Rockets have no killer instincts and no extra gear in the "winning time". They will not go far without developing these two attributes. So many collapses after being up by double digits. Detroit has the killer instinct, maybe too much. All of their players want to beat you so bad. The Spurs have that extra gear in the 4th quarter, sadly.
Poster in game thread suggested Ime has players exhausted by the 4th quarter, ala Thibodeau. When you include all the other questionable decisions from Coach, Rockets are destined to fail 4th Q. Like.... down 3, no Reed. KD's clutch resumé is not extensive either. Rockets might still have majority team who've never won a playoff series by season's end.
They aren't a tough team anymore. Soft and complacent and content to defer to Durant. They needed a change at the deadline and chose to do absolutely nothing. If they keep this group as it is, then what you see is what you're probably going to get. It's just not good enough.
So Udoka's opinion that people criticize him for is actually correct - No toughness no fire So the 2 free agents in '24 that people trashed, are what's needed. Brooks & VanVleet set that proper approach. And without them, Rockets don't have it People said without that big stiff Stephen Adams, the offense would get better. That hasn't happened. Either it's Udoka doesn't know how to adjust. Or the roster construction isnt right. But it was undervaluing those older slow generic boring vets.
That play at the end of the game when Tari had the ball in transition and pulled up at the perimter and just held the ball even after Sengun flashed in the paint is the epitome of this season. No killer instinct or drive to go take the game. Jsut wait to pull the ball back out for Kd. Tari of the last three years would’ve had us holding our breathes cuz you know he would’ve did one of his tunnel vision drives and crazy layup attempts or pushed the tempo for some type of pass . Ime and staff has neutered him for the benefit of trying to get the ball to Durant which will Result In a turnover because the defense will overplay it
Killer instinct, extra gear, toughness. All these things are much easier when you have a well coached and built roster. It's not a magical or supernatural thing. Listen to J.B. Bickerstaff talking about his team. He knows exactly what he wants. Same with the Spurs and basically every other elite team. Hell even teams like Hornets are making moves and working on their identity. Ime has no idea what he wants expect some vague idea of toughness. One game he will use Senhub and then forget about it next game. He will go for KD isos again and again even if he commits a zillion TOs. He will take out Reed even if he has a good shooting night and completely forget about him. Insist on playing double bigs even in games where it's obviously not effective and so on. This roster has some serious holes and we can't get players because "they are not ime type". At the same time we have some very good players in KD, Alpi, Amen, Tari and Bari. But there is no consistent plan or philosophy to get the most of them.
Didn't we blow a bunch of teams out last season? We can't hold a lead to save our life. Gee I wonder if FVV-absence has anything to do with that.
not really. they blew out some teams and a lot of bad teams but what kept them in the game last season was their defense. the offense last season was horrendous but rockets were able to win close games because their defense stopped other teams from scoring.
The formula is very simple. Have 2 guys double Durant, have another 2 guys pack the paint, and have the last man playing free safety. A lineup with Amen, Tari, Bari, KD, and Sengun has 2 guys that can't shoot outside the paint (Amen & Sengun) and 2 guys that can't dribble or distribute (Tari & Bari). There are so many weaknesses to exploit. You have to change the players to change the dynamics. You've got to swap out one of those two non-shooters for someone who can stretch the floor. But is it Amen or Sengun? I would sit Amen unless the other team was playing small. But what I think doesn't matter of course. Both Amen and Sengun will remaining in the starting and closing lineups because of reasons.
Last year's defense was better, offense was much worse. Net rating was essentially the same. Last season we got off to a much better start having a 32-14 record at one point, but the wheels started falling off and we had an identical 33-20 record at this point in the season. Of course we'd be much better this season with FVV as guard play seems to be a glaring weakness.
Haha - that's the spirit! Jalen only wants to play for Houston - was mostly an iron man in Houston, now has barely played 100 minutes all year as a Sun.
First let’s be honest about this… The NBA did the rockets no favors with our schedule, a back to back at home against the Clippers is lazy and unfair Rockets overall schedule has been unbalanced, its a miracle we are top 4 rt now With that being said, yes, this team can’t close and it really magniffies what will be our undoing in the playoffs Much as I couldn’t stand Morey at least he made moves Stone out here giving us defeatist attitude and not opening his eyes Alvarado just hit like a million 3s for the Knicks and Cam just just got buckets for the bucks What are u doing???????????
