ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Pelicans 1/15/2014

Harden has been a real leader on this team, making others better, setting up teammates, and putting the team on his shoulder in the 4th period like a leader should do.

Thank goodness we have Harden on this team.

 

The Pelicans set up a nice last play to tie the game. They got a very good look, but just missed. We need to learn to defend the 3 better when we are up by 3. It was fairly poorly defended. It seems instead of concentrating on protecting the 3, we have a standard defensive set to protect both the 2 and 3.... with 11 sec left and up by 3, they need to rethink that (the players need to be ultra aware of what they need to do and not fall into the habit of getting pulled toward the paint when they should be focusing on the 3pt line).

Harden got screened off pretty easily, Lin was somewhat out of position to help but made a last effort to cover him but it was already late... Darius Miller (40% 3pt shooter) was open and just missed.

 

Im probably reading into this too much, but did anyone else notice in Mchale's post game interview, he made a point to pause the interview to give a hug and dab to ryan anderson... i know the guy is out for awhile, but does this mean we would still consider going after him to have as the quintessential stretch 4 for the playoffs?

 

Lin probably should not have stayed so close to AD, considering he is not a 3-pt threat.

 

Correction: Besides the two free throws, Gordon didn't score on Lin once.
[youtube]oFX5Cq_dEm4[/youtube]

 

Correction: Besides the two free throws, Gordon didn't score on Lin once.
[youtube]oFX5Cq_dEm4[/youtube]

 

You are absolutely right. The Heat has an ON/OFF button. No reason for them to turn it ON every game when there is nothing to be gained unless it's the playoffs.

 

I watched the last play by Miller many times. Lin did very well spotting Miller and switched over to him defending the 3. Miller hit the rim and missed. Who knows what would happen if Lin reacted a little late (or not reacted to it at all). Miller would have been wide open.

 

I remember reading somewhere that Lin wants to be a pastor after his NBA career dials down.

I hope he says "**** that" because a part of me wants to see him pacing along the sideline with his arms crossed and yelling at refs sometime in the distant future.

 

We will probably see him starting PGs from D-league time and time again.

 

Does that mean that he walks on water then?

WAIT IS HE JESUS? (or a ninja...)

 

I have always said DMo needs more time to develop. He has potential and has shown flashes of brilliance, like the Memphis game when he harassed ZBo to utter frustration with his defence and slowed their momentum. This game he is the only bench player to contribute. He is young and he needs time to develop. His potential is huge as he can play both the 4 & 5 and can give our bigs the reliable backup if he develops. He deserves more playing time. Perhaps use Casspi for Garcia's minutes as he is really bad this season and he has no upside potential, and use DMo to play Casspi's usual minutes.

 

IMO Casspi has outplayed D-Mo this year and deserves his minutes. I do agree D-Mo looks like he could develop into something, but that's not what NBA minutes are for. Practice, D-league and summer league are where you need to learn and perfect your craft. When you get NBA minutes you have to show that you're ready for prime time. D-Mo really didn't do that often enough this year, hence his minute reduction. If he continues to make the most of his minutes it will be harder and harder to keep him on end of the bench.

 

My mistake, you were advocating for Casspi to slide into Garcia's spot and have D-Mo slide into Casspi's. I wouldn't mind seeing that as well if things keep trending they way they are.

 

Exactly what I say. Casspi is more mobile than Garcia. He should back up Parsons because Garcia is totally useless out there this season. DMo should back up the 4 & 5 and Casspi back up 3 and sometimes 4. DMo needs time to develop. Young player with potential should get time especially if the guys ahead of him are not producing.

 

I don't think Harden's hero ball is necessarily bad. After all he is a star or even superstar to the organization. He deserves some of those shots especially if he is shooting light out. But it is a bad thing for the team if he does it all the time and especially bad if he keeps doing it and missing them in the 4 qtr. He should call in some pnr or screens to help his drives to make them more effective.

 

I love TJ's physicality. His rebound tells the story of his physical play backed up by a strong body. He and Howard will make it hard for teams to out rebound us. If his shooting improves, he will be heading to all star one day. The guy deserves it as he pays his due. He played hard in DL and very dedicated to training, very unlike the other big body Royce White.

 

Canaan is 5"11' without shoes and 6"0 with shoes according to his measurements on draftexpress.net.