ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Mavericks 1/3/2026

only if u like slamming your d#ck in a drawer.

 

Only if you find pleasure in things such as having having your fingernails ripped off one by one with pliers.

 

They weren’t scared until Refs went on a run giving every calls to the Davis, even Mavs announcers notice AD shout every time he goes up for the shots to attract foul calls. How can you stop a guy when you can even breath on him without fouling

 

Lol the beach is why I missed the game.
Maybe it's a patio beers kind of afternoon then

 

Jabari and Reed combining to go 5/28 yikes.

 

Dont know what’s wrong with Holliday. Just havent been good past few games.

JD can drive and make plays. Udoka has used him early before. Sometimes that’s what it takes to win games. The 1st 2nd units weren’t getting the job done

 

Yeah I've definitely come to think the best thing we could trade for at the deadline is just some moderate upgrade over Holiday. Just some guy who can hit open threes like Holiday does but plays better defense and/or has better point guard skills. I've always said Aaron is an undersized 3nD shooting guard, and this season the D honestly hasn't even been that good. He can still knock down open shots when he's not having a cold shooting night, but he just doesn't bring enough to the table as a backup point guard.

Something like Holiday and a lottery-protected FRP or a few second rounders for Jose Alvarado or somebody similar would make sense.

 

One thing I do want to say--it doesn't excuse our lackluster play, but this Mavs team is a lot better than their overall record indicates when they have AD on the floor. He has missed half their games so far this season. They're a .500 team when he plays. Our two losses against them, they happened to have AD available. We did beat them the one time he was out.

Sometimes good teams lose against .500 teams, especially on their home court. We need to play better, but I'm not as pissed off about this one as our losses against, say, the Kings.

On to the next one.

 

this team with AD is not a horrible team

 

when Steph curry shoots bad, I know all the warriors fans say “ best shooter of all time my ass!!”

 

If they do trade AD, i wonder if the rockets try to get in on a trade package for him.

AD, Sengun, and Durant would own the league.

 

Hopefully everyone has had a chance to vent. Some thoughts.

1 Both Alpi and Adams missed the game. When that happens, lower your expectations and accept the Rockets are probably going to lose. After the loss, don't be so angry.

2 Yes, yes Bari and Reed were garbage. Bari's head wasn't screwed on. He made bad decisions and also shot poorly. That will happen sometimes. When he plays great, don't get too excited. When he plays like a dumpster, don't get too down on him.
Reed was OK for a bit but then the bottom fell out the rest of the game on both ends. His improvement isn't going to be a straight line. Brace yourself because there will be more bumps along the way. There are 50 games left for him to experience and learn from before the playoffs.

3 Don't invest too much emotion in individual games, both wins and losses. Rockets lost 4/5 and people were ready to mail it in. They followed that up with 4 straight wins and people were talking about a long winning streak.

4 Amen hit several mid-range jumpers, including turnarounds. This is encouraging. More of these vs 3s (unless the shot clock is winding down).

5 IMO, defense was a bigger problem than offense. It's near-impossible to win when the opponent shoots 55%/38%. They need to adapt when the opponent's #1 offensive strategy is to beat them down the floor.

 

We can't make the money work without including KD or Sengun, and I ain't doing that

 

Fred, Adams, Finley would work w/ picks. What you talking about.

 

The Rockets have more than enough talent to win this game the problem is our coaching is a tier lower than most coaches in the league.

Coaching affects so many things including, execution, plays, rotations, tactics and player development. What we have is the a younger Mark Jackson who can motivate his players and get them to play hard but that is it, it is always hard to win unless everybody else is healthy and we can out talent the opponent.

 

We lost because Sengun and Adams were missing and you wanna double down with day to Davis?

 

Fred can veto any trade until the offseason

Maybe if AD is still on the trade block then though?

 

Fans can tell themselves all the positives and have bright outlooks (and it's commendable), but Fred’s injury basically ended this season before it started.

I understand it sounds harsh.