http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/11/rockets-in-too-deep-without-depth/ Harvey mentions Royce White being out is what the Rockets missed. Does he know McHale wouldn't play him even if he were available? Some quotes from McHale makes the fact he didn't use more players even more stunning. He knows they were tired yet doesn't take action. Nice going coach!
McHale has improved some as a coach I think....but his rotations are just odd. That 3rd quarter it was obvious how tired some guys like Harden were but he just pushed and pushed them on. They are human, you are going to win or lose with your bench sometimes(gotta give them a shot) and this was one of those times IMO. Also to adjust to the situation. Douglas and Morris should have stayed in the game. They were playing well THIS game so ride them longer than you usually can.
You make a good point JayGoogle and maybe it has to do with his old school mentality? Maybe he wants to to see what they do when they are tired and make them see they have to fight through fatigue instead of getting 'bailed out' by being substituted?
Not enough good players on the team. I haven't been following the Rockets for long, but it seems as if Morey has spent his whole life collecting crappy assets. Most of these player's like Parsons and Patterson wouldn't even be starters on good teams, let alone pieces that could help you win a title.
I think they're solid role players; I don't know how much upside they have, though. I also think this team would be better if 1 and 5 were more seasoned. I don't mean that in a bad way because obviously I'm a big Lin fan, and I like Asik too. Need more veteran presence, but that wasn't what Morey was going for, I guess. I wonder if he had known he could get Harden, would he have kept some players like Scola?
The only person left on the bench I would play is TJones and the problem wasn't the front court being worn it was the back court. Though maybe you let Morris play the 3 and bring in jones? Or give Cook a shot?
Morris looked fresh so yes he should've played more, Cook should've been given a shot with Delfino & Parsons not hitting their shots (early) and Jones should've played alongside Pat / Aldrich.
I agree, but I'm guessing McHale didn't want to take the gamble. In games 1 & 2 the Rockets had 10+ point leads in the 3rd that got eaten away when the 2nd string got put in. This game was closer, so there was less breathing room. Even so, all the Rockets starters played less minutes than the Portland starters (except for Chandler).
The second bench had drawn even and McHale wanted to use the starters to push forwards. Didn't work out, but I can see his justification. After all, our bench has no offense and eventually you're going to need offense to beat the other team.
i completely forgot Daequan cook was on the team! Surely he can play a little SG to give Harden a rest!
Cook sucked when he was in vs ATL. Do not trust any Rockets player named Cook. Not Brian, not Daequan. I think the Rockets have 8 guys who don't scare me when they play: starters, Smith, Morris, Delfino. Other guys had a few good moments but I am still leery. Maybe they need more time to work with each other and get better. The issue is there isn't a reliable guard off the bench to get the offense rolling. Can really use an 09/10 version of Kyle Lowry, or a Jamal Crawford/Lou Williams type off the bench.
