Who here was impressed with the Rockets starting 5? And who wasn't?

I am torn on the Lin/Bev dynamic. But currently leaning towards Lin in the starting 5. The PnR potential with he and Howard needs to be cultivated.
Bev's defensive spark is probably most effective as a shot off the bench.

It's not a unique idea but DMo just seems to fit better on the bench squad. would like to see him get some post touches, and probably easiest to defer with Asik in.

Jones has the better all-around game to fit in with the starters.

Consistency is the problem with both 4's to be honest. My concern is if you haven't seen it at this point when do you cut bait? Trade deadline should be interesting once again

 

My take would be, so far so good, nothing real negative there. Since this is their real first game together, we need to give more time to gel and let McHale run few more mix and matches.

On the Other end, 2 take home points would be
1) reduce the TO as a team
2) Remember we have The Big Man now, hence should be funneling more towards DH.

 

It was the first pre-season game and the only thing that stuck out to me was Brewer.

Brewer played 20 minutes and took 1 shot and I don't know what else he did for the rest of the time he was on the floor.

Aaron Brooks looked very off -- I was hoping he would be like before.

Kind of negative, sorry about that.

Dmo just has to stop fouling. That's why he was never on the court for very long last year.

 

I liked what I saw.

Our starters are fine (i.e. Harden, Howard, Lin and Parsons) - we are still weak in the PF spot but with those fab four holding the fort, I don't see a big issue. If somehow, we manage to incorporate Asik in as well - I think Rockets could become a team that is worrisome to the other NBA teams. So let's hope the experiment with Asik would turn out fine (when he's back from his injury).

I am not so sure what the complain is with DMo, he wasn't great but I thought he was doing a passable job at the PF spot (certainly could improve, but hey he's young, he'll learn). T Jones has definitely improved and looked NBA ready - so I think the next preseason game we ought to let him try out starting with the fab four and see how it goes. Jones' weakness is working out how to fit in with the rest of the starters.

Casspi was the main surprise (and a pleasant one at that) - I think he has probably earned himself a safety (i.e. not likely to be cut) - most newbies struggle when thrown into their first NBA-level game, I think he has a good future with us.

Bev was good as well, it would be interesting for a guard to win DPOY (usually won by centers) - but if he can keep that level of intensity against other guards, he'd be a great asset (yes, other teams could be interested in taking in Bev) - unfortunately, he isn't a good PG yet (not sure if his passing/directing skills could improve) - so at the moment, his role is still the backup PG (with an emphasis on his defensive upside).

I'd probably give the other players a pass (yeah, I know some of them choked) but hey, cut them some slack, it's the first preseason game - if they continue to under-perform, we still have 2 players to cut.....

 

The Rockets starters looked decidedly more talented than the Pelicans. In the end that to me matters more than anything else. The sign of a great team is that they beat up on lesser talent. Our starters did that last night.

 

Harden and Lin are premier passers. Also DMo is one of the best passing big men in the league (and at 7 foot he can pass over and around guys too!); also he moves extremely well without the ball...not only is he quick, but he's active and smart with his pics and rotations (on offense). They'll find ways to get Howard the ball.

 

I am impressed with the starting 5 but i'am concerned w/ the bench. When Asik is back...they can have a lineup of Asik, Greg Smith,Jones, Caspi and Beverley but none of these players are play maker or have the ability to draw double team and thus create problem for the other team. SO i dunno. Looks like Harden or Howard will have to play longer minutes to facilitate them.

 

Dmo needs to loosen up, slow down, and let the game come to him. You can tell he is thinking too much and trying to do too much. I think he just needs more time. He may never put it together, but if so, I think he is the future at PF. Platoon him with TJ in the meantime.

Harden looked in mid-season form. Dwight looked rejuvenated. Jeremy and Parsons were solid.

The comradery on the bench and on-court was good to see. I hope it is legit and lasting.

 

I was. I'd prefer T. Jones at the 4 over D. Mo, but I also think T. Jones and Bev have very complementary styles, and I'd rather see them in the same unit.

So short answer -- I could be fine with the starting line-up as is. Harden, Lin, Parsons and Dwight all looked great to me.

 

I am torn too, I think both looked good. I am actually excited to see the small ball lineup with Lin, Bev and Harden. They worked really well together last year when they were playing together. It seriously is a good situation that we have the Lin/Bev situation. Other teams dont have that, where you can have two decent PGs to swap it out in different situations. This team is really looking good. Cross-fingers come game time.

 

I thought D-Mo played okay. If you look closely you can see D-Mo spread the floor very well, he was committed to create space for Dwight and Dwight was very effective playing alongside D-Mo. I thought his defense has improved as well. TJ on the other hand looked great on stat sheet, but he didn't fit well with Dwight. He dribbled way too much..And the spacing was terrible when he was on the floor.

You may argue Jones has a better all-around game, but after all I still prefer D-Mo in the starting 5. His ability to shoot from long distance is exactly what we need.

 

C'mon that's not even debatable....Lin is a much better player, period.

 

I watched the game again yesterday, & dmo played well without the ball he made sure the floor was spaced for howard at all times and kept the ball moving. Jones played well also but as of now I think the coaching staff will continue to start DMO because he compliments howard more vs jones which the most important role for our Starting PF

 

DMO looked like ass soup.

Harden and Howard looked like the all stars they are. Howard still needs to work on those free throws.

Parsons played like Parsons.

Lin was ok.

Not impressed with AB

Impressed with Pat Bev. Made Holiday look like his b****

T jones needs to start.

Casspi needs to be part of the rotation. Was on fire.

Brewer not impressed

Did I mention DMO looked like ass soup?

 

This, but not quite sure who plays the four.

D-Mo did pass well and is marginally better on defense.

 

If we go purely by talent, Terrance should be starting over DMo. And, Patrick should be starting over Jeremy.

If we go by experience, and the "paying dues" mantra: It should be Jeremy, James, Chandler, Omer and Dwight, with Greg Smith getting heavy minutes.


Everyone seems to have made progress, aside from what we already expected from our stars. I do consider Chandler a star now. He is this team's glue.

DMo was way too overhyped and needs more time to develop. He is not efficient and cannot be trusted with the ball.

More than anything, I was impressed by Patrick's focus on defense. That's something rare for players to do: be a defensive leader. Anyone can shoot, but to lock someone down and be dependable is an asset. (Morey logic.)

Can't wait to have Francisco, AB, Ronnie and Bev together (some combination of) at the same time. That's 3balls from everywhere along with a defensive mindset.

I'm hoping Morey finds a deal for DMo soon. He isn't on our timeframe. I'd take Greg Smith's rebounding game ad physicality over DMo's "shoot first, think later" mentality any day of the week. Even with the foul problems, Greg has a post game, plays good defense and shows desire to do well. DMo is just...there.

I hope Morey also can find a suitor for Jeremy. As much as I respect him as a person, I think Bev gives us much more on each end of the court. Jeremy cannot be blamed for the contract he was offered, but he sure hasn't lived up to 8 millie a year.

Chandler Parsons is the poorest starter in the league (did not research that ) and gives you everything on both ends. Room has to be made for his contract, and luckily, Bev was had for cheap.

 

I think James Harden is the truth point guard on this team. I point guard like Beverley doesn't have to run the offense and be the true PG on this team.

 

I actually think the best fit for starters is
DH
TJones
Parsons
Harden
Beverly

Lin should come in as the 6th man playing huge minutes, similar to the role Ginobili and JTerry. The 2nd group will be fine with Lin Garcia Casspi Dmo and Asik

Sidenote: I think the NBA game is too fast for DMo he looked lost out there even with the 2nd group at times.

 

I'm not really sure why anyone is saying D-Mo looked bad the other day... He looked fine. Spaced the floor well, boxed out on rebounds, made some good passes and set some screens.