mountaintop. watch you will see all kinds of sky falling posts second lose a game

 

People are actually fans of teams that aren’t undefeated in the 2020 NBA Playoffs? How do people live like that?

 

In all honesty the kid played well but its "easier" to play solid D when you have the 2-3 guys behind ready to collapse when you get beat. OKC priority 1, 2, 3 was to stop the Beard - its going to be imperative that the other guys step up like they have done now so far - more timely makes than clanks

 

plus I noticed he leans and puts his body weight on Harden a lot and the refs just ignore that

I'm pretty sure MDA, Harden, and the team will find a way to make them pay for that like Harden protecting himself and the team setting rock solid picks

 

Dort played good D but the writer didn't seem to notice Harden give up numerous shots at mid-range or in the paint to kick out to 3 point shooters. He also got the same looks he normally gets on 3 point shots. We just shot horribly on OPEN shots.

 

Yeah I am sure they reigned him a bit. He was putting up 5+ early on.

 

While some negativity is certainly unwarranted and over the top, it is the nature of boards to be critical. A all positive board would be boring as hell, "Harden is great!", "Harden is Good!", "Harden is awesome". Well, ok, if that is what you want to read.

I think much of what is taken seriously was meant sarcastically. A lot of folks here with broken sarcasm meters. A sarcasm smiley face would help things. Some of it is just venting. When you go to a live game, and the star player is playing terrible, its not uncommon to hear some of the same negativity to see here yelled by fans at the court. Sometimes its meant as a anti-jinx. Sometimes it meant to provide motivation. Sometimes its just the first thing that comes to your mind. But to complain about it is about as productive as complaining about the weather. Its just what (some) people do.

 

OKC held the opponent to 18 pts in the 2nd Q I think, that was good defense as well.

I do not think they have enough depth to maintain it and they are reliant on CP3 shot making too much.

 

Well start posting again. It's just some of us stop posting. I don't mind negative sentiments, but I am really tired of seeing posts like we will lose to the Thunders in 5 because we shot poorly in the last 5 games (that don't really count). Lack of substance is the real problem with this forum right now. It's pretty much just emotional rants for whatever they believe.

 

Anyone know where I can get the full game 2? Not just highlights but the entire game? I had to listen to the broadcast on the way home from Dallas but would really like to see the game.

 

I LOVE THIS. I doubt we will see him struggle like this offensively when Russ comes back but even if he does, he's finding ways to impact the game in so many other ways that still give the Rockets an opportunity to win the game. I think that's what we've all been waiting for. It's been so fun watching this guy grow!

 

Dude I hope Harden sees **** like this and takes it personal. I want him to completely torch this rookie next game to prove that he can't be stopped. Last night during the Laker game, Trent Jr. stole the ball from LBJ as he was bringing it up the court and you can tell Lebron got super pissed. Next few possessions he calls for the ball in the post and completely annihilates this guy as if to say, "you're not better then me bro, back off." I want Harden to do this!!! DORT FUTURE DOPY MY ASS.

 

That 2nd quarter was equal parts OKC defense and Rockets just not knocking down any 3's.

It happens.

 

There is a difference between complaining/venting and hating/agendas.

Negativity for the sake of supporting a narrative or protecting a take deserves to get ripped.

We all overreact or have a bad take, just own up to it and go forward.

But there are those who hold on to bad takes to ludicrous lengths.

Cannot dialog with irrationals.

 

If harden goes off for 50
He will be said to have taken advantage of the rookie

Rocket River

 

I have theory that since Dort is also a Arizona State Alumni, Harden doesn’t really want to go at him to hard when he is being guarded. It just seem like he was just settling for step back 3’s and not trying cross him up and blow past him.

 

Yeah, I had that same exact th... nah. Just kidding.

Craziest idea ever, tbh.