Great job subbing in Beverly to close out the game with Lin having one of his off nights. That shot block leading to Parson's 3 changed the momentum of the game. Also switching Parsons onto Parker won the game for us. Great out of bounds plays with Harden inbounding leading to 3 FTs and the game winner. Good job outcoaching Popovich.
I liked the matchups tonight. I think he stuck Bev in at just the right time. And the move for CP on TP? Brilliant.
I also really liked how McHale benched Trob for the rest of the game after he called his own number and took an off balanced cross over J. Robinson was actually doing a good job on the boards and defense before that, but he needs to learn that those are not the shots we want, and he will only play if he fits within the scheme of a team offense and stops forcing it. McHale will make a player out of him yet.
that was a good call also which is why I think Anderson doesnt play more either -- far too many times when he has been in a game (and meaningful minutes not blowouts) I have seen him take a lot of questionable shots that he shouldnt be. He forces the issue a bit too much
He has done a pretty good job but the top 3 candidates are: Popovich(1st in WCF) Karl(15 game win streak!) Spo(26 game win streak!) And its not really debatable.
I'm starting to warm-up to McHale. I liked his subs today. I liked how he put Lin and Bev together to give Harden some rest in the 4th. I also like how he staggered Bev and Lin's minutes, giving Bev enough energy for a Lebron-block. In the past I always thought it was a mistake when Bev used to play like 16 minutes straight and close out a game. I liked how he let D-Mo play even after getting his 4th and I really liked how he has stopped going small ball to end games and stuck with Asik. Dude was just so important for the W. I also liked how he switched Parsons on Parker at the end, it worked. The only thing I didn't like and generally don't like is how Delfino always makes it into crunch time, even when playing badly. His shot was off tonight and he almost cost us the game, but I guarantee he'll close out the next game too. Why not go Harden-Lin-Bev or even throw in Anderson? The biggest thing about tonight though were the plays coming out of time outs. Down the stretch we ran 2 plays out of the huddle and they both worked. Not sure if this has happened this season. Too often it's been a broken play that turns into a Harden ISO. The plays weren't very sophisticated but doesn't matter, they led to 4 points and the W. Good game coach, hope to see more down the stretch.
I think he is doing that pretty well, for the most part. He's a great figurehead, mentor, and leader to a bunch of youngins who are badly in need of one.
I think this thread was just a response to the Fire Mchale thread. With all he's helped this team to accomplish, there's no way he gets fired before his contract is up. And that's not really debatable either.
You'd think McHale's been around the coaching block since the 90's. Though this is actually McHale's 1ST FULL real season as a head coach. (of full offseason, preseason, draft, 82 games together. Not interim and strike shortened years with no offseason) The Royce White suggestion is a blemish on McHale. Its almost that White's been SO out of sight that he's out of mind though. Everything past that (or even INCLUDING that) despite some flaws McHale has battled on through. Probably that Delfino is typical veteran steady hand, instead of using young untested players. Delfino is a chucker but he generally plays within the system and doesnt make too many "rookie" mistakes.
where are the mchale haters now. I admit, I was one of them. I didn't not hate mchale's coaching to the point where i wanted him fired though like others.
I think Rockets should hire Hakeem as an assistant, specifically to be a big man coach. Both Mchale, and Hakeem together could help our front court players tremendously.
Harden misses the free throws or Duncan makes that last shot and this thread is 180 degrees different. Knee jerk reactions as usual after a big win or big loss. There are definitely a plethora of much better coaches out there if we want them.
McHale's substitutions have been pretty good the last few games. Good to see he identified Garcia as being a weak link and took him out of the rotation, pulls Robinson when he sucks (basically every game), he even tried to split Lin & Harden this game though I'm not sure whether that was intentional or just circumstantial, and going with Beverley to close was the right decision this game.
People think if you can't consistently score you automatically suck around here... Robinson's offense is, at best, mediocre right now. But he's one of top defenders on the team and possibly our best rebounder outside of Asik. There's a place for him in the rotation. No question about it.
