ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Raptors 2/9/2024

We just suck just as simple as that

 

We are who we said we are.

 

Three things stand out:

1. We had 21 team turnovers tonight, and 16 of those were on the young guys, of whom the worst offender was Amen with 6. Though Dillon did manage to contribute 4 to the total, but I'll give him a pass since he went 4 for 5 from three. Overall, the turning the ball over seems like growing pains and missing Fred's steady playmaking.
   
2. Jalen and Holiday went for a combined 8 for 24 from the field and 3 for 13 from three, not going to get many wins when those two shoot like that.
3. Sengun definitely didn't do his job tonight on either end and got benched after only 20 minutes. He's going to have to adjust to teams gameplanning for him--part of the process for any young player trying to take the next step into, we hope, perennial all-star status.

 

gang.. gang

 

I watched the game.
So did Alpy - from the bench most of the 2nd half because Poeltl dominated him into next week. Poeltl scoring is far from the main issue - just overall, pushed him out of the lane to float on the perimeter and be highly ineffective. So much so that the coaching staff preferred the corpse of Jeff Green (if our big guy won't play with some heart, we'll stick a face up 4 out there in his place).

I could be wrong. But that's what I saw.

 

They might've been before they drafted Miller. He's miles ahead of Jalen so they have no need for him now, unfortunately.

 

Let me just defend the big hoss for a second.

VanVleet has unlocked Alpy this year. I believe VanVleet to Sengun is the play generating the most assists in basketball.

The threat of FVV taking a 3 if a defender cheats behind the screen, and his overall basketball smarts then makes it easier for Alpy to operate in the block.

At this stage of his career, Alpy will need FVV at times. Sadly today was one of those times.

If Green or Smith had been cooking, I think the flow on would have been more joy for Alpy.



Those comments are all on the offensive end. His body language and effort defensively were shocking today.

 

I try to keep this in mind and the fact this team is just coming of a three year tank spree and use all that to temper my expectations.
But some of these losses are just inexcusable.

 

And he plays the final 2 mins. if he PLAYS earlier.

 

Good burn on the Sengun from the bench comment!

I think you're wrong, and I went to watch every single bucket from Poeltl, but unfortunately League Pass is sh*tting the bed like it always does for a few hours after a game finishes - so I'll come back to it.

The first three Poetlt buckets though that I managed to suffer through with all the constant buffering and stuttering from League Pass - Sengun had to help on a pnr and then on at least two of those occasions (I can't see the immediate play for the second because LP constantly skips past it) he still contested Poeltl when he got the ball from the man Sengun had to help against.

So again we're reverting back to the whole Sengun is the only player in the league who is blamed for having to help when a teammate gets beaten, then also has to apparently stop his own man too because teammates obviously aren't going to rotate and help him.

So the first 6 points alone are very dubious in blaming Sengun. I'll rewatch the remaining points for Poeltl when I can and note them all, because like I said I think you're wrong.

 

I been saying this since November. He has no offensive scheme. We don’t move off ball. There’s no creativity. Only difference form last season is we have a real pg. but this offense is just as bland as Silas

 

Why did Cam only get 17 minutes?

 

Ankle sprain

 

I do not know why this is such a controversial point to make tbh. No one is saying Ime is a bad coach. He is an excellent defensive coach, on top of his great player relationship management. However, he has never been a good offensive coach. He was not a good offensive coach in Boston if one followed Boston games last season. People will realize next year, I hope with Steven Adams playing, that the majority of the loses stem from that fact and not because of our defense. Which is top 7 in the league by the way.

 

I fear the road.

 

That 8th spot is going to be a good pick

 

We are just no good on the road

We have established a good home court again, but probably going to miss the Playoffs because we can't get road wins.

 

Toronto did make some good moves, by the way. They might honestly be both better and younger than they were with Siakam and OG. Could see them passing Brooklyn in the standings soon.

 

Don't see it yet, both teams are about the same to me......but Brooklyn giving up Royce O'Neale ......does not look that good for the bench.

Toronto has more depth now with Olynyk and Agbaji.

Toronto is bad road team like the Rockets, probably 2-3 Wins better.