so he didn't mind parsons shooting nor did he mind Lin shooting didn't care about westrook or durant - just wanted his money, which he's proven he deserved so now we're taking someone's third hand word that he's jelly of Thornton I don't buy it anymore than I buy codman's reasoning of JB being a good coach. No substance.
Maybe not. Unless they want the s***load of cap space needed to pursue Kevin Durant and, um, er.....somebody else (Al Horford?).
Maybe it's the radiation in me that has me a bit more restless and in more pain than usual, but I never said anything EXTREMELY specific about player to player jealousy. I alluded to the idea of a distaste in shot selection, in terms of player A not wanting to pass to player B *because* they didn't trust that the shot would be successful, OR they knew that a shot would be taken immediately without considering an extra pass. Like, if you give the ball to Carmelo, do you really think he's looking to pass? Same thing...the difference is that some of our guys WANT the ball back, even when they're aware that we have some "shoot-first" players. That's what we call an internal issue. Even JB has implied it. I also suggested that there is some discussion about a certain Big Fella not getting enough touches and that it was partially intentional because of a DISTRUST in his ability to score consistently. I mentioned that it was told to me that certain players have shown to be less likely to pass to proven shooters during our current stretch for a variety of reasons. I also mentioned that the locker room wasn't filled with "jelly" (your word) or drama, but that there was a lack of trust among all. Our guys are civil. They just haven't found that trust that is crucial. Remember when rumors spilled out about KD not liking when WB took the final shot? It's the same thing: Trust. IF you've coached ball before, one of the biggest off-the-court goals is to preach the notion of "belief" among your team. Player 1-15 should be trusted to take any shot, regardless if another player averages a higher PPG or PER. That's why it's a team game. That same sentiment was echoed by Kevin McHale of all people, way before he fell into the whole "play harder" mantra" I post, not for affirmation, but because I have "ears" and access that I think would be nice for ANY Rockets fans to read. Do thing always come to fruition? No. Ask DM...he's mentioned numerous times that his proposed trades failed in the final minutes. When we're not normally part of the day-to-day player/mgmt discussions, I feel fortunate to have some of my "connected" friends give me some intel related to OUR favorite team. It's their word, not mine. And as for your belief that James was fine with the amount of shots he was getting in OKC, that's fine. There's also the common knowledge that he wasn't going to stand being second fiddle to a guy (WB) that he knew he was arguably better than. Finally, my opinion of coach JB is just that: an opinion. However, it's an opinion shared by countless, VETERAN coaches around the league. JB has been around a long time and finally got his shot. He was a respected assistant coach and comes from a successful lineage from his father. If you look past the Rockets' current record, you would notice that our guys are playing better than they were under McHale. It's more than obvious. The losses are still there, but the effort is immensely better. That comes, partially, from a coaching methodology that models passion and perseverance. Kevin had trouble maintaining passion until the Rox were in a huge deficit. Hence, he lost his team because he lost belief in their durability and ability to fight back during tough stretches. So, yeah, I think JB is an underrated coach. He is a ROOKIE, but a damn good one at that. At least he holds guys accountable, shows emotion, stands up to show investment and tries new strategies for the times that his anticipatory sets were unsuccessful. He has a great deal to learn, but so did Spoelstra, who IMO, followed the same path as JB. He was under the guidance of veteran leadership and finally got his chance during the LBJ/ Wade/Bosh years. When you have an assistant coach that has been with the guys from the beginning, the roster takes notice of the stability, and when the time comes for a new coach, the majority of players want the assistant coach who was there through thick and thin to become to head voice in the huddle. Admittedly, this opinion also comes from my experience as a coach at the college level. You can take whatever I write with a grain of salt. I don't claim to be CyberX,Doc, Clutch, Oeilpere, etc. All I claim to be is a guy who works directly with players, communicates with agents/owners at various functions, and luckily, I have developed some friendships in the league over the years. Players talk constantly, and they often know the drama/rumors/issues in the locker room before the press hears about it. I'm just the messenger, and I trust the people, and my friends, who are decent enough to throw me a bone. And, quite frankly, that bone goes to the GARM because I think my fellow Rockets fans are some of the most loyal, dedicated fans around. Hell, i still speak to Jason Smith, my old college roommate, to hear the craziness in that Magic locker room. They have been putting barrettes in Alfred's hair before games. He played on game without even noticing. :grin: I love that type of info. Working in Phoenix and Denver gives me first hand access to the destruction in those two organizations. Disgruntled players and agents like to talk. Networking rom the college ranks has also helped me professionally and personally. Once again, I am a regular fan with some very cool friends. That's it. I'm simply an ear that made some really cool, connected friends along the way. With all respect to Clutch, CyberX, Oielpere, Popeye, StevieRebel, etc...I don't have that unrestricted access. My first priority is coaching my guys, and if I'm lucky, I have amazing conversations with guys way above my qualifications. I can handle your flame and your assessment of credibility. It's nothing compared to the burn of the radiation that I receive every other damn day. I appreciate it, actually. I'm off to do some SLOW sprints with my guys and hopefully walk a few miles. I made it 3.5 the other day before I called my girl to pick me up with a Sprite and a burrito. Don't judge me... Enjoy your holiday season and brace yourself for a second-half run. (And a W against the Hawks) Peace, Patience and Love.
Haven't read this full post yet but want to make it clear I love your input on the board even if I don't agree with it all. That's part of the fun. I also don't think you indicated a specific jealousy regarding harden an MT but clutch fans gonna clutch fan and read tea leaves and run with it. That's what I'm railing against. I do disagree with your analysis on JB but it's as valid as my opinion. I happen to think a team with two aloof superstars needs a hard line coach with strong winning experience to gain their trust.
And yes that was reported regarding harden and westbrook, but he would have stayed for a max deal and it wasn't Westbrook standing in his way. As well as MT has shot for us, he's been a sieve on defense and does nothing to help others on offense (outside of Dwight when he drives, but we haven't seen that in weeks). Go back and look at his down pick (hahaha) on the last play the other night. When harden is off the floor, e should have green lights, when both on, heaven help out defense and offense.
Um, I just googled "Chemotherapy" and "Diet" and one of the bullet points on WebMD is that you absolutely, under no circumstances, should consume burritos or Sprite. If you continue to do so you will regress as a carbon-based form of life and turn into a g.d. Lakers fan. Keep getting better, Cod.
What's your definition of a scrub? He's one of 4 people on this team that can create their own shot alongside Harden, DMo, and Lawson although he isn't showing it. Thornton is an amazing role player.
Codman! Thank you for the response. I can't help but say again how much I value you. There are plenty on the BBS who do. *PS.. Wonder what Cyberx has?* But I agree with you here again. There is a trust issue. I wonder if thats why Harden ISOs a lot is because he doesn't trust his teammates to make a shot; which has some merit to it because Ariza bricks 3s all the time and Bev isn't always in the right spots. That has to be why he and Ty don't play well together. He doesn't trust him in terms of shot making. So that means we need to acquire some consistency via trade. *I would LOVE Pau*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bQ7qNsEifY&list=LLJ7xmTSZsfOwwjGIBNh2M5w&index=1 I believe Codman here. They get along. I think they even get along in practice but the minute the games begin, they don't trust each other. That's the problem.
Cod - again thanks again for your info and insight despite whats going on with you personally. I cant speak for everyone, but I do appreciate it. Please correct me if I am wrong but you seems you were not subtle in pointing that Harden isn't as willing to spread the ball around to everyone equally. I can believe that I mean it seemed odd how at times whenever Dwight ran PnR with James he hardly saw the ball on the roll compared with when Capela ran it. The question at least for me is - how did this problem arise this season? Even though Dwight was hurt a lot last season it didn't seem to be the case in the games he did play. Same with the rest of the team I mean the only two guys who are new are Lawson and Thornton. Lawson has a bunch of other issues (not sure if they are related) to work through. Thornton I felt was a great addition like you for two reasons 1) It gives a team another shooter which is huge for a heavy 3 pt shooting team like ours and 2) it gave James a legit backup 2 to get him some more rest. Granted I dont care about James' numbers - we all know he can explode for 40 any night let alone 30. I am more concerned with his durability and stamina. While he has been as durable as they come, still never hurts to reduce minutes if it doesn't cost the team minutes. Dwight is still the second best player on this team and as far as I can see no one in the media and probably internally (though this is just my opinion) believes that this is Dwight and James' team, but its James' team first and foremost. Dwight seemed to reiterate that last year in the meeting that he, James and Terry had. Personally Dwight has accomplished way more in individual awards than James has had so far in his career and probably doesnt care as much for individual stats now, but that doesn't mean cannot be involved or at times wholly ignored on offense. He is still by a considerable margin the second best player on the team and the best two way player the team has. I am just kind of left my head scratching at it all. James asked to get back court help and he got that in Lawson and Thornton. The team is way healthier this year compared to last year so how is the trust completely gone? Dwight seemed to be happy at the success James had in the offseason signing his big adidas deal and all. Has the off the court stuff gone to his head that much? I really hope that isn't the case. Cod - if you happen to know did anything regarding Game 6 last season have anything to do with this? I only asked because it was reiterated so many times how the historic comeback was done without James. I am sure that probably made James feel bad or feel like in one of the most defining moments of the season he wasn't featured - a season where he literally carried the team throughout the regular season. Ugh as I mentioned before - the fact this team is 4-1 against the top 4 teams in the west and is sitting at .500 despite the completely inconsistent play is a testament to the talent this team has and its potential. Makes the whole thing that much more frustrating, but how can someone instill that trust and change though? James should have no fear about his next contract he is going to get whatever max deal is out there without a blink regardless of what his stats are. Has the leadership of Terry and Ariza been tuned out? Terry seemed to be the most vocal so far this year in general and rightfully so. Only hope is that 2016 brings a change because no way this team will survive the first round at this rate.
Good God this. The thirst to hate and be mad at James Harden for a lot of people here is pretty wild. No benefit of the doubt given. If a rumor is brought up that is negative for Harden it's automatically fact without real evidence. I was listening to the Jalen and Jacoby podcast and they had a guest on who really seemed to know his stuff(forgot his name)and when he was asked about Harden and Houston he gave the same take that I currently have. That the guy after a slow start is putting up his same unreal stats as before and that the amount of criticism and blame isn't lining up with what's actually happening on the court. He said he believes there really is something about Harden that a lot of people just don't like that leads to the over criticizing. And for the love of God enough with this Thornton has been shooting way better than Harden all season crap. Since the 0-3 crap fest(last 29 games) harden is shooting better than Thornton from the field and from 3.
hmmmm..... codman we are half way through the game after the meltdown of hidden agendas and it's Thornton who hasn't played a minute. (and tjones - but they are saying he's injured although I doubt he sees nearly as much playing time from here on out) I was as on board with the signing as you were, but his good shooting does not cover his overall poor play. It's why he's a journeyman NBA player with limited value even after showing really well early in his career with cowtown.
Looks like Thornton has talk his way deeper into JBB'S doghouse. He's most definitely getting traded by the deadline.
Whatever point JB is trying to prove by keeping Thornton on the bench, its costing the team big time. Thornton needs to be playing and Brewer needs to be at the end of the damn bench.
The irony is so big, the only player who knows how to put the ball in the basket cannot get playing time..
I was excited when we signed MT because I thought he filled a key gap we had last year--consistent shooter off the bench . Like Cod, I believe his passing, drives and timely defense are underrated. Whatever the reason JB isn't playing him needs to be figured out... it's hurting the team.
welp dont think im gonna watch another rockets games this season and ive seen all of them so far. the loss to the hawks is the most disappointing one of the season for me. and i cant believe brewer still gets minutes over thornton. **** that guy, seriously. team is pathetic
