ClutchFans Game Thread: Grizzlies @ Rockets 12/22/2012

Rockets will have a great run starting February to the playoff.

I am predicting they will break even on the stretch. And they will have a terrific run even from the start of February, no matter how they do in January.

 

While PER has it's flaw as a stat, for which there are many, it is still exponentially better than +/- when it comes to measuring individual performance, which many are quoting in this thread.

I included Harden's last two seasons, not just his past season to make my case that his efficiency is roughly the same. If you look at his advance stat numbers on basket-reference (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01.html), you'll see that his insanely efficient numbers last season is a fluke compared to his previous years. If you regress his numbers for his entire career, you'll see that this year with the Rockets, he's just as efficient as a starter then when he was a 6th man.

Of course, all the small sample size, young player still growing, and partial season caveat applies. Nevertheless, Harden's offensive numbers should not be as good as they are now given his increased roles and responsibilities compared to his previous years in the NBA. This just goes to show how special a player he is in general.

 

I thing I really liked from this game is that Harden got his And-1's mostly on skill, he'd absorb some contact and then fade away or do a runner at the rim. This tells us that Harden is extremely skilled, and that he doesn't absorb hits LBJ/Dwade/DRose/Kyle Lowry style, while full steam to the basket. This bodes extremely well for his long term health and productivity.

Other than that, I'm excited to see the progress of Lin, Asik, Smith and the coaching staff. Lin seems to get healthier with each game, Asik's fingers are getting less buttery and Smith is getting developed in the NBA instead of the dleague. We even have some cameo appearances by Dmo and Tjones, showing that the coaching staff is slowly learning to trust the rooks instead of running our starters into the ground.

Also, Morris needs to be the starter until Ppat proves he belongs on the court. He's just more dynamic and aggressive, even when MM isn't shooting you can feel his presence when he's making passes or just drawing the d away.

 

PER measures productivity, not efficiency. That's what Durvasa is strying to tell you. Players like Melo and AI have a lot of PER even though they're not that efficient because they stuff the stat boards. OTH, someone like Greg Smith who is extremely efficient but only gets a few possessions and PT will have very little PER.

 

Super fun game to go to last night.

I wounded up on the dance cam and started dry humping my friends head which got a nice little pop from the crowd lol.

Daryl Morey is a nomadic general manager. We saw him walk down several isles only to sit for about a minute then bounce but I was able to snap this super awesome photo haha

Spoiler

I love this team.

 

dat chin(s)

 

Chinsanity

 

Last season may have been a bit fluky for Harden (or maybe not, see Martin this year), but I wouldn't apply equal weight to all three prior years for a young player in his 4th season. First 2 years are mainly development years.

 

lmaoo

 

Another well-edited game highlights:

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xez9SwhErTU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

half of this highlights Lin's rebounding skills

 

I agree, well done.

....and more Lin. :grin:

 

Teen Wolf picking Gay's pocket, how cool is that???

 

Seeing the future

Its been interesting watching how the players familiarity with their plays are improving and quite a bit of work seems to have gone into their transition play. Wonder if the coaches are playing to the youth of the team since pace is what has been covering up for experience here.

Really wonderful to watch new synergies pop up to surprise us e.g. Smith and Lin and the unselfish passes down the lane from the starters.

Definitely looking forward to 2013 with the way the team is going!

 

Lin highlights

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iAL4Wa2SORc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


James highlights

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JaZk3wE9YoM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

what a great win. I knew it was no fluke when we almost beat the heat, but the refs stepped in. Not saying we could beat them in a series but man.......

 

Jason Friedman ‏@JasonCFriedman
Jeremy Lin isn't whistling while he works - he's literally laughing. Picked Grizz apart to tune of 15 pts, 11 assists, 6 rebs, 2 stls.

 

We're 6th seed right now!

 

Whoa..

 

THIS! btw nice signature bro!:grin: