ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Spurs 10/24/2013 (PRESEASON)

Every team plays in Houston at least once...

 

Where is PB

What happened to PB?

 

any highlights compiled? missed the game...

 

if last years team made the playoffs in the west, this year's team has to challenge for the west the way they are playing now. they can only get better.

 

man, the twin towers were very effective in controlling the paint. whenever a spurs player tries to make a cut to the rim, he stops upon seeing either dwight or homer. lol

this is a very nice problem for mchale to have in that he has lots of options. i actually believe that he could mix rotating players up every game except harden, parsons, dwight depending on match ups.

i am liking what i see.

 

My prediction for starting lineup and averages

Lin11.5ppg, 6.7apg, 2.2rpg
Harden 26.4ppg, 6.6apg, 4.4rpg
Parsons 14.7ppg, 3.1apg, 5.5rpg
Asik 6.5ppg, 1.5apg, 8.7rpg
Howard 20.2ppg, 2.3apg, 12.8rpg

Bench
26.1 ppg

Total ppg
105.1

 

bev was as much a monster on d as the twin towers

 

I think the Rockets are legitimately going for a ring.

The idea of "player development" went out of the window the minute D12 agreed to join.

While I agree having 2 of the top 5 NBA centers is a "luxury", I disagree that this is something they don't need. The ability to lock down the paint defensively 48 minutes a game, to have quality depth for rest, and insurance against injury is something that few teams have at the center position.

I can not see Morey moving Asik unless he gets what he wants. Not sure what he wants, but I assume it's quite a few levels above average.

 

Couple of thoughts-

-Harden takes bad shooting halves very serious. This guy is legitimately headed for an MVP type of year. We are about to watch the start of the prime of a truly special player's career here this year.

-Parsons having an extremely underrated preseason. Anyone who says this guy isn't athletic has never seen him play. He runs the floor like the best of them in the league. The game is just looking easy for him this year.

-Lin still playing a little out of control. I like the aggressiveness which helps break down the defense, but would like to see him keep his dribble alive more, and take/create easier shots. Still... I love the aggressiveness and assertiveness going to the basket. It still works.

-Twin towers- I thought looked much better tonight defensively in the half court. As a starting unit, I like setting the tone defensively, but they are going to have to learn a way to back on defense sooner. Scouts are already sending their reports to their teams to tell them to push it in transition. That's going to be the Achilles heel of this lineup.

-I dont know why people are giving up so fast on D-Mo and wanting to ship him out for nothing. With Camby's future with the team in jeopardy, D-Mo is a cheap insurance policy in case of an injury. Lets keep in mind that this is only his 2nd year in the league, and he has another 3 years left on his rookie deal. I really don't understand why people want him gone so bad. He's at the very least going to be a very decent backup 5 a year from now when he still has another 2 years left at a minimum..... use your heads folks... its him or someone like Brian Cook. I'll take a shot at what we are bound to get from 2014/15 D-Mo all day long over what I KNOW you usually get from your 3rd string center.

-Canaan really needs a good D-league stint. You can tell he wants to impress the coaches really bad in garbage time, but he needs to focus on just running the offense and facilitating. That and playing defense will get him called up much quicker than breaking plays to take a contested jumper. Rookie's got alot to learn.

 

We will see when the regular season starts, when the other team actually plays their starters longer than 20 min and looking to break down our defense.

 

parsons will get more points
and harden will have more assists
lin probably wont be a starter

 

If so, where is Beverley?

 

Yeah I agree,

But do you think Asik will start. I think Mchale rolls with the twin towers for but I would prefer either Jones of Casspi at the 4

 

Dang, this is the first legit game i saw of Rockets showing what a FORCE they are INSIDE the paint w/ Asik and Howard. I mean the Spurs can't do shyt inside. Even player that thought they're open inside would quickly back out and even Duncan pass it out. If this game don't solidify that they should start Asik and Howard at the same time, i don't what will. Also, I think Beverley should start...so other PG dont' try to school Lin's weak defenses. Beverley did present a problem for Parker and I think had Lin start, Parker would have constantly attack him. With Beverley starting, we have 4 positions SOLID at defense in Howard, Asik, Parson and Beverley...Harden is alright on defense but not great. Another thing is, nobody in the NBA can match up w/ the Rockets interior big men...that's HUGE right there. It's so cool to see Rockets big men gobbling up rebound after a miss lol. I think this game will give McHale a hint that this is where his starting lineup with be for the season.

 

No doubt. Some people make up their minds about something and then won't change it even when they see evidence to the contrary. How could you have watched this game and thought that Twin towers WASN'T our best lineup out there tonight?

 

I never heard that before, "Asik is a luxury this team does not need".

That doesn't make any sense. How can anybody, team, anyone not need a luxury?

I think people's pessimism is clouding their viewpoints. Even if we won 60 or 70 game in the season, people will say that Asik doesn't fit with Howard...even if in fact they do. I am seeing a pattern here on this fantasy team board. Leave it to the professionals, aka Rockets staff, to decide if it works or not. I guarantee they know more than we do.

 

I just want to point out that Sam Cassell was a rookie and developing in the Rockets first championship season and Horry was a 2nd year player also developing.

You generally need a mix of youth and experience.

Carry on...

DD

 

Actually, 11+6+4 within 23mins is not that bad for Lin

if he plays 32mins(last season avg.),
he will be 16+8+6, that is better than 13+6+3 (last season avg.)

 

damn if we beat the Pelicans in the first game we would've been undefeated