ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/11/2025

I think some if not all of these guys had been playing through stuff that's really hampering their abilities in order to clinch #2. Lot of bum ankles. Sengun hasn't looked physically 100% all season long. It's better to be as healthy as you can for the playoffs, these last three games don't mean sh*t.

 

lmao, you must have bet big on the Rockets to cover tonight. Only explanation for this type of reaction.

 

It’s fine because I get to watch Reed…BUT I don’t want to hear about rust when the playoffs start.
Or “they’re tired” or “they’re fatigued”

April 6: Last meaningful game for “core” except Jalen (vs Warriors; & Tari vs. Clippers)
April 13: last game of season vs Nuggets (assume they’re all sitting this one out too)
April 15: 7-8 play-in
April 16: 9-10 play-in
April 18: Final spot play-in
April 19-20: Playoffs start

They will have had nearly 2 weeks off.

Spoiler

They could get hurt waking out of bed. They could get hurt in practice! (Jabari)

Also: obligatory McHale comment:

You're playing basketball for a living. Recharge your batteries? Every morning you should get up and get on your knees and thank God that you're playing basketball for a living. Someone is actually paying you, in some cases millions and millions, in other cases hundreds of thousands at the minimum to play basketball. If you have to recharge your battery to play basketball, I understand recharging my battery that I've done three double shifts, I'm laying cement, and I come home. I understand that. I don't understand that, recharge your battery for what? To be able to come out here and play basketball for a living? If we have to do that, you're in the wrong sport, you're doing the wrong thing. This is a high energy game that requires total commitment but it's a joy to play. It's fun. — Rockets coaching legend™ Kevin McHale

 

Giving them time to get rested up and healthy is not something I'd criticize....and I tend to criticize Ime more than most.

The starters will be back for the regular season finale which should be enough to keep them sharp.

How would you feel if Ime insisted they play in every game and someone like Sengun or Amen went down with injury in a meaningless game?

 

I think I would play them during the first half of the last game against the Nuggets if it were up to me. At very least Fred, Jabari, and Dillon, for the sake of their jump shooting rhythm. I don't mind resting them tonight though.

 

these kinds of games are still very meaningful for Sheppard. He's got a ways to go but real game minutes anywhere anytime are invaluable. Hoping for a confidence building game that leads to productive summer. If he's a key rotation piece next year and we're still winning, that's yet another valuable young piece.

 

I really don't like Green playing.. He, more than anyone, gets clobbered on the regular so one bad landing or tweak and we look like idiots.. Not to mention, Lakers possibly being scumbags and possibly hurting a potential opponent.. Well that last part is some **** I'd do if I'm Redick lol

 

I’m looking forward to another Reed start!

 

Iron sharpening Iron.

 

Love seeing this

 

I think the starters will play a little against Denver, hopefully not too much.

 

I hope Rockets wont lose 1st round due to resting too much. Lol

 

No team resting so many players like Rockets.

 

Im going to defer to ime on this rest vs playing thing (as if i have any choice). Hes been around a lot of playoff basketball so im trusting he'll have them ready to go.

 

Resting 2 weeks? Wow
Do they still remember how to play basketball?

 

I'm alright with the rest as long as they're still getting their cardio in with practices. I trust Ime to have them ready. I won't want a Jaylen Wells situation. I think he's going to be a huge loss for the Grizzlies.

 

1030 start on a Friday at my age in this economy is some bullshit

 

Yeah but it was quite evident last game he wasnt actually playing serious at all out there. He wasnt really driving, he wasnt defending, he was hardly running.

Im not gonna bash the kid for taking pride in being an ironman and having honor in his streak. Also, imo, jalen is the one guy on this team who needs to "stay in rhythym'.

But...

He should be playing the first 5 minutes MAX and then to the bench. I would instantly have the sub waiting to come in right after the tip at the first dead ball.

 

it could be worse. you could be in europe

 

Im in puerto rico, having to peruse the dark web, for an 11:30 start time.

Guess its another rum