Houston's bigs are simply paralyzed with fear, outside of Asik. There's no court movement not because Harden and Lin are playing poorly, but because Houston's frontcourters are PARALYZED WITH FEAR.
Some nights, Houston's lack of frontcourt talent catches up with them. This is one of those games, and neither Harden nor Lin can produce.
There aren't any open shots other than contested jumpers.
Neither Lin nor Harden can penetrate because the Memphis big men are abandoning Houston's fear petrified big men and doubling the lane. Thus Memphis's guards are riding up on the Hardliners with impunity.
You guys will eventually figure out that no guard, not Lin or Jordan or Bryant, can get clean looks at the basket if his big man teammates are quaking with fear so much that they don't have to be guarded.
Memphis just has much better coaching and outstanding bigs.
McHale has no answer for Memphis. He has no system, no accountability. No strategy on either end. And then he benches his best guard defender for missing some shots.
I know :( Hard to accept that McHale just doesn't know how to let Lin build on the momentum in the Q1 and stick to his regular rotation. In the meantime, Harden handles the ball the most time.
We just have to accept that Lin might never be a good fit to be trusted to handle the ball the most in Houston.
I don't know what is wrong with JLin....he play so relax and doesn't play with urgency. I woul d like him to come out Linsanity.....come on Lin turn it on...like u want it to save your life....
He was playing great...but he had two bad games and Beverly played well.
That was the excuse McHale needed to bench Jeremy and take the ball out of his hands again. But this time, Jeremy just had enough and stopped fighting to prove himself. You can see it in his play, body language and postgame interviews -- he's sick of this sh*t.
Why keep trying when you get benched for 1-2 bad games? Jeremy doesn't play well unless he has fire and confidence. McHale has drained it from him.
I do have hope that he PLAYOFFS will bring out the BEAST in Jeremy. He will definitely be fired up for that. But right now, these games aren't that important (despite what people say). And Jeremy is annoyed/deflated/bored.
i really hate when you guys say that he's playing too relaxed, no urgency, or plays like he doesn't care. He's a professional athlete, of course he cares.
He's been a hard worker all his life, why would he not put in effort? He says he hates losing...well, don't you think he's going to try his hardest not to lose??
Both teams have RUGGED power forwards and centers (Indiana with my man Psycho T, Memphis with Zbo) that INTIMIDATE the powerless Houston power forwards.
It's pathetic to watch Houston's big men trying to avoid bodying up against Memphis's inside brutes. Power forwards are supposed to HAVE POWER.
For all the criticism fired against Thomas Robinson, this is a game where I'd insert him and say "Be a BEAST". He'd still get pulverized by Randolph, but he'd at least provide a physical presence that opens up the driving lanes for Harden and Lin.
Lin has to play careful to stay in the game. 1 TO, 1 foul or might be 1 missing shot is enough to be taken out of the game, by McFail standard. Seems Beverly can't save McFail today.
However, this Rockets team cannot win with just two guys playing against 5.
Zach Randolph has 3 fouls. I say PLOW THE BALL AT HIM. Then again, Houston's forwards are so scared of that guy that they don't dare engage him physically.
Plow the ball at Randolph. Historically, he's a willing but limited defender. Besides, he's got 3 fouls!
Lin got bashed by Gasol on a missed layup, but I was stunned when the refs did a makeup call on Mike Conley immediately on the other end. This game is actually fairly refereed!
I'm blaming McHale for lin's slump, for not trusting his pg who bent over backwards and sacrificed his game for his vision and was rewarded with more time on the bench.
Meanwhile, why don't you figure out a way to get Houston's minimum wage forwards to outplay Randolph and Gasol even though each of those Memphis stars earns more than the entire Houston frontcourt combined!
Told u harden overrated. Very simple formula to shutting him down. Over play him on his left--force him to up right. Lay off of him past the three point line--dare him to shoot his shitty 3 pt shot. That's it--very simple. That's what Tony Allen did, not Rocket science.
Only prob today, Lin didn't hit his shots, including layups. If he hit three more shots he'd have 14 pts.
Well, this Memphis team can have Tony Allen guarding Harden that way because they don't have to worry about Houston's powerless power forwards.
Let's not forget how Harden and Lin TORCHED Memphis earlier this season, making Tony Allen look like the very average defender he actually is (his Boston defensive rep is so OVERRATED).
And before anybody starts screaming about Marcus Morris and Patterson were so much better than Thomas Robinson, remember that the trade was made for the future and TRob will eventually be more impactful than MoPat put together.
Even though McHale is going to blame Lin, this game shows the problem of running the offense through Harden when Harden is getting shut down.
The subs right now are doing okay, because they don't have to go through Harden. They'd do a lot better if they had a real point guard in there, instead of Beverly, but, Lin can't escape his role as scapegoat.
His logic might be; I don't want to put Harden in to take the blame because Anderson plays well. I don't want to put Lin in because He might save the day. So, stay in 2nd team.
Seriously, can McHevil do some coaching ? It's good that the bench unit got you back in the game. Time for the starters to finish them off. Don't wait til it's too late.
The 2nd unit can play freely because they're UNSCOUTED and thus UNPLANNED FOR.
This Memphis team came in seeking vengeance against the TORCHING that the Hardliners laid on them in a greyhound fest.
Cram the lane, flex dem muscles, bang guys around, force Lin and Harden to the perimeter or the sidelines. The Rockets bigs are so SCARED, they can't even cut to wide open spots to catch and shoot 5-10 foot jumpers let alone ram the ball inside.
This is not a coaching or Lin or Harden failure. This is a MARSHMALLOW INSIDE failure.
The Hardliners have been game planned for. Memphis has solved these guys, for now.
In pro basketball, this kind of thing happens all the time. Good players get scouted and stopped, and then the unscouted bench players shine. But once teams figure out the bench players, that's the end of that too.
Some games just are LOST not because of coaching or player failure, but because the other team was simply BETTER. That's the case tonight.
C'mon KHuang, i'm a big fan of yours on here, but no matter what, you still got to play your starters and see the result. This is not making any sense. How could you know that Harden and Lin don't go HardLin in the 4th when you don't play them. And if your assumption is true then the Rox can't really compete at all because the entire NBA already got Harden and Lin on the lock down. Just don't make sense to me.
What, 3 quarters of INEPTITUDE isn't enough to convince you that Harden and Lin weren't enough to win this game by themselves?
Houston played a superiorly salaried and superiorly talented Memphis team. They simply got outclassed, just like Houston got outclassed against Indiana (the Eastern conference Memphis). And yes, good teams with the max contract shotblocking big men DO have Houston figured out and yes Houston cannot compete with the big boys.
ihoopsalot, keep in mind that I have absolutely no criticism of Lin and Harden and even McHale this game. They really tried to play team basketball and get the win. But when the 3 other starters are so scared of being bruised up by the triple inside tag team of Prince Randolph Gasol, Harden and Lin cannot beat 5 guys by themselves.
You would think a team needs a point guard? You would think a team needs a coach? You would think a person needs to make sense? Hells is going loose. Let it me, let it me, there'll be another game let it me.
Well, McHale ruined Jeremy's first year and proved himself to be the NBA's worst coach (just look at that pt. differential...even an average coach would have 5-6 more wins).
I can't believe he's not bringing in the starters. The guy thinks he's fucking coaching college players. You need SCORERS in the game if you're gonna come back, you dumb fuck.
That's fucking coaching malpractice. He gave up on the game when the game was in reach!! The subs did a good job with their energy, got the game close, then, he needed to bring the starters back in. He didn't. HE THREW A WINNABLE GAME.
Yes he's a moron, he left the starters in too long in the beginning of the season and now he pulls them out too early. McHale's timing is impeccably pathetic.
Morey should fire the idiot right after this game. He gave up on the game before the fourth quarter even began. This isn't college, you don't tank a game just to send some kind of "message" to your starters.
It looks like Mchale sacrificed this game for tomorrow's game. He must have simply decided this one wasn't going to be won so why expend so much energy when tomorrow's game could be won. Not saying this is sound strategy, but I think this is how Mchale approached this game.
The problem was that the GAME WAS CLOSE in the fourth!!!! If you think the team can't come back from seven points half way through the fourth, you have no business being a head coach. And a good coach would realize that the subs could only go so long with their energy play before their limitations would show (that they suck and they had no shooters out there), and bring in the starters to try to win the game.
He basically quit on a winnable game. If I'm owner and GM, I don't want that kind of a coach. This game isn't about Lin being mistreated, this game exposed McHale's utter incompetence. Isn't this the same crap that happened last season? The team was doing well then imploded at the end and missed the playoffs? The only person who was here last year and this year is Mchale.
Whatever McHale says, it'll be kinder and gentler than what I'd say if I were the Houston coach.
I'd be like "Our guys thought it was Halloween tonight, playing SCARED. My guys were so afraid of ZBruise and Marcy Marc that they spent more time quivering than cutting!"
I'd also growl "If any of my guys play scared again, I'll yank them and they can quiver by me on the bench. I'd rather play my junkyard dogs from the D league than watch multimillionaires quaking in fear on the court!"
Their body language was horrible, they were afraid of physically challenging Zbo and Marc, they didn't cut to open spots, they didn't play hard defense, and they were unwilling to give and take hits in order to get to the spots they needed to get to in order to score and rebound and defend.
Houston got BODY PUNKED tonight, and the score reflects that.
And like I've said above, Lin and Harden came to play. They don't get labeled as "pansies" by me this game.
You have some weird mancrush on mchale? That was a DUMBFUCK decision, period. The game was in reach, and by not putting starters back in, McHale THREW THE GAME. Even if they had "fear," the starters with fear had a better chance of winning the game then the subs who were playing extended minutes out of the norm.
GOt it? So, stop this psychoanalysis b.s., and just acknowledge that Kevin McHale made a decision in the the third quarter TO QUIT THE GAME. I've never seen another NBA coach do what McHale did. COmpletely unprofessional.
Fire the guy, or fore him to take a leave, along with Sampson, before he totally destroys the team and the season.
Khuang, you fucking don't get it. It's not about being hard on players. IT'S ABOUT WINNING. Every fucking NBA coach will coach a game to win until it's absolutely clear that the game is lost. Because every game, especially this late in the season, are effectively playoff games. If this team fails to make the playoffs again, this means hundreds of thousands of dollars lost in revenue.
If you're GM and owner, do you want a quitter as your head coach? Fuck no.
The Memphis announcers are still talking about how crazy McHale's move was. Because the game was close in the fourth, and he kept out Harden and Parsons.
I think McHale actually believed that the subs, led by super pg Beverly, could actually win the game.
WOW. Un-fucking-believable.
McHale is turning this season into a major clusterfuck.
Rockets games are getting not only boring but strange and can't wait to hear what Mcfail and players say a out the starters being benched whole quarter
Very good point. So obvious, but, then again, Mchale does shit that makes no sense at all.
Basically, this is the first time I've ever seen an NBA coach actually TANK a winnable game with the dumbest coaching decision ever. The Memphis announcers were absolutely dumbfounded, saying, uhhhh, when are the starters coming back for Houston? WTF is McHale doing?
Bullshit. Unless you're saying the fourth quarter was all garbage time, the game got within reach, under double-digits with plenty of time left. EVERY COACH IN THE NBA WOULD SAY THAT GAME IS WINNABLE. Except for Mcshithead.
You can call bullshit if you want, but the Rockets were losing BADLY with Harden and Lin in the game.
Keep in mind it was NOT THEIR FAULT.
Those two came to play, and I admire their effort despite their teammates laying down and playing dead.
Memphis had Harden and Lin DIAGNOSED. That Houston's players were cowards tonight made it even easier. The 2nd unit did great BECAUSE Memphis spent all its preparation time loading up on Harden and Lin.
Y'know, Roberlin, teams do beat other teams in the NBA by superior preparation and talent. When the Rockets lose, it isn't always because McHale handed a game away.
What r u guys mad about. Now everyone got to see what an idiot McHale is. U don't sit anyone this stretch.. U gotta trust your starters. 9 down 7 min to go and u give up?
Wow. Beverly played more minutes again. Maybe it's a good idea for Lin to be with the second unit. Harden PG/SG confusion makes everyone out of sync. This is even a worst situation for Lin right now then being in NY. At least Carmelo is not a guard. So his time controlling the ball is limited to catch and shoot. Harden just dribbles and holds the ball and kills about 15-18 seconds with his iso bullshit. What happen to moving the Ball, Mchale?????
It's not about Lin anymore, McHale is fucking destroying the entire team with his moronic decisions.
Did you see Harden's body language on the bench? He looked really demoralized and dazed and confused.
And physical rest means shit if you're demotivated. The team is in danger of imploding like last year, and this game against the Clippers is critical. I could easily see the Rockets getting completely blown out and the season going down the toilet.
Their only hope is, in my honest opinion, Jeremy Lin. He's got to keep the team together and quell any mutiny.
Harden and Lin got equally shut down bu a committed Memphis playoff caliber defense.
Why is everybody here blaming McHale and Lin and Harden when Memphis has that incredible expensive frontcourt that was able to cheat off Houston's quivering minimum wage frontcourters?
This is just the beginning guys. McHale will be EXPOSED as a moron. There is a reason the Rox failed down the stretch last year. There are goons go 5 - 5 the rest of the way and limp into the playoffs. Get swept badly in the playoffs. I'm now more optimistic that McHale may be gone even if they make the playoffs. And the downfa will coincide with Lin playing less minutes. Stay strong Lin the end is near!
The second team has actually played more than the first team. When the coach lost confidence in the first team, the players lost confidence in the coach. The result is either to trade the first team or fire the coach.
My total guess is there might be some dissension on Rockets roster about who is starter and who is back-up (not just Lin and Beverley, but how McHale said he wanted someone to step up and take power forward spot).
What I hope happened with starters all being benched is that McHale wanted to get message across to Harden that how he played last game was unacceptable, but unlike Lin, he can't single him out and pulled everyone.
Harden and Lin looked like they were trying to work together with each other during first half.
Play to start second half where Harden had Lin open to pass, but pulled back, tried to pass to someone else and got picked off for a layup was here we go again moment.
Lin also had a hero ball moment right before he got pulled where it looked like he took a dribble drive pull up that might not have been best shot (don't know what was on shot clock).
Up to that point, I just though Grizzlies were beating Rockets and didn't feel any player or coach needed to be singled out.
Glanced at few postings by KHuang above about our starting front court, and if I had to blame anyone this game, it would be Morey for trading away Patrick Patterson in midst of playoff chase. Except that I do like Trob's potential and agree with trade when it presented itself.
Hopefully team can just get away from individual egos and try and get back to playing that beautiful high octane basketball when they had those wonderful early season wins against Knicks, Chicago, etc.
CF site has the dumbest Rox fans. Some actually believe that leaving the second unit in to finish was a excellent idea. That whole site should be banned for being stupid.
Here is the second unit profile: Trob - Limited experience. (Limited Offence) Anderson - forgot how to play basketball (Benched too long) Beverly - Way too much energy. (Limited offense) Smith - Likes to foul too much. (Limited offense) Delfino - Shoot, Shoot, Shoot. (Even when it's a stupid shot)
THe sad thing is, Kevin Mchale and Harsity share apparently the same philosophy and failure to understand that talent/skills are crucial to winning games, not just "energy."
I feel like after watching this game that I just saw the self destruction and break down of a basketball team from the inside out!!
Seeing Lin next to Parsons on the bench in the 4th smiling and chatting among themselves spoke volumes about this team.
I think everyone respects the Coach but I also believe respect and CONFIDENCE are 2 totally different things and there's no longer any confidence in him. How many times did the Memphis announcers speak on how "puzzling" Mchales coaching decisions were this game. Someone needs to swoop in and save this team before things get more uglier than seeing 2 starters on the bench in the 4th smiling and chatting while a need to win game is going on ... and your team is far behind.
For a Lin fan like myself, it sucks that he landed in Houston where the fans are almost dead during home games and players seem to always not notice Lin open and just standing there multiple times, as if he's not a play maker to go to. What kind of joke has been played on us all?
Lin and Parsons might as well laugh in the 4th since their own coach has giving up early. They should have just head to the locker room early and wait in the bus for the second unit to finish.
He drove the lane, got met by 2 guys because Memphis didn't respect Houston's weakass frontcourters.
He tried to defend, but his frontcourters were giving all sorts of dancing room to Memphis's brutes because they were afraid of getting bashed. Lin couldn't stick his man and make plays because the Houston team defense was so nonexistent.
McHale even tried to plow the ball through Lin in the 3rd, but nobody other than Harden was making hard physical cuts. Everybody was afraid of being bruise bounced by Zbo and Marc.
I thought Lin played very well even though the stats don't show it, and McHale used Lin well too. But when nobody else other than Harden showed up to play, they and not Lin Harden McHale are at fault for acting like they're made of fragile glass!
I don't think Lin or Harden played that badly in first half.
I just thought Grizzlies were straight up beating the Rockets tonight, and if you want to blame anyone, blame Morey for trading away Patrick Patterson in midst of playoff chase (I don't blame Morey because I like the trade long-term).
Dmo hurt team with passes that got picked off, but he didn't look gun shy with his shot like he has previously.
Trob a bit out of control on offense and needs to make sure those high light reel slam dunks actually get converted to points.
Still more upset about Indiana loss and middle to end of third quarter when I felt Harden should have been pulled and kept Lin in, at least until beginning of fourth (bring back Harden too at that point if McHale's plan).
Tonight I thought we just got an honest but kicking by Grizzlies; nothing more, nothing less.
In fourth quarter, I'm thinking 'Once again, McHale rides his bench too long.' Then it slowly dawned on me he had no intention of trying to win the game -- or he actually had some notion that the bench unit was more likely to win the game than the starting unit, even after being gassed and totally clueless on offense and not being able to get a good shots off before the shot clock violation.
Doesn't matter how you explain what the heck happened tonight -- McHale is clueless. He does not understand his roster, and is terrible at recognizing momentum shifts.
The game was lost by insisting on small ball when Zach was killing Delfino and he REFUSED TO CHANGE even when it was clear it was not working. Stubborn, blind jackass.
He was a DieHard fool in understanding his players. He was not using his players; rather misusing them for his type of basketball. He's way out of line today. Just how can you explain.
I would think he should at least play Harden/Lin + Parson. When Smith picked up his 5th, you would put Asik in. He is such a loser. He plays his game inside his bird brain. Who would have guessed!
I see Rockets potentially losing 9 of the remaining games. Hope Rockets make it to playoffs. If Utah wins tonight's game against Portland. I can see Rockets going down. If Utah loses tonight's game, I think Rockets will at least make 8th
Lin is gonna sit for a long time. He looks as bad as he did in the beginning of the season.
ReplyDeleteTo start the third, it looks like Lin and Harden are sharing the ball. Am I missing something?
ReplyDeleteThe Rockets want to WIN.
DeleteHarden is shut down, so they go to Lin. But he's shut down too.
2 guys cannot beat 5.
Beverly and Harden are playing shitty as well, lol I don't think Mchale wants to put him in.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay Lin. We know u r not as bad as u look tonight.
ReplyDeleteLin can't buy a bucket...
ReplyDeleteI don't think Lin and Harden are playing "badly".
ReplyDeleteRather, Houston's minimum wage frontcourt looks TERRIFIED of Memphis's expensive frontcourt.
Houston's bigs are simply paralyzed with fear, outside of Asik. There's no court movement not because Harden and Lin are playing poorly, but because Houston's frontcourters are PARALYZED WITH FEAR.
Some nights, Houston's lack of frontcourt talent catches up with them. This is one of those games, and neither Harden nor Lin can produce.
Yeah but he is missing a lot of open looks.
DeleteKhuang is spot on.
DeleteYeah.. Stating the obvious can't blame everyone else if you can't hit the open looks..
DeleteLin didn't give much scoring to McHale although he got a nice assist to DMo.
DeleteNow it's the time for Bev's audition.
Regardless, everybody else will still spin the fault on Lin somehow. What we know doesn't mean shit to those who have impact on the game.
DeleteThere aren't any open shots other than contested jumpers.
DeleteNeither Lin nor Harden can penetrate because the Memphis big men are abandoning Houston's fear petrified big men and doubling the lane. Thus Memphis's guards are riding up on the Hardliners with impunity.
You guys will eventually figure out that no guard, not Lin or Jordan or Bryant, can get clean looks at the basket if his big man teammates are quaking with fear so much that they don't have to be guarded.
wonder what line up we're going to see next...not sure why i'm wondering when I know what we're gonna see.
ReplyDeleteShot isn't falling, but they're good shots.
ReplyDeleteMemphis just has much better coaching and outstanding bigs.
McHale has no answer for Memphis. He has no system, no accountability. No strategy on either end. And then he benches his best guard defender for missing some shots.
This .. McHale can't make adjustments because its overrated.
DeleteLin lost the rhythm he got in Q3. *sigh*
ReplyDeletein Q1
DeleteI lost my love for Rockets as a team. I pity Jeremy for having fair-weathered fans
ReplyDeleteI know :(
DeleteHard to accept that McHale just doesn't know how to let Lin build on the momentum in the Q1 and stick to his regular rotation. In the meantime, Harden handles the ball the most time.
We just have to accept that Lin might never be a good fit to be trusted to handle the ball the most in Houston.
Harden doesn't get his foul shots either.
DeleteGlad James Anderson gets some play time though. because Harden along doesn't seem to work either.
@psalm - yeah.too bad McHale got the HC job without even any credentials, just be a "yes man" and congratulations you got the job...
DeleteI don't know what is wrong with JLin....he play so relax and doesn't play with urgency. I woul d like him to come out Linsanity.....come on Lin turn it on...like u want it to save your life....
ReplyDeleteHe was playing great...but he had two bad games and Beverly played well.
DeleteThat was the excuse McHale needed to bench Jeremy and take the ball out of his hands again. But this time, Jeremy just had enough and stopped fighting to prove himself. You can see it in his play, body language and postgame interviews -- he's sick of this sh*t.
Why keep trying when you get benched for 1-2 bad games? Jeremy doesn't play well unless he has fire and confidence. McHale has drained it from him.
I do have hope that he PLAYOFFS will bring out the BEAST in Jeremy. He will definitely be fired up for that. But right now, these games aren't that important (despite what people say). And Jeremy is annoyed/deflated/bored.
Lin is playing way too cautious not to make mistakes because he's afraid to be benched.
DeleteI'd say play with abandon since he'll get benched anyway for playing it too safe.
There's nothing wrong with Lin, Harden, or McHale this game.
DeleteThere's a lot wrong with those quivering frontcourters who make weakass cuts and are trying to avoid wrestling against Gasol and Randolph.
Omer Asik gets a pass from me, though. He's physically contesting people.
i really hate when you guys say that he's playing too relaxed, no urgency, or plays like he doesn't care. He's a professional athlete, of course he cares.
DeleteHe's been a hard worker all his life, why would he not put in effort? He says he hates losing...well, don't you think he's going to try his hardest not to lose??
God.
maybe memphis and the pacers are just much, much better teams...
ReplyDeleteYeah, those MAX CONTRACTS make a difference don't they?
Deletelol duh, both teams are top 5 in DefEff. We could win with better coach thou
DeleteBoth teams have RUGGED power forwards and centers (Indiana with my man Psycho T, Memphis with Zbo) that INTIMIDATE the powerless Houston power forwards.
DeleteIt's pathetic to watch Houston's big men trying to avoid bodying up against Memphis's inside brutes. Power forwards are supposed to HAVE POWER.
For all the criticism fired against Thomas Robinson, this is a game where I'd insert him and say "Be a BEAST". He'd still get pulverized by Randolph, but he'd at least provide a physical presence that opens up the driving lanes for Harden and Lin.
Lin needs to play out of this slump.. But can't do much if the coach doesn't give u that opportunity
ReplyDeleteand trust + confidence
DeleteLin has to play careful to stay in the game.
Delete1 TO, 1 foul or might be 1 missing shot is enough to be taken out of the game, by McFail standard.
Seems Beverly can't save McFail today.
I think Lin and even Harden look JUST FINE.
ReplyDeleteHowever, this Rockets team cannot win with just two guys playing against 5.
Zach Randolph has 3 fouls. I say PLOW THE BALL AT HIM. Then again, Houston's forwards are so scared of that guy that they don't dare engage him physically.
Can't win with FEAR on the court.
DMo & TRob rookie + GSmith undrafted < ZBo all star. You know damn well the call will favor / go Griz way
DeleteNot necessarily.
DeletePlow the ball at Randolph. Historically, he's a willing but limited defender. Besides, he's got 3 fouls!
Lin got bashed by Gasol on a missed layup, but I was stunned when the refs did a makeup call on Mike Conley immediately on the other end. This game is actually fairly refereed!
To be fair though.. Noone is doing much of anything tonight.
ReplyDeleteWhen Harden don't get foul call then he's average, is this a foreshadow of what's coming in the playoff?
ReplyDeleteTime to rest starters for clips tomorrow night.. Yeah right. The only one getting rest will be Jeremy cause obviously he is overworked.
ReplyDeleteLin's not coming in anymore
ReplyDeleteI hope McHale threw up his hands and put Lin in with the scrubs to dare him to do something.
DeleteNo, he won't, because Lin will start trying to hit homeruns.
DeleteMcFail only let Harden be the hero.
DeleteLet Lin play entire 4th and Rox will win by 1. Anything else will result in another loss.
ReplyDeleteI think Lin is done for the night, even though it's harden that should get benched.
ReplyDeleteMcHale effed himself over when he forced Lin into a slump in favor of Beverley after Jeremy broke out with 20 point streak.
ReplyDeleteThat will prove to be the reason the Rox miss the playoffs.
McHale is not screwing Lin on this game, though.
DeleteThe Rockets are simply being OUTSALARIED.
Don't blame McHale for his players outside of Lin and Harden being SCARED.
I'm blaming McHale for lin's slump, for not trusting his pg who bent over backwards and sacrificed his game for his vision and was rewarded with more time on the bench.
DeleteYou do that, blaming Mchale for this game.
DeleteMeanwhile, why don't you figure out a way to get Houston's minimum wage forwards to outplay Randolph and Gasol even though each of those Memphis stars earns more than the entire Houston frontcourt combined!
Told u harden overrated. Very simple formula to shutting him down. Over play him on his left--force him to up right. Lay off of him past the three point line--dare him to shoot his shitty 3 pt shot. That's it--very simple. That's what Tony Allen did, not Rocket science.
ReplyDeleteOnly prob today, Lin didn't hit his shots, including layups. If he hit three more shots he'd have 14 pts.
Well, this Memphis team can have Tony Allen guarding Harden that way because they don't have to worry about Houston's powerless power forwards.
DeleteLet's not forget how Harden and Lin TORCHED Memphis earlier this season, making Tony Allen look like the very average defender he actually is (his Boston defensive rep is so OVERRATED).
And before anybody starts screaming about Marcus Morris and Patterson were so much better than Thomas Robinson, remember that the trade was made for the future and TRob will eventually be more impactful than MoPat put together.
I don't think we see James Anderson played this month before this game.
ReplyDeleteWe still have a whole quarter.
ReplyDeleteMcFail let the 2 nd team start with the 4th.
What a loser!
Even though McHale is going to blame Lin, this game shows the problem of running the offense through Harden when Harden is getting shut down.
ReplyDeleteThe subs right now are doing okay, because they don't have to go through Harden. They'd do a lot better if they had a real point guard in there, instead of Beverly, but, Lin can't escape his role as scapegoat.
His logic might be; I don't want to put Harden in to take the blame because Anderson plays well.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to put Lin in because He might save the day.
So, stay in 2nd team.
Delfino is getting hot.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, can McHevil do some coaching ? It's good that the bench unit got you back in the game. Time for the starters to finish them off. Don't wait til it's too late.
ReplyDeleteThis is the previous of the playoffs, if the Rox can really make it.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Lin in without Harden.
ReplyDeletePray to see that.
Actually, the fact that the subs are doing well is an indictment of McHale's offensive scheme, which sucks against good defensive teams.
ReplyDeleteIf McHale were smart, he'd put Jeremy and James back in.
ReplyDeleteReserves did fine...but they're running out of gas. And it's only a 9pt game.
LOL.
DeleteInstead...here comes the Grizz to ice the game.
if he is smart? he is S.T.U.P.I.D. and that is an understatement.
DeleteGuess who'' be the first to send in
ReplyDeleteLin or Harden?
McHale has this crazy idea to let the 2nd team play against the MEM starters. It's either a brilliant or dumb move.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to vote...dumb.
DeleteHarden is coming in soon to save the day. ISO Baby!
ReplyDeleteWatch McHale let Conley got hot and put in the starters too late.
ReplyDeleteSo predictable!
Seems McFail is giving up on the first team
ReplyDeleteThe young coach made his TO here.
DeleteThe 2nd unit can play freely because they're UNSCOUTED and thus UNPLANNED FOR.
ReplyDeleteThis Memphis team came in seeking vengeance against the TORCHING that the Hardliners laid on them in a greyhound fest.
Cram the lane, flex dem muscles, bang guys around, force Lin and Harden to the perimeter or the sidelines. The Rockets bigs are so SCARED, they can't even cut to wide open spots to catch and shoot 5-10 foot jumpers let alone ram the ball inside.
This is not a coaching or Lin or Harden failure. This is a MARSHMALLOW INSIDE failure.
What a waste of time?
ReplyDeleteMcFail!!!!
Dumbest coach to ever coach the game in any sports known to human. Yeah that's you McDumb.
ReplyDeletedon't tell that to Morey.
Deletebecause he will disagree with you. Mcshithead is coach of the year according to him.
DeleteWho is the point guard now?
ReplyDeleteCan McFail tell?
He's thinking, "I'm old school. The bench had a lot of energy for the comeback against MEM 2nd team so I'll let them play against MEM starters".
DeleteHe will finish this game looking brilliant or like an idiot "energy eye-test" coach.
I defend McHale on today's game.
DeleteHis two stars, Lin and Harden, have been SHUT DOWN by an excellent game plan.
The bench is unscouted, so they're making plays.
Down 9 with 8-minutes left? Garbage time to McHale.
ReplyDeleteEven Keith Smart is a better coach than this. Although he agrees with McHale on Lin.
The game is not as close as the score indicates.
DeleteThe Hardliners have been game planned for. Memphis has solved these guys, for now.
In pro basketball, this kind of thing happens all the time. Good players get scouted and stopped, and then the unscouted bench players shine. But once teams figure out the bench players, that's the end of that too.
Some games just are LOST not because of coaching or player failure, but because the other team was simply BETTER. That's the case tonight.
If McHomo win the COY, I will stop watching NBA or at least until Lin play for another team.
DeleteMcHomo? That is new...Parsons and Dragic...?
DeleteOk, does Mcidiot actually believe he's got a chance to win with the second team, or is he going to bring back his starters minus J. Lin?
ReplyDeleteI think starters come back, except for Lin.
Lin benching in the 4th is like automatic now. Wow...
ReplyDeleteI'm no basketball genius but wouldn't you throw the dice and put lin and harden back in .. Shows the coaching staff is inept!
ReplyDeleteThat's only true, if the coaches are sane.
DeleteIf the Rockets did that, the lead would balloon out of hand with Harden and Lin on the floor.
DeleteYou guys don't understand that Harden and Lin have been SCOUTED by the opposition.
C'mon KHuang, i'm a big fan of yours on here, but no matter what, you still got to play your starters and see the result. This is not making any sense. How could you know that Harden and Lin don't go HardLin in the 4th when you don't play them. And if your assumption is true then the Rox can't really compete at all because the entire NBA already got Harden and Lin on the lock down. Just don't make sense to me.
DeleteWhat, 3 quarters of INEPTITUDE isn't enough to convince you that Harden and Lin weren't enough to win this game by themselves?
DeleteHouston played a superiorly salaried and superiorly talented Memphis team. They simply got outclassed, just like Houston got outclassed against Indiana (the Eastern conference Memphis). And yes, good teams with the max contract shotblocking big men DO have Houston figured out and yes Houston cannot compete with the big boys.
ihoopsalot, keep in mind that I have absolutely no criticism of Lin and Harden and even McHale this game. They really tried to play team basketball and get the win. But when the 3 other starters are so scared of being bruised up by the triple inside tag team of Prince Randolph Gasol, Harden and Lin cannot beat 5 guys by themselves.
You would think a team needs a point guard?
ReplyDeleteYou would think a team needs a coach?
You would think a person needs to make sense?
Hells is going loose.
Let it me, let it me, there'll be another game let it me.
Well, McHale ruined Jeremy's first year and proved himself to be the NBA's worst coach (just look at that pt. differential...even an average coach would have 5-6 more wins).
ReplyDeleteI'm going to watch the Florida Gulf Coast game.
I can't believe he's not bringing in the starters. The guy thinks he's fucking coaching college players. You need SCORERS in the game if you're gonna come back, you dumb fuck.
ReplyDeleteAnnouncer is laughing
DeleteTell me how u really feel
DeleteThe winner again is Beverly who plays as a starter, bench, essentially no matter what.
ReplyDeleteMcHale is playing for tomorrow. That's the only reason I can think he still has the second team in there.
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth is McFaIL thinking?!?
ReplyDelete4th quater game plan. Give to delfino for 3s and hope. Genius Mchale.
ReplyDeleteA coach who gave up the game for a whole quarter should be fire.
ReplyDeleteShould be banned from the association.
Deleteshould have S.T.U.P.I.D tattooed on his forehead.
DeleteCalm down guys. McHale essentially gave up. He's resting starters for tomoirrow.
ReplyDeleteHow he give up like that, that's stupid
DeleteThat's fucking coaching malpractice. He gave up on the game when the game was in reach!! The subs did a good job with their energy, got the game close, then, he needed to bring the starters back in. He didn't. HE THREW A WINNABLE GAME.
DeleteThe Memphis announcers are in fucking shock.
Tomorrow! That soon.
DeleteWhat a loser.
He's the coach!!!
Yes he's a moron, he left the starters in too long in the beginning of the season and now he pulls them out too early. McHale's timing is impeccably pathetic.
DeleteMorey should fire the idiot right after this game. He gave up on the game before the fourth quarter even began. This isn't college, you don't tank a game just to send some kind of "message" to your starters.
ReplyDeleteGo and ask for a refund!
DeleteTime out!!! What for!!!
ReplyDeleteThe good thing is CF fans will start questioning McHale's strategy to give up so soon with starters.
ReplyDeleteCF fans are some of the lowest IQ fans around. They wouldn't know from one shit end to another shit end.
DeleteThey will blame Lin again.
The announcers are perplexed by Mchale's decision lol.
ReplyDeleteThey said: I don't get it
DeleteI am in shock. I think this shows that Mchale doesn't hate Lin, Mchale is just fucking incompetent.
DeleteNo he hates Lin... That's for sure.
DeleteHe hates rockets.
DeleteGuess who would be blamed?
ReplyDeleteWho would be the scapegoat?
5 chickens running around without their heads cut off.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think it could get any crazier. McHale has fucking lost his mind.
ReplyDeleteLOL love it. All starters get a taste of what it feels to be JLin in the 4th quarter. McHale will face the music after this loss XD
ReplyDeleteWhat a contrast!
ReplyDeleteGriz has played the first team for the 4th
Roz had played the second team for the 4th
It's some kind of joke!
It's soooooo ugly
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Mchale sacrificed this game for tomorrow's game. He must have simply decided this one wasn't going to be won so why expend so much energy when tomorrow's game could be won. Not saying this is sound strategy, but I think this is how Mchale approached this game.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have a problem, you'll think to solve it.
DeleteRunning away is not a solution for a professional!
His approach seems odd to me. Will be interesting to see what he has to say.
DeleteThe problem was that the GAME WAS CLOSE in the fourth!!!! If you think the team can't come back from seven points half way through the fourth, you have no business being a head coach. And a good coach would realize that the subs could only go so long with their energy play before their limitations would show (that they suck and they had no shooters out there), and bring in the starters to try to win the game.
DeleteHe basically quit on a winnable game. If I'm owner and GM, I don't want that kind of a coach. This game isn't about Lin being mistreated, this game exposed McHale's utter incompetence. Isn't this the same crap that happened last season? The team was doing well then imploded at the end and missed the playoffs? The only person who was here last year and this year is Mchale.
Yeah... that's why it seems odd to me because this game was winnable. It wasn't garbage time.
DeleteThere ain't nothing odd about a superiorly salaried and talented team SHUTTING DOWN Lin and Harden with a solid if basic game plan.
DeleteMemphis devoted itself so thoroughly to stopping Lin and Harden that they clearly put no effort into preparing for the 2nd unit.
This game was not even remotely close, though people here like to see it as close in order to criticiE McHale.
"I will be curious to see what Kevin McHale has to say.."
ReplyDelete- uhm, he'll say something like "Rockets played Sh%* or something like that. the "he plays with ENERGY comment is long gone lol
Whatever McHale says, it'll be kinder and gentler than what I'd say if I were the Houston coach.
DeleteI'd be like "Our guys thought it was Halloween tonight, playing SCARED. My guys were so afraid of ZBruise and Marcy Marc that they spent more time quivering than cutting!"
I'd also growl "If any of my guys play scared again, I'll yank them and they can quiver by me on the bench. I'd rather play my junkyard dogs from the D league than watch multimillionaires quaking in fear on the court!"
@KHuang - you deserve the Rockets HC job more than Mc
DeleteThat's college basketball style coaching, not NBA professional coaching.
DeleteAnd this fear thing, that's you reading stuff in the players.
That's right I'm reading FEAR in the players.
DeleteTheir body language was horrible, they were afraid of physically challenging Zbo and Marc, they didn't cut to open spots, they didn't play hard defense, and they were unwilling to give and take hits in order to get to the spots they needed to get to in order to score and rebound and defend.
Houston got BODY PUNKED tonight, and the score reflects that.
And like I've said above, Lin and Harden came to play. They don't get labeled as "pansies" by me this game.
And pro coaches are HARDER on their players than college coaches are.
DeleteCollege coaches have to live by academic standards and not offend their kids and stay clear of parents.
Pro coaches? They can curse out their players. Sometimes they even physically attack players, like Paul Silas did to Tyrus Thomas last season.
College coaches are softies compared to pro coaches.
You have some weird mancrush on mchale? That was a DUMBFUCK decision, period. The game was in reach, and by not putting starters back in, McHale THREW THE GAME. Even if they had "fear," the starters with fear had a better chance of winning the game then the subs who were playing extended minutes out of the norm.
DeleteGOt it? So, stop this psychoanalysis b.s., and just acknowledge that Kevin McHale made a decision in the the third quarter TO QUIT THE GAME. I've never seen another NBA coach do what McHale did. COmpletely unprofessional.
Fire the guy, or fore him to take a leave, along with Sampson, before he totally destroys the team and the season.
Khuang, you fucking don't get it. It's not about being hard on players. IT'S ABOUT WINNING. Every fucking NBA coach will coach a game to win until it's absolutely clear that the game is lost. Because every game, especially this late in the season, are effectively playoff games. If this team fails to make the playoffs again, this means hundreds of thousands of dollars lost in revenue.
DeleteIf you're GM and owner, do you want a quitter as your head coach? Fuck no.
Lin was handcuffed by a great Memphis defense this game.
ReplyDeleteGetting by Mike Conley was easy, like taking candy from a baby. Getting by Conley AND $15 million Gasol, not today.
Lin can drive all he wants, but his frontcourters need to man up and put themselves in scoring position. Otherwise it's trap after trap.
McHale can coach all he wants, but no coach can eliminate FEAR.
When your point guard is trapped by setup, it's the coaches job to send in plays to set him free. What is the coach for?
DeleteThrowing up the game.
McHale's frontcourters were so afraid of the other team that they didn't make their cuts out of fear of being BASHED.
DeleteWhen frontcourters don't make their cuts, it allows teams to load up on both Lin and Harden.
I don't see this game as a coaching failure. It was a MINIMUM WAGE FRONTCOURT failure.
"..and the Rockets have 2 consecutive games WITHOUT Lin at the 4th..."
ReplyDeleteWell technically he did play I'm the 4th last game.
DeleteLOL Memphis announcers just underhanded called Mcshithead S.T.U.D.I.D.
ReplyDeleteThe Memphis announcers are still talking about how crazy McHale's move was. Because the game was close in the fourth, and he kept out Harden and Parsons.
ReplyDeleteI think McHale actually believed that the subs, led by super pg Beverly, could actually win the game.
WOW. Un-fucking-believable.
McHale is turning this season into a major clusterfuck.
Correction:
DeleteThe first unit was KePT out completely in the 4th.
I like Beverly's energy. Even when trailing by 10 with 41 seconds left he still thinks Rox have a chance while the other 4 on the court has giving up.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Hey, might as well keep up his rep as the energy/hustle guy and pad some stats. Except he couldn't hit a shot tonight.
DeleteRockets games are getting not only boring but strange and can't wait to hear what Mcfail and players say a out the starters being benched whole quarter
ReplyDeleteGo Jazz. Rooting for the Jazz!
ReplyDeleteI admit that Memphis is simply too good for Rockets; they will win 8 games out of 10 games against Rockets.
ReplyDeleteThey almost got the momentum but mchail.stubborness agan prevail...
ReplyDeleteBench did well but you.end.up.losing the gaming.trying to ask a miracle from your bench??
If he.put back them at 7mins in the 4th.maybe. they can win it..
Yea i agree he.must be penalize for givibg up.the.game so early......
They will not win tommorow
Houston is now facing a.big problem
On coaching system i tell you guys they cannot go far in thr playoffs.if they still.have mchail.
McHale actually thought the bench could've came back and win the game. Hahaha. Dumb move!
ReplyDeleteIt's not just playing the bench... but a substitution would have put fresh legs back into the game.
ReplyDeleteVery good point. So obvious, but, then again, Mchale does shit that makes no sense at all.
DeleteBasically, this is the first time I've ever seen an NBA coach actually TANK a winnable game with the dumbest coaching decision ever. The Memphis announcers were absolutely dumbfounded, saying, uhhhh, when are the starters coming back for Houston? WTF is McHale doing?
This game was NOT WINNABLE.
DeleteBullshit. Unless you're saying the fourth quarter was all garbage time, the game got within reach, under double-digits with plenty of time left. EVERY COACH IN THE NBA WOULD SAY THAT GAME IS WINNABLE. Except for Mcshithead.
DeleteYou can call bullshit if you want, but the Rockets were losing BADLY with Harden and Lin in the game.
DeleteKeep in mind it was NOT THEIR FAULT.
Those two came to play, and I admire their effort despite their teammates laying down and playing dead.
Memphis had Harden and Lin DIAGNOSED. That Houston's players were cowards tonight made it even easier. The 2nd unit did great BECAUSE Memphis spent all its preparation time loading up on Harden and Lin.
Y'know, Roberlin, teams do beat other teams in the NBA by superior preparation and talent. When the Rockets lose, it isn't always because McHale handed a game away.
Perhaps he would start the 2nd unit in the next game.
ReplyDeleteWhat r u guys mad about. Now everyone got to see what an idiot McHale is. U don't sit anyone this stretch.. U gotta trust your starters. 9 down 7 min to go and u give up?
ReplyDeleteWow. Beverly played more minutes again. Maybe it's a good idea for Lin to be with the second unit. Harden PG/SG confusion makes everyone out of sync. This is even a worst situation for Lin right now then being in NY. At least Carmelo is not a guard. So his time controlling the ball is limited to catch and shoot. Harden just dribbles and holds the ball and kills about 15-18 seconds with his iso bullshit. What happen to moving the Ball, Mchale?????
ReplyDeleteFor Harden, the ways of doing his point guard is to wait until his teammates in position for an assist.
DeleteThat's Harden-centered offense.
It's not about Lin anymore, McHale is fucking destroying the entire team with his moronic decisions.
DeleteDid you see Harden's body language on the bench? He looked really demoralized and dazed and confused.
And physical rest means shit if you're demotivated. The team is in danger of imploding like last year, and this game against the Clippers is critical. I could easily see the Rockets getting completely blown out and the season going down the toilet.
Their only hope is, in my honest opinion, Jeremy Lin. He's got to keep the team together and quell any mutiny.
Harden and Lin got equally shut down bu a committed Memphis playoff caliber defense.
DeleteWhy is everybody here blaming McHale and Lin and Harden when Memphis has that incredible expensive frontcourt that was able to cheat off Houston's quivering minimum wage frontcourters?
Could this be the beginning of the end for McHale?
ReplyDeleteNo!
Deletesigned
Morey
Because Mchale has always been a joker. Look at his coaching record.
DeleteNow everyone knows why Lowry wanted to get the hell out of Houston. Lin probably feels like Lowry felt last season.
McFail has turned the rockets into some kind of jokers.
ReplyDeleteThat's how he played the game.
I would think, for McFail, it's only the end of the beginning.
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side I'm happy that Lin wasn't out on the court as the only starter playing in the 4th LOL
ReplyDeleteI don't think McFail'll give Lin an opportunity to be a hero saving the day.
DeleteThis is just the beginning guys. McHale will be EXPOSED as a moron. There is a reason the Rox failed down the stretch last year. There are goons go 5 - 5 the rest of the way and limp into the playoffs. Get swept badly in the playoffs. I'm now more optimistic that McHale may be gone even if they make the playoffs. And the downfa will coincide with Lin playing less minutes. Stay strong Lin the end is near!
ReplyDeleteMcFail's days are numbered because there's no limit of his foolishness.
DeleteThe second team has actually played more than the first team.
ReplyDeleteWhen the coach lost confidence in the first team, the players lost confidence in the coach.
The result is either to trade the first team or fire the coach.
Saw harden, parson and Lin kept talking on the bench
DeleteWonder what they said
My total guess is there might be some dissension on Rockets roster about who is starter and who is back-up (not just Lin and Beverley, but how McHale said he wanted someone to step up and take power forward spot).
DeleteWhat I hope happened with starters all being benched is that McHale wanted to get message across to Harden that how he played last game was unacceptable, but unlike Lin, he can't single him out and pulled everyone.
Harden and Lin looked like they were trying to work together with each other during first half.
Play to start second half where Harden had Lin open to pass, but pulled back, tried to pass to someone else and got picked off for a layup was here we go again moment.
Lin also had a hero ball moment right before he got pulled where it looked like he took a dribble drive pull up that might not have been best shot (don't know what was on shot clock).
Up to that point, I just though Grizzlies were beating Rockets and didn't feel any player or coach needed to be singled out.
Glanced at few postings by KHuang above about our starting front court, and if I had to blame anyone this game, it would be Morey for trading away Patrick Patterson in midst of playoff chase. Except that I do like Trob's potential and agree with trade when it presented itself.
Hopefully team can just get away from individual egos and try and get back to playing that beautiful high octane basketball when they had those wonderful early season wins against Knicks, Chicago, etc.
CF site has the dumbest Rox fans. Some actually believe that leaving the second unit in to finish was a excellent idea. That whole site should be banned for being stupid.
ReplyDeleteHere is the second unit profile:
Trob - Limited experience. (Limited Offence)
Anderson - forgot how to play basketball (Benched too long)
Beverly - Way too much energy. (Limited offense)
Smith - Likes to foul too much. (Limited offense)
Delfino - Shoot, Shoot, Shoot. (Even when it's a stupid shot)
You have to give credit to Clutch (David Harsity) himself. He is the leader of the cult.
DeleteAnytime David Harsity has opened his mouth about basketball, I'm astounded how little he understands it.
DeleteThe followers are a reflection of the cult leader. Harsity is basketball S.T.U.P.I.D. and Harden worshiper.
DeleteHe is fuckinh moron who promotes trolling on his site. Dumb fuck.
DeleteFoley has no limit1
DeleteTHe sad thing is, Kevin Mchale and Harsity share apparently the same philosophy and failure to understand that talent/skills are crucial to winning games, not just "energy."
DeleteHarsity is the Rockets' scorekeeper. This is why Lin always get cheated.
DeleteJLin is playing for Kevin McHell. You know being Good Friday.
ReplyDeleteMcHell is starting another losing streak for the rockets.
ReplyDeleteAnd u know what will be even better? When Lin excels under a coach who plays to his strengths next year. That will destroy McHale as a coach.
ReplyDeleteI feel like after watching this game that I just saw the self destruction and break down of a basketball team from the inside out!!
ReplyDeleteSeeing Lin next to Parsons on the bench in the 4th smiling and chatting among themselves spoke volumes about this team.
I think everyone respects the Coach but I also believe respect and CONFIDENCE are 2 totally different things and there's no longer any confidence in him.
How many times did the Memphis announcers speak on how "puzzling" Mchales coaching decisions were this game. Someone needs to swoop in and save this team before things get more uglier than seeing 2 starters on the bench in the 4th smiling and chatting while a need to win game is going on ... and your team is far behind.
For a Lin fan like myself, it sucks that he landed in Houston where the fans are almost dead during home games and players seem to always not notice Lin open and just standing there multiple times, as if he's not a play maker to go to. What kind of joke has been played on us all?
Great post. When the opposing team's announcers are questioning your coach, that's a bad sign.
DeleteThe Rockets with McHale at the helm are exposed as a joke just in time for April Fool's Day.
DeleteLin and Parsons might as well laugh in the 4th since their own coach has giving up early. They should have just head to the locker room early and wait in the bus for the second unit to finish.
DeleteWhat the heck more could Lin have done this game?
DeleteHe drove the lane, got met by 2 guys because Memphis didn't respect Houston's weakass frontcourters.
He tried to defend, but his frontcourters were giving all sorts of dancing room to Memphis's brutes because they were afraid of getting bashed. Lin couldn't stick his man and make plays because the Houston team defense was so nonexistent.
McHale even tried to plow the ball through Lin in the 3rd, but nobody other than Harden was making hard physical cuts. Everybody was afraid of being bruise bounced by Zbo and Marc.
I thought Lin played very well even though the stats don't show it, and McHale used Lin well too. But when nobody else other than Harden showed up to play, they and not Lin Harden McHale are at fault for acting like they're made of fragile glass!
I don't think Lin or Harden played that badly in first half.
DeleteI just thought Grizzlies were straight up beating the Rockets tonight, and if you want to blame anyone, blame Morey for trading away Patrick Patterson in midst of playoff chase (I don't blame Morey because I like the trade long-term).
Dmo hurt team with passes that got picked off, but he didn't look gun shy with his shot like he has previously.
Trob a bit out of control on offense and needs to make sure those high light reel slam dunks actually get converted to points.
Still more upset about Indiana loss and middle to end of third quarter when I felt Harden should have been pulled and kept Lin in, at least until beginning of fourth (bring back Harden too at that point if McHale's plan).
Tonight I thought we just got an honest but kicking by Grizzlies; nothing more, nothing less.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDoes McStupid know how to spell the word STUPID?
ReplyDeleteIn fourth quarter, I'm thinking 'Once again, McHale rides his bench too long.' Then it slowly dawned on me he had no intention of trying to win the game -- or he actually had some notion that the bench unit was more likely to win the game than the starting unit, even after being gassed and totally clueless on offense and not being able to get a good shots off before the shot clock violation.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't matter how you explain what the heck happened tonight -- McHale is clueless. He does not understand his roster, and is terrible at recognizing momentum shifts.
The game was lost by insisting on small ball when Zach was killing Delfino and he REFUSED TO CHANGE even when it was clear it was not working. Stubborn, blind jackass.
He was a DieHard fool in understanding his players.
DeleteHe was not using his players; rather misusing them for his type of basketball.
He's way out of line today.
Just how can you explain.
I would think he should at least play Harden/Lin + Parson. When Smith picked up his 5th, you would put Asik in. He is such a loser. He plays his game inside his bird brain. Who would have guessed!
Folly has no limit.
ReplyDeleteIt's just the beginning of whole new chapter in McHell's coaching.
Too bad league pass doesn't allow refunds...sigh. Rocket's games are getting frustrating to watch....good thing there's porn.
ReplyDeleteI see Rockets potentially losing 9 of the remaining games. Hope Rockets make it to playoffs. If Utah wins tonight's game against Portland. I can see Rockets going down. If Utah loses tonight's game, I think Rockets will at least make 8th
ReplyDelete