3. Unlucky but we are not the better team by a big margin. On paper yeah. Even series with Aldridge playing better than both of our stars in 3 of 4 games
this series is a surprise, but not at the same time. all these problems existed in the regular season and they are being put on display in the playoffs. 1. lack of fundamentals. boxing out. defensive rebounds. 2. offensive breakdowns in the 4th due to either "me" basketball or mchale/moreys system of not having an active coach run the system (leading toward mchale/FO). 3. defense from the wings.
1) Momentum matters: The Blazers had some coming into this series, Houston didn't. 2) Thinking more than one game ahead can be costly (meaning every playoff game must be treated as if its game 7. Otherwise, looking ahead can take you out of a series before you are in it). 3) While the 2013/14 team is better than the 2012/13 one, we are not contenders.
1. They are in Harden's head 2. Daniels is an absolute gem of a find 3. The team wilts after bad foul calls (of which there have been fantastic amounts) and during crunch-time. They seem mentally weak.
Yeah... 'cause Aldridge is getting lucky. He was a 46% shooter in the regular season and now suddenly he's a 6'11" MJ? Pfff. If the Blazers do beat us they're gonna get crushed in the rest of the playoffs... LMA has come back down to earth and against a team with a strong defensive 4 their team will get annihilated.
1. We can't get shots or stop Portland 2. Our offensive sets are at 5th grade level 3. Our young players are cracking under pressure
1. Expect Cannan, Covington and Daniels to be in the rotation next year. 2. Carmelo Anthony should be our priority this off-season, with Melo in the equation teams like the Blazers cannot hound Harden like they did by fronting him in G4. Also allows Jones/parsons to come off the bench 3. Fire him
1. Mchale is not going to take this team anywhere. I like the guy, but he's just not a good coach. 2. Harden will have to adjust his play for the playoffs, they aren't calling anything when he drives even when he gets hammered. Judging from last night, he knows this too and he's already started to change his game (his mid-range game last night was great), and yeah he needs to start playing some defense too. 3. Daniels is a machine. He's clutch as **** and he's automatic from 3, Morey better get this guy locked up for the future (if he hasn't already, I can't remember what kind of contract he got).
There are a lot of obvious things we need to address (coaching, Harden's D, bench depth, Lin, etc.) but I'm surprised that more people don't mention that we could use an upgrade at the 4. TJones is too small to handle the bigs on these WC playoff teams. He plays with heart and I love having him on the team. His chemistry with Dwight is good, but he'd be great for our 2nd unit.
What are you talking about? He got 20 minutes or so like the other players that came off the bench. Look at the starters that played over 40 minutes.
1) Posters in Clutchfans don't know how to spell. 2) Posters in Clutchfans don't understand context and the meaning of a lot of words. 3) People in Portland wear their fancy T shirts to games on the front row, but it doesn't help at all. Ok, enough of that ! Yes the op is right on. I do not see Kevin McHale, as much as I like him personally, being a championship coach. The other 2 points are as obvious as the holes in our defense. My question based on a premise. The premise is this: Kevin McHale WILL be given another year by Les. Question: Whom should be brought in as Defensive Coach/Assistant Coach ?
I'm okay with Harden partying as long as he's the one dancing. Lots of intense dancing can improve his and his beard's conditioning. I'm guessing though he's not going to that type of party, and is going to the ones where women are... performing dances for him.
1) Harden's offensive game, padded heavily by getting to the FT line, is being exposed in the playoffs because refs are reluctant to call fouls on his drives. This is causing Harden to do a lot of 2nd guessing and throw off his rhythm. His jab step back jumper is the only weapon he has left. Disappointed in Harden in this series, but I haven't given up on him. He is still learning. Also, while Harden isn't a good defender (obvious), I think to conserve energy for offense, he takes defense off. If the Rockets got a 3rd star to carry the offensive load, Harden (and Parsons) could spend more energy on defense. 2) Rockets lack of offensive system is causing a serious problem with execution late in games. I am not saying fire McHale per say, but some lead assistants would be nice. 3) Rockets need better depth. Getting a 3rd star and then focusing on bench depth will be key steps moving forward.
Beverly defense is a little hyped and he's really gotta work on his shooting so inconsistent. Howard is giving it his all, has had a great series. Lin is just... Lin.
To get DHoward, and now be on the verge of losing again in the 1st rd after losing in the 1rd last year is a choke job and unacceptable. Oh and you also had home court advantage smh
You know, you are absolutely right. You can dip a turd in chocolate, but who really wants to eat it? To be knocked out of the first round is unacceptable. Totally unacceptable. A major fail. Accountability anyone? Still hasn't happened though. Three more games are possible.
