ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Thunder 11/16/2016

They've always had guys like that back to the Sefolosha days and Harden has had much better games against them. He was clearly not mentally aggressive and in the game tonight, just way too passive offensively all game, and only chucking bad shots at the end.

 

I don't know what game you guys were watching...

1) They ran a lot of pick and pops at the end of the game. They did go ISO ball for a little while, but they put a stop to it which led to some better ball movement. Including a good possession that ended with a wide open shot for Harden. There was more ball movement in those last 2 minutes than any game last season.

2) Nene was good in the last two minutes. He got a hand on a lot of loose balls and did a great job of contesting a few open looks that led to misses. Every time he got the ball in his hands, he made a smart play with it. I like Capela as much as the next guy, but pretending like putting him on the bench was the reason we lost is insane...

 

I agree I didn't say that I was just responding to why they shot so many 3's

 

I'm less inclined to be worried about Harden as he has a incredible streak of torching the Blazers for 40 plus . Gordon will bounce back as well. I'm really worried about Ariza's horrible offense and much of the same about Ryan Anderson. Both those guys are one trick ponies and if they are off, then they are next to useless. Dekker honestly brings more if Ryno is off.

 

This is another perfect example why we need an elite or at least legit player in the paint to go to when our shots aren't falling.

 

The problem with James is that he doesn't move without the ball, like, at all. So, when he starts a possession just walking with the ball (i saw him passing half court with 17 on the clock at least 5 times today), he end up wasting a lot of time for nothing, and this also make other guys lose their rhythm since they have to wait 15 seconds for something to happen. Than if he passes the ball he just stands there watching, while he should keep moving. That's why we play some very ugly basketball sometimes, there's literally no ball movement. This was also close to cost us the game in San Antonio too.

 

The Rockets inability to grab defensive rebounds in the 4th has been an issue since as long as I've been a Rockets fan.

I agree. Once he gives up the ball he takes himself out of the play sometimes. He is a ball watcher on offense and on defense. When you are James Harden and you draw so much attention, you can make your teammates better just by learning how to make smart decisions off the ball.

 

What's his point?

It's beyond amazing how this fan base continually ***** on one of the best players we've ever had.

 

I'd say it more likely that when he doesn't get the blatant fouls whistled, he's discouraged. That's the way I saw it at least.

But I'm definitely fed up with the fact:

- we still go into phases of nothing but jacked up 3s. I was hoping D'Antoni would eradicate that.

- Harden going iso during key stretches. Which especially tonight was ridiculous considering his teammates kept us in this game for the most part.

 

The 2 and a half minutes of ISO lost the game. All we had to do was score, a floater, a free throw, anything!!!!!! We resumed jacking 3s after the timeout to prevent the continuation of the Harden iso which had already killed us. We had other chances but they hadn't already given up.

 

OKC defended the hell outta Harden. Give them credit. Harden looked tired and confused most of the 4th, and we couldn't score at all. Everyone stood around staring at him. Ugly.

Only positives tonight were from the bench, especially Dekker and Ennis (?!). Anyone know why the DNPs for KJ and MonstaTrezz?

 

Classic Houston sports letdown. Can't beat the Spurs at home after luckily beating them there. Lose against Dwight and Lebron and now Westbrook. All in choking fashion. That's a concern.

 

Not sure I can really agree. Harden has a Lot of tricks and has one of the most complete offensive ganes of all time. You are easy to guard when you are PASSIVE.

I mean really - who couldn't have guarded harden tonight? Played like a complete p***y and I hate to say that. Exactly like game five of WCF when he was dribbling the ball off his FOOT. He took himself out of the game and played better defense on himself than oladipo. very disappointing

 

Surely this choke won't come back to haunt us with playoff seeding, right?!

 

Harden is easier closer to the 240 - 250 mark in terms of weight. Ballers lie about their weight as well most of the time. He's playing point and doing way too much for his size to handle. Tonight, there's seems to be signs of the toll that this has taken.

 

Harden dropping back down to earth...

 

Yeah, you may have a point, but still, i didn't like his body language from the start of the game...he let Westbrook jump on and run around him 2 or 3 times in a bad way, this shouldn't happen, especially in a game like this...i'd still take Harden over Westbrook like 10 times out of 10 because i think he's just a better player, but sometimes i just don't like his leadership, at all.

 

Not really, he still manages some crazy assists. Is still a very good play maker. The Thunder have the premier length, skill, and speed/power on the perimeter to deal with Harden.