ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Grizzlies 3/29/2013

I have no idea why McHale didn't just sit Harden, why did he have to sit the whole team when Harden was the only one playing like **** (seriously, the guy probably feels he won't be cool anymore if he breaks a sweat). Why did we have to watch Thomas Robinson out there who has absolutely no idea what he's doing (this guy would probably try to dunk a free throw).

It was a winnable game, too bad McHale is too big of a p***y to send a message to Harden directly.

I don't get why Harden doesn't shoot the ball early in games, if he doesn't shoot or try to create why is he in the game then? I've never seen him move without the ball and it's definitely not for his defense.

Also, apparently he's forgotten how to shoot a normal ****ing jumper, he looks like he's afraid he's going to get his shot blocked every single time shooting.

ALSO the team needs to grow some balls, the only player who has them and is not afraid to use them is Beverley.

 

If anyone calls out the coach for leaving the starters on the bench and not understanding the technicalities of why then those posters are a complete idiot. The Grizzlies game was not the start of the Rockets issues. It started several games ago. When will the Rockets starters ever learn to play like they should. There are not many games left and we're jockeying for position. This is the time the Rockets should pick up their level of play and intensity to get ready for the playoffs, but they're playing like the season just started. McHale did the right thing benching the starters. They need to understand this is the pros and not college anymore.

Torocan, you bum. Like all the LOFs, you can only see it's coach this and coach that. You need to stop whining about the coach and learn where the breakdowns are and why the Rockets starters were so bad.

First Quarter:

Here were the notable bonehead plays of the quarter.

Lin with a bounce pass into Asik in traffic slapped away from Gasol. As a PG, when will Lin ever learn that Asik more often than not will not catch those passes let alone in traffic. Lin with a stupid pass. Actually, this has more to do with his hesitation to shoot and a desperate attempt to bail himself out than an intended pass.

On the ensuing possession, Lin allowed Conley to drain a wide open 3. Lin seriously needs to stop going under screens. Can he for once go on top of screens for crying out loud. Memphis lacks perimeter shooters, but Conley and Bayless are two of the better off the dribble shooters on the team. Keep the defense tight for God's sake.

Asik got the ball in the post and made a spin move to the basket on Gasol but was stopped. The kick-out from Asik was intercepted resulting in a TO. Why pass it into Asik when he obviously doesn't have a post-up game. Asik isn't going to cause the perimeter defenders to sag off on him because Gasol can handle him plenty fine. In addition, Asik doesn't have the knack of finishing around the basket. For him to be effective, it's better to catch him on the rolling towards the basket. Also, what the hell was wrong with the spacing in this possession. Harden should have been positioned at the left wing. Lin and Parsons were bundled up on the right wing with DMo at the corner. This was all on the players. What the hell were they doing, especially Lin. All of them ball watching and not getting to their proper spots and mitigating any outlets/options Asik had.

Grizzlies ran a 1-5 sideline pnr. After the pick on Lin from Gasol, Asik needed to hedge to disrupt the play but he didn't so Conley picked them apart with a pocket pass to Gasol in his sweet spot for a easy J.

Grizzlies again ran another pnr. This time it was a 1-4 pnr with ZBo that caught the Rockets defense napping on defense. At the moment when the play unfolded, all of the Rockets defender were drawn to the left wing area. Gasol was still trotting back on offense so Asik was positioned high. The paint was completely wide open with Harden nearest the paint. What should have happened, especially against a team like the Grizzlies, is to protect the paint. Harden was in the right position. Asik should have dropped down lower and Parsons needed to protect the opposite side of the block. Parsons could have forced the Grizzlies to reset and run down the play clock but he was a fool.

Rockets ran pnr with Harden/DMo. ZBo left DMo to prevent Harden's penetration. Conley left Lin to defend DMo. DMo passed it to Lin for a wide open shot, but Lin penetrated instead on the baseline just to find himself caught going up and down for a travel call and TO. Lin just enjoys trapping himself getting into the air for passes. I still haven't figure out exactly what Lin is trying to prove. He was wide open for a shot, he doesn't take it, but instead he runs into tighter spacing and tries to pass it off. SMH.

The Grizzlies ran another sidleline pnr this time with Conley/Prince. This time the Rockets had defenders closer to the paint and Robinson sagged off from ZBo to help that prevented the penetration so Prince settled for the jumper. Again, why is Parsons jumping out on Conley on the wrong side to trap. He doesn't need to trap in this instance. Parsons made a gamble and he lost. In big games like these, you can't gamble like that. There are plays you should and shouldn't trap. It was quite obvious Prince wasn't setting a hard screen and Parsons just allowed Prince to slip by when he should have stuck with Prince this time. The Grizzlies was just shredding the Rockets apart with the sideline pnr.

Here we go again another sideline pnr and again with Conley/Prince. This time Parsons should have hedged and trapped Conley but he stuck with Prince on the perimeter. As a result, Conley collapsed the defense drawing Asik out and setting Gasol up for a wide open lane dunk at the basket. Parsons has made a couple of bad decisions defending the pnr.

The Rockets ran pnr with Harden/Asik. Harden made a pocket pass to Asik when he should have passed it to Lin who was wide open for a 3. What happened? Asik couldn't do anything with the ball as ZBo was protecting the low block and Asik had to give it up. Asik threw a cross court to Lin that was deflected. Essentially, it took two passes to find an open Lin, when Harden could have just give it to Lin on the first pass. A stupid decision by Harden that ran down the shot clock. Don't pass it to Asik unless there's a clear path to the basket.

Robinson was also atrocious in the first quarter. Don't know why he turned his head when he should have kept his eyes on ZBO and letting ZBO cut to the basket for a easy layup. Can't really blame him yet but something as simple as keeping your head up and knowing where your guy is a no brainer. Just plain stupid.

There were some good things the Rockets did in this quarter. There was a stretch during which Parsons drained a 3, Lin made a stop on defense and dropped a mid-range, TRob had a put back dunk, and kept the game close towards the end of the quarter. However, there were too many negatives that outweighed the positives. Also, when is Asik ever going to stop blowing layups. Lin needs to stop blowing layups too. The Rockets are a better half-court defensive team, but against the Grizzlies, they got picked apart. The problem with the Rockets defense is they tend to converge on the ball when they should be getting into their proper positions. It was also obvious the Grizzlies was trying to push the pace and get out in transition. They wanted to attack the Rockets piss poor transition defense. I was thinking of going over the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but at this point it's pissing me off so just eff this.

Also, this was a game Lin could have shined. Harden was bogged down and Lin had more room on the offense to operate, but he kept missing his shots and his defense on Conley wasn't good at all. So all you LOFs out there, you can gloss over Lin's poor play because he was obviously saved by how badly the team performed as a unit, but dream on that Lin is a star. Lin is still playing poorly and he needs to pick it up.

 

Nice analysis... As always, its all about Lin and not the team.. BRAVO!!!!

 

I mentioned plenty about the team. I was already lenient on Lin. You want more dirt on your hero's poor performance?

 

It's unfortunate this team has such a lousy defense. The Harden Show isn't going to do it in the playoffs especially when the defense is so bad. The difference between the top teams in the playoff bracket and the Rockets is big. The Rockets will be lucky to win a single playoff game the way they play defense if they make the playoffs. Outscoring the opponent may work against the lesser teams but the really good teams know how to play defense. The Rockets have no clue on defense. And, when Harden doesn't do his thing, the rest of the team isn't good enough to pick up the slack against the better teams. The bottom line is this team is *****ed the way it is now. May be good enough to make playoffs barely but going nowhere fast.

 

It's amazing that teams took this long to do just that. A pick n roll with Asik is no PNR at all since there is no roll man threat.

 

Honestly, I don't expect this team to get beyond the first round. A few wins in a competitive series would make this season a success for me. It's experience and opportunity for growth that will help the team in the long run.

I'm more looking forward to making the playoffs so that we can pay off that top 14-protected 1st rounder to the Nets, now owned by the Hawks.

 

You should re-read what you typed... you mentioned a lot about the team after mentioning about Lin but you conclusion is mostly about Lin playing crap.. granted that he did, why are you so affected about it when there are 4 other players who played crap ? You do know that you keep mentioning Lin on all of your posts... It's as if your life depends on him entirely... Maybe you should go out and get a life ?

 

I can't help it if you're extremely sensitive on criticism on how bad Lin is playing but that's a dose of reality for you LOFs. LOFs need to recognize that Lin can't save the day. Lin playing more minutes or not is not going to change a thing. There's a reason for everything and the reason why he gets benched. Lin has too many holes in his game and he needs a lot of improvement. He's not elite and has not even come close to the outer edges of eliteness. Whatever you want to think his role is on this team, he's the starting PG. Everything starts from him, so that's why he GETS extra attention. He sets the tempo on the offensive and defensive end. How can he control the game when he makes bad decisions and turning the ball over. If he wants to be an effective playmaker, he needs to open up his game and learn to shoot consistently. I guess you need to learn what exactly is a point guard and the importance of their role. And don't give some BS about Harden is the PG. That's just an excuse which you LOFs have already exhausted.

 

Here's the problem with you LOFs. When Lin plays well and the Rockets win, it's all on Lin and no one else...Linning and Linsanity eh. When Lin plays poorly, it's everyone else but Lin including not getting enough minutes. Once LOFs can differentiate whether a player is simply playing poorly from the other crap, then I probably will consider refrain from being so dead honest about Lin. But until then, all LOFs needs to be put in their place. Simple as that.

 

Wow... Now I'm an LOF now because I called you out for all of your Lin Hatred Postings ? You should really use your head before you post... You were the one posting about Lin not me... Never posted anything about Lin... Get your head examined... I do admire your passion but your immaturity is something to abhor of...

 

Ignore the troll, the poster reminds me of Ann Coulter, Michelle Maulkin hating on President Obama.

 

Even the haters can't help but watch Lin in action.

 

Lin hatred? It's called being real. Sometimes being dead honest hurts and the reason you're hurting when I criticize Lin. So lets not make it sound like I'm attacking you and you're were completely faultless with your sarcastic post. If you want to debate my points from a bball standpoint, go right ahead. BRAVO!!!

 

Cause Lin's piss poor play sticks out like a sore thumb. You're right, I can't help it. Perhaps Lin can help me by playing somewhat decent.

 

Your post sticks out like a sore thumb for noticing it too much.. Face it the Grizzlies were better than the Rockets that night...

 

People who believe in Obama are typically delusional...I see why you're a Lin fan. LMFAO

 

Oh really?

"Or maybe he would ? Some people are really immature.. I think Lin wouldn't care if he gets lower than 25 million just to play his game... people here keep on harping 25 million on every thread that I read... "

"Well if he goes aggressive, then he will be benched... you do know that sometimes being aggressive causes TO... easy for you to say cause you are just typing while sitting in a comfy chair vs Lin where he is the one facing the coaches and the situation every game... do you think a Harvard Grad wouldn't know or realize what you've been harping about here ?"

"Maybe he wants to start Linsanity 2.0 by injuring Harden and Parson... following the same script a year ago in New York..."

"Wow... What about the OKC comeback that Harden and Lin did ?? "

Your other three posts are in this current debate. Thanks for playing little fella'

 

Oh really, so does that mean Lin, Harden, Parons, Asik, and co. were playing flawlessly, fault-free, and did everything they could have.

 

Well they didn't do much to get a win.