-Dalembert's debut. Color me impressed, the only thing I didn't like about him was when he gave up on a play after being gassed. -We saw a concoction of everything T-Will brings to the table, for a first game I liked it a lot. Probably it's not where his mind is, but I think he should put all of his focus into becoming our best perimeter defender, I think that's his fast track into the starting line up, he has all the tools but he wasn't a factor on that end tonight. To not go over every little detail, I'll just say that I won't judge this team until 3 weeks have passed. Everyone from the coaching staff to Jeff Adrien needs either to just get in shape and/or figure the little kinks out.
I thought it was Keith Bogans with Courtney Lee backing him up. Either way, my statement still stands. (Sorry Courtney. You're a lot better now though!)
What?? He kept the rockets in the game up till the 4th quarter when McHale decided to put him at center and guard Howard...
My notes: - So much ISO ball. I havent seen us run this few plays since the Francis/Mobley era. - Martins game hurt because of this ^. He would get the ball on the perimeter with only a few seconds on the shot clock and wouldn't be able to create a good shot. We need to run more back screens and utilize his greatest stregth or trade him. -We werent closing out on shooters at all. It was really bad. -Loved Hill and Dalemberts play. Would love to see them out there together. The length, lateral quickness and athleticism would be nasty. - Adrien was terrible out there. -No idea why were weren't doubling Howard on post ups. Bad coaching decision imo. -Twill needs to stop calling off PGs. Dragic was completely neutralized....by Twill. -Lowry was good but really dominated the ball. He put up alot of numbers but wasn't creating open shots like Hedo was as a point forward. -Hedo was killing us. His penetration was creating so many open looks for Orlando. -Morris needs to play more.
And how many times did we win vs. the Magic last season? Same result Without our 3 ball going in and sans ball movement, we'll be reduced to iso plays.
I don't mind going 11 deep for now. I'm thinking the Rockets are going to treat these first few weeks as a sort-of preseason. The rotation should (hopefully) tighten up after McHale figures out what he's got.
Gentlemen, your 2012 Houston Rockets motto: Treading Water! Yeah! Go team, just good enough to beat teams out of the playoffs, cuddly enough to lose to all playoff teams while taking it in the chin every night from opposing announcers calling us dirty, floppers, weak mentally, and generally apathetic on both ends of the court. Oof. If ever there were a season to weed out the bandwagon fans, this would be it.
Considering all those issues, plus Martin and Bud sucking total ass and Sammy getting no practice time, we were still in this thing in the 4th. At Orlando in their home opener with Hedo partying like it's 2009. I thought this game showed some promise for the team, especially the 2-way impact of both Lee and TWill. I'm not the only one to take positives out of this game, am I?
I think that's more personnel, ie T-Solo and Hill. It's how one plays and the other needs a simpler game.
I'm tired of C bud. He is too much of a liability on defense. His minutes should go to Morris. Morris needs to be developed, cbud is a dead end. Dalambert looked ok but Jordan Hill looks like he's ready to really contribute. It's time to develop Hill, he needs at least 30 minutes a night. Kevin Martin was atrocious, I think he's tanking. Scola was also not impressive 18 points on 19 shots.
Yes. He looked completely lost on D and did nothing but jack up two threes when he had a quickness advantage over his opponent. He may play well for us this season (I'm excited about him) but he deserved to be pulled. I just wish Martin and Budinger had been pulled too. McHale needs to send a message. No D. No playing time.
Yea c-bud jus looked bad tonight and Martin that whole veto trade situation scares me bcuz it seem 2 me he wants out Morris should of played
I can't really react to harshly about this loss. As frustrating as it is, I believe this loss was due to us being more of a victim to a limited preseason as opposed to bad coaching. What we have to realize is that McHale is now playing guys who either didnt play much last year (T-Will, Hill) or is new to the team period (Sam, Morris, Adrien, etc.). Sadly I think the first part will be more of figuring out a trustwothry rotation. But I can't ignore how bad Martin, Bud and Adrien were. I actually believe everyone else looked good!
Nope. Most people on this board would only be satisfied if we blew them out by 20 and prob would still nitpick. New coach, new players....it takes time. 2 starters were virtually nonexistent on both ends and they were still in it. We weren't going to win regardless so this game is just a stepping stone.
Agree. I think that we will end up being much more competitive than people think after we get the kinks out.
I forgot no biennial exception, mle, or mini-mle because the Rockets signed Dalembert with cap space. So Fesenko isn't possible unless he agrees to the minimum. Darn it.
