ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Thunder 10/21/2025

No we're not making excuses we didn't make for other young players that are no longer here. 2nd year player? Hogwash. Reed Sheppard looks like a bust when the games matter

 

The big frontline was fine game one strategy, and OKC did blink first. So if you're playing the long game--thinking we're seeing them again in the playoffs--I kind of like the mentality that goes with rolling out a massive group to pound on them. Sengun eventually figured out what to do with Caruso's defensive antics.

Maybe down the road we'll see Davison earn some rotation minutes. Playing he and Sheppard would make our backcourt a little small, but Sheppard could come off screens, and Davison would give Durant and others solid looks on their spots. We have been spoiled and are addicted to Fred doing all sorts of lifting. That can be solved by some offensive sets with energy and player movement.

Just before Amen went down, he was drawing 1 on 1 coverage and driving to the paint. He's so shy to call his own number. The Thunder were daring him to score. If we're playing big, and taking that approach, we have to find more player movement. Over and over again, Sengun and Amen drew traffic at the rim. The easier shot is to stop at the FT line. I hope we makes some adjustments so our guys don't get so beat up (and draw all those charages).

 

Shooting guard is a problem for this team. DFS, Tari, and Durant are not shooting guards. If Reed can’t step up, we need a SG. Amen and Sengun are fine at initiating the offense, but they can’t continue to play 40 mins a game (not to mention Durant playing monster minutes). If Okogie could shoot he would be the answer, but alas, he is what we thought he was. No need to panic, but if Reed is still sucking in 20 games we need to make a change. There is no way we should throw away one of Durant’s last years chasing rainbows.

 

He is on the bench. He had to play more because we're down bodies.

 

Jalen Green played a worse game against the Thunder less than a year ago than Reed last night.

Let's see how he does with regular playing time coming off the bench. He normally wouldn't be out there close and late.

 

That play where Amen was checked full court and just blew down the court for a layup is exactly the Amen we need.

That level of aggression will make defenses adjust and leave shooters open.

 

Cracks me up that so many are saying we struggled bringing the ball up. We had no trouble at all with that aspect of the game. Getting Durant the ball in good spots in the half-court was a much bigger issues and will continue to be with the double big lineup. Hopefully the game will slow down for Reed and he can give us the spacing we need. If not, get busy Rafael.

 

“On the bench” means limited playing time………

 

Oh totally forgot, our inability to have the presence of mind to be there / to be open to receive the ball upon inbounding was crazy. Sengun kept screaming, even Adams had to run back! And we kept making the same mistake. Definitely trouble to bring the ball up and get into our sets.

 

Amen was great. Sengun was exceptional. KD was great in the 1H. Bari was Bari, but with incremental but good improvement. Reed is much better compared to last year, but dang, the coaching staff needs to figure out how to protect him from being abused on the defensive end. Adams/Capela was decent to meh. Okogie was solid. Eason was utter crap... needs to snap out of his mental victimhood or whatever he's going through.

 

They were too busy slobbering over SGA

 

I don't think I saw Durant post up once. I want to see Durant in the low to mid block. He's taller than everyone who guards him and can just turn around and shoot a fadeaway. He used to excel at that, so I'm not sure why he seems to have gone away from it. When he gets the ball on the perimeter to face up, especially against a great defender, he risks losing the ball… and he did lose it a few times last night

 

He looks like a 2nd year point guard. He isn't Cason Wallace and he isn't Steph Castle who are just your run of the mill wanna be Jrue Holidays. Reed ain't that. He also doesn't have the luxury of playing on a tanking team like the Spurs or a team where we can just drown in the depths like the Thunder. He actually is going to be an integral part of the team so he's going to have to learn the reps. If Cason Wallace was required to produce like Reed, he would fail. Same with Castle who will probably score points on a bad team.

Send Reed to Washington and he probably averages 18/6/6 on great efficiency with a bunch of losses. The expectations are massive here. Reed and Tari looked bad yesterday but only Reed looks like an actual NBA talent and not a journey man. If you can't see that then you just have blinders on. Jalen also looked like an NBA talent to be fair he just never figured it out and didn't look like an actual NBA player until his *fourth* year.

 

I am not sure what everyone expected, but I am THRILLED at how we played.

It will take time to build chemistry, I would say this is about 50-60% there, so we just went into the world champions house on ring night and ALMOST beat them while we are still learning to play together.

This is OUTSTANDING stuff - this team is going to become amazing, they will need time to Gel, but by December, I am expecting long winning streaks.

Let's F...ing GO !!!

DD's new favorite phrase....Alpi for THREE !!!!

 

DD’s new favorite pastime…talking in the third person.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed Sengun draining threes like Scola, that was a perfect Scola impersonation. Literally.

 

I thought we looked pretty good. OKC looks sharp as always and we went toe to toe with them. If KD doesn't miss a free throw at the end of regulation or if we don't foul SGA on the last possession of the game things could have gone completely differently. Should be a fun season.

 

That’s not on the players, that’s on the coaching.

 

The two TOs by Sengun and Reed were so awful. You just can’t attempt a no look pass like that in crunch time and then Reed absolutely panicked in OT trying to get it to KD.

Great game still but OKC is just a juggernaut.

 

Wanna put money on this? 42 wins ans 1st round exit are comically low. Tip jar bet 100 they get 43 wins and 2nd round?