ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Grizzlies 12/26/2014

Was this a fun game or what?

We have three guys that have been with the team for less than a week. Can't wait until they have had a chance to learn our offense and get comfortable with their new teammates on the floor.

 

I don't watch Grizzlies games often but shouldn't not having Zach Randolph affect the Grizzlies a bit? I'm not taking credit away from the Rockets win but not getting too optimistic like some other people here. This is a great start for Smith, nonetheless.

 

As I expected, JSmith would be a net positive for the Rox despite his clanking tendencies because the Rox already have a lot of good rebounders, bad shooting games can be mitigated if the team can out rebound the opponent 54-44 like what they did tonight. Howard shot a horrible 1-4 but his defense along with DMo and JSmith limited Marc Gasol to just 12-21 shooting, pretty impressive considering MG usually has high efficiency.

Grizzlies tried to do their grit and grind thing but the Rox made minced onions out of them on the back of stingy defense and Harden's unstoppable offense. Amazing win, I think the Rox right now are the best team in the league, can't wait till the playoffs start and they put the clamps on GSW and other so-called "elite" teams in the league.

 

Brewer looks like he's fitting in well already. But I hope Shved never gets acclimated to playing with these guys. Canaan should be getting those minutes.

 

A road win vs. Memphis, even without Zach, is a good win.

Promising debut for Josh Smith after just one practice. Looking forward to the team finding ways to take advantage of his ability to drive and either finish or kick out. He is already hustling on defense and fighting for rebounds, which are valuable things.

The one thing pointed out by the media that had worried me about Smith was the fact that he hasn't been getting dunks or finishing at the basket at a high rate this year, which might suggest a lost of athleticism. He looked plenty athletic to me tonight. Seems like what happened in Detroit was more of a team spacing problem and maybe a motivation problem.

I still think the team needs to add another perimeter playmaker. Josh Smith can do some creating, but he's got his limitations, too. And the offense still looked gummed up tonight without Harden.

 

ZBo is a lot liek Rondo at this point, more name and rep than actual game. IMHO he has been holding back Marc Gasol these last couple of years, taking shots away from MG while not being a great defender. He probably had an effect but I doubt it's a lot.

 

I'll call your ZBo and raise you a fully acclimated JSmooth. He just joined the team today bro.

 

Don't broham me. That's reserved for true friends.

 

New to the forum - great win for the Rockets! Harden filling out the stats every night, and great to see our new additions contributing. I have to say that Brewer's jump shot is so quirky and looks like it isn't going to get there, but he made some big shots.

I don't like when nba tv does rockets away games, as I have to listen to the (mostly) biased announcers. Missing Bill, Clyde, and Matt!

 

He has nagging small injuries posted in an earlier article.

Of course he isn't the young buck 5-6 years ago. He is still above average athletic. Just not the Slam Dunk Champion

 

Is Papanikalou hurt? I wonder if he is out of the rotation with the addition of Brewer. I hope McHale can find minutes for him. Same with Canaan. These guys are too good to not be getting any minutes.

 

It would if we didn't already beat Memphis with all their players playing and with us missing Howard and Josh Smith.

 

How many times has he hit that big shot when we needed it the most this season? It feels like every time we NEED a basket he comes through.

 

Gotta get that point differential up.

 

If J smoove took 5 to 7 less shots tonight I would have liked his debut a lot more

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>&quot;It feels great to play for the Rockets, it's a big opportunity for me. I have newfound brothers in this locker room.&quot; - Josh Smith</p>&mdash; Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/548701777231896577">December 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Alot of people have that guy on ignore for a reason. No point trying to reason with him. He just wants to bring everyone down.

 

On the other hand, the Grizz came into the game having lost three straight, were well rested and got Tony Allen back. The Rockets have basically incorporated two major pieces to the rotation on a shoot-around. It's a good win, dude.

 

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BjVdzRPyOU4?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Agreed. He will always point at something and find something wrong with it. At least DD said good win and stopped complaining about the addition of J-Smoov.