Offensively we were not well prepared for the Spurs. Wemby covers so much space. It was a game where we needed guard play and effort, we lacked both. Both Jabari’s and kd’s game becomes ugly, on a different level of course, when they are not given open looks and when they don’t have space to operate. On defense the zone simply gives too many very easy points a professional team should give maybe once a game. And we were outrebounded as well. if we are going to bash someone, I would give it to İme, not Durant or any other player. İme is weak offensively, stubborn in his ways and not good in reacting fast during the game. I hope I am wrong but my evaluation of İme stands the same: a great coach to take a team from lottery to playoffs but not a strong one when you go beyond that level.
I think we already have two in Amen and Sengun. You will see as they adjust as the season goes along. Reed’s game was a positive that maybe he can be a successful backup guard. He just needs to be on the floor with 4 guys that are good on defense and continue his progression with the ball. If you think we lost any of the 3 games, because we didn’t have a PG, you didn’t watch the games. Our losses have all been on the defensive side of the ball. Steve Nash agrees with me.
Was at the game last night. Our biggest issue is Ime needs bigger pants. No reason he should be in skinny jeans that age
We don't have a SPECIFIC plan for each team, we are generic, and it is flat out stupid. Where is the game plan for Wemby? Where will it be for Giannis? DD
Rant incoming: I just watched the game this morning because I don't have shty Prime. Be prepared: a long rant, with censored swearing, ALL CAPS, and Rockets' fanboy whining. You have been warned. I haven't read anything in this thread but will later. All these observations are based on this one game against the Spurs. 1) Early on I saw Tony Brothers and I knew not to get excited. We were winning by a lot then (2nd quarter) but seeing Brothers told me it would be close or we would lose. That was comforting to know that was coming (not really). The refs screwed us by not calling fouls but we played pretty poorly. More complaining below. 2) We are so much better than this team if we don't turn the ball over and defend the three better. BUT, that might be Rockets homerism. Every team can see that defending KD and Sengun hard takes us out of our game. It's kind of like how we devote a lot to guarding Wemby. 3) Where did our rebounding go? I think it may be because Sengun and KD were defended so hard. It's easy to guard KD: double him every time he has the ball and foul the sht out of him and dare them to call it. KD has 2 FTs in the 3rd qtr maybe and I knew they would let them get away with anything. Barnes hits wide open threes and fouls without getting called. A true former Golden State Warrior. KD played great considering they double or triple teamed him every play, he was fouled and not called most of the game, and he still played okay. BUT... 4) We have to play better off the double team. It killed us this game with turnovers. 5) I don't love the zone. The wide open threes kill us. Ime knows what he is doing but that bugged me. 6) Amen and Smith were invisible. Maybe Amen not as much. But we have to get them involved offensively. Again, the double teams made it hard to operate our offense. And I think when Sengun sat we were fkd. 7) Here's a tidbit for the Castle/Reed fighters: Castle is great at doing nothing for a game but making two really athletic plays and the announcers slurp all over him. I couldn't believe he had 8 assists at one point. He's a hustle player, which is pretty much what most of these Spurs players are. I want him playing because I don't think he helps them win (I haven't looked at box score yet). Reed played really well to me. Calm the offense, make good passes, and convert 3 pointers. 8) I put on my Rockets pajama pants at 98-103. They did nothing. 9) I hate the Fking Spurs. I am an Austinite and lived in San Antonio for one year. I think it was 2006-2007. That sucked. The pantheon of teams I hate in the NBA goes: GSW #1, Utah #2, Sas #3. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone. I like Lebron but hate the Lakers. 10) We need a point guard. When the playoffs come and we have multiple games against the same team, they will force us into turnovers and I will be fking pissed. A PG lets KD get to his spot and he doesn't have to waste energy and have TOs. Sengun can do it some, but a dedicated PG would help a lot. Can Amen do it? Maybe? Can Reed? Not yet, but maybe someday? 11) We pass too much. When you have the ball close to the rim just lay it in or dunk it. The extra pass killed us on a few possessions. 12) Wemby. When he's not hitting threes then he's not an offensive juggernaut. You still have to gameplan most of your defense around him but he was average today and we still got killed. Anyone who thinks he's not a huge concern isn't paying attention. And the NBA loves him so there's that. If the Spurs had GOOD players other than him they would be REALLY GOOD. We should be glad they have the shitty players they do that don't work that well together. Defend threes by Barnes and Vassell and they are not very good (hopefully?). 13) This is a game to learn from. Turnovers and threes are our Achilles' heel. Defend the three better. We have to keep KD and Sengun from getting in foul trouble. Find a PG or grow one. 14) Fk the Spurs.
My wife is convinced the NBA told the Rockets to lose that game to make Wemby look good. I low key believe her. Some of those Durant turnovers were ****ing weird man.
Yep, Reed was drafted as someone who had the potential to be a generational shooter, and there's every reason to believe that potential is still there.
Eight games is a small sample size, you say? Then why are you complaining about the trade after the Rockets just went on a five-game winning streak. It works both ways. I can guarantee you the Rockets would not have had the number one offense at any point this season with Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks instead of Kevin Durant. The defensive attention Durant commands helps the rest of the Rockets, especially Sengun and Thompson.
Jabari's effort was terrible all game. I peeped it from the start. Also he played a big part in the Spurs 12-0 run to close out the half. He had that lazy foul that led to the Spurs getting the 1 point lead with a second left. I know one point is inconsequential but it's small things like that give your opponent the mental edge going into the 2nd half. He played stupid and lazy all around.
Indeed. So many bashers here have not even seen the game because it was exclusively aired on Amazon Prime and not the usual Space City Network. They only looked at the box score and some highlights and already made negative conclusions. That manic obsessive Reed basher from the land of the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) even had the insane post that blamed Reed for the lack of rebounding last night. He tried to mellow out his sick nonsense by pretending to blame the other players afterwards, but that guy needs serious help mentally. The regular Reed bashers are still at it even if he was about the only silver lining for the Rockets last night. The Rockets, simply put, were not putting out extra effort in most facets of the game and the league has figured out how to limit KD's damage which was evident against the Mavs and now the Spurs. Ime needs to design an offense that has more ball movement, and proper use of the strengths of his players against the weaknesses of their opponents. Going forward, I hope Ime will utilize the upgraded outside shooting of his team and exploit that strength using the threat of Sengun's and Amen's inside game, and KD's midrange threat. Let Reed continue to initiate the offense since his has shown greatly improved ball handling and passing. The team just needs to pass the ball around until someone is open. Oh, and get back the rebounding mojo and box out. It is part of being a fan to critique our players, especially when they have a bad game, but there is no need to constantly and consistently bash any individual player. Win, lose, or draw, they represent our great City, and they need our support.
Maaaan! You know I thought the exact same thing but I didn't want to put it out there. LD's passes looked initial. But if you look it and what's been in the news lately with the Gambling, Point shaving and other inpriorities, we never know! Also, I thought that the NBA would want to see the Spurs in NY for the Cup more so than the Rockets, we were there last yr.
