ClutchFans Game Thread: Mavericks @ Rockets 1/4/2021

Those disgusted looks from our incumbent 'leaders' are reciprocated by thousands in this city every time Harden:
- gets burned backdoor baseline for a layup
- barely crosses half court for entire OFF possessions spent sulking
- directs entire possessions where no one else touches the ball and it never crosses the 3pt line

I'm convinced this breakup is inevitable and best for all involved in the long run (even if it's really going to hurt saying goodbye)


You cannot overthrow a dictator (used to years of unchallenged, unilateral decisions) by asking him to change his ways ...
There must be a complete regime change to make meaningful progress

Fortunately, most of the key figures are already exiled
We are stuck w Tilman (until bankruptcy), but most of the Harden regime is gone


I like that Silas has chosen a team-first philosophy and he deserves a roster of guys who are all bought in, play together enthusiastically, and embrace team above self
(Boogie Cousins setting a good example with his attitude and effort ... Only in 2020)


I love the idea of combining the other 3 you mentioned into 1 core addition (making approx $25M)

A separate Harden deal then nets you:
- another new 'core' player
- replacement roster depth with extra, smaller pieces

You deal 1 superstar + 3 rotation guys to acquire 2 new stars + 2 new role players


I've been fixated on a 3way deal to get Jaylon & MPJ (stars not superstars) + Gary Harris & Lou Will (roles) ... but ...

Perhaps Ainge will stubbornly refuse again, and the best 2 new 'stars' we can hope for are Heild & MPJ ..? (ESPN Trade Machine here I come)


I have come around to the idea of trading off elite-but-topheavy/disgruntled/old/onedimensional for great-but-balanced/committed/young/wellrounded

Rings are won with superstars, but unfortunately we got one of the rare exceptions that refuses to commit to 2way excellence (if LeBron/AD/Kawhi/KD etc can play both ends with equal effort, so can you James)

I cannot wait to cheer for a Rockets team built around leaders who play full 94 feet every possession and embrace versatility as a strategic advantage again

Even if it costs us a legendary talent Houston may never see again

 

Best defenders have been EGo and surprisingly, Boogie.

Worst defensively: Danuel House
Worst offensively: PJ Tucker

Best offensive player, and it's not even close, is James Harden.

Zero surprise there.

 

I've got one!!!
Jaylon would be perfect fit at SF, but Heild has few peers from deep

HOU:
MPJ (plus conditional FFRPs as back injury protection)
Heild (finally an elite shooter on the wing)
Harris (2way vet starter)
RJ Hampton (basically another FRP)
Nnaji (or other filler from Nugs)
1 more FFRP from DEN

DEN:
Harden
House
Parker

SAC:
EGo
PJ
Barton


New Rockets:
Wood / Boogie
MPJ / Tate
Heild / Nwaba
Harris / BMac
Wall / Hampton

We would then need to pickup a vet combo guard from the buyouts to run point and replace EGo ... Unless RJ proves he is ready for the role


DEN gets the prize
Harden + Joker + Murray could vault them atop the West
MPJ, Barton, Harris, is a modest price to pay, so they make up the difference in picks (RJH + FFRP + conditionals)


SAC brings in 3 vets to teach the kids how to win
They've been shopping Buddy anyway ... EGo is not a drastic downgrade overall and is cheaper
PJ is a big upgrade from Jabari on expiring that can help the playoff push
Barton is a great freebie that pushes the deal past the goal line ... another solid 2way vet to deepen the bench

 

"Even if it costs us a legendary talent Houston may never see again"

Holy shet, post is hilarious AF!!!

Even if unintentional.

 

sounds appealing, thank you for the good post!

 

who is this guy? can you give some potential names?

i suppose he has to have a 3pt shot, no ?

well then it gotta be an all star and i think we have no assets to trade for an allstar

 

I forgot to mention the best part of this deal (for Tilman) ...

We save about $18M dollars on 2021 payroll by shipping out $70M while taking back only $52M

Stone might get sexually assaulted by his boss when he reveals this cherry on top

 

Sometimes relationships just run their course over time

She may be your perfect dream girl, but if she's already stepping out looking for better options ...
What choice do you have but to accept it's over and make the best of it by moving on?

You can waste time in denial fighting to save something that's doomed bc you can't let go of the perfect 10 you will never find again ...

Or you can look for a solid rebound 6/7 as a temporary placeholder until the next knockout comes along

In the end, if one party clearly has one foot out the door already, you're better off accepting the reality you did not choose but cannot change and focusing on the good times you were lucky enough to share together

 

Another male-female date analogy, this board must be sexually frustrated AF.

 

I'd like Kawhi Leonard, surely the Clippers would take Bruno Caboclo, Clemons and 1 FRP (maybe 2 if they are stubborn). I could throw in my half finished bag of doritos aswell, but lets play hardball with them!

 

The sporting fanbase - franchise player is a relationship based primarily on emotional connection (real or perceived), and it is inherently finite
There are not many in life like it

Most other impermanent connections can be severed dispassionately, and most emotional relationships are involuntary (significant other is the only family you choose)

Seems silly to compare this situation to replacing your CPA or saying goodbye to a retiring coworker

I suppose the best analogy may be that of a beloved pet ...
You knowingly and willingly become emotionally invested even though you know from day 1 the end will be difficult and come too soon

If you are convinced James Harden retires a Rocket years from now ... I'll take that action

Either way, I'm a Rockets fan
Harden is rare, but he is neither the most gifted (Tmac) nor the greatest (Dream) player to suit up for my team
He defined the Rockets for a bittersweet decade, but his legacy is more about individual than team greatness

Personally I'll be sadder to see JJ Watt and George Springer suit up for someone else
I never doubted either was giving all-out effort every single second they were on the field, and they were the heart and soul of their teams

Phrases like 'all-out effort' & 'heart and soul' are not among the first that spring to mind for me when describing Harden's run in Houston (except his bottle-service patronage)

I personally do not associate NBA basketball with sexual arousal so I will leave that to you, Freud & Jung

 

LOL

You do make me laugh, I'll give you that.

 

Keep going, homer.

 

You can't just pick and choose based on what makes the Rockets look better, as much of a fan as you are. Either the Warriors' offense was much better without Durant's ISO or the Rockets embarrassed themselves once again in the Playoffs when they had an opportunity against an injured team (they were effectively tied in game 5 when Durant went down; so they had 2 opportunities).

 

LOL okay bro its YOU who can't pick and choose what makes the Warriors look better. I can actually use nuance and I literally just presented you a similar situation from two years ago. Were the Spurs better with Kawhi, no. Are the Warriors better without Durant...that's also a no. But also i can use this thing called "context" to tell you that Draymond, Klay and Curry are still a core of a 73 win team. I can also tell you that them stealing a close game isnt so awful and I can tell you that if we replayed that series without Kevin Durant we would win(or if we had any wing depth or Chris Paul doesnt perform well below his usual self). There you go. I hope that got through.

 

Refs does have it out for him. It is what it is.

 

you are a great writer should increase your post count

 

Whatever helps you sleep at night. "If we get another opportunity to beat an injured team, this time we'll do it...if we have the talent to trump any potential embarrassment."

 

Mhmmm this is what I thought.