The Last 10 Games

I'm inclined to give more credit to Morey than McHale. Morey gave the Rockets some great pieces and the Rockets have a decent record in spite of, rather than due to, McHale's coaching.

I'd like to see the following the rest of the way:

1. Cut down Harden's minutes from 38 to 36 and have him play off the ball as a SG rather than a PG. This will give him some more rest that he can devote to playing better D.

2. Bump up Lin's minutes from 32 to 36, and have him play true PG, regardless of a few turnovers here and there. The minutes should be regular: take him out at the 3 minute mark in the 1Q and then reinsert him at the 9 minute mark in the 2Q.

3. Cut down Delfino's minutes and shot attempts. He shoots, per minute, more than anyone on the team except Harden, yet he has one of the worst FG%. There's no reason he should be chucking up so many shots.

4. Have set post up plays for Dmo and Asik when the team isn't running a fast break. Get Dmo out of the corner 3 position.

5. Try the Lin-Beverly-Harden-Parsons-Asik small ball lineup some more. Basically, Lin and Beverly and perhaps even Anderson should be getting the minutes that Delfino and Harden should give up.

I feel like Smith and Parsons are the only two players who are being used properly right now.

 

0-10.

 

Did guys used to smile when the team was losing, I don't remember Dream, Kenny, Max or OT doing it. Hope it's not a bad sign because I don't see a lot of grit and fight in this team.

 

We finish 6-3 while GS finished 4-4 putting us in 6th seed while being able to rest the last game vs Lakers!

 

1 - 9

 

wouldn't it be awesome if rockets win all last 9

 

100% of what? Wanna bet? $10 to the tipjar? Or are you just having a moment?

 

Same as last year.

With 9 games left last season, HOU was coming off a very nice 4-0 road trip and was 7 games above .500.

HOU is 7 games above .500 now.

History repeats itself.

 

Sure I'll bet. 10 dollars sounds fine. Willing to do more

 

Let's do $20. I can afford to lose that much if I'm wrong, in which case I'll be the one having the moment.

 

He hopes they do. But as always, he'll be wrong.

 

? I'm confused. How will you be having the moment? You'll lose 20 bucks and rox will miss the playoffs.
To be clear, I'm a die hard fan and hope I lose 20 bucks. I'm just a pessimist I guess and just don't think this roster has what it takes.

 

It is different from last year, not vastly different, but different enough for Rockets to make the playoffs.

Last year last 9 games, Houston was up against 5 teams that made playoffs:

Utah 1 game
Denver 2 games
Dallas 1 game
Miami 1 game

The loss to Suns was a tough one too since the Suns was still fighting for a playoff chance at the time.

Only the lost to New Orleans was inexcusable. But Rockets would still miss the playoffs even if they had won over New Orleans.

This year the remaining games:
Orlando, out of playoff picture, likely win
SacTown 2 games, out of playoff picture, likely win
Portland, almost of out playoff picture, likely win
Denver, likely losing this one
Pheonix 2 games, out of playoff picture, likely win
Memphis, likely losing this one
Lakers, it is a toss up.

Rockets might go 6 win 3 losses. The worst case I see is 4 win 5 losses, they, that should be still good for making the playoffs.

 

too bad we're trying to win

 

Maybe, maybe no.

 

Sorry, Z, I just meant I'll be feeling sorry for myself all round, that kind of moment. Being a Houston sports fan gives us all cause for pessimism, I think (over and over, being in perfect position to do something worth celebrating, then against all odds screwing the pooch completely) -- but I wanna believe in these guys! I keep coming back year after year for more abuse, like Charlie Brown trying to kick that damn football. Something inside me can't accept the defeatism. I'll be happy for you if you do lose, though, ok?

 

brilliant retort supported by facts and logic. we just won with Harden on the bench, so what's your point?