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

This...

So the starting unit, that did nothing all game other than losing by 17 is suddenly going to out score Memphis by 10 points with 6 minutes left? Unlikely... Very unlikely... Especially when the starters defensive rotations were absolute garbage and poor shot selection. I find it just as likely the extra rest helps against the Clippers as coming back against Memphis.

 

Welll...here's to them hoping they regroup tomorrow and beat the Clips. Gonna now watch the Jazz-Blazers game. Come on Portland...

 

The bench's job is to give a spark when the starters are struggling - but that doesn't mean the bench needs to finish the game. Their job is to get the team back in the game with their freshness. McHale sometimes like to drive points home to the detriment of the team.

 

Exactly, the bench did what they are there to do. Play them in short bursts, hope they make a difference or at least don't hurt you and put the starters inntonwin the game. Maybe not asik and dmo, but the rest, yes.

 

A James Harden who doesn't get free throws is a useless Harden.

Tonight showed how much Harden depends on his foul-drawing abilities.

Good defending teams know how to alter shots without committing fouls.

Over time, I see Harden getting less and less calls as teams adjust defensive strategies to funnel/alter Harden, limiting his drives and decreasing his FT's per game.

FT's are obviously Harden's bread and butter, and without them, tonight's game showed how weak his game can be.

I love Harden, he is our super star. But if he doesn't get his FT's, he doesn't contribue offensively to our team.

Jeremy Lin had to learn and adapt alot this year, and still has far to go. James Harden shouldn't be exempt.

I personally think if we had put the starters back in around 6 minutes left in the 4Q this game might have reached OT or maybe a 1-2 pt victory -- Lin plays well in the 4Q and Harden usually gets his FT's in 4Q. Nevertheless, I hope the "message" McHale is sending went through.

Imagine Lin being benched the past few games. You could see how depressed Harden/Parsons were towards the end. Benching a starter is often a confidence-sucking move. I presume the rationale behind it by McHale is to be a "motivator" of some sorts, but depending on the personality of an individual, you could either work harder to prove your Coach wrong, or just fall flat.

I'm predicting a 5 point loss to LAC Unless Lin/Harden pull off some backcourt magic, it's going to be a tough loss. Then again, I predicted we lose to the Spurs, so hopefully I'm wrong again.

Re beverly. He's good, but clearly only when he's played in spurts. How a bench player should be played. High energy, high defense, get the momentum going, close the lead, create the tempo for the starters. I find it hard to argue for the coaching move McHale made in the 4Q, Beverly isn't the outstanding offensive player Lin or Harden is, he is a defensive guard with high rebounding abilities and hustle, with unfortunately lower "Basketball IQ" -- qualities great for a bench guard, not a guard to close in tight games or last quarters.

 

Our starters weren't beating their starters. . . .

 

Griz brought back the starters AFTER the lead was cut to nine...and the lead went back up until some garbage points in the last minute.

 

Tjones could possibly help us. If nothing else, at least with rebounding. Dude is athletic.

 

And you do notice, that you don't play your unit for 1 & half quarters? Even the announcers called that

 

They have beaten them before, give them a chance.

 

Duncan is the man!

 

if energy can win you game, just play 5 hour energy~
old tricks

 

The bench played them to neutral, which is about as good as they can play.

Compare this to the Starters who have pulled this team out from multiple deep deficits throughout the season in the 4th quarter.

17 points down with 6 minutes left against OKC ring a bell?

The odds aren't great, but they're a HECK of a lot better than hoping the Bench will magically make a run on the Memphis starting line up.

The Starters should have been given a chance to TRY to win the game, especially with the play offs so tight. Not doing so is basically throwing the game, something the Rockets can NOT afford to do at this point of the season.

 

Wow. That will be a nice move by McSuccess. Did he go to Harvard or MIT after playing Celtics? :grin:

 

Energy over talent.

 

If putting in your starters can win you the game, every team will go 82-0.

 

Bingo.

Well said, durv.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Since beating SA on Sunday, Rockets have never led, losing start-to-finish to Pacers and Grizzlies. last time cons gms w/out a lead was '05.</p>&mdash; Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/317833324888481792">March 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

McHail was just clearly sending a message. Otherwise, your best chance to win against another team's starters is to play your starters. Alexander the Great's method...use your best fighters against their best fighters.

 

its lings fault