ClutchFans Game Thread: Mavericks @ Rockets 11/1/2013

1st game of the season, nagging injury already.... thought he's been healthy all summer and preseason long.

wonder how many games he'll miss this year.

 

Well it's a test for him. Can he be on the court and make the opponents fear his presence but know well enough about his body to redirect the ball to someone who is more healthy and capable of scoring? Or will he pull a Jeremy Lin in the playoffs like last game and force it? Not bashing either one of them, but this is a good learning experience.

 

You see, I am not only talking about this game - it may very well happen that Dwight gets torched - I am saying he has to learn to guard stretch fours like Dirk. He has all the ability, he just needs to get the instincts to do it. And a game like today is a great test for it. If it doesn`t work, put Parsons on him - or heck, try Casspi. But let Dwight try it, because if he can learn to do it, the upside will be huge come playoff time.

 

Nothing against Canaan, but he does need to go D-League and polish his game. He's not ready. Brooks is night and day compared to him. Good job on our management to hold on to Brooks.

 

Dirk is a scorer. Marion isn't. He still gets 20 in one game out of 5 games maybe but he is more and more a glue guy and rebounder at that spot.

What struck me in Game 1 against Atlanta.
Aside from Dirk and Monta, Vince Carter came alive with 21 points with a good shooting percentage. We have to pay attention to their bench.
And once in a while DalemBear has his 20+ point games.

You cannot predict how they will play. They played us tough in preseason.

 

Ouch.

Lucky that it's early in the season. Just gotta hope he heals relatively quickly and can get into the rhythm of the offense when he's ready to return to practice.

With Harden being a bit beat up, I hope McHale doesn't push his minutes too hard. We'd be better off playing Harden light minutes and letting Lin, Brooks and Garcia take up the minutes.

 

Harden was 2 of 11 through the first 3 quarters. He went 5 of 5 in the fourth quarter. I don't think you can say that the slow start was due to an injury since he was still injured in the fourth.

I'm not the original poster and I'm not bashing Harden. It's just the logic behind your argument is flawed, especially since I think Harden got hurt in the 3rd quarter.

 

Start Casspi at the 4 vs dirty dirk. or else dirk will get dirty lol

 

He definitely didn't get hurt in the 3rd quarter... he's done multiple interviews since the game saying that his back had been bothering him since Tuesday morning, but he'd hoped it would be better by game time. It obviously wasn't. His outside shot wasn't falling, but he can usually make up for a cool night from the perimeter by driving to the basket... it was clear he was very hesitant to do that because of his injury. I think he ultimately powered through and turned it on in the 4th because we needed him to.

So no, I don't think my logic is flawed at all... we just disagree, which is fine.

 

Wasn`t Harden in the locker room in the 1st half because of his back? And his wrist was hurting him as well. He definetly played hurt and it definetly bothered him. He looked 1-2 steps slower than normal. He made his shots in the 4th, because his back actually loosened up (as he said in an interview) and because he is a star, that shows up when it counts. A healthy Harden looks different as everybody could see last season and during preseason.

 

Anybody going to the pre-game rally?

 

I've gotta be honest about something. Went to the game the other night and the Red Rowdies constant, non-stop drumming throughout the pregame/game really annoyed more than getting me pumped up. When the game was going on they didn't even match their beats with the typical "defense" beats the stadium plays. Needless to say I ended up with a headache due it. I enjoy/appreciate their enthusiasm but can someone please tell them to cut the drums down to 1 person and not do it throughout the game or at least try to follow the beat thats playing in the stadium? Thank you

I'll be at the game again tonight ready to see us beat the team I hate most! Screw Dirk Nowitski and all the Mavericks! I hope we beat them by 20+

 

Ignore the defense for this game. Rockets should just go straight offense this game. Dallas got absolutely no defensive players on their team. Calderon, Ellis, and Dirk couldn't stop anyone from getting to the bucket. Lin and Harden should just attack that rim all day long. Dwight and Asik prevent Dallas from getting anything. Throw in some 3's from Parsons, Cisco, and Casspi, and it will be smooth sailing.

 

So what? Most NBA player can score over 60% of their shot inside the paint. So again, I say give them the outside jumper even if Dirk convert them 50% of em.

 

Agree.

 

I knew about his back issue. I should have said it looked like he re-aggravated it in the 3rd. I think that's when the announcers pointed it out that something was bothering him. He looked quick in the first half even on his drives to the basket. If you can watch the game again. Look at the 6:30 mark in the second quarter. It's back to back to back possessions where he drives to the basket. That's 3 straight possessions. So no, it wasn't clear that he was hesitant to drive to the basket in the first half because of the injury.

He had a slow start and it wasn't because of the injuries. I don't think there is anything wrong with that, everyone has those days. But he came through when it mattered.

 

That was Lin who went to the locker room in the 1st half because of a cut to his chin. And Harden didn't look 1-2 steps slower than normal in the first half.

 

Just checked the internet on that. He went to the locker room in the first half before Beverly or Lin did, so it must`ve been the first quarter:

http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/1...n-rockets-charlotte-bobcats-final-score-recap

"Harden was the first to go, dealing with a tight lower back that needed to be stretched out. After getting it worked on, he quickly returned to the bench. He looked a step slower than usual all night, and was not able to get the same elevation that he usually gets, but improved throughout the game and had a 16 point fourth quarter. Lin would go later in the first half, getting a cut on his chin that couldn't be fixed easily on the bench."

Harden had a problem with his wrist and his back - when that`s the case (and he clearly did look a step slower) you give him a pass. And when he then shows up in the fourth you can credit that to his incredible talent.

 

Just please don't lose to the Mavs at home...especially after Cuban has been talking smack about Howard.

 

Was hoping Bev was gonna start today. Playing against Lin, it's like someone always lights a fire underneath Calderon's ass to shoot 100%. I think we'll still get the W but it's gonna be closer than we think with our victory riding on a Monte Ellis brick from deep. That makes me shudder.