ClutchFans Game Thread: Blazers @ Rockets 1/20/2014

hey for real though he got his shot back and has played well these last couple games

 

Thought Lin played well, especially in the second quarter. He got into the lane and fed Howard a lot. The first quarter was about Parsons going off and that wasn't going to last so when Lin came into the game it was important to get more sustainable offense. The ball moved through him and he got good shots for his teammates. Hit 2/3 3s. I thought he got fouled on 1 or 2 of those drives and had he gone to the line, he probably ends up with a 11 or 12 pt game on 8 shots w/5 asts. This may sound like heresy on this board, but I don't think Houston would've been able to maintain their lead but for the fact that he was able to help establish a more sustainable offensive flow and show Portland that Houston was going to get inside and get into the paint. I'm sure Lin is a little dejected at playing garbage time after posting a nice W/L record as a starter, but he'll adapt as he always does. Beverley had a nice game, but we all know his limitations. Portland was at the end of a grueling road trip and Lillard looked tired.

 

Last year it was simple, we chose to run and gun since we never had a low post offensive presence in Asik. Hence, we were more enjoyable to watch back then.

This year, we are about as enjoyable as last year if we could only decide how to play. To establish our identity we should decide if we try to run and gun, Or post Dwight up and play a half court game. Sometimes we are just not so sure as to how we'll play or approach the game.

 

Yeah he was big. We needed someone off the bench to play well. Hopefully December was just a slump for him!

 

We stopped the Knicks from making the Texas sweep and now the Blazers

 

It was easily one of his best games of the year, and we needed it too. 33 solid minutes.

 

DMo was more than respectable - he was pretty damn good (aside from the fouls). If you only look at the statsheet, it might look like he had an average game, but in reality he played some great defense (both man-on-man and on PnR), he also really impressed me with his screen setting for Parsons - a big reason for Chandler having such a good offensive showing today.

 

Correct me if I am wrong guys, some of you stat gurus or guys who follow other teams would probably know better.

But are we the only team to have 5 guys who have scored 30 or more points (TJones, Parsons, Howard, Harden, Lin) in games this season?

 

Another side note, the Rockets have played 8 games against teams with 10 losses or less:

Indy 1
SAS 2
Port 3
OKC 2

The Rockets have won 4 of those 8 games with 3 wins coming on the road. That's a pretty good record against the upper echelon teams.

 

Probably the best crowd for a regular season game since that game against OKC last February! Basketball was easy for us tonight: contest their jumpers, move the ball well and gain possession on the hustle plays (especially OReb). It helps that LMA was highly ineffective tonight (probably one of the worst 20-20 performances I've seen in quite a while, if my memory serves me right - he took 26 shots!)

 

I wouldn't be able to find those statistics either. I'm sure those who have enough time and resources may be able to dig up some data. I've also watched (almost) every game this season (I missed a few games because of traffic, and each game they lost huge leads, lol). The ball movement, drive dish, kick out, do create 3s as long as those methods are functioning smoothly, but my concern is that opposing defenses have multiple times been able to slowdown those methods which has led to the team being bogged down, and thus it leads to the poor 3 attempts you brought up.

There are many games in the playoff where it is basically grind it out where the ball movement seem to disappear, the straight drive is mitigated because the lane is plugged up, and the kick out won't work because Howard is going to get triple teamed. I just want the team to have more other options available in these games because it'll increase their chances of advancing.

 

im thirsty for these highlights

 

Lineup flux from the inclusion of Howard and Bev into the starting group, and from injuries, have alot to do with the "fluid" identity. With Howard in the lineup, and more of a focus to establish him in the paint, I see more lean towards half court and less run and gun. Although, I would mind the team being able to play both, depending on who the opponent is. I don't think Howard will be able to establish himself every single game, and I don't think they'll need to run & gun every single game.

 

Sorry, fixed

 

I got awesome tickets to the game and it was a whole different experience!

I noticed that the ball movement was great with beverly. He just knows where to be and when to pass the ball. For the first time in a really long time there was a direction to the offense. Also, the dude is an absolute pest on D that never gives up! So good to have him back.

Parsons was amazing, dude was doing it all. During the 4th Q when the blazers were pushing it close and Harden didn't even bother contesting the layup I heard Parsons call him out angrily. Harden wasn't happy and jawed back but stopped thereafter knowing he was slacking. The end result was that everybody got together for the win, so love the leadership by Parsons, setting an example, and then talking.

Dmo was great. The crowd, including me (for the first time) was ecstatic whenever he would check in. Dude was a beast on the boards getting us extra tips and boxing out so we could get 2nd chance oppertunities. It may not have showed in the stats, but it was evident in the game. Great job stroking the 3 and shooting that nice hook shot. I truly wish him the best.

Lin actually had a good game (from his role on the bench). He did make the same dumb mistakes like picking up his dribble and whatnot, but it was minimized with the 2nd unit and he made up for it. The dude gets absolutely NO love from the reffs. I sympathize for him because he clearly gets hacked and they don't call it while Lillard was getting touch fouls all game.

 

This about sums it up. Some Rockets fans complain about an $8M backup PG/SG in Lin. Eric Gordon would be a $15M backup/bench player. A $15M bench player would be taking sixth man salaries/bench salaries to an all time high. It's not my money so I'm fine with it but if anyone thinks Eric will be fine with it, they are wrong....dead wrong. Someone suggested that he would be a good fit with Harden (I assume Harden at point and Eric at 2). They could be right but his tenure here in New Orleans wouldn't support that theory. He certainly hasn't jelled with Jrue. All the available data suggests that the Jrue's offensive output is about 8-9 points/per36 higher when he's on the court with Evans than when on court with Eric Gordon. I don't really understand limited data sets and such. Just quoting stats. On the other end of the spectrum, the Pelican defense is about 8 points better when Gordon is off the floor. Eric is a spot up shooter and drives the lane well but its usually off picks and screens. Setting solid picks for guards doesn't seem to me to be a big part of the Rockets 3pt/lay-up offensive philosophy. I'm in the minority I know but I think the current Rocket roster (when healthy) is fine as is, first and second units. They need more time to jell. Eric is good NBA player, no doubt, but IMO not a good fit for the Rockets.

 

I see this as a potential problem come playoffs (assuming he is still here, and I hope he is because he can be a big help if used well). Some posters say he needs to stop being a cry baby because he should know he's not getting the calls. I think that line of thought is ridiculous. If anything, Lin AND coaching needs to make a big deal about it. A big part of his talent comes from the ability to drive and score (and based on statistics he's damn good at it), but without coaching on his side to make a big deal about the no calls, to me it seems like shooting yourself in your own foot.

 

Sorry, fixed.

 

I think everyone played well tonight. Howard looked the best I've seen him. And Dmo and Jones appear to be finally be fulfilling their promise. Bev showed why he works as a starting point guard as well. And no 2nd half collapse.

This team is definitely better than at the start of the season.

 

If I were a LOF, I would have highlighted the 3 point shooting for Lin: 2/3 = 66.7%