Sources: Les Alexander has brought up a coaching change to Morey if things dont go as planned

this game was it for me. no D, no O, no effort/energy.

its clear. for whatever reason, Mchale lost the locker room.

a coaching change is needed now (well 2 years ago after the first round exit).

 

Why are people complaining about "ugly" basketball. It's the same basketball they've been playing it's just Harden isn't bailing them out every night now.

 

Because we are losing. Simple as that. We don't need a rosette stone to decipher that so lets not pretend there is some hidden reason that no-one can reason out for themselves.

 

Because last year the defene was much better than this year. There was a sense of cohesion and hustle at least. This year? The defence is a pain to the eyes, a circus.
Then there is the play by Lawson and Brew that can only be labeled as ugly and awful.


It's not just teh losses. I was worrying about what I saw in the court from teh first game AND during the little win streak. There is no effort in the court.

 

He had help from Dmo creating from the post as well as guys like Pap also hustling from the perimeter and they formed a string of wins in the regular season.

 

Last year towards the end of the year Rockets defense was declining from early on in the season. And effort... Don't you remember after losses last year all the losses were due to effort. Atleast that's what McHale blamed it on. It's the same stuff that's been happening. Now it's just magnified bc they aren't winning. Turnovers... Effort... Bad defense... It's all been there.

 

The defence and the effort have never been that bad for that long.

Were Rockets last year arguably the worst defensive team in the whole league?
I am watching games from most teams and I can say very confidently that Rockets display some of the worst defence.
Philly has much better defence. It's honestly between Portland and Houston right now for worst defensive team. And that's with Dwight. WIthout Dwight we probably beat Portland for the crown. (after that it's Brooklyn).

 

That's exactly my point! Same basketball they've been playing for two years but now they are getting beat so people are noticing the flaws more.

 

The Rockets have had these pathetic defensive lapses before. McHale isn't a very good coach most could agree with that. But just on talent alone they should be able to beat team like the Nets lol some of these guys dgaf anymore. They're just quitting. Last years Mavs were better coached than Rockets. Why did Rockets win... Bc we had more talent. These issues go beyond coaching when you're losing to these trash teams.

 

Using Lawson as a spot up shooter is the dumbest scheme which plays not into his strength but his weakness.

When you have Haeden,Thornton and Lawson on the court at the same time the rockets better outscore the opponent because they are not great at defending...it's really that simple.

 

The difference is that what was a lapse last year is the normal this year.
This year playing good defence is the exception and it only lasts at most one quarter.

 

I want THIBS!

 

If you're team is winning 50+ games a season, improve their record every year, go to the play-offs every year, go to the Western Conference Finals in a season that they are the single most injured team in the league then you really don't have a right to complain.

Thats not to say that you have to think he is the right coach for the job but can't complain about the results of the past 3 seasons and you can't remove him from the success if you are not going to remove him for the failure now.

But yes, the Rockets are playing ugly ball right now. If the 3s were dropping and they are winning it would be beautiful. A lot of people in the NBA accused Rudy T of playing ugly ball and there were NBA rules put in place to prevent Rudy Ball but every true Rockets fan thought it was beautiful because we were winning.

 

and last year starting to feel like years ago the more they play like this

 

Crash made some good points below but to piggy back on, I think it's more complex than blaming either or.

Chemistry and character are those two things that are so hard to quantify. As a basketball guy myself who has played organized for 20 years, I see a team that for whatever reason has a bad approach to practice and game preparation.

I think everyone in a leadership position should be to blame. Harden, McHale, Morey, and especially the point guard who is supposed to be the leader and quarterback. I can tell from a million miles away that this team is a terrible practice team.

 

It is not the same play, it is worse, the lack of effort is staggering, there are internal issues, committment problems, guys are not trying, there is a lot wrong.

DD

 

Hey, some of us have been. The Fire McHale thread has been around for 3 years now. I can safely say that I've never been a McHale thread.

He quieted me last season because of results but so far it's looking like that season was just unusual.

 

Do you think they've given up on McHale? And by internal issues do you think it's amongst players? There is definitely a lot wrong.

 

Anything done now is knee jerk. Can't make decisions with a hot head.

Basically, you need the season to be in the toilet and even then, it's easier to make changes after the season is over.

Plus, think about how that makes Les look if he were to fire McHale now considering he just gave McHale a big contract a few months ago. Big egg on his face, that's how it'll look. Win or lose, we're going through this season with our existing coaching staff.

 

Les doesn't give a crap how it looks. He wants to win and if he has to I'm willing to bet he pulls the trigger and fires McHale soon. Maybe as soon as tonight if you lose to the Mavs @ home.