ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Thunder 10/21/2025

Bro n we were down by 6 in OT n didn't give up. This has the '09 vibes again when we were one piece away n we got Artest. I'm hoping this time it'll be Derrick White

 

Leadership. Own it. Go Rockets!

 

Correct, but he was incredibly impactful against OKC. Game would not have been so close without him.

 

bailout for shai

True but he showed 0 physicality to get open - make the refs make a call

 

Agreed

 

I don't think many players in the NBA can do this

 

I’d love Derrick here so much but I’m Irish af and when I buy a rockets jersey that says White on the back I’m gonna feel awkward lol. Kidding of course. Go Rockets!

 

I’m not making any excuses for Reed, I just don’t believe that Westbrook would have been any better.

And this type of intense in-game experience is exactly what someone like Reed needs to develop into a consistent impact player. I’d be very ticked off if this game was in March down the stretch of an intense battle for seeding, but it’s Game 1. I’m very optimistic about the team as a whole after tonight.

 

The Thunder make 31% of their 3 pointers and this game is not even close.

No excuses, the Thunder had an off night and folks did not capitalize.

 

Spot on great analysis. Amen looks like he can get to the rim on every play. We need another guard who can attack the rim like Cam, no fear. As for corner 3's, Jabari was on the bench when Amen was going down hill in the 4th and dishing it to the corners for bricks by that dude Okogie, my bad if I misspelled it.

 

So ****ing weird to watch KD rise up for a jumper in a Rockets jersey lol. Gonna take some time to get used to that

 

Are people seriously complaining about Reed's play against a perennial MVP candidate...?

 

And way above average on corner 3's

 

It is called defense.

 

It’s amazing to me how many people are ignoring how easily he is getting into the lane. He is also hitting his FT’s (100% I believe). I was disappointed he shot the 3’s so poorly, but I think that will end up being an aberration as he was feeling the pressure of the off-season expectations. The twin towers really is awful for our spacing, but I understand why we have to rely on it if Reed can’t get his act together. It’s just one game against the best team in the league, so the panic by some on this board is absolutely ridiculous.

 

Eye defense when missing open shots?

I give it that out of 5 shots the Rockets contest 2-3 of them......

Of course a quadruple big lineup gives wide open looks, but few layups.

 

Give Reed half the season. If he hasn't figured it out we have a juicy package of Reed + Tari and all the picks we have hoarded from the Suns and Nets. We could probably trade for an allstar point guard or atleast a young one with some complementary pieces.

Once KD is done in 2-3 years, Amen and Sengun will be in their prime.

 

Lot of incompletes for both teams from this game including the Rockets playing together for real with a revamped lineup for basically the first time and still missing DFS. The Thunder were missing arguably their 2nd best player on the team. The Rockets were on the road and never really gave up. It was a good showing out of the gate in a real game - not that summer league/pre-season garbage where everybody looks like they've fixed all their flaws and we're going to be scoring 130 ppg. Hopefully we see Amen make more 3's like in those off-season videos because tonight ain't gonna cut it. lol.

 

Man, one final thought. Come playoff time, I sure hope the refs let Amen and Tari play defense like dort, caruso, and wallace.

 

NBA still trying to justify why the Sonics moved by any means possible...