ClutchFans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 2/1/2023

Not to piss on the parade, but MAKING shots is a big part of the puzzle especially when they are created by dribble penetration and are usually wide open dont you think? Hard to win when you're the worst shooting team in the sport.

 

but good for the panic brigade, like during the 3rd quarter last night

 

What won the game last night? Some timely 3 point shots and good defense. Proven formula!

 

Say…we trade KMj for a FRP (top 10-17), even with that very pick we draft another Sengun or Tari, we only allow him12-15min per game (putting aside no legit pg on court most of the time), no matter how much potential the kid has is a waste of talent n his time for development.
The result is, no talent n no FA want heads to Houston, it's not about money, it's about 'reputation' n 'respect'.

 

Our defense is better with Garuba instead of Fernando who is only good for a few possessions.

 

Welcome W.

But I think we have to discuss, in the context of this game of course, how is that Jabari Smith Jr gets so few FG attempts. Is he a bad fit with the system? Should he cut more?
I was expecting us to run a few actions for our #2 pick.

 

First KPJ and now Sengun is freezing him out!!

Seriously though Jabari needs to make shots particularly the wide open teammate created variety and gain the confidence of the play creators. Its that simple.

 

That's a percentage of the issue, for sure. And I'm not putting the responsibility in anyone but him. He has 2 lead guards out and he allows himself to have a game where Nix shoots more.
Maybe it's not even a problem per se. I can live in a world where he is a taller Battier, just expected more from him.

 

I think there are two reasons:
1. He is a rookie in the NBA. It takes time to figure it out.
2. He is not a strong ball handler right now. He can't 'get to his spots' on his own so he has to get set up by others right now.

Both of these things should not be issues over time, probably by next season. He seems like he is a hard worker who will attack this in the offseason and get better. I think we will also have a better PG on the floor too that will help him get those open looks. I believe his career path will be a 3rd option scorer and a top notch defender of multiple positions. He wont be a 20+ guy.

 

The kid misses SO MANY wide open shots! It really just becomes as simple as playmakers who are trying to make something happen losing confidence in his ability to complete assists. Only Jabari can fix this. He was touted as the best shooter in the draft last year and everyone was banking on at least that aspect being a strength while he developed. We could really use a knock down shooter. The shots are there - the offense creates them as a team we just cant hit them.

 

That 2-0 without Jalen Green is doing a LOT of the heavy lifting in that 5 game sample.

Without Tank Commander Green, the Rockets simply are a much better team.....which is why we need him back quickly. We just can't expect the Rockets to lose when Green isn't playing.

 

imho, 'worst shooting team' is nothing but a result, a status quo of this team, BUT hold on…we gotta fumble back n think it over…man why on hell they shoot so poorly.

they shooting poor ain't because they not good at shooting, right?
Yes, there are many games our players' shots ain't fallen, but that ain't happened in first minute, first quarter or first half. That used to happen in second half, fourth qrt, or even the last minute.
wrong rotations, bad facilitating, poor defense (no leadership), no vets presence etc., all these could lead to a collective choking, n if this typical collapse lack of timely tweaks from coach, then needless to say, the sympathetic shooting draught got to be inevitable.
(why i stressed the importance of backcourt tandem, c'mon bruh ball in their hands…)

 

Yeah thats an interesting way to say everyone should just shoot better I guess. Maybe Silas is not focusing enough on shooting in practice - you think? The shots are there these guys just need to make them in particular the open ones.

 

If stubborn silas had long been figured out Goon could have been served as 'senhub' (went through him more, more touches at top of the key), n boldly started tyty or at least used the kid as a backup pg (SIGNIFICANT minutes), i dunt think i got any chances to point my finger at silas now.

Almost one and a half season past, only most recently goon's PT started to climb, still being benched 5-6min in fourth from time to time smh

 

I think the issue is more who they are setting up with open shots. When the vast majority of open shots are set up for guys like Jalen Green and Jabari Smith who can't hit them, you get poor results. Instead, guys who can actually hit open shots should be the guys the team seeks to get open looks for.

Guys like Tari, Gary Bird, KPJ, and even Sengun need more open looks from 3 (and they need to actually take them.....looking at you Alpie)