What's done is done. The results of the first 4 games aren't changing. Time to look forward to a pivotal Game 5 that could put the Rockets right back in this series. One thing I think needs to happen is more of a defensive mindset. Batum and Matthews absolutely killed Harden and Parsons. I don't think Harden and Parsons should be on the floor as much together, since they've both become massive sieves on defense. Got to get Garcia in the game to play some lock down defense when we need it. Also, obviously Troy Daniels needs more minutes. Less Lin, more Daniels. The rotation needs to expand. Our guys aren't closing out games because they are dog tired. I noted Garcia above, but I'd give some minutes to DMO and Hamilton as well. I think the short rotation is killing the team in all honesty.
Portlands gonna win. Why? Because this is one series where the Rockets can't hide Harden on defense. Wesley, Lilllard, and Batum can all drive past him for the easy lay up. Aldridge is too big and can shoot over him. While Rockets have to scramble to find these adjustments all Portlands has to do is drive past Harden with whoever he's guarding. Or toss the ball to Aldridge.
Pretty much. I hope Harden gets ridiculed even more, so maybe he wakes the f up. Reggie called him out pretty hard near the end of game 4.
I stopped reading at "Defensive Mindset" If we don't have it now what makes you think we can get it in the coming games?
It's because Rockets try to play half court slow down game when they get the lead. The problem is that our half court system is predictable. No other play besides a Dwight iso post up. Which is one of the least effective play in the Rocket's books. It also allows Portland to get the easy defensive rebound and basically play fast transition ball to tie the game up.
I don't think parsons did a bad job last game. It's tough though because our other players have to rotate so often to help harden that they lose their assignment
I think the alternating Howard post-ups and Harden clear outs put too much pressure on those players to do it alone. They are talented enough where they can be successful with it quite often, but it is not sustainable. There were several sets I would like them to go back to down the stretch. First, they can't do pick and rolls enough. Harden and Howard, even Parsons and Howard are devastating. If Portland is putting enough pressure to stop this, it should open up opportunities on the wing for Daniels. It also works with Terrence Jones in the game because he's good at slipping into good position around the basket. I like Harden on the block, too. He has a really nice mid-range game and he can still be a playmaker. Anytime they pack it, that could free up Daniels. The same with posting up Dwight- they should only do this with Daniels is in the game. The pass back into the post usually gets Dwight a point blank look. If they double up Dwight, the rain of hell-fire should fall on their heads with Daniels. Short version: more Troy Daniels!
Crappy defense is also forcing us to play more of a half-court game than a transition game. IMO you put out the best defensive unit you can, which to me would include Garcia. Obviously you can't completely sacrifice offense, so you have to have Harden out there. You gotta put 4 good defenders around Harden and try to hide him. With that said, Harden is so bad defensively that it pretty much neutralizes his offense when he is as inefficient as he has been.
At this point it's become obvious that no matter what we do, we won't win unless we play defense. We've played well during stretches, had players step up and perform at high levels (ex: Parsons last night), and we can never put it away. Why? Because lack of defense. When we have a lead, does anyone not think Portland will come back? It's almost a given at this point.
Hamilton? For real? I'm just not a fan of his at all. He seems to try to do too much on offense, and I don't understand why he has a reputation around here as a defender. Garcia is a novel idea for spot minutes that sounds smart. I've wanted to see D-Mo from the beginning, but I doubt we will unfortunately. I honestly hope Lin doesn't play at all, but I know he will. I also would like to see a lot of Daniels. I actually want him in there for starter minutes. I just think he can add so much to the offense not just by making threes but as a decoy providing spacing. I hope we don't sit Howard and Harden at the same time. That's just asking for a run. I agree with the other poster that I don't think the perimeter defense is going to improve with this personnel. But.....we had lousy perimeter defense and still had double digit leads in at least a couple of our losses. I just hope we can put the hammer down and execute when we are up considerably. Commit to not making this a close game at the end!!!!!!!!!
Pretty much the conclusion I came to as well. Defense is killing us. Who are our 5 best defenders? What is the optimal lineup for stopping Portland's offense?
We played great defense in the game we won? Does Portland come back if we keep making shots? I agree that defense would help tremendously, but we've had a great shot in games where we supposedly haven't played great defense.
We would be better off subbing out Harden for Daniels around 4 minutes in the 1st and bring Harden back in to start the 2nd, while Dwight plays the entire 1st.
Seriously? Less effective than a trademark JLin dribble/drive/TO? I'm shocked you neglected to mention the Harden iso as our go-to half court move.
