2018-19 Houston Rockets Thread of running it back (mainly)

[HtownHorn 15243]

14 minutes ago, Chapo said:

I also have an unpopular opinion, I hate this MVP push by Harden.  At times he is forcing it to the detriment of the team.  Take last night for example, Harden was struggling and coughing up the ball repeatedly against double teams (almost cost us the game).  Gordon was playing and shooting well, I would rather have the ball in his hand the last few possessions.  

There wasn't a Rocket that took last night's game seriously. The Mavericks management would have been more upset had they actually won, because their draft pick has some protection to it, 1-5 this year.

[BigOrange1 6608]

harden couldn't really drive the entire 2nd half as he was worried about foul #6 (4 & 5 were offensive fouls as he drove to the basket).  i wouldn't put too much stock into last night's performance. 

[Dutchrudder 11228]

1 hour ago, Chapo said:

I also have an unpopular opinion, I hate this MVP push by Harden.  At times he is forcing it to the detriment of the team.  Take last night for example, Harden was struggling and coughing up the ball repeatedly against double teams (almost cost us the game).  Gordon was playing and shooting well, I would rather have the ball in his hand the last few possessions.  

MVPs are worth a ton of money in sponsorships and a lot of publicity. I can absolutely understand why guys like Harden and Westbrook do what they do to get them. Some of it may be detrimental to the team, but I don't think either care about a win here or there in the grand scheme of things compared to the personal accolades. It's just what the MVP has become recently, it's a box score+highlights+popularity contest, and it's a big deal to them even if it means little to us fans. 

[Dutchrudder 11228]

The case for James Harden as NBA MVP

But don’t forget about Paul George and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

BY PAUL FLANNERY  MAR 10, 2019, 8:00AM EDT

 

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/3/10/18258063/james-harden-nba-mvp-case-2019-giannis-antetokounmpo-and-paul-george-too

Edited March 11, 2019 by Dutchrudder

[Zavala 1384]

Haha fuck the Warriors! Just saw what happened with Kerr saying he's so tired of Draymonds shit. Hilarious.

[HtownHorn 15243]

Supposedly Faried and his new stretch 4 capabilities make a return tonight.

[Rockethorn1978 6203]

Ready to see a complete team starting now through the playoff run. I think this roster has enough pieces to challenge GS. No more injuries!

[Zavala 1384]

10 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

Supposedly Faried and his new stretch 4 capabilities make a return tonight.

Great. Keep Harden, CP3, and Capela healthy as well and let's wreck some motherfuckers in the playoffs.

[UDontKnow 10557]

No letdown on the second night of a back to back, thank goodness. Rest up before the big tilt Rockets. Doesn't seem like Utah will do us a favor by beating OKC tonight. Oh well, win and everything should fall into place.

[Thiefery 5108]

Is Clark gonna get anymore min or is he done because he'll trigger a bonus?  Shumpert is coming off an injury but his play even before wasn't that thrilling.  Clark however was improving, being in the right spots of the floor when he was getting some run last week.  

[BigOrange1 6608]

boom!

 

[Dutchrudder 11228]

Woohoo! That's great news! He will replace Shumpert, which should be an upgrade. We only have so many games left for him to get acclimated, but this should be plenty:

Golden State Warriors
Phoenix Suns
Minnesota Timberwolves
@Atlanta Hawks
@Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
@ New Orleans Pelicans
@ Milwaukee Bucks
Denver Nuggets
Sacramento Kings
@ Sacramento Kings
@ Los Angeles Clippers
New York Knicks
Phoenix Suns
@ Oklahoma City Thunder

[GHOSTUSER 361]

1 hour ago, BigOrange1 said:

boom!

 

Fuck yes. That’s how a real GM and franchise does it. DO YOU HEAR THAT MOTHERFUCKING TEXANS CHEAP ASS BASTARDS

[HtownHorn 15243]

Maybe they got tired of Shumpert looking completely disinterested on the court.

[Dutchrudder 11228]

53 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

Maybe they got tired of Shumpert looking completely disinterested on the court.

I think it has more to do with how little salary will go against the tax at this point, so there is no danger of going over and risking repeater status next year. 

[HtownHorn 15243]

11 hours ago, Dutchrudder said:

I think it has more to do with how little salary will go against the tax at this point, so there is no danger of going over and risking repeater status next year. 

For whatever reason, I am happy they did it. 

I like the potential rotation of Paul, Harden, Gordon, Tucker, Capela, Green, Faried, House, Rivers, and Nene.

[NowThis 931]

Rockets should have kept Ennis as Shumpert is past his best days. Very happy to see House coming back. Dude can hit for 12-18 a game. 

the bench might be better than last year with House, Green , Rivers. 

[CurlyDumps 4618]

I was under the impression the ship had sailed on signing House. Not trying to be sarcastic or anything, I thought I heard on the Dunc'd On podcast that the Rockets FO had kinda bungled the situation.

[HtownHorn 15243]

4 minutes ago, CurlyDumps said:

I was under the impression the ship had sailed on signing House. Not trying to be sarcastic or anything, I thought I heard on the Dunc'd On podcast that the Rockets FO had kinda bungled the situation.

They had until in the end of the season to convert his contract to make him eligible for the playoffs. I think as mentioned up thread, that the money now makes sense, especially since it's unlikely that Capela makes his defensive rebounding and FT bonuses.

Both parties were to blame, as the Rockets offered House a 3 year deal, but House wanted to become a RFA next season based on him excelling in the Rocket's system.

[BigOrange1 6608]

morey extended for 5 years.

[Rockethorn1978 6203]

We all know D'Antoni plays a short bench so I think we should be looking at what that rotation would be come playoff time. He isn't playing 9-10 guys in the playoffs.

Harden

CP3

Tucker

Gordon

Capella

Bench: Rivers, Faried and Green(in no order)

Next 3: Shumpert, House, Nene(in no order)

It will be hard for the last 3 to find minutes come the playoffs being realistic anyways.

[HtownHorn 15243]

2 minutes ago, Rockethorn1978 said:

We all know D'Antoni plays a short bench so I think we should be looking at what that rotation would be come playoff time. He isn't playing 9-10 guys in the playoffs.

Harden

CP3

Tucker

Gordon

Capella

Bench: Rivers, Faried and Green(in no order)

Next 3: Shumpert, House, Nene(in no order)

It will be hard for the last 3 to find minutes come the playoffs being realistic anyways.

Yep, but this team is much better equipped to handle the injury problem that killed the Rockets last year.

[Rockethorn1978 6203]

Yea hopefully it doesn't happen again but we are way deeper than last year. Just wanna make sure people get that House isn't getting minutes come playoff time, If he does it will be very limited. Faried, Rivers and Green will get the bulk of bench minutes

[UDontKnow 10557]

I just hope D'Antoni extends the rotation in the playoffs. It's going to be necessary to prevent injury.

[Rockethorn1978 6203]

1 hour ago, UDontKnow said:

I just hope D'Antoni extends the rotation in the playoffs. It's going to be necessary to prevent injury.

Maybe the first round but if anyone thinks he will be playing 10 guys vs the Warriors or Thunder should rethink it. I also think D' Antoni would play Shump over House in the playoffs just because Shump has played on championship teams and House has been good on some regular season games so coaches usually lean to playoff ready guys over young guys. Not that I even agree just saying what most coaches want on their bench are NBA seasoned vets that understand the playoff grind. But honestly I don't think it will matter as Faried, River and Green will eat up most if not all the playoff bench minutes.

[BigOrange1 6608]

i don't think he'll have a very deep rotation against the warriors, but it is nice to have guys you can play against them in rivers, faried, shumpert and house.

last year, in game 7, ryan anderson got 8 minutes (in which the rockets were torched) and joe johnson got 5.  this year we have much better options.

[Rockethorn1978 6203]

Yea absolutely better options by far. No KD tonight but we didn't have Harden last game and won, just win and keep moving up the standings.

[UDontKnow 10557]

Golden State came to play tonight. The Rockets need to find their game quick. 

[elfenix 34658]

Warriors 2 runs, Rockets 1

[Zavala 1384]

Lol boogie cousins just hurt himself flopping from some CP3 contact

[Machinator 32102]

Which one of you is this?

[NowThis 931]

nice bucket to start Q3 by Harden on a broken play.  Damn i love Gordon. 

[NowThis 931]

GS plays so much better without Durant. 

going to be hard as hell to beat them 4 of 7.

Edited March 14, 2019 by NowThis

[UDontKnow 10557]

No more giving up offensive rebounds. One quarter to win it. Go Rockets.

[HtownHorn 15243]

Shumpert fucking sucks. Should have played more Faried and Capela together, since you love to switch your best rebounder 30' away from the basket.

[UDontKnow 10557]

Just now, HtownHorn said:

Shumpert fucking sucks. Should have played more Faried and Capela together, since you love to switch your best rebounder 30' away from the basket.

Our starting lineup should include Faried and Capela with Gordon back to the 6th man role. They're getting eaten alive on the boards. D'Antoni claimed that Gordon in the starting lineup takes some defensive pressure off of CP3, but it really doesn't do much when you have to guard extra possessions when you're giving away second and third chances like candy.

[NowThis 931]

2 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

Shumpert fucking sucks. Should have played more Faried and Capela together, since you love to switch your best rebounder 30' away from the basket.

Shumpert is total trash, always out of position, was an idiot with NYK and even worse now.  I cry for Ennis leaving the team.  Can't wait for House, never play Shumpert aagin. . 

Rox not setting picks/screens for each other. What the hell, everything is 1 on 1 then jack a 3..

Also, Cousins stopping CP3 penetration, no lobs for dunks.  Cousins also doing his Moses Malone on offense. 

This is a bad bad bad game for Rox, huge statement win for GS.  Damn! 

[NowThis 931]

why doesn't Harden take Curry to the rim? He can do that every time, but settles for the 3 and his long ball has been off this month. 

[Dutchrudder 11228]

why doesn't Harden take Curry to the rim? He can do that every time, but settles for the 3 and his long ball has been off this month. 

Cause hes lazy? I dunno. Wish the metrics guys would reinforce in him that layups and dunks are the best shots to take.

[NowThis 931]

Rox did not play team ball tonight. Hardly any screens  on offense.  

[UDontKnow 10557]

4 minutes ago, NowThis said:

why doesn't Harden take Curry to the rim? He can do that every time, but settles for the 3 and his long ball has been off this month. 

It is very infuriating to watch. Also, D'Antoni had a poor game plan for Cousins.

[NowThis 931]

my jinx is working, 1 point game. 

[perfectchaos007 6766]

Can't expect to beat the Warriors when Harden is still off his game

[NowThis 931]

tucker should have just grabbed it and gone up with it.  Rox were not into this game mentally, GS came out on fire.  Game. Bummer. 

[UDontKnow 10557]

2 minutes ago, perfectchaos007 said:

Can't expect to beat the Warriors when Harden is still off his game

He has to make better decisions in crunch time. He wasted two possessions that didn't end in good looks. He's very dangerous when he drives and when he's 2-11 from 3, he needs to improvise.

[NowThis 931]

GS should say adios to KD and give Cousins big money, along with Klay, if the numbers work (priority to KT of course). 

[rice97ut02 0]

Cousins made Capela his bitch all game and Faried was invisible.

[Dutchrudder 11228]

Not a great game for either team, but GS is beatable. Need to figure out Cousins if we are gonna beat them 4 of 7. Capela wasn't very effective against him on either side of the court.

[Chapo 104]

Got obliterated on the boards (Looney was a man on a mission) and mised 30 threes = Rockets lose everytime.

Need to start House and EG to the bench. The 3 guard lineup cant rebound. Also EG had Curry guarding him, why not just let EG cook instead of force feeding Harden? 

[BigOrange1 6608]

disappointed in that game last night.  that stretch at the end of the 3rd quarter where golden state grabbed every offensive board was very disheartening.

if cousins is going to be as good as he was last night, they're going to be near unbeatable.