ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Knicks 11/14/2013

our help defense is really bad right now. players don't know how to rotate and help each other, especially defending p&r.

 

That's not true. Beverley puts a huge emphasis on slowing the scoreboard down when he's on the floor. This is crucial in the last quarter when they are going lights out on us (like they have ALL season).

It isn't about McHale being nice or mean. It's about winning that last game and not giving up our lead again.

Jeremy Lin has very pretty stats and he's a phenomal offensive player. But he offsets it with major turn overs and cooling down once he gets tired. Once he puts up those great numbers and puts us in the lead, we need to wrap a towel on the bleeding on our own end and close out the game with Beverly.

 

The actual 5 man unit +- numbers would disagree...

Beverley's 5 man units
http://www.82games.com/1314/13HOU3.HTM

Lin's 5 man units
http://www.82games.com/1314/13HOU4.HTM

Beverley's best 5 man units are +4 to +5.
Lin's best 5 man units are +16 to +18.

Lin's killer offense combined with Beverley's poor offense this year has widened the gap massively versus last year where you could make a better argument.

 

I'm a Lin fan, but I acutally like it when Bev and Lin are on together. Bev's defense has come in the clutch at times, so he could be used in small stretches and specific scenarios. I still think the most effective line up is: Lin/Bev/Parsons/Garcia/DH. With Asik not playing anymore, I think the lineups will have a better start offensively. Ball movement will be better.

Harden played a good game last night - and he moved the ball a little more (could be more). But keep in mind this is against the injury-ridden Knicks where defense is not their forte. I'm curious to see how they will play against the Pacers again and Miami.

offtopic Q: which team has the best chemistry in the league? I feel GSW has amazing chemistry, all the players enjoy and like each other. Andre Iggy is shooting at 60% right now and made a game winner last night.

 

But, but, but... Lin turns the ball over way too many times!

 

They also move the ball really well. Their coach has in place a system whereas our coach has no clue and relies on ISO ball to get it done. We are not contending this year and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't even have home court.

 

Just watched the game again. Lin started off cold except for fts. Played big in the 4th. It was a hack fest last night.

 

Damn Toro, Lawyered!

the plus 18 and 16 unit are almost identical , swapping Garcia and Casspi. I really like those two players

 

Can you show the stats of the +/- of the second half and last quarter specifically?

Like I said, I'm all about Jeremy Lin doing his thing but closing out is where the concern is. Jeremy puts up a great spark but to make up for the deficit of other teamates struggling, Jeremy doesn't produce anymore towards the end of the game. He's kind of just there.

 

Beverly practically hasn't done anything useful all season.

 

Still not 100% though.

I agree Lin has played MUCH better though.

 

Did you not see Harden push Melo in the back right as he caught the ball.

 

the whistle was blown on harden's first slap on melo..clearly a foul on the ground before anything

 

Every year SA has great chemistry..everyone on the team understands their roles no matter who it is

 

It's just annoying to me how Rockets win, people nitpick about Jeremy. Rockets lose, people nitpick about Jeremy. Annoying since he's been the most consistent Rocket and the only one knocking down 3pters.

 

We practically lost in the game VS 76ers from those turnovers and allowing the other team to score on will where Lin had huge minutes. The difference between Lin and Beverely's +/- that game are around 20 points with Lin in the big negatives.

This isn't a knock on Lin. It's just about coaching decision to maximize our efforts on the team by closing out games better.

 

You obviously only look at the stats after the game.

He's been an absolute beast on the boards, he's had plenty of clutch steals/rebounds. His defense has slowly been getting back to elite level game by game.

Bev & Lin are a very good two headed monster.

 

I don't really see how any NBA fan could argue that between the two Bev is better than Lin on the floor during any period in the game right now. Lin is averaging 18+ PPG and is shooting over 50%. To put it in perspective CP3 shot over 50% once in his career and that was a .503. Lin is current at .527. He is playing out of his mind on offense right now. He probably can't keep it up, but even at .470% would be on par of what CP3 does for his career. Compare that to Bev who right now he isn't even play well enough for his own standard. The defense ability between the two is not big enough to offset the offensive different. To suggest that Bev should play over Lin during anytime of the game is absurd.

 

Lol. We would have gotten blown out of the 76ers game if Lin weren't playing.

 

He's had great moments defensively but he hasn't brought a thing to the table offensively. Maybe the injury plays a part, but it is what it is. The main point is, the Rockets win, and we go back and forth pages about Lin. Rockets lose, even more pages. Let's talk more about how Chandler finally got a good game under his belt, how we're not utilizing Dwight enough, how McHale finally chose to foul up 3, etc, instead of nitpicking about Lin's turnovers. Yeah, he needs to protect the ball better, but like I said. He's been the most consistent Rocket and the only one hitting the 3 ball.