1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

What's the story behind 'We played with energy' after wins, 'We didn't play with energy' after losse

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Tuk88, Feb 23, 2015.

Tags:
  1. J.R.

    J.R. Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Messages:
    106,788
    Likes Received:
    154,648
    We didn't play with energy tonight.

    :p
     
  2. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2008
    Messages:
    26,227
    Likes Received:
    29,306
    There IS a correlation between energy and winning, given that talent is there first.

    These last two games are both strong proof.
     
  3. Amiga

    Amiga I get vaunted sacred revelations from social media
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2008
    Messages:
    21,710
    Likes Received:
    18,486
    so far, 52 to 33 rebounding. BB is of course all about energy.
     
  4. j@amc

    j@amc Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2002
    Messages:
    1,304
    Likes Received:
    2,541
    "Touches" is the player tracking stat that tells us how the ball is changing hands. Tonight's results:

    Houston -363
    Utah 498

    And let's go back one more night:

    Houston 353
    Portland 438

    Our logic seems to be - if we pass too much, we'll turn it over. Let's keep things simple and stationary. That's crazy thinking. Everyone knows that ball movement creates tempo, and offense, and even offensive rebounding opportunities.

    Also, I think we all know a crucial part of defense is denying teams the easy passes they want. That's something basic that we just don't make a regular effort to do. But we face it night after night. Other teams have a good idea where we want to pass the ball and when and they jump the lanes. Our response: we dribble 1 on 5.

    Last note: Utah plays defense. They allowed only 33 uncontested shots (and we made a puny 13). Pretty impressive. Rockets 54 allowed uncontested shots. Pretty low standards.
     
  5. j@amc

    j@amc Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2002
    Messages:
    1,304
    Likes Received:
    2,541
    Brewer may have had his lowest mph of the season tonight (3.93) and he was our bright spot.

    Second Chance points Utah 28 - Houston 9.

    Ouch
     
  6. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2003
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    229
    Predictable result now. Eighth straight game we've been outrun, this one by the largest margin in recent games. Uncontested field goal difference is a joke. Harden as usual, dead last.

    Distance: Jazz 16.62 > Rockets 16.02; UFGA: Jazz 55 > Rockets 34

    Beverley - 4.3
    Motiejunas - 4.12
    Dorsey - 4.08
    Ariza - 4
    Terry - 4
    Jones - 3.94
    Brewer - 3.94
    Smith - 3.65
    Harden - 3.62

    Last games:
    Distance: Jazz 16.62 > Rockets 16.02; UFGA: Jazz 55 > Rockets 34
    Distance: Blazers 16.48 > Rockets 16.15; UFGA: Blazers 47 > Rockets 44
    Distance: Nuggets 16.3 > Rockets 16.14; UFGA: Nuggets 58 > Rockets 31
    Distance: Pistons 17.29 > Rockets 17.01; UFGA: Pistons 41 > Rockets 36
    Distance: Grizzlies 15.94 > Rockets 15.86, UFGA: Rockets 32 = Grizzlies
    Distance: Hawks 16.8 > Rockets 16.64, UFGA: Hawks 51 > Rockets 40
    Distance: Cavs 16.87 > Rockets 16.64 (OT), UFGA: Cavs 47 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Nets 15.8 > Rockets 15.65 W, UFGA: Rockets 39 > Nets 33
     
  7. SeekingAlpha

    SeekingAlpha Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2014
    Messages:
    708
    Likes Received:
    129
    Our most effective offense are pretty much these two things:

    1. Double off pick and roll on defense, play the passing lanes. Get easy buckets in transition.

    2. Harden pick and roll with Josh Smith, DMo, sometimes T. Jones. Harden attacks to draw a foul, get a layup, dump off to the roller to get a layup, or kick out for an open 3 to one of our shooters.


    So what's happening recently? Our players seem lethargic for some reason and we're getting less transition buckets. Sure the 4th quarter of the Portland game Brewer got a bunch of steals and we ran out for breaks but for the most part our second unit was forcing turnovers for easy buckets. Harden has also been running more face up ISOs than pick and rolls. Teams are also daring Harden to shoot off the pick and roll rather than converging on him, and he's been missing shots. Harden's also been getting worn down recently so his movement isn't as crisp. Last night a sloppy pass to a rolling Terrance Jones and he got stuffed by Favors on a normal drive.

    This is what happens when you don't have a set of offensive plays. Your entire offense is predicated on one player and transition buckets. When players have no energy everything breaks down.
     
  8. pippendagimp

    pippendagimp Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2000
    Messages:
    26,977
    Likes Received:
    21,165
    are there any stats out there that correlate the intensity of mchale's ClapClap with the team's distance on a per game basis?
     
  9. Blurr#7

    Blurr#7 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2007
    Messages:
    5,276
    Likes Received:
    3,451
    Idk but Mchales pimp walk and look up aimlessly game is on point!
     
  10. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2003
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    229
    Coincidence or not, that's the first game in the last 9 that the Rockets outran the other team. Beverley and Terry hit highs with their effort on Paul. Smith had his highest in while, and even Harden, while last as usual, was at least above his average. That UFGA difference is pretty ugly though, that 8 straight games we haven't bested the other team in this category, and it's often by double digits. Not sure what's going on there.

    Distance: Rockets 16.21 > Clippers 16.16; UFGA: Clippers 49 > Rockets 32

    Beverley - 4.61
    Terry - 4.41
    Brewer - 4.37
    Ariza - 4.14
    Motiejunas - 4.07
    Jones - 3.91
    Dorsey - 4.08
    Smith - 3.81
    Harden - 3.77

    Last games:
    Distance: Rockets 16.21 > Clippers 16.16; UFGA: Clippers 49 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Jazz 16.62 > Rockets 16.02; UFGA: Jazz 55 > Rockets 34
    Distance: Blazers 16.48 > Rockets 16.15; UFGA: Blazers 47 > Rockets 44
    Distance: Nuggets 16.3 > Rockets 16.14; UFGA: Nuggets 58 > Rockets 31
    Distance: Pistons 17.29 > Rockets 17.01; UFGA: Pistons 41 > Rockets 36
    Distance: Grizzlies 15.94 > Rockets 15.86, UFGA: Rockets = Grizzlies 32
    Distance: Hawks 16.8 > Rockets 16.64, UFGA: Hawks 51 > Rockets 40
    Distance: Cavs 16.87 > Rockets 16.64 (OT), UFGA: Cavs 47 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Nets 15.8 > Rockets 15.65 W, UFGA: Rockets 39 > Nets 33
     
  11. mclawson

    mclawson Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2007
    Messages:
    2,091
    Likes Received:
    183
    It's simple.

    <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KeVca9MwDX8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
  12. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2003
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    229
    I will just put one thing in bold - Harden's best effort by far in terms of energy exerted/distance ran, was the Denver game, when he also just happened to hit a career high. Just imagine if he could ever have just one game, one game, playing at the speed of the average NBA player at 4.2. I don't understand how a 7-footer outruns him every night.

    The Suns game is one heck of an analogy though - it's the first time we outran a team and lost. I guess not having your two best big men while your MVP has an off night is a little too much to overcome.

    Distance: Rockets 16.01 > Suns 15.67; UFGA: Rockets=Suns 38
    Beverley - 4.51
    Terry - 4.2
    Dorsey - 4.02
    Brewer - 4.01
    Motiejunas - 3.97
    Ariza - 3.9
    Harden - 3.81
    Smith - 3.58

    They played (with) much more intensity, much more desire, much more effort. We went out and laid an egg. It didn’t seem to bother us much. Played as passive as possibly could be." McHale

    Distance: Rockets 16.97 > Nuggets 16.68; UFGA: Nuggets 45 > Rockets 42
    Beverley - 4.7
    Motiejunas - 4.27
    Brewer - 4.21
    Dorsey - 4.19
    Ariza - 4.09
    Jones - 4
    Smith - 3.94
    Harden - 3.93

    Distance: Magic 16.74 > Rockets 16.64; UFGA: Magic 40 > Rockets 32
    Beverley - 4.6
    Brewer - 4.26
    Motiejunas - 4.23
    Ariza - 4.17
    Jones - 4
    Dorsey - 4.08
    Harden - 3.89
    Smith - 3.68

    Last games:
    Distance: Rockets 16.01 > Suns 15.67; UFGA: Rockets=Suns 38
    Distance: Rockets 16.97 > Nuggets 16.68; UFGA: Nuggets 45 > Rockets 42
    Distance: Magic 16.74 > Rockets 16.64; UFGA: Magic 40 > Rockets 32

    Distance: Rockets 16.21 > Clippers 16.16; UFGA: Clippers 49 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Jazz 16.62 > Rockets 16.02; UFGA: Jazz 55 > Rockets 34
    Distance: Blazers 16.48 > Rockets 16.15; UFGA: Blazers 47 > Rockets 44
    Distance: Nuggets 16.3 > Rockets 16.14; UFGA: Nuggets 58 > Rockets 31
    Distance: Pistons 17.29 > Rockets 17.01; UFGA: Pistons 41 > Rockets 36
    Distance: Grizzlies 15.94 > Rockets 15.86, UFGA: Rockets = Grizzlies 32
    Distance: Hawks 16.8 > Rockets 16.64, UFGA: Hawks 51 > Rockets 40
    Distance: Cavs 16.87 > Rockets 16.64 (OT), UFGA: Cavs 47 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Nets 15.8 > Rockets 15.65 W, UFGA: Rockets 39 > Nets 33
     
    #92 Tuk88, Mar 21, 2015
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2015
  13. RudyTBag

    RudyTBag Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2006
    Messages:
    28,029
    Likes Received:
    21,125
    Harden was a one man wrecking crew on our defense tonight. His rotations and effort were horrendous, and it all starts with him.
     
  14. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2003
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    229
    I just get the feeling Smith isn't going to be back with the Rockets next year, not with his league low effort, low 3 pt % and with Jones, Motiejunas and Capela on the rise. Still looking for a 4 from Harden so the Rockets can enjoy a blowout like the elite teams do. The rest of the team is doing a stellar job of putting in the effort, now with four straight games outrunning the other team, three of them wins.

    Distance: Rockets 15.71 > Pelicans 15.48; UFGA: Rockets 37 > Pelicans 36
    Prigioni - 4.56
    Terry - 4.15
    Dorsey - 4.08
    Brewer - 4.04
    Howard - 3.95
    Motiejunas - 3.93
    Ariza - 3.8
    Harden - 3.65
    Smith - 3.44

    Distance: Rockets 15.9 > Pacers 15.89; UFGA: Pacers 35 > Rockets 26
    Beverley - 4.69
    Terry - 4.32
    Brewer - 4.08
    Dorsey - 4.02
    Motiejunas - 4
    Ariza - 3.84
    Harden - 3.68
    Smith - 3.5

    Last games:
    Distance: Rockets 15.71 > Pelicans 15.48; UFGA: Rockets 37 > Pelicans 36
    Distance: Rockets 15.9 > Pacers 15.89; UFGA: Pacers 35 > Rockets 26
    Distance: Rockets 16.01 > Suns 15.67; UFGA: Rockets=Suns 38
    Distance: Rockets 16.97 > Nuggets 16.68; UFGA: Nuggets 45 > Rockets 42
    Distance: Magic 16.74 > Rockets 16.64; UFGA: Magic 40 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Rockets 16.21 > Clippers 16.16; UFGA: Clippers 49 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Jazz 16.62 > Rockets 16.02; UFGA: Jazz 55 > Rockets 34
    Distance: Blazers 16.48 > Rockets 16.15; UFGA: Blazers 47 > Rockets 44
    Distance: Nuggets 16.3 > Rockets 16.14; UFGA: Nuggets 58 > Rockets 31
    Distance: Pistons 17.29 > Rockets 17.01; UFGA: Pistons 41 > Rockets 36
    Distance: Grizzlies 15.94 > Rockets 15.86, UFGA: Rockets = Grizzlies 32
    Distance: Hawks 16.8 > Rockets 16.64, UFGA: Hawks 51 > Rockets 40
    Distance: Cavs 16.87 > Rockets 16.64 (OT), UFGA: Cavs 47 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Nets 15.8 > Rockets 15.65 W, UFGA: Rockets 39 > Nets 33
     
  15. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2003
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    229
    Whoa, so check this out. The Suns game was such an anomaly that I went back and checked it, and they updated the stats to now reflect the fact that the Suns really did outrun the Rockets.

    So unless the opposing team was a major underdog, the winning team has been pretty much decided by whichever team outran the other.

    Last games:
    Distance: Rockets 15.71 > Pelicans 15.48; UFGA: Rockets 37 > Pelicans 36
    Distance: Rockets 15.9 > Pacers 15.89; UFGA: Pacers 35 > Rockets 26
    Distance: Suns 16.59 > Rockets 16.46; UFGA: Rockets 42 > Suns 37
    Distance: Rockets 16.97 > Nuggets 16.68; UFGA: Nuggets 45 > Rockets 42
    Distance: Magic 16.74 > Rockets 16.64; UFGA: Magic 40 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Rockets 16.21 > Clippers 16.16; UFGA: Clippers 49 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Jazz 16.62 > Rockets 16.02; UFGA: Jazz 55 > Rockets 34
    Distance: Blazers 16.48 > Rockets 16.15; UFGA: Blazers 47 > Rockets 44
    Distance: Nuggets 16.3 > Rockets 16.14; UFGA: Nuggets 58 > Rockets 31
    Distance: Pistons 17.29 > Rockets 17.01; UFGA: Pistons 41 > Rockets 36
    Distance: Grizzlies 15.94 > Rockets 15.86, UFGA: Rockets = Grizzlies 32
    Distance: Hawks 16.8 > Rockets 16.64, UFGA: Hawks 51 > Rockets 40
    Distance: Cavs 16.87 > Rockets 16.64 (OT), UFGA: Cavs 47 > Rockets 32
    Distance: Nets 15.8 > Rockets 15.65 W, UFGA: Rockets 39 > Nets 33
     
  16. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2003
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    229
    Another stat - if Harden actually ran at the average NBA player speed of 4.2, the Rockets would have outran the opposing team 13 of the last 14 games versus 4 of the last 14. If he at least cracked 4, the Rockets would have outran the opposing team 11 of the last 14 games. I'm pretty sure our record would have been better than 8-5, or 3-4 against winning teams.
     
  17. nachbarFTW

    nachbarFTW Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2009
    Messages:
    994
    Likes Received:
    49
    Do you give %100 percent effort everyday at your job?
     
  18. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2003
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    229
    If my job was paying me $5000 per minute for 35 minutes every other day doing something I love more than anything, with half the year off... yeah, I just might consider it.
     
  19. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2003
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    229
    As expected, the Wolves outran the Rockets by about the same margin as when the Jazz blew out the Rockets. Thank goodness we made 45% of our threes, the Wolves were missing three of their top four players, and were playing on the road. Meanwhile the Warriors beat the Grizzlies by 23 on the road. However, Dwight's made a huge difference with the number of UFGA, the most in a month by far.

    Distance: Wolves 16.44 > Rockets 15.81 ; UFGA: Rockets 49 > Wolves 34

    Prigioni - 4.5
    Brewer - 4.27
    Terry - 4.25
    Dorsey - 4.02
    Howard - 3.95
    Ariza - 3.77
    Harden - 3.65
    Smith - 3.58

    What I'm saying here is that unless we step up the defensive effort, namely those at the bottom of the list, we are going to lose three of the next four games. Why? We play four games in five nights, all on the road, against 3 teams with winning records (albeit none of which are playing exceptionally), without our two highest energy big men and our highest energy guard, with existing players on our team that have never stepped up their defensive energy level for an entire game even once in the past month.

    Are things going to change? Probably not, and the numbers will speak for themselves. Here's hoping I'm wrong though. At least I'm not going to despair at whatever happens.
     
  20. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2003
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    229
    Wow, that's the most we've outrun a team in at least a month. It's the first time more than two players topped at over 4.5 in average speed, much less FOUR of them. Not surprising that's where our biggest point differentials came from as well. Keep it up guys. Also, got to watch my first game in person, yes!

    Distance: Rockets 16.61 > Wizards 16.27 ; UFGA: Wizards 36 > Rockets 33

    Johnson - 4.82
    Terry - 4.57
    Prigioni - 4.54
    Brewer - 4.52
    Dorsey - 4.34
    Ariza - 4
    Howard - 3.96
    Smith - 3.74
    Harden - 3.66
     
    #100 Tuk88, Mar 30, 2015
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2015

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now