ClutchFans Game Thread: Clippers @ Rockets 11/13/2024

I really think we should start Tari and bench jabari. Similar defense but better offence in Tari

 

Amen is the player of the game , in my opinion. Tari was also terrific.

 

Ime Udoka has Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun contributing to wins even when the ball does not go in the f'ing basket.

Those two offensive talents, combined with Amen+Tari, are the highest form of entertainment. I don't want to see any of them traded. I want them to figure it out in Houston.

50+ wins this year. Let's try and get Reed/Jabari/Cam in the mix too.

 

I’ll say it over and over again. We haven’t seen defense and effort like this for more than a decade. James Harden is a rockets legend but those years were very offense-centric.

This is the first time in a long time I actually enjoy watching our team clamp down on defense. Kinda reminds me of watching Astros pitching the past 5-7 years:

 

Tari and Amen are souped up versions of Luc Mbah a Moute and Trevor Ariza.

 

The 2018 Houston Rockets were one of the greatest defensive teams of all time.

 

I think it's time for Reed to get some Viper minutes. He just needs to get comfortable and it will be hard to do with 10 minutes a night as the 5th option.

 

No you will kill your bench and Tari too. Tari can't play like he's playing now w/starters mins

 

[QUO

TE="RudyTBag, post: 15457491, member: 16408"]Ime Udoka has Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun contributing to wins even when the ball does not go in the f'ing basket.

Those two offensive talents, combined with Amen+Tari, are the highest form of entertainment. I don't want to see any of them traded. I want them to figure it out in Houston.

50+ wins this year. Let's try and get Reed/Jabari/Cam in the mix too.[/QUOTE]

Just need Jabari to start hitting his 3s

 

This was one of the most entertaining and best wins of the last 5 years and it helps that Harden & KPJ were on the receiving end of it. KPJ basically gifted us a good 5-6 points and caused the Clippers to go scoreless for a few possessions there. Harden was cooking a bit, but then Amen really put the clamps on that MF!
Amen forcing that 10-second violation single-handedly was my favorite play of the game, though it not being called made the hype quiet down a bit too quickly.

The double blocks by Amen and Tari on Harden is probably the best and most hype one for sure though. In general, this win was impressive AF and not even one where we had to work the hardest to get the W! Our defense is STIFLING and it’s the whole team, but especially once that two-headed monster comes in….watch out league, they’re on your ass and you cannot get comfortable. 10 games in and our defense is just already so natural that working hard and stopping teams is not really that impressive necessarily.

On offense it was Amen all the way, though some of those threes by Jalen were great too. Also FVV finally understanding he can actually dribble inside and get something going was refreshing. Jock and Sengun both stood their ground, blocked shots and provided valuable points. Jabari got some offensive rebounds and a few instances of solid 1-on-1 defense, also on Harden so I will take that for now. Still hope it starts to connect with him this season. Dillon playing under control and just solid D was also refreshing.

Glad the refs didn’t buy most of Harden’s bullshit and in general, because man were they crying foul a lot. Also our guys, especially FVV was foul hunting. If all refs called games like this, then the NBA would be so much better for it. This was really that 90s basketball without the over aggressive fouls, faster pace and a nice mix of threes and twos. I thought this win would come on Friday but I am happy it was this one, because I rather lose the Emirates cup one since I want our guys to focus on anything but that.

I do have to say, there were two stretches where I was incensed, which was in the 3rd (to start I think) and the 4th when we were up and allowed them to come back with basically a bench team. That was just begging for them to come back with everyone wanting to get the home run 3. Brooks looking off FVV to heat check early in the shot clock after he made one. Jalen heat checking early in the shot clock after he made one. FVV jacking up one contested after just one pass. Letting up on defense and catching a breath here and there is natural, that’s going to happen, but on offense to just think you can just start doing whatever because you’re up 18 is just not okay.

When the Clippers were up in the 1st quarter and I was starting to feel a blow out coming, I was actually ready to post again about how if we only were able to knock down open threes the way the Clippers were, we would be elite and then we started to make shots and it was glorious. Seriously, the Clippers had guys just make open threes the way you would expect any basketball player to be able to do. Granted they also missed them later, but still. Jabari should be able to hit one or at least 1 out of those 2 he tried in a row. Both short and flat AF. Glad Amen made up for it and that is something we need more of.

In regards to being elite, we also really need to work on our passing, because my god, Jalen in particular just gets so lackadaisical and lazy with his passing. That one-handed pass really needs to be stomped out of his system. Jabari also had one that was just mind. blowing. And as a team, can we please work on alley-oops or at least throwing it over the top so a guy can catch it and immediately go back up again to throw it down? Recognizing when guys have an advantage and even to look up for an opportunity to throw it to not just a big man but also a Tari who got an alley-oop from FVV - first of the year by FVV as far as I know lol - only by chance since he was looking for something else.

Lastly, getting back on defense and just watching guys get an open shot is not acceptable. Even Eason had one and immediately taken out, because he was gassed, but still. Also Green had one instance where he expected Sengun who had just made a basket to pick up a guy in the corner who made a 3. These are growing pains of still a very young team, but if we are to be elite then these things cannot happen too often. In general if we are to be elite then awareness is also very key. As much as I love Tari, when Sengun is backing up and going 1-on-2 or 3, don’t just cut and bring another defender his way. Several guys, including Tari and Reed in particular, passed up open shots only to be stifled by one or even several defenders.

All in all, great defensive game and finally decent 3pt shooting - save Green hoisting them up and missing his last 6 - as a team! We easily could have and should have kept the Clippers under a 100 given Lue resting Harden. If Ime ripped into the team tonight I wouldn’t fault him one bit. You cannot just mess around like that. Still there was so much good here that it’s hard to mad or come away with any negative feelings. They just have room to improve and for a young team to be 3rd defensively given who we’ve played, to get so many 2nd chance points and just have this two-headed monster where they truly seem identical at times and show up in the exact spot to get a rebound or a block - they had two tonight together haha so who gets credit must be tough sometimes - is just glorious. Our future is bright!

P.S. Given the **** FVV has been getting from us lately, he finally showed he does know how to actually read the room and get into an offense quicker, get to the basket and make something happen. Ime likewise, his rotations were solid last night. Jabari only 20 minutes and Tari 25, Amen 34 minutes is much more like it. The trust in Jock might’ve been his best move, team high +26, since I wouldn’t have faulted him for trying some Jeff or Jack.

Oh and who was ready for that block party?! Jock is sneakily a very decent shot blocker, Sengun is very good at not fouling when he does it and Amen + Tari are just fast flying dragons.

People just have to make exaggerated statements like this to make them appreciate the current moment more and justify their feelings towards ex-players and former teams. There’s likely a term for it in how the brain works. It’s fine, but glad Rudy T came in here and correct that nonsense. Harden started to play defense in those years and Tucker & Mbah a Moute were the Jabari & Tari but older.

 

Nah I think Amen needs this year behind FVV. Don’t through him into the fire just yet. Let his confidence and ball handling continue to develop

I don’t see them switching this year. Ime will probably need Amen & Tari to continue being the spark off the bench.

 

I do not harbor any hard feelings for them.....Harden was a superstar for the franchise and wanted out at the end and KPJ was a pawn, a violent pawn....

 

You really picking the game where Sheppard had 2/2/2, 25% FG and missed all his 3s to call me out and crow about him?

BRUH You Reed copers are really something Oh yeah Sheppard sure showed me after he blanked all his 3s! Forget Jokic man, 2/2/2 is the performance of a true franchise player! You don't know ball if you don't think that's amazing!

STFU! Don't mention me again you just lost all credibility you clown..

 

Rox have gone on a winning streak since Udoka settled on his 9 man rotation these posters have no clue if they think Udoka will change what has been working so far.

 

Nah Tari and Amen have some amazing chemistry and synergy playing together. Why would you mess up a formula that is working just so you can say Tari is the starter?

Tari is obviously playing better than Jabari but he would be wasted being the 4rth option behind Jalen, Sengun and FVV. Just like Jabari he will just stand on the corner and sometimes get passed the ball. Thats just a waste of his time and energy rather have Jabari out there doing the dirty work and being the role player.

Coming off the bench, Tari can be the first option. If you look at his attempts this game he took as much as Sengun. I dont want Brickari taking those attempts instead of Tari.

 

2018 Rockets defense was incredible.

 

There's no in between with this man.

He either looks like he's the most hard done by player in the league being relegated to a bench position.

Or he looks like he's the luckiest guy in the league being allowed on the court for more than 0.01 seconds.

 

They were a breath of fresh air to listen to.

They also didn't hold back commenting about how woeful Jalen's misses were, you don't typically hear broadcasters calling a spade a spade.

 

Agreed. It's starting to become a little annoying watching him catch it and then half pump fake before dribbling or passing.

You were drafted to let it fly. Shoot the f'ing ball.

 

Can we all just stop and take a minute (except for DD, who's no doubt checking himself into a mental health institution after this game) and thank whoever you want to thank - for the fact we finally got to witness Kevin Porter Jr on a basketball court but not in a Rockets uniform.

Colour me shocked the Clippers early lead evaporated whilst Mr Piece of Sh*t himself was on the court.

And just an FYI DD - because I know you've got some pathetically embarrassing excuse already locked and loaded ready to go - the Clippers have a real coaching staff (unlike KPJ's time in Houston) who know when it's time to fish and cut bait.

KPJ didn't see a single second on the floor for quarters 2, 3 and 4 because he was that bad in his spot minutes.

The best part of the night. Better than Amen's hnnnnnnng-worthy defense. Better than seeing abari parked on the bench in winning time. Better than seeing Sengun **** it, hammer it home, and then stuff it into the crowd in winning time. The best part of the night was seeing the woeful player KPJ not be in a Rockets jersey.