ClutchFans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 4/27/2013 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 3)

Lol, at parsons and harden's interview clothes.

 

The thunder won 2 games against the Lakers, the #1 seed. We have won a grand total of 0. Not comparable at all.

 

PS anyone wants to really know why we got back in the game??? Beverly and Aaron Brooks carried us when Lin couldnt keep going...Aaron got us to the first half from a 27 pt deficit to a 17 pt deficit and then in the second half, the Thunder were throwing up bricks while the Rockets kept chipping away to four...

In the first half, the refs just over dictated the game...just calling things too tight and just ruined any tempo that the Rockets were trying to establish...in the 2nd half, they kinda stayed out of the way, and the Rockets closed the gap...

Truly disheartening to lose after taking the lead, but Harden made huge mistakes and didnt play focused...

Finally, my last point and i think im going to sleep...

This series shows the importance of a coach...and how good coaching wins games...Lets look at the Rockets in game 1 against the Lakers vs tonight, in that game, the Rockets were seemingly in control of the game from start to finish, whenever the Lakers tried making runs, the Rockets countered and got consistent coaching from Adelman...

Tonight the Rockets were shelled in the first half, and Mchale most likely ripped his players at the break, and they came out like gang busters...But see here is the difference between a winning head coach and ones that lose...what they do with the lead...Today we saw how bad Brooks was when the chips started to fall...and today we saw that Mchale wasnt able to set up better plays when we were down by three(the Harden drive and Delfino brick,were just really bad plays...there was no motion and we were left with Delfino shooting a contested Jumper over the outstretched arms of Ibaka), and up by 2...After Francisco hit that huge 3 to get the Rockets a 2 point lead(thunder timeout, KD comes up and hits a ridiculous lucky three...) But this is where good coaching comes into play...KD is the Thunder's best player, why were we daring him to shoot...get the ball out of his darn hand...He had to have been doubled, and force him to pass that ball...instead the Rockets gambled on individual defense till the end...

Im still quite upset, but this is the way things go...The Rockets have to go take it...but sadly. an entertaining series will end in 5 games(the league wants Harden to get 1 win...book it)

 

Wish I could sit down and watch with you. I'm not wrong. Defense is good ? You're kidding, right. Please share what is the best part of his defense ?

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I'm guessing James is making that face because of the shirt @<a href="https://twitter.com/chandlerparsons">chandlerparsons</a> is wearing. <a href="http://t.co/gxEuy3vxq8" title="http://twitter.com/MC790/status/328372266712829952/photo/1">twitter.com/MC790/status/3…</a></p>&mdash; Michael Connor (@MC790) <a href="https://twitter.com/MC790/status/328372266712829952">April 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

um...no?
I'm definitely not that guy. I am a ROF, and I could care less about people who are idiotic LOF or LOH, etc etc. I just saw our leader commit major....EPIC fails down the stretch and it broke my heart. I will support Harden and I think his best is yet to come, but THIS specific GAME was on him and his failures. He failed to make the right plays, his FTs (85%, come on!), and he had the ball so much that I don't think anyone can claim as much negative responsibility as he will. I hope we have Harden for a long time, and we would not be here without him. That being said, he really let ...everyone down this game. I can't make other people feel that way, but I am surprised that people can't see it. He messed up. Life goes on. But he did. badly.

 

Arguably we were close to winning two games against them too. A lucky three ball and a couple of good calls and this series could easily have been 2-1.

 

Nice one. THIS TEAM IS EPIC.

Season isn't over. There's at least one more EPIC game to go this season.

 

You are a Rockets Only Fan? R O F L. JK I believe you

 

The Thunder also had Durant, Westbrook, and Harden back then. They had the foundation for a contender. They just needed to gain experience. We're minimum 2 years away from being a real threat in the playoffs barring another Harden-type player falling into our laps like this season.

If this core is brought back next year, they could flirt with 50 wins, but that doesn't guarantee squat in the Western Conference. Just ask the Clippers and Grizzlies. One of those teams is guaranteed to be sent home in the first round regardless of how well they did in the regular season.

 

The Rocket fan in me wants to believe we can make history again. We came back from 3-1 deficit, that's just one more win than 3-0. The realist in me thinks that ain't gonna happen. Either way, if they give the effort they gave in this game in the rest of the series I'll be a proud Rockets fan.

 

good, cause its true. since '91 baby.

 

He'll be better next game.

 

And that's why I said we are more comparable to a 2009-10 Thunder team. I also disagree with a large amount of people here who believe we need 3 foundational players. I think if we find the right guy to pair with Harden it's over for the Western Conference. This team is knocking at the door.

 

I'd say it was kept close for "1" game. When you're missing half of your offense, you would think the Rockets would at least keep it close.

Also this team is more Nellie ball Warriors than it is the young OKC team. Jacking up threes will get you surprising wins, but it won't sustain you whatsoever.

The Thunder got mature defensively, this team has either regressed or have not moved the needle whatsoever on defense this whole season.

 

The Thunder aren't very good without Westbrook. You saw them in the second half..they played terrible. Rockets made it too easy in the first half. I STILL BELIEVE! Rockets CAN beat the Thunder. We beat ourselves this game. Turnovers, missed free throws, ticky tack fouls..that can be easily corrected. Rockets need to play smarter. Rockets let the refs take them off their game. Rockets need to ignore the refs and keep attacking. We can do this 4 GAMES. Let's show the world what the Rockets are made of. Were not gonna go out like a bunch of punks..were gonna fight and show them who's boss. ROCKET POWER!

 

Exactly. We're not even at 2009 OKC Thunder level yet, not even close.

 

Heartbreaking game needless to say. Looking at some of the quotes posted here, I noticed Harden was quoted as saying the team came out with no energy, movement etc. That has unfortunately been a common theme...especially closing out the year. You can't continually come out with no energy and think you can turn it off and on when you want. Just can't do it.

 

The close out game is always the hardest let's hope the Rockets can make it so and get the W.

 

The jacking up threes is more a sign of immaturity to me. Plus, that's more of a sign of coaching. We have no midrange game. I think that's one area where Harden needs to work this offseason. He needs a midrange game and more defense. If he picks up those two aspects, or just one of the two the Rockets will deviate from the 3 point game. That's Kobe's secret, that's KD's secret, and it can be what makes Harden the superstar he needs to be.