Good game. PPat is winning me over gradually - they can't always be fluke games. Chandler is really valuable to the team. JLin looks to be gaining confidence. Harden was a little off but when he looks to pass it's amazing. His D needs to improve. Greg Smith brings the hustle! Asik steady as usual. I don't understand why he was on the bench so much at the end of some past games. Delfino is a spark though throws up the heat check too much sometimes. Morris' D was off. Too many reach-ins instead of getting position. Opposing teams will have to pick if they want to stop Harden from penetrating or give up the open 3. Then they have to plan for JLin pick and roll too and his good passing. If we can improve our defense (mainly Harden, Morris, PPat), we will surprise some people.
If the Rockets could start setting screens for the backcourt players for 48 minutes, this team could be a 5 or 6 seed. The Rockets are at their worst when no screens are set, and the offense looks like college, where contested shots are jacked from outside. This often triggers a fast break the other way, and how the opposition gets on scoring runs. (And our defense seems worse than it actually is.) The bench does relatively well because Smith and Morris do set screens, where Patterson does not and Asik doesn't set good ones. Asik did set a good one on the Harden dunk. That was why Harden was able to drive and dunk. If he can start setting screens like that with regularity (and Patterson starts setting screens, period), this offense will be transformed. (Patterson has played more like a 2 guard than like a power forward.)
Delfino was such a good pick up. D-Mo will be just as promising, but even better. Can't wait til we start playing D-Mo more. Anyone know if that'll ever happen?
No, the trust is recent. Remember when Lin got benched against Portland in OT? That was a major vote of no confidence. In the last few games, what we've seen is Lin's knee feeling better, leading to grudging approval from the coaches.
maybe morey had a long talk with Sampson after that game. That was such an outrage. I think this is what Lin is capable of playing like every night. He is definitely getting more confident..
I continue to see this myth spouted off around here. No idea where it came from. Asik is a solid pick setter. Daryl Morey: We pursued @AsikOmer just 4his defense+reb alone but also liked his screening
The Rockets are very consistently letting Lin run things and look at the results! How'da thunk it?!?!?!
There are a few times that I have seen him not fully seal his man. He sets some mean ones here and there but there are times when they aren't great. Anyway we play the Lakers next on tuesday & I am so stoked for that game.
I "thunk it". I had MSG last year and watched almost every game Lin played. Because of this I knew he was no "flash in the pan". He's the real deal.
This is exactly the type of team I believed the Rockets could be prior the start of the season. I still think the makeup of this team is sufficient to win a championship. It may not occur this season, and it might require & upgraxe at backup pg, but these guys are talanted enough to get it done. Once they have more chemistry, shore up their defense, and cut down on the turnovers they are going to be among the elite teams in the league. If the 2004 Pistons can win a championship, so can this Rockets team. Niether teams have top tier allstars, but both have solid, border-line allstar players.
