Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Rockets @ Hornets Game #36 2nd Half Game Thread

188 comments:

  1. Jlin to Harden to Morris iso for a midrange? Curious play

    Jlin full extension trying for steal. Didn't work but loved the hustle and heart

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  2. Law of averages? Now the refs are calling everything against NO.

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  3. This is, with little doubt, the worst officiating game of the season.

    I can't wait until the strike ends so we can get the real pros back.

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  4. Okay... I smell another blow out game come 4th quarter :)

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  5. Houston big men are trash. Give up open jumpers, fail to grab a rebound, generally useless offensively.

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    1. Parsons too. How many fast break opportunities go to waste because of his bad handle?

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    2. There not having a good game I would not call them trash. Not sure whats up with omer but man he's MIA on def rebounding.

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  6. Man I want to scream sometimes. I love jlin but twice he should have been agressive and taken it to the rim instead he gets 2x TO's :(

    aaarrrggggg.

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  7. Rivers -- you're a rookie. Why be so demonstrative?

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    1. Rivers - you have a PER of 6. Why be so demonstrative?

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  8. They can grind out a win but so far - not much fun to watch. Well - cant ask for a fun-to-watch-game every single time.

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    1. ...watching Lins new euro-step was worth tuning in though :)

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    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    3. lol. Mr james, I think you also need to cool ur self because you are like follow willydilly all over the thread making the same comments underneath!

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  9. Such a ugly game. Lin might end with single digit score today. Seems to have a hard time playing against the hornets.

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    1. Theres still the fourth quarter... fingers crossed :)

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    2. I do notice the match up against the Hornets have been rather tough for Jeremy, this year AND last year.

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    3. Haha...Yesterday you said he play like crap and he end up 19 points. Not a problem if single digit. Can't get a double digits every game. Though it might be really good if it's that case.

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  10. Perfect play. Harden goes against Rivers, who of course loses him in penetration, draws 3 NO defenders, kicks out and swing to Delfino for 3

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  11. Amazing when Lin sits down... everybody gets lost.. WAKE UP!!!

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  12. Jlin feed to Patterson who gets rejected

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  13. Rivers trying to go against Lin, gets nothing

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  14. Lin in corner watching TD when PG

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  15. Lin gambling and trying to block, good try

    Rivers tops Lin on penetration. If only he had Nash fadeaway

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  16. Great interception steal by Lin, hits trailing Delfino. Good process, ignore result

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  17. JLin post D forces a kick out three, which they make. Another good process bad result play.

    Takes it personal but is rejected on driving attempt

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  18. Great steal by Lin. Too bad Chandler missed. Time to work for 2 and 1s

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  19. Rivers against Lin, Lin top of key to Iso Harden who loses handles

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  20. haha, #8 on NO doing his Delfino impersonation.

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  21. This is it! This is a good line up:

    Douglas
    Lin
    Harden
    Delfino
    Patterson

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    Replies
    1. This line up needs a big. Smith or Asik. Take out Patterson. Harden or Delfino to Stretch 4. If they add, Smith or Asik ... take out Patterson, it's one of their best line-ups ... sub Parsons for Delfino too.

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  22. 3 HOU players outrebounded by 1 NO but thankfully he tumbled out of bounds.

    Jlin had good D played on him, bricks

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  23. Come on Jeremy, you're Asian! Get smart and notice the refs are letting people play.

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  24. Jlin good look, hits back iron for 3. Stay aggressive Jlin

    #8 again for NO

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  25. An over the back call prevents NO from getting another offensive rebound.

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  26. LOL. Roberts gets that ticky-tack call. Jeremy gets hammered repeatedly? NOTHING.

    It's weird watching a game completely dominated by REFS.

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    Replies
    1. NOH Hornets celebrating like they had anything to do with their lead.

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    2. Refs should wear a yellow band with three black dots around their arm...

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  27. Rox shooting themselves out of the game. Very bad 3pt shooting so far. These are the times for iso-Harden.

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    1. @willydilly

      Last play of quarters are the times for iso Harden (or anyone else).

      In the grand scheme of things, I would rather lose to NO than win by going iso Harden. That would reinforce the absolutely wrong thing.

      This game has unfortunately exposed how dependent we are on the FT line; nevertheless, I think we can still shoot ourselves out of this.

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    2. IMHO this game hasnt exposed Rox. Guys are no too energetic - missed point blank layups, missed 3 pt shots though they had good looks. Thats how they blew their lead. Rox missed almost everything while NOH made practially every single 3 pt shot they were allowed to shoot.

      Of course - refs didnt help.

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    3. Game under the rim was not there - bigs not reliable enough for that...

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    4. Good point. Rockets live by the 3 and they died by the 3 tonight.

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    5. One of the anouncers is criticising the refs for good reason...

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    6. Great - now Harden gets the call...

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    7. @(w+d)(illy)

      "refs didnt help."

      That's what I mean. We average just under 26 FT per game. The box score is going to show 13 FTA but the last 4 were gifts when the outcome was all but decided. I'll check but this may be the lowest FTA game so far.

      It's fine when refs "let them play", but it really cripples our offense. The FT is the most efficient shot; that's why the Rox do everything they can to get in the paint (vs the mid range jumper, for example). It also gets people into foul trouble, which makes the future drives easier (either because the opposing players are on the bench or worried about it). It also virtually eliminates the need for transition defense, at which we are still weak (I'll wait until Synergy puts their stuff out and post if anyone's interested in tonight's numbers).

      It's also why the Rox do everything they can *not* to foul. And we're really good at it, have been for years. But when the refs don't call, that particular "skill" gets marginalized. Advantage: opponent.

      While I'm not happy with the refs, I don't blame them entirely. NO is just not that good, and we certainly, uhm, shot ourselves in the foot by not making anything. Oh well, moving on...

      Let's look at the bright side - we held a team to under 90! Yeah, go Rox!

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  28. uh okay.. what just happened?? :S

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  29. crazy game they neeed to put asik back

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  30. Harden doesn't get call. Gordon doesnt go anywhere. Horrible rotation by HOU players. everybody watching NO players behind the arc.

    Ambiguous commit! Commit! Force him to pass

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  31. Sigh.

    What a frustrating game.

    Houston 0 rebounds and is getting outscored, no one can score a basket.

    Next 2 mins if they can't score/stop NOH game is over.

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  32. Lin jumpers aren't falling and his drives are wasted, no screens they are going to shoot themselves out of oblivion.

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  33. Jlin passes up open 3 for Harden drive, which he bricks

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  34. Hate to say it but Lin is real bad in this game.

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    1. Not really. He's playing well. Not great, but not bad at all.

      Hard to score when the refs call BS fouls, allow defenders to hit you and your bigmen can finish layups and your shooters can't hit wide-open 3s.

      This is just a stolen game by refs and fatigue.

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    2. At least he gets 5 STLs so far, but the officiating is really hurting the Rockets' rhythm, they are on the verge of losing this game.

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    3. Lin wasnt really bad. Rox shot themselves out of the game in the last quarters. Thats how they blew their pt lead. Rox miss - NOH scores - Rox miss - NOH scores - Rox miss - NOH scores. Of course - they missed layups as well.

      Refs were giving HardLin BULLSHIT fouls. They didnt get the call on offense though. Refs owned the game - not NOH - thats for sure. Even one anouncer kept criticising the refs for BS calls.

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    4. With neutral refs and slightly better shooting - Rox would have won this one.

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  35. Replies
    1. Just because you have half a second until someone blocks you - its not an open 3.

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    2. Here go this idiot with his comments, you obviously never touched a basketball in your life little man willy

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    3. @Mr James
      Why are you calling people here names and just being a troll? I wanted to let it pass the first time round you asked people to get p****y but this is just ridiculous. willydilly is a better person than you'll ever be.
      Someone please contact the administrator to get this person banned from this site.

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    4. hehe..cause he got mad by willy underneath too and obvious can't let that go..i understand that but please not the same kind of comment all over the thread.

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  36. Only 2 points for the Rockets so far in the 4th. :-(

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    1. Cause they missed all 3s. Guys would have gone to the hoop more - score more 2 and 1s but refs signaled early that they dont wanna see that.

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  37. game over! Rockets looks like they are firing on tired legs.

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  38. These 6 back to backs are going to take a toll on Rockets.

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  39. A game they should have won....easily, lin always let's vazquez outpplay him

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    1. Everyone's afraid to shoot in the paint because they know the refs will allow any inside contact against the Rockets.

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    2. Sure the refs had not given houston justice but we still shot ourselves out the game and played poor perimeter defense in the fourth, I suspect mchale will complain after the game about the reffing

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    3. Lin scores -> foul
      Harden gets pushed out of bound -> TO

      Reffing was complete bullshit tonight. That cost the Rox their energy. What can you do when Refs control the game? Refs might have as well gone in and lay it up for NOH.

      Rox tried to compensate with 3 pt shooting but missed all of them in 4th. Lin wasnt bad. They were all down - tired and upset by refs...

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    4. Again - when refs play against you and you are really tired - when in addition to that NOH all of a sudden hit all their 3s -> you might as well give up. I dont blame any Rox player for anything tonight. I want all refs to be fired!

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  40. They need a big steal and press hard, need Harden to go iso and/or Lin to draw fouls.

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  41. Well. Refs are controlling this game. THey got what they want. What a waste of a great team. ROckets are still very very good.

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  42. It's fine and dandy to run and be fast pace but on a back to back it wears and tears on you. Perhaps they should implement two strategy. They can play fast pace when they are well rested and don't have back to back games.

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  43. Jlin rejects greivis drives. GREAT play for deflection and steal falling out of bounds

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  44. Delfino trying to be paint guy again.

    Was he an Argentine center? Sometimes...he needs to know his role

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  45. Tried to pick Jlin to get him off Greivis, didn't work

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  46. Stern got what he wanted, a loss to stop their 5 game winning streak.

    Someone made a lot of money.

    Refs are atrocious, worst calls I've seen in a long time.

    Whatever I guess even garbage teams like NoH can pull an upset. What crap.

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    1. That lame offensive foul call against Lin right before the half was terrible. Then there was the no call on Gordon pushing Harden.

      Even the Hornet's announcers were in disbelief with the refs.

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  47. Jlin to Delfino for attempted drive. At least this stops the clock

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  48. Replies
    1. Nope. Cant win against refs. Those guys should be locked up. Their accounts should be checked.

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    2. hahaha, willy are you an auditor?

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  49. This 4th quarter really shows the value of Asik. The Rox were TERRIBLY out-rebounded, at least a 3 of those could have been saved by Asik.

    The issue here was that they went small but they weren't running, so that really contradicted the whole purpose. To make it worse, the shots weren't falling AT ALL. They really deserved to lose this one.

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    1. No they didn't the reffing was atrocious, took away 2 charges and a foul, plus refs were not calling ANY fouls on Harden/Lin on drives.

      Hornets were playing like garbage and they won. Granted shots weren't falling in 4th, but Rockets were being manhandled all over the place and refs just didn't care.

      Rox should have been leading by a lot more by half but due to those calls they were only leading by 2. Totally fixed game.

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    2. I mean please, they scored 88pts on garbage defense by Rockets because of mismatches and tired legs, Hornets are a garbage team.

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    3. @Hans:

      Rox deserved to loose? Are you serious? They had an 11 pt lead despite those refs who were constantly working against the rox.

      BTW:

      Bad shooting can occur if you are frustrated - and yes - Rox should be frustrated. Its hard enough to play against another team. But to play against the refs? Scheiße!

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    4. I think it may be good. TVN has a good point it doesn't help to lose their cool, that's reserved for the Knicks :D

      Its good experience I suppose. But gawd losing in such a fashion, it REALLY irritates me.

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    5. I thought the ROX deserved to lose for two reasons: rebounds and mid-range jumpers. Despite bad reffing, they didn't control the boards. Jason Smith have 6 OFFENSIVE rebs, and many of them came in the 4th quarter. And yes we all saw the atrocious reffing in the paint, but knowing that case, maybe they could have gone for the mid-range jumpers? the paint was intentionally clogged because Monty Williams (very underrated in my opinion) knew both Harden and Jeremy were most deadly when penetrating, and nobody could hit a shot from outside. So, why not try the mid-range j? it's closer to the basket than the 3s and there's less body contact to minimize bias reffing.

      These are the things that happen repeatedly in the playoffs. Crazy physical contact, refs swallowing the whistle, and frustrated players. Then again I have mentioned before, pushing the tempo is a double bladed sword, esp. in a b2b schedule. The coaches could implement a couple offensive schemes that orients around half-court sets so when the players are tired or the opponents have slowed things down, they would have a secondary game plan.

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    6. I think its a no-no to shoot mid range Js, wasn't Morey all hard up about moneyball and 3s?

      It was totally frustrating with rebounds in 3rd/4th, but I don't think it would have mattered with McHale going small. But even in first half no one is in the post 50% of the time when someone is shooting, and even then with Asik/Patterson there they were getting out rebounded.

      So frustrating.

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    7. @Hans:

      We have been debating both your points all season long. Houston needs a more reliable big man and they should use their mid range shooting more. Its all true and I agree.

      We have to keep in mind though - if Rox style of play has really been exposed - why did they win so many games against awesome teams?

      Ask youself - had Rox won with decent refs (refs who simply do their job)? I mean - you cant agree that reffing was bad and say Rox deserved to lose at the same time. Its not like the Rox were sitting in the corners - sucking on their thumbs :)

      Refs can rob you of your motivation, they can ruin your game and thats what they did. Blame the refs - not the tired team that has been called for fouls they didnt commit, TOs they werent to blame for...

      I dont think Rox deserved that loss. Im not saying you are completly wrong but you are way to harsh dude.

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    8. "you are way to harsh dude."

      Ha well, I take that. I am projecting the ROX to be a 4th or 5th seed in the playoff capable of winning the first round, and thus the harsh critic. I've always been more of a Pop's 0-tolerance type of coach than D'Antoni's all-love-let's-go on my players. I guess it is translated into the postings here as well.

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  50. Lin is still passing up shots at crucial moments. Dumb.

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    1. Perhaps he knew he doesn't have it today so he is passing it to other people.

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    2. Any shot he takes, he'll be HAMMERED with no whistles.

      He's not stupid.

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    3. He used up Linsanity mode yesterday night. It takes time to recharge Linsanity mode. PLus he is a Harvard grad, he knows his percentage of making 3's are bad and they are down by alot. He needs to pass it to a high percentage 3 pt shooter like Delfino or Harden.

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    4. What a dumb comment fc701. JLin successfully passed shots to guys with much higher 3pt percentage than he has. They had good looks too. Thats called "maximizing chances".

      Of course - you have to creat a false dilema - say that JLin needs to shoot himself or hes dumb so that you can blame him for shit.

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    5. Lin fans sure are a fickle bunch tonight. Refer to KH's theory on this phenom. from previous post....

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    6. everyone shot bad 3s today, unfortunately; and that was one of the bad score contributor.
      CP - 2/7
      JH - 2/4
      JL - 1/4
      TD - 2/6
      PP - 0/2

      as a matter of fact, FG was bad as well

      CP - 3/10
      MM - 2/6
      JH - 9/18
      JL - 4/12
      PP - 3/8
      CD - 3/10

      Obviously; the team was tired and lacked the ooomp

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  51. mismatched tip in by Smith C against Jlin.

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  52. Lost to a weak team ! It happened!

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  53. Lin did fine. Refs stole this one.

    You can't score when teams are allowed to grab you and shove you, and you get bogus charges to take away and-ones.

    NBA: Where corruption happens.

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    1. The refs were terrible, but you gotta keep playing. Of you're letting the refs get into your head and affect you negatively, then that's mentally weak. Adjust to how the game is being called. Bitching about it doesn't help.

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    2. Agree.

      It's a learning experience.

      It was cold shooting night for the HOU shooters. I have no overreaction. Still like Jlin's fight and he did get minutes in the 4th qtr.

      I actually like these winnable games where they lose as they impart much more vivid lessons.

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    3. And in further agreement, not letting refs dictate the game will come in handy in away team playoff games where home court will definitely influence refs.

      So adjusting now where calls seemingly go against you and blocking it out is a subtle but very elite skill that Morey and analytics can never quantify.

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    4. So how you gotta play against terrible refs? If refs are make up their mind to give u a terrible game?

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    5. @lydia

      Well, I look forward to Jeremy figuring it out in his way to those questions you posed. I too look forward to how Jeremy will react next time as I too share the same concerns as you.

      He can be like Irving talking and sulking in his postgame when Jlin caused a charge, or maybe Jeremy does what he does best--file it away and show us what he learned from it.

      I don't know

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    6. @Pietrot may be Lin should be like rondo confront the refs, bump chest the refs or curse at the refs...get the hella out of my game! U blind eyes!

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    7. Heh that's a good way to get ejected :D

      TVN is right, yes it was a bs reffing all game but they need to be mentally tougher. This will be good experience, it will help them against teams like Trailblazers.

      Haha I am so frustrated at this loss I can imagine what the players feel. I agree they need to play tough and learn to grind it out like TVN and mint is saying.

      They were clearly tired. Mismatched purposely in the 4th with tired legs kind of did it in.

      I don't blame individual performances with maybe perhaps Asik's performance, he didn't play much for past 2 games and was getting beat on both sides of the court again.

      Hope they learn from this experience.

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    9. @TVN:

      They shoved Harden out of bounce -> TO
      JLin scored -> foul
      Screen from Rox -> not good enough
      Moving screen by NOH -> all good

      Those were just a few of the "mistakes" the refs made. The tired Rox players had to play against NOH AND the refs. They did what they did. Of course - you are uber-human and ask of more :)

      I dont know about Rox but if I was the team owner I would complain about the refs and send my lawyer to the DA.

      Corrupt refs in sports are quite common. Why not earn 10 grand if you can? Just make some bad calls - players dont mind - they earn 1000 times the money you do...

      In europe they have uncovered a big scandal regarding corrupt refs. Some went to jail. Believe me - if we have corrupt refs - so do americans. Blame the team for bad refs? Thats really mean...

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  54. Parsons pretty tall standing next to C Smith. He needs to get motivated to board

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  55. Yay Harden got 25 didn't end his streak.

    Best thing about the game tonight.

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  56. lol, garbage bucket by Jeremy. Was a dagger, very nice.

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    1. He is learning to stat pad in losing causes, very savvy. 9 looks better than 7

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  57. Lin's not being productive enough for the amount of minutes he's playing. His passive play not only hurts his stat line, but his team.

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    1. Thank you, Lin fan for ur brilliant comment! U so smart!

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    2. He sure wasn't passive when he bowled over Lopez.

      But of course a 2+1 became charging.

      You can't win against refs and Las Vegas.

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    3. @lydia lien

      What's your point? Just because most of what I write isn't sunshine and flowers doesn't mean I hate Lin. If you think he's been playing up to his capabilities recently, then you're wrong. He's got to step up his play. Period.

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    4. This is slightly harsh

      He passed up open shots looking to pass but he feeds off energy. So he wasn't feeling it tonight. No big worries unless this malaise stretches to multiple games.

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    5. @Kenoshi

      He can be aggressive in spots, but he routinely passes up opportunities to make plays.

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    6. My point? My point is very clear. Ur comment is brilliant! And u r smart making such brilliant comment!

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    7. He IS deferring a lot.

      But the only credit I'm giving NOH is they did a great job swarming him. He was constantly double/triple teamed.

      But still yes he could have been more aggressive.

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    8. @lydia:

      Indeed - TVN makes brilliant comments only! Period.
      Its funny that he only points out JLins weaknesses when JLin loses a game and remains silent when JLin wins but hey..

      @Kenoshi:

      Of course he defers to his teammates. Hes the PG. Hes been successfully passing to the best 3pt shooters of the team. They missed them all in the 4th quarter. But hey - lets go with TVN and criticise Lin. We seem to be able to see plays where Lin doesnt. Were are better than Lin. Are we not - TVN?

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  58. Look how easy it is to just pass to that guy Smith who shoots at the top of the foul line. He never misses. Most of Vasquez assists is to Lopez or that guy. Houston needs a guy who can do that.

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  59. This lost really pissed me off more than any other, yeah the refs were horrible but coach can't let the team take 4 straight threes to start the fourth, rockets need to learn to close out games and lin needs to step up and be more consistent bottom line, stop looking for the three and work on your midrange game coming off PnR, he's just not a three point shooter and never will be

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    1. Well then you and Morey needs to have a talk because he doesn't believe in midrange game.

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    2. Bad refs and they destroyed Rocket's offense rhythm. They also destroy the confidence of shootings. But what can you do? You just have to fight back and have tough mentality to continue playing the game.(Easy said than Done! Great players all went thru that).
      Nobody shot 3's well in 4th QTR. Coach was upset but needed to ask players shoot mid range. There are a lot of back to back games and the players need to adjust to that. This is Nba and that's why they got paid so high.
      I kept saying one thing over and over the last couple weeks -- Defend those 3 pointers. Portland/Sas have a lot of them. Today Rocket did not defend well against Hornet on that especially the final QTR. Let's go Rocket! Boston game will be a tough one but you can win!

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    3. @James:

      Dude? Whats that with Lin again? He didnt miss all the 3s and he doesnt think of himself as 3pt shooter. Why pull something out of your ass and criticise Lin for that? Why create a false dilemma? Are we here at history channel? Is it hate-time already? Consistency bla bla what?

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    5. hm..not sure about the never part...Never is not a good words cause you never know. Never say never. never doubt...sometimes he makes good threes, especially that previous one before the lakers one.

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  60. The Rockets are not going to make the playoffs in the West with losses like this! :-(

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  61. You guys need to chill out. Every team loses once in a while. Look at the Spurs, the Clippers, OKC and the Heat. The main thing is to forget about it and prepare for Friday's game against Boston. Perhaps that plane scare caused them to play timid.

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    1. The goal is not to have consecutive losses and to bounce back from a bad game.

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  62. The rockets have never been a really good matchup for the Hornets. The times that they played, Rockets never really dominated them . It was always quite close throughout the game. It needs to be addressed. I think it is good they lost because there will be alot of back to back games this month and the coaching staff needs to come up with ways to win games and the players themselves need to learn how to win ugly as well. The western conference is stacked and every win is extremely important . I realised that Lin performs poorly in back to back games and hopefully this can be addressed too .Right now, he is really inconsistent.

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    1. This would not have been close if not for garbage calls.

      Not making excuses for Rockets but when you get pushed around all game and no calls and refs actively taking points away from you there aren't much you can do. When teams can get away with what they did, it makes it VERY hard for the visiting team to come back.

      It is a good experience, they sort of let 4th go. But their loss is understandable...Not excusable, but understandable.

      BTW Asik was pretty terrible on rebs today. He was getting beat, again, on both sides. They went small but was out of steam.

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    2. Never mind about the non foul calls. But if the pushing, and charging on Delfino, and Lin's 2 and 1 would have not become BS calls where they lost possession, they could have begun the 4th with a 17pt lead, couple baskets and Hornets would have given up.

      So yes saying refs didn't matter doesn't help. Yes they should have still closed out, but its understandable that they lost. Also didn't help that they went small with tired legs.

      Chalk this up to experience, next time they'll know to grind it out and play with grit.

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    3. @Kenoshi: In the playoffs, there would be alot of BS calls so the team /coaching staff has to find ways to win and most importantly, the players cannot get flustered. I know ,easier said that done. Good that they experience it now. Am I being too harsh? LOL.. I think when you are on a winning streak, expectations are higher. Hornets are not exactly a bad team. They have a good pg, a shotblocker and eric gorden. They are pretty soild. In fact, I am afraid they are going to make a run just like how the portland trailblazers are doing right now. They beat SAS and now Rockets, it will boost their confidence. It is the western conference and it is so competitive.

      I like what you said "not excusable but understandable. "

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    4. Agreed. I think McHale was at a loss as to what to do. Running small when they're tired was a bad idea.

      Asik was not producing, I don't know why they didn't play smith more.

      Its a bad loss but its good experience, they do need to be mentally tougher. Its just there are no veterans to rally the team. JLin has to do it but he mostly does it by his performance.

      He was swarmed pretty bad but rest of rox wasn't shooting well either to open the floor.

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    5. @ kenoshi: Yes, I do not understand why they do not play smith more.
      I think being mentally tough is about the players themselves, how bad they actually want it and being focused. Veterans do play a role but I still think it is times like these, that the players need to stick together and grind it out. Of course, the coaches themselves need to put the team in the best position to win as well. Speaking of veterans , I always thought it would be good if we could get a veteran from the celtic team . I really admire that team and although everyone was laughing at them for their record ,but they are slowing getting right on track. They are the kind of team that you can never let your guard down. I was skeptical about Delfino because he hasnt really been on a playoff team before. I think olympics can be quite different when it comes to the playoffs but still, he seems to be doing great .

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    6. @mint:

      Yes - easier said than done and I think you are a bit too harsh.

      Every team has their style of play. People here have been talking about backup plan and 2nd-game-plan and so on but please realise -> teams are even struggling to work out their 1st-game-plan when they have bunch of players who play in their 1st season together.

      Also - I had the feeling that the whole team is tired from the beginning. They did OK despite all that. But - the bad reffing really took their motivation. The refs werent bad - they were atrociou, criminal.

      Well - what do people always say -> you learn more from a loss than from a win.

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    7. BTW:

      As a fan - I dont blame any Rox player today. I dont even blame the coaches. I blame the refs alone! Refs are either doing their job or they dont. If they dont (like today) - every effort, every rule becomes pointless.

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  63. First they are still a young team. They will learn how play back to back games without getting so tired. The coaches also should have had other plays when hitting 3's were not falling. Mchale and his coaches need to go back to the drawing board and figure out to get the best from this young team after back to back games. I think they were tired today. I personally still going to give them props for going this far in the season with this many wins.. Oh well, they will rest up and win the next game.

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    1. I hope so.

      1/11 Celtics, 1/12 76ers, 1/15 Clippers, 1/16 Mavericks.

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    2. @awarde

      "The coaches also should have had other plays"

      Yeah, where was GS? 6 minutes?

      Oh wait, you said plays, not players...

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  64. Why the F are u loosing to this team I dont understand.....they play so bad against a bad team but play well sgainst a good team wtf !!!!!!! THEY would have been on a winning streak.......watch they going to beat alll the good team n lost again the weakest team......I hate watching this kind of game........

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Hey..it's ok. Even heat and okc lost to wizard. Wizard and hornet which is better?

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    3. Im better now was so piss when they lost almost broke my tv in the process to stressful to see them play like this against a team that is bad......I would not b this mad if they lost to the spurs or even lakers but hornets????? Drive me nuts.......what frustrated me the most is they dont change they style if they know it doesnt work n Lin keep passing n not attempt to shoot eben when he is open. They keep going in n loose the ball......take some easy shot geeeeesss...

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    4. Im better now was so piss when they lost almost broke my tv in the process to stressful to see them play like this against a team that is bad......I would not b this mad if they lost to the spurs or even lakers but hornets????? Drive me nuts.......what frustrated me the most is they dont change they style if they know it doesnt work n Lin keep passing n not attempt to shoot eben when he is open. They keep going in n loose the ball......take some easy shot geeeeesss...

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    5. This is the same Hornets team that beat the Spurs just 2 nights ago. Any team in the NBA can get hot under the right conditions. A healthy Eric Gordon made a difference for them.

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  65. Rockets frontcourt don't match up against any team with shot blocking big men. All they have is Asik, who can't score, and Morris who only shoots 3's.
    N.O. had 2 7-footers and SF who can also rebound and block shots. Size matters in the NBA, so the Rockets need a dominant big man if they want to be up there with other playoff teams.

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    1. Thank you for mentioning that. That was what I thought needed to be addressed. trailblazers, hornets, okc and even nuggets are teams that gives the team trouble.

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    2. The record doesnt show that but true - big men are a problem

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  66. FYI...

    1/11 @ Celtics
    1/12 @ Sixers

    1/15 vs. Clippers
    1/16 @ Mavs

    1/18 @ Pacers
    1/19 @ Wolves

    LOL! I would be surprised that we end up winning half of these B2B games.

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  67. They won most of the games with Hornet before I was expecting another win again!! :(. Oh...well...moving to the next one. I thought Rox is closer to 4th seed. Now let's hope other team lose.

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  69. ClutchFans.net ‏@clutchfans
    McHale was OK w/ the shot looks, but on the 23 turnovers: "We've done this before ... It's going to catch ya, and it caught us tonight."
    7:37 PM - 9 Jan 13

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    1. You know its going to be a LONG night when you have 8 TOs in 10 minutes...

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    2. True that. It's just a matter of time.

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    3. Some TOs are fine and others are just plain stupid. I'm not even gonna point them out now because it's pointless.

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    4. I just want to point out that JLins TO numbers (in average) arent that bad. Hardens numbes are worse. And even a Lebron can turn it over 7 times during one game.

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  70. This is one of those games the Rockets probably wished they can take back some the TOs, especially from the backcourt. Lets give credit to the Hornets. They forced the Rockets to play their pace. They protected the paint well and were scrappy tonight. They really hustled for rebounds and loose balls.

    This game was definitely winnable in the 4th. Rockets were missing shots and Roger Mason got hot. Defense on Mason was lackadaisical. Rockets offense lack ball movement.

    Everyone seems to be a step slow, but it doesn't excuse the TOs. Oh well, what can we do. Really disappointed. Hope the team can bounce back Friday. The Rockets really need to focus or else they may end up in the 8th spot.

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  71. I know everyone is rather down about Lin's performance and the loss today but I just wanted to let you guys read what pop said.
    "I think in this business, it's a small fraternity (in the press) and once you get a reputation for something, it pretty much sticks," Popovich said before the Lakers played the Spurs on Wednesday. "It doesn't matter what you do about it. I think Mike could probably do defensive drills all day long and somebody would still get after him for not caring about defense."

    That is why Lin's reputation as a turnover machine and having no "left hand" would stick with Lin even if he does otherwise. Not sure, if it will ever go away if Lin performs consistently well but as fans just IGNORE those haters. As long as we see him progressing, all is good. :)

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  72. Rockets big men have been tired the last few games.

    I find that perfectly reasonable. They have played over their heads all season long.

    Not a single Rockets big man was a consistent starter last season except for Chandler Parsons. Inexperience and youth are why they occasionally can't get the job done.

    The All Star Break is right around the corner. The tired Rockets big men will be able to catch a physical break soon enough.

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  73. So tonight it is harden who got 7 tos. Lin and harden is such a good buddy!

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    1. Sadly , People will judge Lin for that, not Harden.

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  74. Hornets to Rockets -> 10-3 edge in blocks, 11-9 edge in steals, 16-10 edge on off. glass, 26 asts on 35 FGs.

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    1. The Hornets is a team that can really fluster and up tempo offense. They will not allow the Rockets to get out in transition by contesting rebounds like crazy.

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  75. Rockets need a legit big men who plays pick and roll. Asik is not good at setting screen. Patterson and Morris doesn't even tried.

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    1. Only if Tyson Chandler was their tonight, Jlin could have used him down the stretch.

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  76. Why the F are u loosing to this team I dont understand.....they play so bad against a bad team but play well sgainst a good team wtf !!!!!!! THEY would have been on a winning streak.......watch they going to beat alll the good team n lost again the weakest team......I hate watching this kind of game........

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  77. Why the F are u loosing to this team I dont understand.....they play so bad against a bad team but play well sgainst a good team wtf !!!!!!! THEY would have been on a winning streak.......watch they going to beat alll the good team n lost again the weakest team......I hate watching this kind of game........

    ReplyDelete