ClutchFans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 5/3/2013 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 6)

Well, can CP3 and Harden co-exist? Can Harden play off the ball? He sure hasn't shown it this season.

CP3 would also change the character of this team, he is an extremely strong character that has been known to rub teammates the wrong way too.

The argument for Howard is that he fits the team in so far as he fills or frontline weakness by adding someone who can block, catch and finish, play above the rim. We arguably are very strong in the guard positions with Lin, Beverley, Brooks, Harden...

But I agree that preserving this team's core and chemistry is important when making decisions moving forward.

 

Harden did this for 3 years in OKC, of course he could play off the ball. People believed that he was the primary ball handler in OKC, Westbrook was the primary ball handler. He and Harden divvied up that role.

The thing about CP3 is that he's not a divisive character. He's all about winning and he doesn't pout or whine. He is a true warrior and only cares about setting up his teammates for winning plays.

Dwight Howard? if you breathe on him funny, he'll start crying like someone stole his lunch money.

"The argument for Howard is that he fits the team in so far as he fills or frontline weakness by adding someone who can block, catch and finish, play above the rim. "

We already have this in Asik, and Asik is still only what, 24? and at a HUGE discounted price $$, without the baggage.

Maybe if we were talking about Dwight Howard in Orlando, when he had elite athleticism and could alter the game with just his athleticism alone, but that ship has sailed.

Dwight Howard is not a leader, Chris Paul is an unquestionable, leader.

 

Harden was came off the bench at OKC, and when he finished games with Westbrook and Durant he more often than not was playing the PG. Anyways, I'm still not convinced he's that great off the ball yet but I admit he is young and can learn.

Asik hasn't convinced me he can catch, play above the rim, or is an intimidating shot blocker as Howard. Personality issues can change, its amazing how chasing a championship and winning can focus you, take JR. Smith in NY as an example. I think adding Dwight is the best next step forward the rockets can make, CP3 next after that.

 

Whenever Harden came into the game as a Thunder he was the primary ball handler. Westbrook would play the 2, especially in crunch time.
Morey will be targeting Howard big time in the offseason as well. Joker would fit perfect because we pretty much run the same offense that Orlando ran. Just like in Orlando, Howard will demand the double team . We will be able to have better ball movement off that double team. Howard also plays better defense than Asik.

 

I didn't catch the interview, but I don't have a problem with Harden not putting the blame all on himself. This is a team sport and everyone came up short. Besides, Harden has been humble and soft spoken when he was playing lights out earlier in the season so I think it is just his personality

 

Mark my words, Harden is not the franchise player material, mentally and the way he plays; there is a reason why he was a 6th man. He rather get his points, play sloppy D and look good rather than look bad while winning. In short, he rather look good losing than look bad in winning. I also said KM will not miss that many shots and will play well. I wish Rockets get CP3, so that Harden will not have to play a PG and will have his role defined clearly.

So many times he had open man but he chooses to take tougher shots by himself.

 

Harden did take on the role as the primary ball handler when then 2nd unit came in, but Harden handled half of that responsibility. Westbrook was obviously the ball dominant guard on that team, Harden has always been a capable 3 point shooter.

As for Asik, he has proven this playoff series that he can catch and finish in the paint. He may not be the shot blocker that Howard is, but he is every bit a defender of the paint as Howard is--at this stage of Howard's career. Asik is one of the best low post defenders in the game. He can rebound and alter shots just as well as any big in the game.

If you get Dwight, he's maxed out. Paul commands the max as well.

Could you see yourself with 3 max players on this team?

I'm not willing to sacrifice Chandler Parsons, and Asik's future with this team for Dwight Howard.

 

In Orlando he played better defense than Asik, now? not so much

you're a prisoner of Howard's reputation as a defender.

The injury to his back has diminished his athleticism and his defensive capabilities, considerably.

 

i'm just seeing a trend here.

his sensitivity to the criticism heaped on him after his finals performance in the finals, least season.

and now this, maybe it isn't in his personality, but that doesn't make for a good leader. Our leader needs to show that he cares, our young team feeds off of our best player and our best player's personality has a big impact on the culture of this team.

 

we need CP3

 

As we all have seen, playing hurt would not help our team to win.

That's just pure BS. Playing tough helps nothing when you cannot contribute on the court.

 

And LeBron James ......

 

CP3 is going to be a free agent. This will likely be his last big contract. He's going to go to a team that has the requisite pieces to legitimately contend for a championship for the next 4-5 seasons.

The Clippers are not that team, just saying

 

why did Lin even come back for game 6, then?

he didn't have any impact at all.

 

I think he said it somewhere that it was not his own decision to play or not to play. Think about it: you have contract with the club, and they have doctors and trainers. So if they say you are clear to go and you go. It's your job.

 

Ok, here it is:

They've taken away my freedom to choose whether I play or not.

 

This bothers me. He was clearly injured, and Lin fan or not, it is better to have someone fully healthy over someone playing injured. Sour grapes.

 

Derrick Rose disagrees with you

 

I think this just goes to show that they don't have complete belief in Lin as their franchise point guard, moving forward.

Don't get it twisted, though, it's not as if Lin's body of work suggests that he's a surefire--franchise point guard.

 

That's assuming they Want to play. Rose has the clout to negotiate with the team in terms of return date even after he's physically past his initial recovery. Most players don't have that kind of clout.

That said, if Rose wanted to play he would still need medical clearance. He's too valuable an asset for the Bulls to gamble with his health.