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ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Grizzlies 12/26/2014

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Clutch, Dec 24, 2014.

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fchowd0311 Member

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CrashTheBoards said: ↑

Pap and Canaan deserve minutes in this league. There are just too many guys that deserve minutes on this team. What's gonna happen when Jones returns? For sure we won't see Dorsey anymore, but will he eat into D-Mo or Smith's minutes or both?
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I think at this point it's just better if we bundle either Tjones or Dmo with a first rounder and a mixture of either Canaan or Kpap for Dragic.

#2301 fchowd0311, Dec 26, 2014

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For all you fans complaining that the rockets do not get national attention. those days are over. Thank you JSMOOVE!

Every game will be scrutinized.

#2302 BigShasta, Dec 26, 2014
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Carl Herrera said: ↑

The one thing pointed out by the media that had worried me about Smith was the fact that he hasn't been getting dunks or finishing at the basket at a high rate this year, which might suggest a lost of athleticism. He looked plenty athletic to me tonight. Seems like what happened in Detroit was more of a team spacing problem and maybe a motivation problem.
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daywalker02 said: ↑

He has nagging small injuries posted in an earlier article.
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I posted that earlier today:

craguin said: ↑

Josh Smith is playing with some physical issues (hip flexor, groin, toe):

Josh Smith works to push through nagging injuries
9:43 p.m. EST December 10, 2014

Auburn Hills — Josh Smith certainly isn't complaining, and getting him to talk about it is like pulling teeth with no Novocaine, but it's clear he isn't playing with the same explosiveness he's been known for throughout his career.

Smith's career-low start could be tied to some nagging injuries that have dogged him since the start of training camp, limiting his athletic above-the-rim plays.

"Yeah, it's an everyday thing that athletes go through," Smith said. "Little injuries here and there, but it's not like I have the luxury to rest and get it to at least 80-85-90 percent where I'm feeling better. But I have to push through it and not worry about it."

Smith said he's playing at about 70 percent effectiveness, as the injuries to his hip and groin and now a blister on his left foot have taken a toll. He knows he's dunked only about five times this year, when he usually had gotten one a game in his career before this season.

"That's a product of not getting out in transition a little bit more, and getting easy buckets on a fast break," said Smith, who is still the team's best defender and feared shot blocker, even on a team with Andre Drummond in the middle.

Through his 11-year career, Smith hasn't played fewer than 69 games in a full season, when he missed time due to a sprained left ankle. When sports hernia surgery was supposed to keep him out for a month in 2007, he returned in two weeks.

So he's used to managing the pain, and isn't trying to make excuses for his production this season, his second in Detroit. His 32.9 minutes and 13.5 points per game are the lowest since his second year, while his 38.1 percent field-goal accuracy is the lowest by far in his career.

"I know when the adrenaline kicks in, I don't feel it, but when you're sitting on the bench, you feel it throbbing and stuff," Smith said. "It's little things, knick-knack injuries, but I can't try to let it affect me. I have to play as efficiently as possible."

The wear-and-tear of an NBA season isn't new to Smith, but he's rarely had to deal with something "especially this early in the season," he said. "Hip flexor and groin in training camp, and it's been nonstop since. A day of rest isn't gonna help it. A day off isn't gonna help. Then there's this on my foot, that's the biggest pain of all."

Smith had to readjust a contraption on his toe, repeatedly, as he got dressed before Tuesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, which turned out to be the Pistons' 13th straight loss. It's probably part of the reason he won't sit out.

"I try not to think about it. It does hinder a little bit of my explosiveness," he said. "I've never had to deal with any kind of foot injuries, except ankles. When you get to talking about feet or toes, it's very uncomfortable."
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#2303 craguin, Dec 26, 2014
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rustyrob said: ↑

Maybe Smith played so well becase he was just playing ball and wasnt held back by McHales ****ty coaching... MAAAAYBE
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Both Smith and Brewer are off to great starts as Rockets. While we can't expect Smith to give us 21 every night like he did tonight, we'll need him in the playoffs if we have to face LAC, MEM or GS. So far, so good.

#2304 RocketTownHou, Dec 26, 2014
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Great debut by Josh Smith and even better win by the Rockets.

Harden showing the league why is the clear cut MVP.

#2305 Htownballer38, Dec 26, 2014
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Shoutout to Corey Brewer. He was real good off the bench also.

#2306 Progs, Dec 26, 2014
cheke64 Member

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I'm sick of seeing Smith pucker his lips like he swallow flem. Take some muccinex.

#2307 cheke64, Dec 26, 2014

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zeeshan2 said: ↑

Over his last 8 games, James Harden is averaging 32.25 PPG, 8.5 APG, 6 RPG, 2 SPG, and 1 BPG. WOW
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those are prime LeBron stats

that trade morey made has to go down as a top 5 trade in nba history.. top 3 if harden wins the mvp this year... never in a million years did i think Harden was this good.

#2308 NBAandNFLFan, Dec 26, 2014
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Progs said: ↑

Shoutout to Corey Brewer. He was real good off the bench also.
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He's a big add for the bench. Although a bit frenetic at times he just makes things happen. It is crazy how much our bench has improved with the Brewer trade and Smith signing. Went from probably the worst out of the contenders to one of the best.

#2309 rocketpower2, Dec 26, 2014
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What an amazing win. Probably the best one of the season, IMO. Really loved the way Smoove played, and Brewer gave a 2nd straight great performance off the bench. We finally have some reliable depth.

#2310 J Sizzle, Dec 26, 2014
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NBAandNFLFan said: ↑

those are prime LeBron stats

that trade morey made has to go down as a top 5 trade in nba history.. top 3 if harden wins the mvp this year... never in a million years did i think Harden was this good.
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Could you imagine Westbrook, Harden, and Durant on the same team today - with Ibaka.

#2311 BigShasta, Dec 26, 2014
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Ugly win. Dwight dissapoint me 90% of the game, just great rebounding and those clutchs free throws were nice , maybe im crazy , but I oddly have more confidence in Dwights late game FT's over regualr ones.

Josh Smith looked good , his defense wasnt as impressive as I thought it would be , but its only one game. Only 2 bad shots all game , I can live with that. I dont mind him taking corner and wide open 3's, its key to our system. He took 21 shots but alot were going to the rim , and all his made shots came within 9 feet. His passing is nice too.

Im worried about brewers shooting. He has started hot so far for the Rockets. But history shows its not his strength and some misses were really bad from him. I just worry about spacing once he cools down.

Happy about the win , Harden is amazing , assuming he stays , he will be at least 2nd best Rocket ever.

#2312 JesusAllen, Dec 26, 2014
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Pretty amazing how at the beginning of the season, we thought jones and kpap would dictate how far we would go. Now they aren't even a factor.

#2313 Ariza4MVP, Dec 26, 2014

Petey-N-Htown Member

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J-Smoooooooove!!!!!!!

Rockets Win!!!

#2314 Petey-N-Htown, Dec 26, 2014
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lol

cheke64 said: ↑

I'm sick of seeing Smith pucker his lips like he swallow flem. Take some muccinex.
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It is called "attitude" and Smith has a lot of attitude that spews out of him.

This offense we have is made for Smith's game if he stays healthy. Wide open and he is a great passer in it with the players we have. I am stunned right now with the potential this team has right now.

Anyway I really enjoyed this game a lot.

#2315 kemah, Dec 26, 2014
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i3artow i3aller said: ↑

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haha nice

#2316 Angkor Wat, Dec 26, 2014
CrashTheBoards Member

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Bev
Harden
Ariza
Smith
Howard
---

Schved
Terry
Brewer
D-Mo
Dorsey (will be replaced by Jones and D-Mo will slide to the 5 as well)

That seems to be the rotation for the Rockets leaving out:

Canaan
Nick - I'm ok with this
Pap
Capela - ok with this

Jones - Injured

Jones will take all of Doreys 9:32 tonight, and 2 minutes from Smith and D-Mo once he returns. That is still not enough minutes for Jones. I think we have a problem.

#2317 CrashTheBoards, Dec 26, 2014
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Wow just an incredible game from Smith given that his adrenaline must have been through the roof and he barely knows anything about our offense and defensive sets. And versus Memphis on the road, yikes! This team just got scary good.

#2318 Red Chocolate, Dec 27, 2014

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>James Harden has scored at least 30 pts in six-consecutive road games, since Nov. 17 in Mem, 1 gm shy of McGrady's franchise record streak.</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/548710102014771200">December 27, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

#2319 mr. 13 in 33, Dec 27, 2014
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cheke64 said: ↑

I'm sick of seeing Smith pucker his lips like he swallow flem. Take some muccinex.
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How about you unpucker your butt cheeks and stop being so anal??? We'd appreciate it.

#2320 dandorotik, Dec 27, 2014

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