People just looooooooooooooooooove being Devil's Advocates and contrarians just to put their stink on the forums, but straight up -- You are wrong to defend Terry subbing in and out to be the starter and defensive assignment for Parker, which ended in 72% shooting, effortless layups, and 27 pts. You say Nick can't shoot but neither can Terry as a PG forced to guard an elite PG. And neither could Beverley. And we put in JOEY DORSEY for defensive reasons and excuse his offense and his hack-a-dorsey, but we can't put in our best defensive weapon at this point against elite PGs.And Nick can drive. And pass. And yes he can handle. It's just stupid. I understand it looks all cool to let everyone say some stuff and then come in 10 minutes later like "oh you silly guys, let me 'splain why I'm so smart" It's human nature maybe, whatever. But you're straight up wrong. You never let a guy go like 9 for 11 and kick back and say "Yep we're gonna keep it this way til the end" That is insane.
Yeah he can't shoot but you can't let another player get rolling like that. That was probably the worst man v man defense I've seen in a long time. Terry may as well have not been there, I am not exaggerating. Parker got a layup any time he wanted or an open 2 pointer.
We all know that. Just see what kind of players Pop love to play. At one point he was going to cut Parker and Gino. These guys were relentless in cutting and moving, keep coming at you. Watching their demeanor make me realize that's what they practice, they know where to go and what to do, so poised and calm. Free wheeling can only get you so far.
Oh, he can't shoot? Well Terry can't defend. Which was the more glaring problem tonight? The fact that McHale doesn't at least throw something different out there after what he's doing is CLEARLY failing epically is atrocious.
God- we looked horrible. Jacking up threes and turning it over. TJ was a joke tonight- should have stayed in Houston. CB was horrible finishing at the rim and was a turnover machine. Harden was ok but damn it if he doesn't score 40 - 50 pts we don't win. TP and KL tear dropped us to death - my god. Patman and DMO were missed for sure
I hope I'm wrong seriously... I just don't trust Mchale. He's too careless and not innovative enough adjustment wise.
As much as people are hating Bev, that's what he has been doing at his best for this team, catch and shot with pass from Harden, and run back to defense. If Nick can shoot at least at Bev's %, he can be the future PG of this team, otherwise, his future with Harden playing together doesn't look too good.
My biggest issues: 1. Why doesn't McHale consider playing Harden with Brewer and Ariza and then 2 big men (jones and dwight)? That way one of Brewer or Ariza could guard the talented wing (Kawhi) and the other can guard the PG (Parker). Harden basically plays PG anyways offensively. 2. Give KJ McDaniels a chance. He showed he can play in Philly. If anything, he brings defense and hustle. He could guard the PG on defense. 3. McHale is going to have to try going small and sit Dorsey's ass on the bench. We will lose playoff games because teams just hack Dorsey and he can't hit a free throw. Not even one. McHale needs to play Smith/Jones at center and play K-Papa at stretch 4. Give him Dorsey's minutes. 4. If Terry isn't hitting shots, he's basically useless on the court cause his defense is killer. Again, give KJ a chance (or Nick Johnson) cause even if they don't do much offensively, they're definitely a defensive upgrade. 5. Not an issue: Dwight has been tremendous since returning. He has really stuck to his word about not trying to get in Harden's way offensively and has been playing his role perfectly (defense, rebounds, and dunking/alley-oops)
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dwight Howard cut on the left eye and left side of nose. Said he's fine.</p>— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/586004094558412800">April 9, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>From the coach to the players everyone associated with the Rockets gave an honest review of the loss.</p>— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/586004786417311745">April 9, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Bev would also be abused by Parker today. Let's put KJ in on Parker on Fri. I am really intrigued. The kid definitely can play. Forget about Johnson.
Yeah, that's where the Fire McHale thread comes in... not that I know of a coach that might be able to replicate Popovich's mentality. Let's see what Budenholzer does with Atlanta Definitely this has been recurrent through all eras; I'm just pointing it out for us now, and wondering where we can find the start of that development. Following a statistics inspired game plan could lead us there if there is a greater commitment by the team and coaches to be very strict about sticking to the game plan and reviewing mistakes (positioning, timing of cutting, etc) intensely. But I think it's a coach based thing for the most part. This is where I think Morey looking for a "Leader of Men" comes in... just that McHale doesn't look to be that type of leader.
Terry shot 2-5 and they were all ugly bad shots. We allow Dorsey minutes. But let's talk about Nick Johnson developing a Ray Allen jumpshot on a team that doesn't take jump shots while Parker goes through lay up drills all night. Brilliant.
You are Jason Terry at 37 years of age. I am Tony Parker, and i am running circles around you and even though you are close to me, you can never catch me. Still wanna play the same game again on Friday?
1) Because that makes too much sense, and we all know common sense isn't McHale's strong suit (what is?) 2) We've seen McHale is anti-trying anything new. Don't expect it to happen. 3) McHale has a rotation. And come hell or high water he will play that rotation. Fit/common sense/how the games going be damned!!! 4) A mixture of answer 1 and answer 2. No doubt sprinkled with a little "he's won a championship he's infinitely better than x player who has not"
Yep...which makes me wonder how we go from Budenholzer to Mchale but whatever. I hope Mchale proves me wrong.
This is where we are starting to really miss Pat Bev, guy is as good a defender as Johnson and almost as good a 3 pt shooter as Terry.
Ok some positives... Dwight looks really good. 16/11 in 21.68 minutes. If you bump his minutes to 32 min (exactly the amount if you divvy up 96 big man minutes between D12 Smith TJ) then you got 24pt 16r. That is hot damn playoff Dwight. Ariza. 5-6 3pters, with 2-3 of them just sick, and one was Threeza sick. THIS is what happens to Ariza in the playoffs. His 3pt% goes up 5%. He steps up. I really think guys played like the D-Mo news shook them up. We just need 1 of these 2 games. Toyota Center, be loud on Friday!
