I have a lot of things to say about how Rox turned it around and everyone looking better etc but the thing is opponents are just preseason quality, they are the worst team in the L with the worst ranked defense and carried by a two man band Thomas and Mann who are non-stars themselves. Even worse they are on a B2B after being pounded by the Spurs and Terminator Wemby. So I'll wait till Raptors to see if they really figured it out or not.
Jury is still out. Did we win because its the Nets? Nets beat us twice last year. Did we blow them out because we are really good or because they are really bad? Who the fck knows at this point. Cavs just blew out the Pistons and we couldnt beat them so what does that say about us? I dont know what this team is. We lost the home opener to the Hornets last year. Is Ime just still experimenting because its early? After this terrible start they would have to go on a 5 game winning streak before I feel comfortable calling them a good team let alone a contender. Gotta do more than beat the awful Nets.
Why can't people accept gray areas and have to think in black and white patterns.....is this the Election again?!
It's America Im sure there's an Eleciton somewhere rn. Im so confused. This team is confusing. Like why does Ime love that zone and why cant KD seem to make a fcking 3 point shot? SO weird.
Tari has always been good. He had a couple rough games and some hysterical posters choked on their emotions. Reed has a lot to prove. It's cool that he looked good against the Nets backups. He needs to prove he can be a competent NBA backup against good teams. He's not ready to be a starter but our roster construction and the FVV injury may require it. Hopeful that we acquire a competent starting PG on December 15th.
A win is always nice, but I think it's going to take a 5 game winning streak to make me feel a little better about this team's chances.
Nice to see Tari bounce back after being a non-factor. He's finding his way--as the whole team is--without the steadying influence of FVV. Spreading the minutes around in the second half--when we were cruising-- is a positive. That Ime could turn to the end of the bench with 7 minutes to go and have no issues with blowing the lead is an improvement. The Nets aren't good but only 9 TOs for Rockets is a positive sign. We're going to get a lot of good shots up if the turnover number stays low.
My main takeaway now that I got a chance to watch the game is, wow, the Nets are looking bad this season. And we still have their draft pick.
Some thoughts: 1. Okogie starting is clearly the best choice, it gives Adams the main back-up center minutes and saves Capela for some sporadic play time. In case Adams gets injured or no b2bs then our starting line-up doesn’t change either so there’s that. It also showed with Jabari not having to guard a much quicker wing. 2. Okogie was our Brooks and hope he keeps it up. Was happy when we signed him and even moreso now. 3. Adams and Capela both had their moments. 4. There is some more space on the court with Okogie starting. However, I was surprised to see the lack of cutting and Amen too often in the “dunker spot” that he was quite frankly a monster from last year. But the difference is that this year they pay way more attention to him now, especially with lack of outside shooting. So they can double Sengun, stay on Amen and then just leave one out of Okogie, Jabari and Durant open. 5. KD is a very average ball handler and outside shooter, was surprised to see that. 6. Tari was great, was good to see him bounce back after what was really the most mind blowing thing to see considering the effort was not even there. He’s not suddenly made a 180 though, his shot was falling and it energized him. He still went too much for his own shot so let’s see. Okogie seemed way more the Terror Twin of last year with Amen out there. 7. Amen had a weird game, from his lack of cutting to going for floaters and mid-range shots when with his athletic ability he should be dunking and laying it up way more than he is right now. He will be fine though, he’s the one from last year who needs to adjust the most. 8. Sengun is also not playing at his best yet, too many possessions where people are just standing around, he’s dribbling too much, he’s being too slow and or settling for a tough shot. He’s used to FVV so I am sure he will be fine too. 9. We are bottom of the league in pace, which explains why we’re struggling. Such a young and athletic team should be running way more. I noticed a couple of times last night where it’s almost like FVV was in Amen’s ear and telling him to slow down. This is why I really believe Tate should be in our rotation. 10. Reed and our other 3rd stringers were moving the ball again. It’s clear Reed would thrive in such a system as has been pointed out, but not in this offense where he needs to get it to Sengun and or KD. Reed had a very nice game. 11. Ime should expand our rotation with Tate and seeing where Aaron, JD or Jeff can fit in for some sporadic minutes. 12. Boxing out, particularly for KD, is an issue. Also the random doubling of non-threats to leave 3pt shooters is like last year an issue so clearly it’s our strategy and Ime needs to clean it the **** up. In conclusion: solid game, we’re top 5 in offense and top 14 on defense and we’re still going through some serious growing pains, experimenting and guys not moving (cutting) enough on offense, missing defensive assignments, etc. Btw we’re 6th in the league in 3pt shooting at 39.8% surprisingly and 9th in FT shooting at 82.9%. Would be awesome if we could keep that up.
I always loved Okogie's game when he was with the Timberwolves. He fits perfectly here. He's another defensive monster. It was fun to blow a team out, but it was still the Nets. I hope by the time we play the Spurs we've worked out some of the kinks. They're looking good so far.
