Rockets need more Covington in playoffs, not less. Needs to be part of closing 5 - one of our most cerebral defenders and communicators, best rim protector and 2nd best disruptor on team. Until Russ returns closing 5 should be: Harden House Covington Tucker Green
Tucker comes out with Westbrook returns, IMO. Harden, Westbrook, House, Covington & Green for the close.
Or RoCo, which is what worries me. Need best rim protector who is also one of Rockets best thieves, in tight games. Remember the tip in? Covington is just so smart and situationally aware.
I'm ok with it if he's having an off night. Roco is our best defender, he should always be who we expect will be in there.
Today Ben mac does not make shoot and unable to help harden to reduce pressure for control. In defence side, cp3 always passes the ball to their teammates to shoot in front of Ben. Ben is not good at defence. It reduces his effectiveness on 3 pts and functions of reduce pressure for Harden. Today roco has too much fouls, his function is to perform good defence under the rim and perform assists. Eg3 is not in form especially on 3 points. Next time give the ball to Jeff Green for action done Actually today we lose on these 3 areas which needs to improve.
RoCo was in foul trouble sure, but to keep playing Gordon, Rivers and not getting RoCo some minutes down the stretch is a big L for MDA. He needs to own up to it.
Since you love plus minuses so much. Game 1: -8 Game 2: +3 Game 3: -16 He’s averaging 6 points and 4 rebounds in 26 mpg through the first 3 games . Since the bubble he’s been shooting like 27% from 3. Even if he was playing elite defense (which he hasn’t been) those numbers aren’t going to get it done. Contrary to your belief in what I think... I want him to do well. We need him to do well. He hasn’t done well. At all. I want to say he’s due for a breakout shooting game or at least a decent game and we sure could use it but he doesn’t look confident at all shooting the ball. His misses are not close and he’s starting to be gun shy cause he’s so off. Jeff Green has outplayed him for a fraction of his price and is eating into his minutes. Rightfully so. Like I said... Covington has been a major disappointment but keep singing his praises. Maybe it will work. Would be nice.
Lol, for the best defender, he isn't really vocal, Tucker does all the communication. And he fouls a ton. He has good, active hands and knows where to be but with a broken shot in the playoffs.
I do not know what you watched but he disappears. Every 2nd game he is foul trouble. To me disappointing playoff performer or bubble performer so far next to Gordon who is on an island of sucktitude. Can't believe I am saying this but Jeff Green has been a revelation, thought he would disappear in crucial games as he did with many teams. Mah man.
Gordon has been better than Roco despite his horrendous shooting. Roco has been non existent partly because hes in foul trouble and partly due to being way too passive on offense. Roco actually provides less than Tucker on offense, which is terrible
True however, Gordon's game is predictable. He starts chucking late in games, and his driving is predictable, misses layups. His body language is one of the worst by any player even when his shot is on. His face begs to be punched tbh. And he has little to none leading qualities.
He did and apologized to RoCo. Just a clusterFuk game for Rockets AND they still should have won. Good lesson for MDA and the team.
Stop lying, you dont want him to succeed. You love your narratives. Harden sucks, Covington sucks, MDA should be fired. Your posting history tells this story. Plainly. In 19 minutes, Covington put up 5 points, 2 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block. He was 50% from 3, 100% from FT. And @daywalker02 is completely wrong when he says RoCo doesnt communicate on D. He is always talking and pointing out scram switches, rotations and making the right reads. He just does not YELL like PJ does. Covington is an ELITE nail and help defender. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN - ELITE. In crunch times, his IQ, calmness, hands, length and vision are absolutely critical. He has the ability to make a stop, deflection, steal, tip in or block. James Harden's knack is to score like no other, Covington's knack is to get his hands on the ball on defense. Like no other. Not since Hakeem has there been a Rocket who averaged more than 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks a game.
