Harden is averaging 4.7mpg less after Brewer, Ariza 7mpg less

3 to 4 min less EVERY game is significant.

 

Ariza has been shooting 3 better lately. I think it has a lot to do with him playing less minutes since the Brewer trade. He was just worn out playing 40 minutes every night.

 

I think playing the likes of the Knicks, Jazz, and Nets doesn't hurt. I'm happy he's shooting better, but let's see him sustain this against OKC and Golden State.

 

Bench has shown great improvements. I like the fact that Mchale's actually calling setplays for Brewer & Terry, while Smith's like a semi-playmaker hit shooters in the corner. The REAL test will be against OKC. If Ariza can give KD problems and Smith can somewhat match Ibaka, then I'll know we've officially taken a step forward. Smith needs to swat pretty much everything that comes to the rim when he's in the game. His role needs to be the exact same as Ibaka's

 

Bro he only played like 3 quarters

 

He has been getting great looks vs the good teams as well he was just slumping. He seems to be coming out of the slump now

 

Let's hope this is a good trend. The last three games, Ariza played less than 30 minutes and has noticeably shot better from 3-pt range. Corey is rather streaky; I'm not sure what you're going to get from Brewer as a 3-pt shooter, game to game.

3za's game logs (with Brewer as a Rocket):

Spoiler

Brewer's game logs as a Rocket:

Spoiler

 

Good to see; good job on this.

 

Thinking more towards the last 6 weeks of the regular season. If you've got Dragic and Brewer, there's no reason you can't strategically sit Harden and Ariza, assuming we've developed good team chemistry. There's no reason why a lineup of Dragic/Brewer/Ariza can't beat the Minnesotas and Lakers of the world. Same for a Beverley/Harden/Brewer lineup.

Agree that a 2nd playmaker WITH Harden really opens up the offense. It allows us to finally play small ball effectively.

 

The NBA: where fewer mpg gives you MORE in the tank.

 

The reason you feel that way is because they are maintaining the lead when Harden sits (or at least not imploding). Before Brewer/Smith, we were just buying time for Harden to get back on the court. A good outcome was considered Harden not being forced to come back in until 8 minutes left in the 2nd and 4th. Now he's getting to sit until 5 or 6 minutes left.

 

Ariza is 13-30 from three over the last 5 games which is fantastic. 43%

Also his defense seems to have taken a step up to another level as well. He is ball hawking like crazy and his steals are through the roof.

Brewer has certainly had a positive overall impact on the team. He gets points, assists and steals. Great addition.

 

brewer would fit nicely on that 2008-2009 rockets team... dude is all hustle, him and lowry would be going after every lose ball

 

This is great. I've always thought Harden't D was suffering because of his increased minutes. During playoffs, with rest, he'll be back to early season form.

 

This has been huge.

Amazing moves by Morey.

Josh smith is also a factor here

 

Josh Smith has definately helped. There will be more growing pains in the future, but it's better to get them out of the way now. I prefer to look at his potential length and athleticism to make the bench better, instead of focusing on some of the crap games we get now

 

Another shocking stat is Ariza is averaging 1 steal per game more on 7 minutes less time.

 

With Smoove and Pap facillitating off the bench, Rockets are not desperate for another PG facillitator, they need one more quality big behind Dwight/D-Mo/Smith. Bargnani for Dorsey is the missing piece IMO.

 

We beat Memphis with Howard and Jones and hung with Golden State without both players..meanwhile the Elite Teams have lost to bad teams over the past two weeks as well...parity I call it. You'll wake up in the coming days

 

"without Howard and Jones" in the lineup is what I meant