ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Grizzlies 3/29/2013

So just give up? I have to admit, I've never seen anything like that before.

 

Every game right now is a playoff game, until we clinch a spot.

 

Yeah been on road -gently backs away.

DD

 

The current players on the floor were definitely not giving up. The starters, for the most part, were playing like that already had. McHale can make some dumb decisions, but I'm fine with this one.

 

Agreed. Harden is a great scorer but a new coach is needed who will make him pass if a man is open and most of all try on defense. They have the potential to be a top 3 team but need a coach who will get the most out of their talent.

 

People seem really butthurt about this loss and seemingly want to harp on the normal abilities of our starters versus our bench in vacuum without any context.

 

It is simple. Mchale's rotation is inconsistent.
That's why our players can not consistent play under
a designed stategy.

By the way, another 10 games had passed.
I still see no improvement on the screen set up.
Our coach probably believe that shooting the stupid 3pts can keep his job

 

Yea true Id take gasol over Howard too. But is he a free agent this year

 

Thanks, gtk

 

Definitely. There is just no discipline. It's just like, hey everyone, let's try to beat your man off the dribble for the majority of the time. Delfino and Bieber shouldn't be trying to beat their man off of the dribble. That is not their strong suit. They should be coming off screens or slashing to the basket looking for easy buckets via offensive sets or a pass from someone who can beat their man off the dribble with ease like Harden. It's just ridiculous. Too many people have green lights and too much offensive autonomy.

 

Did you ever stop and think that the team is overachieving and that the lack of consistent rotations is due to being the youngest team together with a roster that has never played together? The power forward rotation was removed from the team at the All-Star break, don't forget.

 

Tony Allen or Andre Iguodala, take your pick. Those guys are going to give Harden fits and completely disrupt Houston's offense.

Bring the Spurs!

 

But if this adds a little fire to our starters and also gives them a little extra rest, it could improve our odds of winning tomorrow.

Think of it this way. Let's say our chances of winning this game was 10% if we put the starters back in (personally, I think that's generous), and 0% keeping the reserves in. That 10% difference of winning a single game really means very little. Playoff chase or no. If it turns out that the starters play with a little extra energy and fire tomorrow because of this (e.g. they go from having a 45% chance of winning tomorrow to 55% of winning), then maybe overall we benefit from the decision.

 

Harden doesn't pass if a teammate is open? Poor defense, yeah, but not passing to open teammates is not a problem for him.

 

Except for the point guards whose job it is to hand off the ball like a frigging NFL quarterback.

 

trailing 9 points with 9:22 left in the 4th quarter, obviously Mchale was trying to send a message to the starters undoubtedly. the starters obviously got it but would they take it? only they know. If they didn't play for the coach, Mchale would be on his way to exit.

The Rockets is paying 80m to Harden, therefore anyone who wishes to trade him will be defintely dreaming. Remember this is a 80m contract and no team in NBA will just take it without deep thoughts.

IMO make it to the playoffs will be the decisive factor for the front office will do with the coaching staff and/or the players for next season. The only thing is 100% sure is that Harden will be here next season. Anyone else could go or stay if needed.

 

Houston only knows how to play one way. From time to time, they're going to run into a brick wall.

Today, the beard got mauled by the bear.

 

This is reasonable from Morey's perspective. But if this was mchale's perspective during the game i.e. Rox were not winning this game anyways, then he basically tanked this game.

 

You honestly think McHale is giving out an olive branch to Lin by benching him AGAIN most of the 4th AND the rest of the starters??? LOL Seriously man, people have to stop giving his knucklehead coach so much slack. So, now McHale is making amends to Lin by helping the Grizzlies win by benching the entire starting lineup at critical times...so Lin doesn't feel picked on??? C'mon! Are you serious?

 

So I went through all the comments to find a reasonable explanation why McHale benched all the starters, but without success.

Jeremy I can understand because McHale never needs a real reason to bench him. I thought Parsons played well so why bench him as well? Harden didn't play much D but it's not like he had been playing D in the previous 70 games, and Harden always finds a way of getting us some points even if his shots were not falling.

If it was about resting the starters for tomorrow, why not rest the 2nd unit too and play Brooks, Garcia and Tim O. a little?