ClutchFans Game Thread: Hawks @ Rockets 12/31/2012

It is an assumption that we would have loss if Parsons was kept in.

Also, tt depends on what this teams priorities are. The Rockets may or may not make the playoffs (I think we will just miss it) & they are definitely not getting past the first round. Frankly I wanted this season to be one focused on developing players who are part of the teams long term plans, letting them learn out on the court how to overcome mistakes etc. And seeing what we have from them in terms of the future. Win/Loss record is irrelevant in the big picture in my opinion.

 

Would you rather lose but develop players or win for the chance of making the playoffs and at the same time develop players. Giving this young team playoff experience could do good for us long term.

 

Parsons was playing really poorly and was 2-9 I think when he was subbed. Delfino went on to have his best game of the season. I don't understand how you can even argue the substitution.

You also said that Parsons is a part of the future of this team whereas Delfino is really not. How do you know this ? Delfino I think is a great player to have at his price and has been really crucial for us in a lot of our wins.

This is why you have a bench though. The bench players can be used when your starters are struggling, which Parsons clearly was last night.

 

It really isn't about this singular game & I am not complaining nor am I arguing, really just having a discussion. It is kind of an overriding observation on McHale that I have notice over the 20+ games. Seeing as how the Rockets are a young team & really aren't accomplishing anything overly meaningful this season (MAYBE the playoffs) I just feel that letting guys like Parsons (who have more upside) learn through there mistakes (over guys who are seasoned vets) is my preferred approach. Does that mean that McHale shouldn't hold him accountable. NO. But my method of accountability is calling a time out, telling him to get his **** together, & then letting him stay back in. If parsons shots aren't falling urging him to focus in more on the defensive end. Simple things like that.

 

...why does Delfino's chin consist of two thumbs?

 

There's a video where it looks like the Rockets are practicing the Euro Step. Look for the one added 2 months ago, called "Practice Travelling Debate".

http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/originals

 

Because just straight-up drawing it as a butt would have been too scandalous.

 

I think that getting playoff experience may trump any and all factors. That experience will be very important, there's nothing more important. And the monetary gain as well would be something that the front office must keep their eye on. Third, I think I know how you get down Roxxy, but my gut tells me that although we may run into a rough stretch, we will make the playoffs, and we may make some noise.

 

Fantastic win over a very good team.

Don't usually like Bleacher Report, but the below was nice.

"2. Difference in Backcourts

At the end of this game, one thing was perfectly clear: the Houston Rockets blew the Atlanta Hawks' backcourt out of the building.

This is with all due respect to Lou Williams, who scored 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting. The fact of the matter is, there was no support.

Jeff Teague scored 10 points on 4-of-17 shooting. His nine assists were only as impressive as his five turnovers and starter-worst +/- of negative-10.

And then there was Houston.

James Harden scored 28 points, while Jeremy Lin added 16 points, eight assists, four rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Toney Douglas added an additional 10.

The star, however, was Carlos Delfino.

Delfino dropped in 22 points, eight assists, four rebounds and a steal on 8-of-10 shooting. He connected on a season-high six three-pointers and single-handedly controlled momentum.

A masterful performance by the Argentinian wingman."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ockets-live-score-results-and-game-highlights

 

Disagree. Even bad teams don't do this. You reward players that are playing well, rather than go into full development mode. Parson is still averaging 36mins per game which is just behind Harden on the team.

 

You know what this is very true & something I forgot about. Playoff experience does wonders for players development. This changes my perspective on things a little bit. Also Olympic experience as well. A great example of this is Jrue Holliday who has grown so much since last season. He was on the Olympic Select team & got playoff experience last season. Very valid point.

Honestly we will see if the Rockets make the playoffs. We have been for the most part very fortunate in terms of injuries to key players despite the ridiculous amount of minutes they are playing & the ridiculous pace. And the season is still very young, less than 30 games right. I am not taking away from what we have accomplished thus far. And this team will only get better as the season progresses because we are young. But there is still a lot of basketball left to be played that is all.

 

DAMN! You either play at our pace (which most teams can't) or you get blownout.

 

Random question, but... Why doesn't the Rockets try to trade with Phoenix for Markieff Morris? Marcus even admitted in college that they are better when they play together, than if they are playing without each other. They would literally be the "twin" towers!

 

Nice find. It would be funny if our entire team started using that Euro Step.

 

Where is the alley-oop gif???

 

So, urging Parsons, "hey, kiddo, get your **** together," then all of a sudden Parsons starts hitting his shots...

Delfino was hot all game. He was the difference maker, not even Harden was.

Omg. You are a 12er and have over 3000 posts. WTF, are you new to basketball or something?

 

You are not alone when you say you are concerned about developing young players/rookies. There are so many comments and threads here asking coaches to play rookies to develop them, especially at the beginning of the season when there was not much hope of making the playoffs.

Jason Friedman mentioned in his twitter and telecasts, Making the playoffs is the goal of this season. That's why I believe McHale and Sampson, under pressure from the management, will try every way to reach that goal, even if it means to just play the vets. That's why Lin and Parsons were all benched for Douglas and Delfino if the latter were playing well. From coaching stuff's own point, they are trying to keep their own jobs or auditioning for future ones. Developing the young players is probably on the bottom of their priority list.

As some people already mentioned, getting into the playoffs is also good for our young players to gain the crucial experience which is so valuable for this young team. Another big bonus of getting the playoffs is to make our team more attractive to other superstar players. Acquiring another superstar this offseason is Morey's number one goal and us being a playoffs team will greatly help him. That's why I guess the management make it clear this season's number one goal is to get into the playoffs. Everything else is second.

Another point worth to consider is that: when Morey makes big offseason signing, which our young players will be on the trade list? Although Morey said he would prefer to use our cap space to gain the next big gun, we don't know what the other team would want. We may end up having to give up quite a few of our young players/rookies including Parsons (although I believe the chances are small, but Harden is the only player that's not touchable). I guess the management will care much more about the development of young players only when we know who exactly we'll still have after next summer.

Last, to answer bold part, McHale is not the type Xs and Os coach. We have never seen him to do what you think him should do and probably never will. He is seen as more of providing the general leadership than anything else. Finch is probably the type of coach you described. Finch was often seen showing Lin or Harden his drawing pad to explain something, probably directly them the strategy or pointing out their mistakes.

Developing young players while at the same time winning games is never easy. You have to give up something to gain something. It seems most of us here prefer winning games now.

 

parsons should have been on the bench bottom lin Defino make good passes and took smart shots while parsons bricked his jumpers and had his shot blocked twice in a row at the rim by josh smith. Coach is about winning in making fans happy just to see their fav player on the court.

 

I believe the best euro step Lin made last season was that one against the Wolves in Feb. Very similar to Harden's. Check at 3:22.

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