Saturday, November 3, 2012

Rockets vs Trail Blazers Game #3 Thread

292 comments:

  1. The Blazers are too tough to beat. Their big men Arvydas Sabonis and Rasheed Wallace are too skilled and quick. Add Damon Stoudamire's quickness and three point shooting, and they are a lock to win tonight.

    Though the Rockets have some chance with Yao and T-Mac starting to show some chemistry. But ultimately the Rockets don't have enough depth to win tonight.

    We'll see how this goes. Good luck to all and God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL!

      Sabonis, Wallace, and Stoudamire? Sure that will be tough if that is still their lineup.

      Delete
    2. Nah, beating Sabonis and Wallace and Stoudamire is EASY.

      Sabonis is like 60, Wallace is the 12th man for the Knicks, and Stoudamire has been retired for like 10 years!

      Sabonis still practices with his Zalgiris team on occasion, so he'd probably beat Yao who's freshly retired. TMac is in China, and China doesn't let NBA players of their contracts.

      Delete
    3. Not sure if I have missed anything but what happened to Nemo's story on linsanity conspiracy theory?

      Delete
    4. Mark, the whole documentary has been cancelled due to all the displeasure with the whole idea.

      Delete
    5. Maybe Nemo is trolling, but at least he's not flaming anyone here.

      Leave him be.

      Delete
    6. Thanks KHuang. Don't worry about it bro.

      People on here seem to take everything too seriously, so I'm just having fun with them all LOL

      Delete
  2. Rasheed Wallace? thats one baddd mother ***ker

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linsanity : 30pts 12 assists 7 rebounds 2 steals.

    He will make those easy shots/lay-ups under the rims that he missed last night

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You do know that Lin played 39-40 mins last night

      He'll be exhausted if he tries to play to get that stat

      Delete
    2. Same with Harden. He played 39-40, too. So far Hardlin are doing good but we have to wait till the end of the game to see if they can still run...

      Delete
    3. Just finished watching the 1st half. Dont expect linsanity tonight. Seems like he's taking it easy tonight & just trying to run the set offenses. Lets see what Lin does in the 2nd half.

      Delete
    4. I expect "Linsanity".

      Of course, my personal definition of "Linsanity" is that Lin's team keeps winning whether he has a great scoring night or not.

      Lin is 17-10 in the NBA. 18-10 after this game probably. THAT's "Linsanity" to me!!!

      Delete
  4. defense will win this game.
    contain Liliard and Baton and Aldridge

    ReplyDelete
  5. i want jeremy lin to have a big game tonight....i know harden is doing his thing but i don't think we have seen the full potential of mr. lin.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wasnt Jeffries traded to Portland? I really like the guy. Not the most gifted player around the hoop but he has such a great work ethic - big part of Linsanity. Also - he was always supporting Lin, backing Lin when things were tough.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup. Jeffries was a pretty cool dude. Sad that his partnership with our boy was cut short by injuries. Definitely one of the more credible guys in the Linsanity story.

      Delete
    2. The man is simply a great and loyal teammate. One time a reporter asked Jeffries a question with only a hint of JLin criticism... Jeffries picked that guy appart. He is pretty eloquent for a pro athlete :)

      Delete
  7. Remember Jeremy always performs exceptionally well for games with some significance and this is the first home opener. Well see some Linsanity tonight folks.

    ReplyDelete
  8. harden is unreal this guy scores points with such ease

    ReplyDelete
  9. harden should be head to head with lebron if not...might be better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lebron probably got a nightmare last night sees a
      beard and a Chinese face all night long. Sweating.......
      Oh No!!! They might steal my MVP and score Title.

      Delete
  10. Just saw Jared Jeffries and had a Linsanity flash back. He doesn't look as happy as he did during this time. :(

    ReplyDelete
  11. you heard it first here...nba champs this season...lmao

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jared Jeffries and Lin playing tonight. Awwww thats cute. Hope they will reunite one day.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Finally - TD makes a shot. He is not a great PG but he can be a great shooter..

    ReplyDelete
  14. Aldrich is pretty solid. Nice post moves.

    The bench looks better which is good for the starting backcourt ===> More Rest

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, the Rockets bench is kicking the Portland bench's ass. Too bad Houston didn't pick up Cole Aldrich's option.

      Delete
    2. Bench doing better tonight. Unfortunately - missing some easy shots and layups...

      Delete
  15. bench could get a fast lead but they can lose the lead just as fast....seem like like a trend with these guys

    ReplyDelete
  16. HELLLLLL YEAH! ASIK STEALING, HARDEN PASSING, LIN SCORING!

    ReplyDelete
  17. lin really got to work onthat shot...misses too many threes

    ReplyDelete
  18. Man, love that bounce pass to CP for a dunk.

    ReplyDelete
  19. @KHuang

    You said Batum is the best player of the Blazers. He has 0 points and a -6

    Aldridge is the undisputed best player of the Blazers PERIOD......

    15 points 50% FG and a +2

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I dont think he was talking fantasy numbers.

      Delete
    2. No he said that it is Batum that they better look out for not Lillard and Aldridge

      Delete
    3. As Batum goes, so do the Blazers.

      LMA will get his points, win or lose. I'm not sure if he has any real impact on winning.

      When Batum plays well, he has a Lebron lite effect. When he plays poorly, the Blazers go down with him.

      Delete
    4. He's having a bad shooting night...

      Delete
    5. I beg to disagree

      The blazers are simply not better than the Rockets because they don't have a lot of weapons like the Rockets.

      With Lamarcus, this game would have been a blowout.

      Also, I doubt Batum can score on his own without Aldridge drawing multiple defenders.

      Delete
    6. Jeremy Lin teams are always SUPERB defensively.

      Just because Batum is off doesn't mean he isn't the Blazers' best player. They aren't paying him $9+ million this year to brick shots.

      Nicholas Batum is a fabulous athlete who can be a difference maker when he's on his game. When he gets into unstoppable mode, nobody can stop him. That's why I call him the best player on the Blazers even though LMA is the acknowledged face of the franchise.

      Delete
    7. It's hard to score against a Jeremy Lin team.

      Jeremy Lin's teams are always solid defensively. Lin will just BARK at people until they defend. Doesn't matter if they're Carmelo Anthony or Tyson Chandler, Lin is a defensive floor general.

      Many a dynamic offensive player will be muzzled by Lin's defensively superb Rockets.

      Delete
    8. Batum was the difference maker in the 3rd quarter at both ends of the floor, nearly outscored the whole Rockets team by himself for the Blazers lead. Who is sounding stupid now? :-)

      Delete
    9. Batum was really, really good in 3Q... huge blocks

      Delete
    10. How did Batum get open threes? Because of Aldridge

      Thank You!

      Delete
    11. Batum 6 steals. Did LMA help Batum get steals too? Batum is the best defender on that Blazers team.

      Delete
    12. Batum taking over is exactly what I was afraid of.

      He's an inconsistent young player, but LOOK OUT when he gets his rhythm going. That's what happened today.

      The Rockets can live with LMA being LMA, even despite his wonderful points. What the Rockets can't live with is Batum doing jumping jacks on the Rockets on both ends of the court, like what he did today.

      Super athletes like Batum (who's athletic as a forward the way Jeremy Lin is as a guard) will disrupt opponents. When superathletic guys like Lin or Batum hit their stride, nobody in the NBA can do anything against then.

      Delete
  20. Harden is a human! Not all shots went in in the 2nd qtr. But he should be back as a superman to start the 3rd qtr.

    Go Rockets! Go Lin, Harden, Asik, Parsons, Patterson.... and Douglas!

    ReplyDelete
  21. harden blew another layup...i think houston made a bad trade...lol.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Harden is tired..they need to rest him right now.

    ReplyDelete
  23. And 1 layup by the beard & batum is heating up

    ReplyDelete
  24. Not looking good in the 3rd quarter. The portland score almost 30 n rockets only 13. Better bouncing back at 4th. Gotta get this one, the first home court game. Go rockets n har-Lin!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jeremy not being aggressive anymore, deferring to Harden who has a sprained ankle. Lin is just not wanting or asking for the ball. Rockets getting every shot blocked at the rim without any foul calls.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Jeremy lin takes the last second shot of the 3rd quarter. Looked straight but hits the back iron of the rim.

    ReplyDelete
  27. lin got to hit them 3s...i want him to shine

    ReplyDelete
  28. Bad three at the end by Jeremy

    Should have penetrated the ball.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Looks like Lin and Harden will need to put in another 40 minute game. I don't trust Douglas in the 4th quarter.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Geez maybe he should stop taking 3s for now. He has been pretty consistent bricking those up so far. He could've gotten a closer shot than that.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Lin is doing great. He has shutdown lillard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah Lin's defense is great tonight. Lillard is no scrub.

      Delete
  32. Marcus Morris !!!

    Nice back-to-back 3s

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you Morris and i like that harden is very willing to pass the ball to the hot man. That's the way to give confidence to your teammates.

    ReplyDelete
  34. No jlin in the 4th quarter wdf...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is bs 5mins & still no jlin

      Delete
    2. the rockets were on a great run with douglas on the court though - no reason to get him in at that point

      Delete
    3. im sure they will put him after the time-out.

      Delete
    4. lol remember those keith smart days, bad flashback

      Delete
    5. McHale might want to give him as much rest but he needs to back in with 2-3 left

      Delete
    6. JLin tired so he gets rest. TD having fresh legs, showing some skills... doing ok so far thats why McHale probably didnt bring JLin back in.....


      Im just seing... Lins back

      Delete
    7. Lin is back in with 5 min left

      Delete
  35. I dont like how they're using lin on offense. Hes like a nobody on these set offense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Harden got tired legs, he needs to let Lin be the playmaker

      Delete
    2. There are times when hes open and harden passes over him

      Delete
    3. Lin looks tired too. Don't be too pushy because this is a 82 game season. One injury can end everything in an instant.

      Delete
    4. See what i tell u.harden got double team doesnt pass to jlin

      Delete
    5. happy now lol. He needed that rest.

      Delete
    6. lin doesnt need a set offense...he will step up when is needed

      Delete
    7. Omg. That's what I'm talking about. Took it to the hole. WTH coach was thinking? ' oh let JLin walk the ball up and give it to Harden and step aside?'
      Should have let JLin go for the last shot.

      Delete
  36. Lin is now like the invisible man camping behind the arc, nobody is passing it to him at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dont take it that way. Lin has teammates who are hot right now. Dont touch a running system... a good PG sometimes has to know when to step down... when to step up... thats why people say hes unselfish! He needs to take care of his body so thats fine...

      Delete
  37. Thats right jlin take it to the hole and get an And1

    ReplyDelete
  38. Did Mchale not get the memo?! Lin was top 3 leader in 4th q scoring last yr under Chris paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. damn i wish lin would been the one with the last shot...

      Delete
  39. Ugh you don't try an alley-oop at that point Lin

    ReplyDelete
  40. See that bs harden forcing a 3point shot. Jeremy lin should get the ball for the game winner.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Great, Rockets were down by 3 and then gave Matthews and open 3.

    ReplyDelete
  42. too predictable, sometimes lin should give it a go

    ReplyDelete
  43. I think we're about to see JLin gets very aggresive in the OT

    ReplyDelete
  44. an OT, oh my goodness i hope the portland is more tired than the rockets.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Lin had a chance for a 3 pointer but chose to lob it to air Parsons who was in no position to catch and dunk. Worst turnover of his Rockets season.

    ReplyDelete
  46. What is Mchale doing as coach? I guess they gave the green light to harden in shoot to your hearts content, I personally dont think harden is that good

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i think they should go back to just let jeremy lin play make

      Delete
    2. If it wasn't for harden the Rockets would be 0-3. Just saying...

      Delete
  47. its ok. Jeremy will pad his stats in ot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is the wrong time to care about his stats

      Delete
    2. they need to win. who cares about individual stat.

      Delete
  48. wow parson is racking up minutes

    ReplyDelete
  49. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Lillard is something else.

    He outplayed Lin tonight for sure

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agree. He's one cool customer.

      Delete
    2. It was even until the overtime.

      Jeremy has a bad habit of losing sight of his man when he is off the ball.

      He's also been way too passive. Frustrating to watch.

      Delete
  51. The Rockets are losing because they're letting Harden play HERO BALL.

    If they gave the ball to Lin in the final possession or in these final minutes, this game would be over.

    GAAAAAAAAH

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But watch Rockets fans blame Lin for this.

      This game would be OVER if they gave the ball to Lin at the end.

      McHale screwed up and f**k Rockets fans who will blame Lin for missing that last 3 or something.

      Delete
  52. Lillard is impressive. Both times Jeremy sagged off to try to help, Lillard knocked down threes. Have to respect Lillard's shot. To be fair, both Jeremy and James look like they haven't any legs left.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Lillard is a big time player, I have to say. Rockets let one go today.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Replies
    1. yeah, i hate to admit it but portland guards outplay rockets guards in OT. And being tired is no excuse because both portland guards racked in more minutes than harden and lin

      Delete
  55. Why the heck is Lin losing sight of Lillard? The one thing he can really do is shoot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's called rotating and help defense because his teammates are terrible at it.

      Delete
    2. I know

      He also got beat off the backdoor

      Lillard has 2 3s in the OT

      Bad defense in the Ot by Lin

      Delete
    3. Lillard is one guy you can't help off of. He's almost automatic from deep.

      Delete
  56. you live by harden you die by harden

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bingo. Give the ball to Jeremy at the end of regulation and this game was over.

      Delete
  57. lin really needs to work on his shot...damian lillard looks alot better than him in this game.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Tough loss for the Rockets. Harden and Lin just didn't have the legs in the OT. Harden's 3PT shots were long on the back of the rim since he pushed with his arms. Lin didn't have energy to play tight defense on Lillard.

    The refs sure didn't help with some crucial calls on Harden's non-foul and stepping out of bounds after getting bounced.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is kind of loss that will help the Rox learn. They need to execute well down the stretch in the last 2 min. The Blazers' long arm of defense really bothered them tonight.

      Delete
  59. Wes Matthews and Damon Lillard Backcourt GOAT?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How about the moderator of this site stop making predictions?

      It always seems be a jinx.

      Delete
    2. lets just say the guards position in the NBA has lots of talents this year.I think i mentioned that this is going to be the year of the guards.

      Delete
  60. What happened? A bit disappointment but still optimistic about the rockets. I think harden needs some rest during the game feels like he's in the same situation as Lin in the linsanity time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lydia, the Blazers had more stamina and executed well with two 3-Pointers in the OT.
      The Rockets didn't execute in the OT.

      Lin and Harden just didn't have the energy to pull the Rockets to win after doing so in the past 2 games. Only Morris and perhaps Parsons (with rebounds) played well and with confidence in the offense. The other teammates need to step up.

      It's okay. It's a long season but the Rockets need to get better quickly. I think the bench was much better. The Rockets need to get Aldridge in 2015! He's a dominant player

      Delete
    2. Rockets forwards got pummeled, that's what happened.

      LMA alone earns more than all the Rockets forwards PUT TOGETHER.

      Batum is a $10 million man.

      Delete
  61. they should done the pick and roll with lin at the last possession and let him find that open man..or take the shot..probably would been more safe..at the end of regulation

    ReplyDelete
  62. honestly i dont think harden is a better playmaker than jeremy....they need to give lin the ball and let harden score that should be it..too much harden this game....lin needs the ball and let him run the offense

    ReplyDelete
  63. 3 plays at the end by Lin were costly, the alley-oop feed to Parsons leading to a turnover, losing sight of Lillard cutting after post feed to Aldridge, and over helping on a drive leading to a Lillard 3 to ice the game.
    Other then those 3 plays, which I'm going to attribute to mental fatigue, Lin had a pretty solid, if not great game. Only saw him force two shots, one at the end of the 3rd quarter, where he was forced to shoot it, and one near the end of over time. Most of his other missed FG were pretty make-able shots. There was also a period in the 3rd quarter (I think it was) where Lin made 3 or 4 really good passes into the paint where other Rockets players got blocked or couldn't convert.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Rockets just looked outmatched today: Lamarcus Aldridge >>> Patrick Patterson+Asik
    Batum>Parsons
    Lin and Lillard looked about equal, but Lillard was on fire from 3 and Lin was not involved in 70% of the plays.

    The Blazers shooters were much better than the Rockets shooters today, and that spaced the floor for Aldridge to dominate inside... checkmate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, Lillard dominated Lin

      20 and 9 while 13 and 7

      Delete
    2. He should be embarrassed for being schooled by a rookie in his 3rd game. Really?

      Delete
    3. Lillard dominated Lin? Up until the end of regulation, I thought Lin actually had the upper hand considering his usage rate was way lower than Lillard's in this game. Lin had some great passes, whereas Lillard basically got his assists on dump-offs to Aldridge and his wings for jump-shots. He's an average passer and his assist total is way misleading, but hey, I can't blame him for using his teammates well.

      The overtime is where Lillard did his thing.

      Delete
    4. Every hater was saying the same the same thing last year, XYZ point guard outplayed Jeremy Lin.

      But if you actually watched the game, XYZ point guard got a good pick from JKL bigman, and nobody on Lin's team helped out to stop XYZ point guard from going to the rim.
      Or XYZ point guard dumped it off to JKL bigman, and Lin tried too much to help his teammate to double in the post, leading to a wide open XYZ three pointer.

      His defensive lapses are not 1 on 1 ... they are mostly lapses in judgement: to double or not to double, to go over or under screens.

      These can be corrected over time.

      Delete
    5. Lillard did not dominate lin.yeah lillard caught fire in ot but otherwise lin played good defense on him. Lillard got easy assists by giving lma the ball on pick & pops cuz patterson cant play d

      Delete
  65. Lin 13 and 7
    Lillard 20 and 9

    How did a rookie outplayed Lin?

    Lillard isn't a good at penetration. All he does is shoot 3s and Lin gave him too many open looks.

    He also got beat in a predictable backdoor play.

    Offensively, too many 3s by Lin. Most are actually contested. Bad shot selection.

    Harden also was a ball hog tonight. Bad shot selection.

    Lin could have easily outclassed Lillard but he was too passive.

    Portland isn't better than the Hawks.

    They let this one slip away.

    Bad game from Jeremy and James.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeremy needs needs to grow some balls and realize that he's needed to make plays. He's being way too deferential and passive.

      Delete
    2. I agree

      He can take Lillard to school if he wants to

      Delete
  66. so much for the GOAT backcourt

    Greatest of all Texas ? LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol im going to give you a classic line loved by NBA fans during the opening week. "Its just one game."

      Delete
    2. but really for some reason Portland and the raptors even though both team didnt make the play-offs last season always gives me the creeps. Like im not confident every time they are against my fave team or player.

      Delete
    3. Portland correctly gives you the creeps because they are STACKED with EXPENSIVE talent.

      They've got a team that on paper should be a contender.

      Delete
  67. Hard to watch the game when all JLin did was bringing the ball up and then pass it to someone and never see the ball again until next possession, and then repeat. C'mon man, that's a waste of his God given talent! Aaargh!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  68. JEREMY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE LAST SHOT AT THE FINAL SECONDS OF THE 4RTH.

    JEREMY NEEDS TO REALIZE HE IS THE LEADER OF THE ROCKETS. DO NOT BOW DOWN TO HARDEN!!.

    MCHALE NEEDS TO GIVE JEREMY THE GREEN LIGHT TO BE LINSANITY IN THE 4RTH.

    ReplyDelete
  69. OH NOOO HERE COMES THE FLAMING GNOMES CLAIMING THEY WERE RIGHT ALL ALONG THAT JEREMY SUCKS! LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, Nemo.

      Those gnomes accuse you of being a troll, but I know better. You're one of my favorite guys here.

      To me, Lin and Harden had another solid game. Even though their teammates got outplayed, those two held the Rockets in it till the bitter end. I couldn't have asked for more from them.

      Most of the haters here don't realize that when the Rockets lose, it's not always because "Lin sux". A lot of times opponents actually BEAT the Rockets by playing well, so it's not all on Lin like the haters are saying here.

      Delete
  70. I'm not impressed by Lillard because he's not super fast. All he does well is shoot threes.

    However, he made Lin look like the rookie despite being unimpressive.

    Lin couldn't score on Lillard. I can easily say Lillard isn't a good defender at all.

    SMH!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The difference is that the Blazers set hard screens for Lillard and ran plays for him to get the ball in a position to score. Lin looked exhausted and he's not great at getting around picks after his injury.
      The Rockets only ran a few plays for Lin in the 4th quarter.

      Delete
    2. He's not but he doesn't make rookie mistakes.

      Delete
    3. He's not but he doesn't make rookie mistakes.

      Delete
  71. Losing at home when both teams played back-to-back nights is unconscionable. Clearly, the Rockets and Lin are not ready for prime time yet!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Replies
    1. get in line the lakers wants him to for nash.

      Delete
  73. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  74. So many HATERS here.

    Two men cannot beat five.

    Harden and Lin are trying to beat a very well paid and deep Portland team. This was a night when the massive difference in team salary showed.

    It's irresponsible to blame Lin and Harden for this loss when there are so many other Rockets who are not able to compete against Portland's highly paid players.

    Nights like these are going to happen where the two Hardliners cannot overcome superior depth and salary. So don't be making irresponsible statements like "Lin isn't aggressive enough" or "Harden lost the game" or "Lin got schooled".

    Not even Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen could beat teams by themselves. Don't expect it from Harden and Lin either!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I second that.

      KHuang, I will never forgot those days leading up to Linsanity when this site only had real passionate fans and you were one of the original members here and we all would comment on how much potential the NBA insiders kept missing.

      Then when that game that started off Linsanity against the Nets, it felt like we all won the lottery. Truly one of the greatest feelings ever. It was the feeling of God answering us. I am confident in that.

      But now Jeremy is now mainstream guy, which leads to bandwagoners, flamers, fakes/phoneys posing as Jeremy Lin's original fans. Things have surely changed, so we have to accept that with good also comes the bad.

      Delete
  75. they are not playing ball....they are bringing up the ball and doing melo knicks impersonation...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Surprisingly you are right on. I didn't even think about that but that is truly what happened tonight.

      I have come to realize why they do that though, especially Melo. It's because its an 82 game season and players, especially bigger players, ca't fully go full force every game. Otherwise, they can get severely injured or burnt out down the line. A payer like Melo is a lot bigger than Lin or Harden so that requires more energy. Ultimately all players are at risk if they go 5th gear the whole game, every game.

      Again, people need to realize this is an entertainment and a business. They people have families and they don't want to put their health in danger (though with the amount they get paid, they probably should). but again, that half court game is the safest and most exciting way to play and thats why we wont be able to see the fast break tempo every game, every minute.

      Delete
    2. There are times in the NBA when fancy passing and teamwork gets SHUT DOWN.

      Then it's throw the ball to one guy and isolate.

      The Rockets have only two isolation players. Good teams have 3 or 4.

      Delete
    3. Exactly, the two players who can create their own shots are Harden and JLin. That's why Lin will get his share of closer moments! JLin actually got a few shots in the ending minutes of regulation in this one (and scored an and-1). The same thing with the last game. Of course Harden is the coach's obvious choice for taking most of the closing game shots so far. As teams focus more on Harden, and as JLin gets his quickness back, I trust coach will still stay with Harden as the go-to guy, but will also gradually rely on JLin for even more of the closer shots.

      Delete
  76. Come on, people...I know we're disappointed but the Blazers simply was the better team tonight, their experience, their execution, and shooting was much better in the OT.

    The story of the night was that the Rox couldn't stop Aldridge (+27!) so it opened up a lot of space for the 3-PT shooters (10-24) at 41%

    No shame in losing to the better team. JLin and Harden had tired legs after carrying the team in the past 2 games.

    You can cheer for them when they won in the past 2 games. You can cheer to support them when they lose, too.

    They just need to go back to the drawing board, instill confidence to the other players and compete again. That's what the coaching team will do for a young team like the Rockets.

    They're 2-1 and they're getting better fast so let's hope they get enough rest in 4 days and be ready for Denver.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Portland was also playing back-to-back games, and they had a much tougher opponent yesterday in Oklahoma (compared to Atlanta for Houston)--not to mention Houston was playing at home tonight.

    Finally, Matthews and Lillard both played more minutes than Lin Harden.

    No excuses about "tiredness," Houston simply got beat by Portland.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Portland owner Paul Allen is incredibly wealthy.

      Win or lose, his Blazers are always highly paid and are two deep at every positions.

      Houston is not deep. They have Lin and Harden and Asik (a nonscorer). Marcus Morris has amazingly stepped it up, but he's not a highly regarded player.

      Though Houston will still win a great many games (50 is not inconceivable), they WILL be outclasses by better teams. Tonight was one of those nights.

      LIn and Harden cannot beat teams by themselves, though the haters here expect them to.

      Delete
  78. To be fair several of Harden's shots should have gone in. I have say Asik needs to dunk the ball when he's very close to the basket. Rockets had their chances, so that's all they can expect.

    ReplyDelete
  79. To be fair several of Harden's shots should have gone in. I have say Asik needs to dunk the ball when he's very close to the basket. Rockets had their chances, so that's all they can expect.

    ReplyDelete