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

I was referring to the previous two plays that resulted in turnovers. The clock Management in the last 100 seconds was abysmal. That's all.

 

The hero ball and clock management were terrible but to be honest, this game shouldn't even have been close in the closing minutes of the 4th.

Our bench is AWFUL with Bev injured and Asik being a little b**** about things. At this point Morey just needs to trade Asik for a bench, seriously. If we could somehow get a backup wing and a backup big man (who can play both 4 and 5) that would be a vast improvement to this team.

 

Brooks + Garcia + Casspi = 4/15 from the field. Just... ugh.

 

Although I agree with most of your complaints, I can't understand what you mean by "awful". In the 3rd Q when the bench came in, the team was trailing and when they left the team was leading. The loss, therefore, was no way because of the bench unless you mean that the bench has to win the games when the starters are there just to survive.

Casspi was the team leader in steals and had equal number of offensive rebounds as Dwight and Harden despite playing only 1/3 of their minutes. Brooks was second in assists and Casspi on the divided third place. The only assists Parsons got the whole night were from Casspi despite Parsons 40 minutes on the floor and Casspi 15 min.

So what is so "awful". Their shots were not falling, but they played hard and did not let the bad shooting change the result.

 

The bench could be fixed, but really the starters should never be letting a team like the last place Kings be leading the 1st quarter. Don't blame the bench for the starters incompetency. And who is to blame on the starters?
Not my OPINION but according to NBA.com
""BAD MOVE: For all the offense Harden provided, his lackadaisical approach on defense hampered his team severely again Tuesday. Harden took several questionable risks and was caught ball-watching too often, allowing his man to sneak behind him for easy baskets on back-door cuts."

 

The bench would not need to be fixed if Morey didnt trade our bench for nothing. I am talking specifically about Morris who was looking good for us last and got trade for nothing.

 

Finally watched the game. I read parts of this thread and then watched the game, not intentionally, just turned out that way. Needless to say, I am surprised by some of the comments people have made. But here are a few thoughts:

1) I question whether this is a game we're "supposed to win." The Kings are a different team with Gay and especially tonight, Gay played very efficiently (by Gay standards, I know 9-19 isn't efficient but he posted up a good amount and really had his mid-range game going). Cousins was a beast on the boards and caused problems for the Rox all night, whether or not that's reflected in the box score. IT had a rough first half but he really turned it on when it counted towards the end of the game. The lay up and 3-pointer with about 4-5 minutes left in the game were big. Cousins-Gay-IT = a top half of the league big 3.

2. Garcia is worthless and it's really frustrating see him play all of these minutes game in and game out. When will McHale learn he's better off giving DMo some burn and playing a slightly bigger bench lineup. When Bev comes back, regardless of who starts at PG, I would like to see Garcia's minutes go down to 0.

3. All the hate towards Harden's hero-ball/iso in this game is ridiculous. Hate on him for his D on Thornton, but Harden kept the Rox in the game and gave them the lead. The last few sequences were unfortunate, but he made the right play on the charge call trying to be aggressive going to the basket. The Cousins steal was rough but Cousins is one of the best big men at getting those kinds of steals.

4. If you have to pick a scapegoat for the game, go with AB. Jimmer Fredette should never get by anyone, ever. I guarantee you he will never score two half-court offense layups ever in his career again like he did tonight. He blew by AB on another drive to the basket but passed it off in the paint. What kind of self-respecting NBA player allows Jimmer to beat you off the dribble three times in one game. That's embarrassing. You could also hate on McHale for waiting until 7 minutes left in the 4th to bring back JLin and Parsons (though Parsons wasn't having his best game, seriously Chandler, 2-6 FTs?).

5. TJones is a beast. Stop looking for a stretch 4. Trade for a solid bench player or upgrade at PG and let Lin lead the 2nd unit because AB shouldn't be allowed to play another minute in the NBA after allowing Jimmer to blow by him 3 times in one game. Embarrassing!

 

if AB can't contain Jimmer, then he should at least flail his arms a lot more.

 

You mean the Same Guy who acts like he is Kobe?
Casspi is Not a Sharp shooter,sucks on D and takes dumb shots,our Bench Last Year was so much better

 

When the Kings made there run in the 4th, Harden Howard and three players were in. McHale took Casspi out and Jones back in when the Kings cut the lead to 4. I kept on saying why McHale hasn't put all his starters back in. Terrible coaching if you ask me. Dude put Lin and Parson back in the game once we tied.

I think that's what ole buddy meant when he was talking about the bench.

 

The Cousins steal I could see coming from a mile away. Harden does this all the time. He dribbles out the clock and then realizes he has to do something which usually results in a forced jumper or him dribbling into traffic. And late in games, he can't expect the refs to bail him out. Twice he got burned in the final minutes by driving into two or more Kings players.

Yes, Harden had a good 3rd quarter and did keep the Rockets even with the Kings. But he also contributed very little in the 4th. He played ISO-ball, turned it over, forced up bad shots, and played no defense. The 4th quarter is winning time and Harden was instrumental in giving this game away.

 

First, why the **** do you string them together all the time?
"THEY" were also 1/6 for 3pt (though Omri shot 100%... )
"THEY" had only 7 boards combined (Casspi had 5... )

Second - I totally agree with your "ugh", but there were so many "ugh"s in the game ...
- I felt "ugh" about the 15 TO by the starters (only 1 for the bench)
- I felt "ugh" with the 7/17 FT by CP + DH
- I felt "ugh" watching the 1/11 3pt by CP + JL + TJ

 

The blame goes to everybody but mainly Harden and the Coach.

Isn't Jimmer in the NBA, so what makes you think he cant blow by his defender ever so often.

Yes Jones is a baller, but his three ball is horrific. I agree though we don't need another PF.

 

um....yea i dont' know how to respond to this. you do know who Jimmer Fredette is right?

 

The Rockets suck. Glad I didn't watch this game, lol. Got blown out at OKC and losing to a bunch of scrubs in your own building on NEW Year's Eve, lol. The Garm as usual will turn into a shouting match on this side of the barn since Ben Affleck was cast as Batman, lol.

 

Ok pimpn if you say so. If you played the game before you would know that a joker can get lucky every blue in the moon. Especially if they are professionals. You don't think that dude can blow by you ever so often??? LOL

 

Oh no, the sky is falling.

 

Of course its falling we just lost another game that we should have could have would've won if we did ______________, _____________, and __________. The same ole stuff that cost us several games this season. When are we going to learn..

 

Rockets is 1.5 games away from being 8th in the conference (5 games from landing in the 3rd spot). With 2 maxed players and still looking at the same playoff spot as last year.....something's wrong. GS, with Ig back, and Suns are just playing better basketball now so Houston could just be fighting with Dallas for the 7th spot.

 

Response

Sure, the entire team is to blame when Rockets loses, but there is no question that Harden cost Rockets the game by his plays with 2 minutes left in the game. What is more troubling is that Mac during his post-game interview just keeps on repeating that the problem was an energy issue, as if he has no clue why Rockets lost the game. Parsons "indirectly" blamed Harden by referring to "selfish" plays during his post-game interview; I liked it. If you want Rockets to be 100% dependent on how Harden plays, this approach is fine, but otherwise, Mac has to take the charge.