ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Thunder 11/28/2012

I watched last night's game, and wish I hadn't. Harden constantly tried to force things. He looked like a guy trying to be a star, but not actually being a star.

Lin, in particular the first half, didn't look like he even belonged on an NBA court.

Asik really impressed me with a couple of his moves to the basket.

 

The real question is why Harden played 44 minutes in the Raptors game.

 

Just curious, are you familiar with the concept of spacing in basketball?

When either Harden or Lin had the ball at the mid-court last night, it was the center who came up to set a pick. The other G was off at the corner to clear space for a potential drive to the basket.

OKC just did a great job at closing down on the pnr in the game.

 

Lin did about as well as an average NBA PG starter could do. Honestly if anyone wanted to see star plays out of him, then he would be overplaying his contract.

 

What is wrong with this coaching staff??? OKC's strategy was obviously to double team either Harden or Lin when they got the ball. Lin did what he should which was to pass when double-teamed. Harden kept trying to force the action against a double team and shot terrible plus HE HAD 6 of HIS SHOTS BLOCKED!!!! I've never seen anything like it. Why didn't the COACH tell him to PASS THE BALL????????

 

No he isn't aware of the concept of spacing. A lot of on this board aren't aware of simple concepts in basketball.

 

parsons is that you?

 

Dude don't you understand OKC's strategy was to take Lin and Harden out of the game by double teaming them ever time? This was effective but may have lost them the game if Harden had passed the ball.

 

At his best, he is our best ALL-AROUND player. He scores, rebounds, defends, playmakes, run the floor, shoot, finish around the rim... Harden is our best offensive player, but Parsons is arguably our best all-around player.

 

That's because Spiegel is probably a racist.... because he assumes 12ers or anyone who defends Lin a LOF. Oh wait, look at what I just did...

Man this board sucks. Bunch of loser vets and loser homer fans obsessed with each other.

 

We will return the favor in our home court. write.it.down.

 

Agreed. That's the same strategy that shuts down a lot of star players too. The difference is, star players, especially star PGs, can make that entry pass consistently while Lin is still a bit shaky in that situation. Lin made 4 good passes, but the rest of time he just passed around perimeter.

Need to be more confident and he definitely need to work hard on his handle under pressure

 

Offensively, he played too passive this game. He just passed the ball to do the spacing and let cook be a playmaker, you can tell he was scared in the first half. He did a good job defensively. BTW, I am a lin fan and I support him no matter what. But he need step up when harden struggled at any time.

 

When you are being double teamed you are supposed to pass my friend. You have a 4 on 3 matchup once you pass. So what Lin did wasn't playing scared. He made the pass that would lead to another pass that would lead to a bucket.

 

Star players also get calls which Lin doesn't.

 

Stating the obvious here of what the Houston Rockets offense is all about.
There are only 3 principles that constitute probably 90% of their offense in the half court set.

1) Pass the ball around until you find the weak side of the defense which usually means an open shot for the Rockets
2) Pick and roll (usually Harden the initiator)
3) Harden ISO at the top of the key

Given that #2 and #3 have Harden as the main protagonist, when you shut him down, there is very little chance the team can win.

 

No sense trying to argue with people who have only played basketball at the Playstation level.

 

Looking at the box score it's amazing that Toney Douglas was -15 in only 11 minutes. We desperately need a legit back up.

 

next game don't play Lin let see the result

 

I find it amusing that "passive" is so frequently used to describe Lin's play. Has it ever occur to you that playing under control is not being timid? Nor is distributing the ball an act of passive basketball.

Another term that's overused is basketball IQ. What exactly is it? Are there any statistics supporting that vague concept?

Here is what I believe. The way you play basketball is a reflection of your inner self. Self-centered people want the spotlight. They think about their accomplishments (i.e. points & rebounds). They usually have inferiority complex and feel like they must prove themselves in every confrontation. They tantrum like little kids when things don't go their way.

Aggressive basketball?