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What's the story behind 'We played with energy' after wins, 'We didn't play with energy' after losse

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Tuk88, Feb 23, 2015.

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  1. j@amc

    j@amc Member

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    One more thing - some readers will roll their eyes over this thread. That's fine but the truth hurts. James Harden is having an MVP type season, but he finishes near dead last in mph in the NBA. His running buddy Josh Smith beats him only by a hair.

    These men are super athletes, but their "effort" lags and needs to be called out.

    Matt Bonner and Aaron Baines (who many unthinking people would call "stiffs") beat them in foot race regularly game in and game out. Who knows how good Harden and Smith could be if they were only average with the rest of the league in "effort."

    I want keep posting about this until Harden and Smith can average 4 mph for a game. That look like dead average to me.

    Maybe they are saving it for the playoffs.
     
    #121 j@amc, Apr 9, 2015
  2. fchowd0311

    fchowd0311 Member

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    I've said this multiple times. Harden during the offseason needs to concentrate on cardio.
     
    #122 fchowd0311, Apr 9, 2015
  3. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Member

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    You'd think the Rockets would learn from being outrun by the Spurs two days prior, but no. They were outrun even more so, by a good 3/4 mile. The numbers just don't add up for the Rockets. At this point I blame the coaches more than Harden for allowing him to continue to be the fourth slowest player in the league, outrun by Duncan last night, who played just as many minutes. So yes, I find the 'I am the MVP' talk annoying.

    I'll root for the Rockets of course, but I just can't expect much anymore. It's kind of like watching an ugly guy friend asking the beautiful girl out for a date. At least I won't feel sorry for the guy if she says no, and hey, good for him if she says yes. It's come to that for me. The guy's still my friend either way.

    Distance: Spurs 17.23 > Rockets 16.48 ; UFGA: Spurs 40 > Rockets 23
    Average team speed: Spurs 4.31 > Rockets 4.12

    Prigioni - 4.88
    Terry - 4.47
    Brewer - 4.42
    Ariza - 4.22
    Jones - 3.91
    Smith - 3.86
    Harden - 3.77
    Howard - 3.51

    (Duncan - 3.82)

    Defensive rankings based on the last three games:

    1. Atlanta
    2. Memphis
    3. LA Clippers
    4. San Antonio
    5. Indiana
    6. Utah
    7. Toronto
    8. Chicago
    19. Golden State
    20. Portland
    21. Houston
     
    #123 Tuk88, Apr 11, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2015
  4. j@amc

    j@amc Member

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    The Rockets deserve some props for rallying to beat New Orleans.

    The Pelicans are quite the half court group; they actually had no fast break points for the game (outscored 21-0).


    ​
    For a great athlete, Tyreke Evans doesn't push the pedal. His 3.96 shows, and Omer Asik is a great hustler (9 chances and 4 offensive rebounds), but he can't run: 3.89. . . Holliday (4.48), Cole (4.48), and Cunningham (4.73) didn't get out in transition, but the ran their sets hard.

    I'm somewhat worried about Terrence Jones. He's not himself and is gutting it out. He doesn't have the juice and the numbers show it (3.79).

    Kudos to the Rockets for contesting shots. Allowing only 35 in a game is big for us. We can win when we get that kind of effort.
     
    #124 j@amc, Apr 13, 2015
  5. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Member

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    I'll take a win any way we can get it.

    Smith hit a 4 for the first time, he deserves some credit for that. He also led the team with a +16, that can't be a total coincidence. Harden ran more than he has in the past couple of weeks, though his (+/-) has not been very MVP-like the past couple of weeks. Jones, Howard dragged the team speed down overall though, so the Pels outran us in the end.

    Distance: Pelicans 16.63 > Rockets 16.04 ; UFGA: Spurs 36 > Rockets 35

    Prigioni - 4.38
    Terry - 4.18
    Brewer - 4.27
    Ariza - 4
    Smith - 4
    Harden - 3.83
    Jones - 3.79
    Howard - 3.71

    Defensive Efficiency rankings based on the last three games (Golden State, Atlanta, Cleveland have dropped with nothing to play for, while the teams they've played have risen, so I'm not including any of them):

    3. LA Clippers
    4. Memphis
    10. San Antonio
    18. Portland
    24. Houston
     
    #125 Tuk88, Apr 13, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2015
  6. rockets13champs

    rockets13champs Member

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    Why doesnt a media reporter ask this????
     
    #126 rockets13champs, Apr 13, 2015
  7. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Member

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    Classic game of the starters putting in minimal effort against a team they should blow out. Looks to me like the bench players who put the most effort in built the lead, while the staters put in less effort, and lost it.

    Distance: Hornets 16.91 > Rockets 16.26 ; UFGA: Hornets 41 > Rockets 36

    Prigioni - 4.62 (+18)
    Brewer - 4.52 (+2)
    Capela - 4.44 (+17)
    Ariza - 4.03 (+18)
    Terry - 4 (-8)
    Dorsey - 3.97 (-9)
    Jones - 3.93 (-7)
    Harden - 3.79 (0)
    Smith - 3.73 (+19)

    Defensive Efficiency rankings based on the last three games (Golden State, Atlanta, Cleveland, Portland have dropped with nothing to play for, while the teams they've played have risen, so I'm not including any of them):

    4. LA Clippers
    9. San Antonio
    12. Memphis
    17. Houston

    Our last five games, which is often a preview of how a team is going to play in the playoffs, shows we've been outrun every time, and given up more uncontested field goals each time.

    Distance: Hornets 16.91 > Rockets 16.26 ; UFGA: Hornets 41 > Rockets 36
    Distance: Pelicans 16.63 > Rockets 16.04 ; UFGA: Spurs 36 > Rockets 35
    Distance: Spurs 17.23 > Rockets 16.48 ; UFGA: Spurs 40 > Rockets 23
    Distance: Spurs 16.65 > Rockets 15.97 ; UFGA: Spurs 50 > Rockets 41
    Distance: Thunder 16.74 > Rockets 16.27 ; UFGA: Thunder 43 > Rockets 29

    The numbers are trending the same way for the Jazz game as it did for the Spurs games, which we're going to lose if we don't turn this around.
     
    #127 Tuk88, Apr 14, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2015
  8. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Member

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    VERY interesting numbers for the Jazz game. While they outran us by a mile, their 18.27 total distance was one of the highest numbers in the NBA all year, if not the highest, which perhaps shows why they have the #1 defense since the All-Star break. However, the Rockets 17.16 was one of their highest numbers of the year, if not the highest. It goes to show you just have to put enough effort in. Our team defense moved up significantly to #4 for the last three games. That's a great sign. Harden didn't hit that 4, but at least it was in his top 5 for the past couple of months - I wonder sometimes if his asthma issues are not totally behind him.

    Distance: Jazz 18.27 > Rockets 17.16 ; UFGA: Jazz 54 > Rockets 37
    Average team speed: Jazz 4.57, Rockets 4.29

    Prigioni - 4.69 (+8)
    Brewer - 4.63 (+18)
    Capela - 4.57 (+4)
    Terry - 4.54 (+23)
    Jones - 4.34 (+20)
    Ariza - 4.11 (+20)
    Harden - 3.86 (+28)
    Howard - 3.67 (+21)
    Smith - 3.67 (+19)

    Defensive Efficiency rankings based on the last three games, counting only the teams that had something to play for, otherwise the results are skewed:

    4. Houston
    9. LA Clippers
    10. Memphis
    16. San Antonio
     
    #128 Tuk88, Apr 16, 2015
  9. WinkFan

    WinkFan Member

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    Some people roll their eyes at this thread because there is no correlation between distance run and wins.
     
    #129 WinkFan, Apr 16, 2015
  10. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Member

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    ...just like there's no correlation between second halves of back-to-back games and wins, when players are tired and not able to run as hard.

    Distance: Mavs 17.13 > Rockets 16.9 ; UFGA: Mavs 39 > Rockets 37
    Average team speed: Mavs 4.28, Rockets 4.23

    Prigioni - 4.62 (-5)
    Terry - 4.57 (+14)
    Jones - 4.33 (+8)
    Capela - 4.25 (-4)
    Brewer - 4.24 (+1)
    Ariza - 4.27 (+7)
    Harden - 3.93 (+14)
    Howard - 4.1 (+12)
    Smith - 3.85 (+3)

    Harden ran this much only once this year, when he scored 50. This game and the last, he's had his highest +/- in a month. The same with Dwight. Smith upped his game as well. The biggest jump in effort was Jones, and he had his best numbers in a month. The Rockets were still outrun as a team, but as Carlisle said, their talent advantage compensates, and combined with the added effort will push them over the edge. You'll likely see that blowout when we outrun the other team.
     
    #130 Tuk88, Apr 19, 2015
  11. WinkFan

    WinkFan Member

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    Actually nothing like it at all. If you plot all team's distance run per 48 minutes vs their wins this season, the best fit line has a slope of -0.001. That would say running more actually contributes to losing, but that slope is so small, it's insignificant.
     
    #131 WinkFan, Apr 19, 2015
  12. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Member

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    Total distance traveled alone doesn't say anything at all. The Spurs are #1, the 76ers #2. But, if a team outruns the other team in a game, that's where distance becomes more of a factor. That's consistent.

    Game #2:

    The Rockets outran the Mavs, and won handily. Maybe a coincidence, maybe not, but is there a pattern? Oh yes there is.

    I'd still like to see Harden hit a 4, and play a lot tougher off-the-ball defense (notice how often the opposing player only has to subtly fake his way past Harden because he's so far out of position) - maybe then the other team won't consistently beat us in UFGA, in like, just about every game. Again, this is about defense, Harden was a master in setting up those alley oops, but that's not what this is about.

    Distance: Rockets 16.51 > Mavs 16.37 ; UFGA: Mavs 40 > Rockets 33
    Average team speed: Rockets 4.13, Mavs 4.09

    Prigioni - 4.58 (+1)
    Terry - 4.48 (+11)
    Brewer - 4.29 (+6)
    Ariza - 4.27 (+18)
    Jones - 4.17 (+4)
    Howard - 3.9 (+22)
    Capela - 3.88 (-10)
    Harden - 3.83 (+9)
    Smith - 3.79 (+8)
     
    #132 Tuk88, Apr 22, 2015
  13. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Member

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    The Rockets outran the Mavs in Game 3, Rockets won. The Mavs outran the Rockets in Game 4, Mavs won. It's not that simple obviously, but it's not to be overlooked either.

    Harden and Smith dropped their energy levels big time from Game 3 to Game 4, and Dallas' UFGA jumped big time as well, where they had 50% more UFGA (crazy). I honestly don't think that's a coincidence. Harden has had a negative +/- in both games. The Rockets' two 37-year olds continue to outrun everyone else on the team. Monta Ellis stepped up his effort significantly from Game 3 to Game 4. We need Harden to do the same in Game 5, otherwise there will be a Game 6.


    Game #3

    Distance: Rockets 16.52 > Mavs 16.45 ; UFGA: Rockets 47 > Mavs 46
    Average team speed: Rockets 4.13, Mavs 4.11

    Prigioni - 4.85 (-10)
    Brewer - 4.54 (-11)
    Terry - 4.35 (+16)
    Ariza - 4.21 (+12)
    Jones - 4.16 (+4)
    Harden - 3.91 (-1)
    Smith - 3.82 (-10)
    Howard - 3.67 (+16)


    Game #4

    Distance: Mavs 16.46 > Rockets 16.29 ; UFGA: Mavs 55 > Rockets 37
    Average team speed: Rockets 4.11, Mavs 4.07

    Prigioni - 4.77 (+3)
    Terry - 4.51 (-19)
    Brewer - 4.5 (-11)
    Ariza - 4.28 (-11)
    Jones - 4.19 (-14)
    Howard - 3.88 (-23)
    Harden - 3.72 (-13)
    Smith - 3.58 (+13)
     
    #133 Tuk88, Apr 26, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2015
  14. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    Harden was noticeably lackadaisical tonight. He "Steve Francis'd" several possessions in the first half, after a great first quarter. In the third he was nowhere to be found.

    Jones/Smith are adding nothing on the glass / defensive hustle.

    However, didn't we shoot like -1% from three pointers? That's not going to help anything.

    The Rockets looked like this pretty much every fifth game during the regular season, so I'm expecting a game 5 bounce back in terms of intensity.
     
    #134 napalm06, Apr 26, 2015
  15. rocketsjudoka

    rocketsjudoka Member

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    Energy was the key difference in this game. Anytime a team gives up offensive rebounds and long shots fall short it while they continue to take a lot it's very clear they aren't playing with energy.

    I think we should've known that this series couldn't be win on talent alone but as anyone who remembers the 1995-1996 run knows to succeed in this league it takes heart. A desperate veteran team on the ropes just gave a young talented team a punch in the face. Now how the Rockets respond will tell us if this team is for real or not.
     
    #135 rocketsjudoka, Apr 27, 2015
  16. j@amc

    j@amc Member

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    Game 4 was an unfocused effort. Our fatigue level showed from the opening tip as we tried to win while putting out as little energy as possible. We made almost no adjustments as they game wore on. [By the way, why not go big when the Mavericks bring out Aminu? I would take out Trevor Ariza and pound the ball to Josh Smith in the post. If Aminu is going to guard Harden, who would take Smith in those cross match ups- Monta Ellis?]

    The Mavs shot 51% because we contested so weakly and just allowed them to get to rim with no resistance, AND they had 16 offensive rebounds that they cashed in (out of 25 total opportunities). By contrast, our Rockets only got 7 offensive boards out of 20 chances.

    The Mavs played for pride and we coasted. We had them down by 9 in the 1st quarter and could have stepped on their throats. This is really a disappointing step backwards.
     
    #136 j@amc, Apr 27, 2015
  17. J Sizzle

    J Sizzle Member

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    Will somebody please for the love of God find then "energy" and "effort" to stay with JJ F***ing Barea?
     
    #137 J Sizzle, Apr 27, 2015
  18. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Member

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    Our defensive efficiency isn't looking very good. Our main saving grace is Dallas is just as bad. We are one missed shot away from this being a tied series with the momentum in Dallas' favor, so the Rockets had better up their intensity in a big way in Game 5. Championship teams don't let up when they're up 3-0.

    1. Chicago
    2. Brooklyn
    3. Washington
    4. Atlanta
    5. Cleveland
    6. Memphis
    7. Milwaukee
    8. San Antonio
    9. Golden State
    10. LA Clippers
    11. Portland
    12. Boston
    13. New Orleans
    14. Dallas
    15. Houston
    16. Toronto

    http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/_/sort/defensiveEff/seasontype/3
     
    #138 Tuk88, Apr 27, 2015
  19. Tuk88

    Tuk88 Member

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    Game #5

    Hell just froze over because Josh Smith breached 4.0, with what is probably his highest effort of the season, and probably not coincidentally the Rockets second highest effort of the season (last game of the season was the highest), and probably not coincidentally the most sustained lead of the series. Everyone stepped their game up big time, even Harden matching his highest effort of the season (when he scored 50), albeit still not cracking that 4. Is that even possible? Incredibly well done, Rockets!

    Distance: Rockets 17.02 > Mavs 16.76 ; UFGA: Mavs 43 > Rockets 36
    Average team speed: Rockets 4.26, Mavs 4.19

    Prigioni - 4.9 (+2)
    Terry - 4.63 (+6)
    Brewer - 4.32 (+4)
    Jones - 4.31 (+10)
    Ariza - 4.29 (+8)
    Smith - 4.05 (+4)
    Howard - 3.94 (+7)
    Harden - 3.93 (+16)
     
    #139 Tuk88, Apr 28, 2015
  20. j@amc

    j@amc Member

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    Congratulations Josh Smith! You are officially out of the dog house.
    Great effort!

    Enjoy the time off and win. Perhaps take an extra 50-100 free throws a day. There is little doubt that the Spurs will turn to that if they survive.

    The next round will really tell us a lot about our team growth.

    The Clippers and Spurs play championship level defense (aka - virtually no uncontested shots; the Clips had only 29 on Tuesday - wow!).

    Another note - the Spurs ran for 17.7 miles despite their hack-a-jordan period. That's an amazing stat for a team with only 11 fast break points for the game. Very deceptive in terms of a running team.
     
    #140 j@amc, Apr 29, 2015
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