ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Grizzlies 3/29/2013

regression .

 

I lot of the fans wanted Harden to be held accountable; they felt he had too much freedom to do what ever he wanted. McHale might have made a statement with his 4th qtr benching.

 

And if Mchale keeps it up he well be gone. guaranteeeed.

 

On the plus side, Clippers having a close game with SA. Lets hope they go into OT and tire themselves out XD

 

The most important thing is for this team to make the playoffs so they can get that experience. I can't really agree with basically throwing this game whatever the reason

 

If we lose, we lose, but at least he made the reasonable decision and played the starters.

 

Someone like the Hornets' couch?

 

I've seen Popovich pull his starters early in a game and not put them back in. I've seen him clear out the bench when the outcome still wasn't certain. He's one of the greatest coaches in the history of this league.

And let's be real. On the road, down 9, around 6-7 minutes left, our starters versus their starters. You say a loss is far from certain, and I agree, but really what is the probability of stealing a win in that scenario? Less than 10%, surely.

It may seem strange to "give up" like that, but if you're playing the odds and factor in that the starters should be more rested for tomorrow's game, this decision isn't so crazy.

 

Mmm... maybe in terms of chemistry - the starters just don't run anymore - no one leaks out on the break, team doesn't seem like it's having fun (this applies to the home game streak too).

 

I thought that's what many Lin fans wanted too? The whole team to be held accountable instead of Lin.

 

So there was a glimpse of the bench in the fourth where Parsons was talking to Lin, with a smile...here's the conversation:

Parsons: "So, Lin. This is how the view is like from the bench in the 4th."
Lin: "Yeah. It's pretty relaxing."
Parsons: "Nice."

 

Delfino needs to be put on a strict no dribble-diet. Only shooting and passing. If he's bricking, bench him and put in Anderson.

 

I didn't like Harden's demeanor today. I don't think the Grizz had earth shattering diffence against him tonight, he just didn't look that interested for some reason. He look pissed on the bench in the 4th though. I thought Parsons should have been allowed back in the game, he was one of Rox who had decent game. Like I said earlier hope the lesson McHale was trying to send doesn't deplete our bench for Clips tomorrow.

 

This was probably the only way to bench Harden.

 

Well, when the starters were benched, the Rox were down 15-17. The bench closed the gap. With the gap closing, what is the rationale in changing your strategy?

 

Because bench players generally play against other bench players. So ours outplayed theirs. That's great. But they aren't going to do **** against a starting lineup. They are lucky Memphis plays the way they do or else they would have been run off the court. Pretty rare to find bench players that thrive off of extended minutes ( ginobli, Crawford to name some). Our bench players are on the bench for a reason. They are exposed the more they are on the floor against better competition. Maybe he was sending a message but its ****ing odd time to do it seeing as this isn't a ****ing rare occurrence. Length in the front court kills us, players help from the perimeter, opposing team has a ****ing field day. Mistake tonight imo.

 

Part of the problem with Harden this game is he was too restrained. I thought he should have forced the issue a bit more. Tony Allen is a great defender, but Harden has another gear he elected not to use.

 

Accountable for what? He was not playing that bad. How many times did he all of a sudden catch fire and won the game for us?

 

Down by 9 with 7 minutes left. You dont think the starters couldve had a chance?

 

If anything Harden should have been more aggressive. He just came out there and pretty much stood out on the perimeter and passed the ball...which is how some people here want him to play...and it was no good for the team.

They need Harden driving and creating. When he's like this he's nothing but another shooter and a hesitant one. It's not his game.