I don't see how they're a bad matchup for me. This is a B2B game in a high altitude court. I wouldn't take anything from this game. They lost two of their best players and they are still the best chance for the Rockets to get to round 2.
Actually DMo was not that bad last night. Greg Smith was the real issue against Faried. Both DMo and TJones were decent last night. It was an overall bad effort on the defensive end last night. The rockets seemed a half a step behind most of the night. Evan Fornier destroyed Patrck Beverly, Javal McGee and Anthony Randolph played like all-stars, etc, etc, etc.... The Rockets have 3 rookies as primary rotation players (DMo, TJones & Beverly) in their line-up while missing one of their best players (Chandler Parsons) and playing their 6th game in 9 nights, the 4th in 5 and the 2nd of a back to back in the Mile High City against a team that is having a historic year protecting its home court. The Nuggets have been one of the best teams in the league all year and are coming off of a days rest. Add to the fact that the Nuggets have had the Rockets number all season and its really no surprise that Houston last last night. It was obvious that the Rockets had no legs last night. Shots were hitting the front of the rim a lot of the time do to dead legs. We're coming home for a 3 stand against Phoenix, Sacramento, and Memphis. We need to win 2 out of 3 to clinch and go into the play offs. I hope we get all 3 wins and go into the play-offs on a high note.
What I really learned was that Harden's defensive effort is beyond terrible. Some players are bad defensively, and some players don't even try on defense. No way this team excels if Harden keeps that up. It's almost embarrassing at this point
I live in Colorado Springs and took the fam to the game last night. My kids had their Harden jerseys on and we were ready to see our Rockets live for the first time since the 94 play-offs against San Antonio (military life). First, like many have said Denver is a really good TEAM. No superstars, but they play together very well. Second they're deep. With their starting PG and SF out they had guys step-up and play well. This kid Fourier was fun to watch, he destroyed us by hitting shots at key moments. I'd never seen him play and was amazed he seemingly came out of no where. Our team was obviously tired. I love Harden and feel blessed to have in, but in person he seemed different. He didn't have the fire in his eyes last night. He forced shots and was always a step behind on defense. Yes, he was probably tired from back-to-back, and was trying to do too much w/o Chandler and Carlos out, but... if he's our leader, our superstar... I think he's got to increase his intensity as we fight for and head into the play-offs. At points it almost seemed like he was in another place and not in the game. Lin stepped up and played well. Terrence Jones is starting to realize some of the potential we thought he had in Summer League and early season stints. It was funny seeing him directing Brooks on court spacing. TJ has some hops and many times was so high when he collected rebounds no one else could challenge him. His 3-pt shooting looked better last night. I'm really excited to see him next year, because he's got the skills, he just needs to keep working hard. I didn't think DMo played bad last night. He's young and 7'0" with superior post moves. "Cutting him" is probably one of the most illogical comments I've ever seen on this forum in my 14 years. He's a ROOKIE, "lighten up Francis!" On the other hand, TRob has athletic ability, but the game seems way TOO FAST for him right now. He's a rookie also and has switched teams and systems, so we really need to give him some time. I think we have our PF rotation for the rest of the year and TRob needs to ride the pine and learn. However, his body language and demeanor seem the opposite of Jones. Robinson may need some D-League conditioning next year to get his head on straight and work on his game. I may be totally wrong, but that's my 2 cents. Greg Smith had a bad game, but we all do. I really like what he's brought to the starting PF position and believe he and Asik give us a physical style that is important in the play-offs. Speaking of the play-offs, I think we should all just be excited about (hopefully) being there for the first time in several years. Past that, I wouldn't set my expectations too high this year. However, our future is so bright. Yeah it sucked to lose so bad last night and to pay $550 to see that thrashing. However, as a fan it was so great to see our boys up close and to see the young guys not quit despite being crushed by a superior team.
I don't know... the Rockets were up double digits early and they were hitting all cylinders, playing great defense, passing well, hitting threes... then all of a sudden, the heart breaking dunks from fast breaks, and demoralizing threes changed the whole game. This game was lost emotionally. Understanding how those easy game changing points occurred and how to prevent them may be important.
I learned that when a running team plays a running team that's much more athletic, they lose. Wait, I already knew that, and you should have also.
Faried had only 13 points but he left the impression like he rocked that game. Because almost every one of those 13 points were dunks, allyoops, or some big emotional play. all those big plays came from fast breaks. it wasn't greg smith's fault, it was the missed long shots turning into fast breaks and defense not getting back to cover. i blame that on shot selection.
I agreed what you said about TRob. I went to the Portland game on Friday and T jones was always listening while TRob was in limbo, maybe he knows that he is not part of the rotation anymore so he doesn't care. T jones attitude is phenomenal the kid is very coachable. Same thing with Smith the guy after every single play look to see what the coach have to say, I was impress how those two guys respect Mchale. I spend 500$ too I was right behind our guys, good luck next time maybe you can go to a playoff game.
I think the only lesson learned from this debacle was to beg the league office not to schedule Denver as the second game of a back to back. No one on the Rocks impressed me. They all looked out of sync. Late on rotations, a step slow, shots falling short. This is one game I'm not watching a second time. Instant delete and on to the next one. God, we sucked. So did the refs, but they didn't cost us the game.
DD, I DON'T AGREE WITH YOU OFTEN BUT DING, DING, DING! WE HAVE A WINNER! IGGY DOES NOT HAVE A CONSISTENT SHOT. FOR WHAT HE BRINGS, WE HAVE PARSONS. I THINK HOUSTON NEEDS PAU GASOL, YES HIM! I THINK HE IS IN A BAD SITUATION AND IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, HE WOULD FLOURISH UNDER MCHALE. I LIKE J. SMITH BUT I THINK HE WOULD JUST MAKE US MORE LIKE DENVER; A TOP 4 TEAM IN THE WEST BUT WILL NEVER GET TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!
THE ONE THING DENVER HAS OVER US, ARE GOOD WING PLAYERS! HOUSTON CONTINUES TO DRAFT 4s. JUST LIKE BUFFALO WILD WINGS.....WE NEED WINGS! OUTSIDE OF HARDEN, WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE! I KNOW EVERYBODY LIKES PARSONS BUT HE ISN'T A TYPICAL WING PLAYER. DENVER HAS 4 OR 5 WING PLAYERS THAT ARE LEGIT. THAT'S WHY THEY ARE BETTER AT THE UP TEMP GAME THAN US.
