ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Hornets 1/25/2013

Harden 7 turnovers in the first half.

Harden now leading the entire NBA in turnovers with 4.0 per game.

That is inexcusable from the SG position.

 

we have a game tomorrow, so personally I think if we are leading by a decent amount he should rest for a bit

 

Calm down January 2013

 

Because Lin is a natural PG and learned the position over his entire playing career (aside from college where he was forced into a scoring role).

Harden is a natural SG being put into a playmaking PG slot. He never learned how to run a proper offense because he's not a PG. Running an offense isn't easy, it requires a lot of knowledge to do properly. Getting players into spots, knowing who needs the ball, etc. It's a very cerebral position that you just don't walk into.

I'm sure Harden can pick it up eventually but he's not there yet.

 

Come on man, he's having a rough game, no big deal.

 

Get players involved offensively, and they will subconsciously hustle more on D and in rebounding.

 

Get over yourself. I like Harden. He's having a bad game so far tonight.

 

After watching that first half, Calvin Murphy should be the next Rocket's coach. Murphy had it right to say on the radio show 1590 the game, that Lin should have the ball more in his hands. The offense ran better with Lin running the show. Harden needs to be SG not the PG.

 

Good to see Lin doing well. The team needs it. Harden is still the team's main scorer, but he really needs to check himself on those forced plays. He got lucky they called that foul on Gordon.. but what Harden should have done is passed to one of the multiple cutters on the baseline. Instead he chose to hold on to the ball and forced a bad shot with Gordon in his face. Also, both Harden and Delfino needs to play tigher defense on Gordon. That slow-mo replay shows Gordon going by Harden with like 3 feet of open space. In addition, 7 TOs in the first half just doesn't help when the team is teetering at .500

 

Lin's going to be inconsistent for the next year or two.

However, he's a lot MORE consistent when he's allowed to do his job, IE, facilitate and drive the offense.

Despite having the ball, Lin will pass more than he shoots. If he's shooting, it's usually because the clock is tight or the defense left a wide open gap he believes he can exploit.

Harden's main issue is he needs to find that balance between taking over the game and freezing out his team mates. It's a tough line to walk when you're the best player on the team. Too much and you end up like Melo or iso-Kobe. Too little and the team loses critical games.

We have to remember this team is still young, relatively new together, and inexperienced.

That may even apply to the coaching staff. It's ridiculous it took them 8/9 losses to figure that out, but if they've finally figured that out, we could make a very good run for the rest of the season.

 

Might have something to do with playing the Pelicans as well... But lets hope they keep it up in the second half.

 

I don't really think comparing Harden to Melo is 'hate'. That's essentially saying he's in the 2nd tier of SUPERSTARS, rather than the first tier which currently only consists of 2 players.

 

Response

Rockets teammates are actually helping Lin on PnRs this game when Hornets are setting picks for Vasquez -- I am impressed. Now if Asik can become a better PnR player that would be great.

 

Agreed. Repped +

 

the fact is he had 7 TOs, most of them from attacking the rim so attempts were counted as TOs.

 

Pelicans have been playing very well lately, especially at home...

 

I've noticed this tendency with Harden. He's a decent playmaker but at times he gets tunnel vision, misses open cutters and teammates and settles for a bad shot instead.

 

Moses Malone's single game TO rockets record in danger

 

Calvin Murphy for assistant coach!

 

More like he isn't good unless he's playing a role he's good at. Pg.