Udoka messed up resting the starters all those games to end the season

Yes he did. Should have only rested maybe last 1-2 games. They had a good flow going.
Also who knows if Rockets beat Clippers or Den etc how psychologically they would be next game. Clippers could have lost against Warriors. I didn’t like it at all. It was odd

 

Nah, as much as I disliked it, it’s common and Rockets in 93-94 did the same.

 

Playing his normal rotation for 2 extra games wouldn't have taught them how to shoot. I mean they just spent an entire season of not knowing how to shoot. And you kind of need to make baskets to win basketball games.

 

We had like a week off after the last game. It was always going to be a long break. I don’t think our problems are do to too little minutes for the starters the final week of the season.

 

Yep, it was just a bad move. They were playing well why stop it? 1 game rest at the end of the season, fine, but they should have kept it rolling.

If anything, he should have used those games to simulate how guys like Cam and Reed would do playing significant roles WITH the other players.

I really don't think it is fair to evaluate them putting them out there with gleague players against teams trying to make the playoffs. I'm much more interested in seeing how Reed works with Sengun and Green in a game against the Lakers than I am seeing how Cam and Reed work with a bunch of Gleague guys.

 

Detroit might win 2 games vs the Knicks, ya think Detroit is gonna win that series? Nope. Gsw is not beating us, ya need to get real.

 

Maybe, maybe not. If one of our starters had suffered an injury keeping him out for 2 weeks or more, you'd all be screaming that Ime should've rested his starters the last few games.

 

Exactly. Plus I think we lose game one either way due to lack of playoff experience and jitters of our youngsters. Same with game 3, road playoff game is a new experience for Jalen, Alpi, Amen et al. I don’t see how this series could have played out any differently against this opponent.

 

I don’t know, after getting the win against the Warriors I thought it was ok we didn’t push our starters anymore. I mean did some of you already forgot the frustration of losing Amen for two weeks when he played in the 4th quarter vs. Pelicans while we were up by more than 30? He had no business being on the court at that point, so I guess Ime didn’t want to risk it again..
But I do agree it was kind of pointless keeping Jalen just to complete the 82 games mark - either you play him with the rest of the squad, or you don’t.

Anyway, the reason for our struggle in this series is not tied for how we ended our season. It’s purely a matter of our poor offense, combined with lack of playoff experience, that’s all.

 

Please lock this thread......Turnovers and shitty free throw ******** did us in (can't believe free throw shooting seems to be a problem year in and year out). Plus we don't have a true star that can take over at the end of games. Resting players too much = nonsense.....

 

I said it before.

We should not give up that Clippers game. Warriors would get 6th seed no matter what.

Ime makes us face the Warriors in 1st round.

 

No, he messed up by not playing Reed and Cam all year so they would be ready if other struggled.

DD

 

People might be misrembering. Rockets actually did play their starters as a tune-up the last game of the season vs the Nuggets.

OKC, Boston, Cleveland rested their players the same time as Rockets, and never brought the starters back in reg season. Yet they're rolling through teams just fine.

Really, Jalen Green should be the sharpest since he played every game. Should be no dud games from him. Just not much excuse for the team, really. Udoka actually prepped them more than the other top seeds. This is just what they are

 

Do the Houston Rockets have 45% 3 point shooters absolutely not.

Dillon Brooks is above average in 3 point shooting.
Jalen Green and Jabari Smith are League Average with 35% shooting the rest of the team are horrible around 25%

Amen Thompson - Last Worse - Really Inexcusable not fixing his Jumpshot in the off-season, Alperen Sengun worked on his fitness, not much else, Tari Eason coming back from a leg injury.

Aaron Holiday is good at shooting 3s but doesn't play, maybe height.
Reed Sheppard is inconsistent in shooting.
Cam Whitmore is inconsistent and not focused on defense.

 

Those teams mentioned, their best players are 25 or older. For our core players, it really is their first Rodeo.
As for this is what they are. I heard a good comment on nba radio that it's just not the Rockets time. " You don't build a killer instinct overnight. You have to experience the downs. The struggles." I've always believed this for all sports. Teams dominating with their best players 22. 23 and 21 year olds is unheard of. Yet they've been in striking distance in every game. People don't want to hear it but experience plays a pivotal role.

Durant's first playoff appearance lasted 6 games.

 

y’all are really reaching now

the Rockets have major flaws that many knew would get exposed in the playoffs, and they are

 

I know we're excited about our playoff run, but let's not forget the goal this season: Evaluation Year
It's becoming more apparent Jalen Green won't be our Batman or Robin for this team...
Sengun can be a great Robin to a Batman.
Fred Van Vleet must be traded...need an upgrade at the point guard position.
Can we slow down on proclaiming Amen to be a future Superstar??? He got some holes in his game that needs to be addressed.
I like Dillon, think we should keep him around.
Jabari will be an exceptional role player for our team...question is at what cost?
Tari and Cam are expendable...dependable on the trade package Reed could be included.
Did I miss anything?

 

Will Mr. Tillman fire Coach Ime if he loses again tonight?

 

Those games resting to starters should have meant playing time in the playoffs for Reed more than anything else.