ClutchFans Game Thread: Kings @ Rockets 12/31/2013

I was just half listening to the tv, half reading the posts here. Have to rewatch the interviews when they are online later.

 

I agree. What you really need is two Lins to be effective. A starting guard that plays solid defense but also capable of being a potent offensive weapon.

 

Harden and Lin split ball handling duties down the stretch last year. They even did Lin Harden pick and role down the stretch. I'm not seeing that hardly at all this year.

 

Take away the superstar label, and you've just got a guy that other players increasingly see as selfish, and an otherwise winnable game that was lost.

 

Melo agrees

 

the problem is superstars do not win games, teams win games. superstars may be the one making the key baskets but a lot of teammates contribute. as a "superstar" you have to know when to put the team on your shoulder and when to let your teammates do their thing. on offense, his teammates were doing just find themselves. they were a combined 23-40 for the game. lin was 2-3 in the last 6 minutes and his one miss Thomas scored of the offensive boards. why wouldn't he trust his other teammates during THIS game?

I have no problems with a scorer like harden. teams always needs a scorer. it is how those points are scored that I have issue with.

 

parsons said PLAYERS should play unselfishly on offense and defense. He didnt' say Harden's name but it can be inferred.

 

Hakeem had issues being selfish too.

I think the most important thing is that Harden is 24...I almost feel like these losses are good for the team. To help Harden learn from these mistakes and whatnot and for the team to understand that they need to play disciplined and inspired ball for the entire game...although I think a lot of that is on coaching.

 

That must have been Casspi or Garcia! Darn them for taking all the touches... silly bench players!

 

no he doesn't. that's why Knicks lose so much.

 

Response

I respect Parsons for calling out Harden. Many times I see Parsons and Lin wide open ready to shoot, but Harden just wants to be a hero.

 

Lin took 9 shots. I don't know about that. For the most part, at least Lin tried to find Howard and he seemed intent on trying to feed him. In this game, it seems Harden just got angry and wanted to shoot the ball.

 

Portland is legit.

 

Terrible loss. This is the kind of game you go up by 15 in the first half and take their fight out. Another just inexcusable showing. I think the rockets last year probably comes out and stomps them. Certainly a bench would help.

The main pieces are here and I think Morey will do some solid tinkering but I'm not sure if the coaching/play style is conducive to long term winning. JVG as the coach would just be fantastic.

 

Basically I think he took a shot at Harden with that comment

 

Harden had a overall great game besides the late missed shots and turnover. My main concern with this team is individual defense and team defense. I have seen games where Harden, Parsons, Lin, Howard, etc. are all focused and play great team defense but most games this season are like the game today. There seems to be confusing all over the court on the defensive end and there is almost no help defense and rotation. If Morey is going to make a trade anytime soon, he needs to pick up more players with some kind of defensive awareness because mostly all of our players, besides Dwight and sometime TJones, are very weak in that area. We have enough players who can score.

 

Shots?

Why are we talking about shots? I am talking about touches and possession.

I didn't see Lin or anyone on the team try hard enough to find Howard. Plenty of times Howard was posting up and Lin just took a tour through the paint instead.

 

That's the problem....Harden thinks he is a superstar by simply playing one sided game. You play like him tonight and your stat looks great but the team comes away with a L.

 

He's right on the money. Although Gay did kind of destroy Parsons tonight though so its kinda funny.