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Why are the Clippers such a bad matchup for the Rockets?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by HamJam, May 12, 2015.

  1. REEKO_HTOWN

    REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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    There are a lot of stupid people on this board
     
  2. SamFisher

    SamFisher Contributing Member

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    The "good championship team" of the Rockets in the mid 90's constantly got the sh-t kicked out of the by the Sonics and they had to bring in Barkley eventually to get past them.

    If you are calling the Rockets present and past p*****s, that's fine. But matchups do mean a lot in sports (or in life) - only a jackass would argue otherwise.
     
  3. Rocketeer

    Rocketeer Contributing Member

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    The Clippers are the best team at making Harden work on defense and offense. On defense he's constantly chasing shooters around picks on every play, and they make him pay. On offense, they have Jordan to clog up the lane and stop Harden's best skill. Since we rely heavily on Harden to generate offense for us.... ballgame.
     
  4. HouStu_Rocket

    HouStu_Rocket Member

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    Even professional coaches would tell you that bad match ups are a thing
     
  5. count_dough-ku

    count_dough-ku Contributing Member

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    Of course there are bad matchups. But losing 3 out of 4 games in this series in blowout fashion? Including one without Chris Paul? The Clippers were never THIS bad of a matchup. Especially this season where the Rockets split the series 2-2 without Dwight in any of them. If this had happened a year ago, I would've been a little more understanding.
     
  6. SamFisher

    SamFisher Contributing Member

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    Even the Rockets few favorable matchups have turned to ****.

    Smith and Brewer have been garbage against the Clippers lackluster second unit. There's no way that when Davis and Turkoglu are in the game that Smith shouldn't be able to do the same things he did against Dallas, but he isn't/wasn't. Same with Brewer.
     
  7. Nook

    Nook Member

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    This.

    The Rockets have large holes at the 1 and 4, and the Clippers happen to have Hall of Fame players at both those spots. Josh Smith relies on his athleticism to guard power forwards and Griffin is bigger, stronger and more athletic than Smith or any of the Rocket options at that position.

    The Rockets struggle defensive in transition defense and on switches.... which are exactly where the Clippers thrive. The Clippers with Paul and Griffin and Crawford and Jordan can thrive in the open court. As far as switches go, Reddick is an exceptional three point shooter that is very skilled at getting open, which causes issues for Harden.

    I wouldn't say DeAndre Jordan neutralizes Howard, as Dwight is clearly the better player, but Jordan is one of only 3-5 guys that can shut down the paint against elite penetration.

    The sad thing is that the Clippers are not unbeatable, and with only a few moves I could see the Rockets capable of beating the Clippers.
     
  8. Nook

    Nook Member

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    Match ups mean everything in the playoffs. Some teams are better constructed to make match up struggles less of an issue.... i.e teams that don't turn the ball over, experienced, hit free throws, have depth.... etc. Ultimately, every team matches up better against some teams than others.
     
  9. conquistador#11

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    big man of size will always intimidate others penetration.
     
  10. shakes05

    shakes05 Rookie

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    100 % agree...the better team creates the bad matchup against their opponent
     
  11. TheRealist137

    TheRealist137 Member

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    JJ Redick is a smart defender, who knows exactly what Harden wants to do. He refuses to reach, he doesn't pay attention to Harden's fancy ballhandling moves. When he gets beat he just lets DeAndre contest the shot.

    Blake Griffin is unstoppable.

    DeAndre neutralizes Dwight.
     
  12. Liberon

    Liberon Rookie

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    True, I know a big guy who once dated this girl then they broke up. Other guys didn't think they could live up to his mammoth girth so the girl remained single. Very true indeed....
     
  13. daoshi

    daoshi Contributing Member

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    Because Harden made Rivers look like an all-star.
     
  14. HamJam

    HamJam Contributing Member

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    The Rockets teams that won the titles were not that much better than the Rockets team that could not beat the Sonics. Match ups most certainly do matter. Dream was a dominant playoff player, but, against the Sonics, he at times did not score in double figures.
     
  15. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    It's DeAndre Jordan.

    Unlike most teams, Jordan can neutralize Howard 1-on-1. [No interior scoring.]
    As a result, Howard does not draw double teams, and our outside shooting cannot hit anything to save their lives. [No perimeter scoring.]
    Harden is now smothered with no openings - no screen game or pick and roll to speak of, so matador defense leads him right into Barnes/Griffin/Jordan. [Risky drives.]
    The Clippers hack Dwight/Smith and complain about free-throw counts, reducing legitimate calls on guards. [Inconsistent foul calls.]
    Big Baby flops on Howard to take him out of the game. [Cherry on top.]

    Game - Set - Match.
     
  16. NewRoxFan

    NewRoxFan Contributing Member

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    I think "bench" is overrated in the playoffs. There are no "two games in two nights" and in many series there are multiple days off between games. The playoffs also favor half court games, which also benefit teams with stronger starting lineups and weaker benches.

    Sure, our bench performance has been piss poor... but if our starting lineup played better, we wouldn't need the bench to contribute as much.
     
  17. Corrosion

    Corrosion Member

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    Its matchups plain and simple.

    The Clippers two best defenders on the Rockets two best offensive options.

    The Rockets two worst defenders on the Clippers two best offensive options.


    Mind you the Clippers two best defenders dont have much responsibility on the offensive end & the two best offensive players can focus most of their energy there and slack on defense.

    Then factor in the officiating - That's where the 25+ point margins are created as if they were calling it fairly the Clippers likely still win its just a much closer game.
     
    1 person likes this.
  18. EightDoobies

    EightDoobies Member

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    Stars struggling.

    Bench not stepping up.
     
  19. LabMouse

    LabMouse Member

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    You can say the same thing if we face Spurs. We all know that only team that Rockets have no a big problem is the Mavs, maybe the Blazers too due to the injury. All other team will be a bad matchup for the Rockets.
     
  20. a711

    a711 Member

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    End of thread.

    Too smart for most here.
     

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