ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Blazers 12/26/2020

Observations:

The effort was overall good but more mistakes than an MDA team. That is to be expected as Silas is a rookie coach and there was almost no training camp and half the guys were in and out.

The offense is better. It is less predictable and Silas did a better job of mixing it up than just spamming over and over like MDA did. They still struggled at times in stressful situations but they didn’t just stand there and expect Harden to win it.

The defense was bad. The execution was poor all the way around. Wood had too many lapses on when to and not to switch. Harden was tired, and his off ball defense in the first 9 minutes of the 4th was just bad. House did not know what to do half the time. Overall there was lack of defensive awareness that caused problems to mushroom. Nwaba is a very good defender for 25 minutes a night. Tucker always defends but he was left flat footed on some plays. I expect the defense to improve with Wall and Gordon added as they both have high basketball IQ’s to off set Wood and House who don’t.

Silas leaned on House a lot tonight and he has the physical tools to be an adequate starter. However the lapses against the Warriors in the playoffs, the the Bubble debacle and poor play in key moments tonight put him in a possible precarious situation. He has some value around the league, if he isn’t careful Tate and Nwaba could close over him.

James Harden has an amazing ability to segment his life and he showed it again tonight. He is locked in once the game starts. He is still one of the 2-3 best players in the world and tonight played like it. He seemed comfortable with his teammates and Silas and assuming he isn’t traded, he will continue to perform at an all world level.

Christian Wood offensively looked like one of the 2-3 best post players in the league. He was nearly impossible to stop and has very strong and soft hands. He rebounds as well and played with an edge. Defensively he needs work.

Watching the game I could help but think how nasty the Rockets would be if they had been able to trade Gordon instead of Covington.

 

But.... they can score points. House and Tucker don't really offer much on the offensive end most of the time. Also, I would rather have those guys out there on the defensive end instead of House. How many times does House fall asleep towards the end of the game and leave a wide open for the 3pt shot?

 

But defense is worse.

 

Tucker out rebounded him AND out defended him. And they shot the same from 3.

What wee need to be looking at is House.

They were outplaying House at the three. Not Tucker at 4.

 

James just had 50 points if anything they would had taken shots away from him .

 

AND I'm sure that TROLLS BE TROOOLLLIN!

TRY AGAIN TROLL!

 

If Harden truly plays with scrubs as you often insinuate, then the Rockets would squander leads whenever Harden goes to the bench.

Regarding Curry this year, you have to consider sample size. It's been two games against elite teams.

Regarding Curry's resume, what exactly hope to accomplish? Jordan always had Pippen. Kobe always had the best front court in the league. Magic had all-star teammates. So did Bird. If you're trying to argue that Curry's achievements should be discounted because he had all-star teammates, then the top 3 GOAT list would be Olajuwon, Duncan, and Dirk.

 

The defense was pretty bad.

 

I'm still waiting for you to explain how PJ Tucker is the ultimate Lakers killer.

 

Not really. Harden just had 17 assists. Harden just proved he's happy to pass the ball if his teammates are wide open.

 

an "enjoyable" loss all things considered

gotta win back james cause outside of a handful of players, nothing we get back will come close to they type of player he is

lmao tyler herro

 

Who's your team?

 

Trading RoCo needs to be rectified somehow, Rockets need to find a switch everything small ball 5.

Tate is not that guy.

 

pay some money to employ JVG as assistant coach

 

Gotta say Wood was getting hammered in the paint and he wasn't getting any calls... like c'mon refs ffs

 

Get a longer 4 and move Tucker back to the 3.

Silas likes the idea of House as tertiary ballhandler, HUGE fekkin mistake.

 

How does your ass smell butt plug?

 

I agree. A ton of miscommunication. I do hope it will be better when the others get back, but realistically it still didn't look good during the preseason.

 

feel sorry thiic might lose some bargain chips....judging from this game