Losthief

Good win for rockets tonight vs. T-Wolves. Also, Wiggins looks much improved from the first time we played, I know he got similar points, but looked a lot more comfortable and confident out there than last time. Seemed to take the opportunities that presented themselves rather than force as much as the 1st game.

 

For the topic title from the recap on espn I stole this:

(and something so obvious tonight Bill pointed it out on the broadcast)

 

How will James Harden adjust to Dwight Howard's return? In the 837 minutes Harden has played with Howard on the court this season, Harden is shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 44.5 percent from 3-point range. In the 1,741 minutes Harden has played without Howard, those numbers drop to 42.6 and 33.3 percent.

  [-] James Harden with Dwight Howard On/Off Court - This Season (James Hardens FG %).

                                                                  Howard On  Howard off

                                                        FG pct   47.2              42.6

                                                 3-pt FG pct   44.5              33.3

 

 

Quite simply, even when Howard isn't being 'efficient' on offense he adds to James' efficiency and allows him more space. Howard was a +20 tonight and led the team, and it wasn't just because of his defense although that helped. (as did the fact he really only dunked and looked to pass more out of the post than pre-injury) The extra attention Dwight draws just roaming around really helped generate some space for the rest of the rockets to both drive and kick, and to get open shots.

 

Also Josh Smith worked really well with Dwight tonight, much better than I was expecting as they used him in the mid-post/free throw line area as the p&r roll man being a receiver of the pass with two shooters on the wing and Dwight underneath. No one is leaving Dwight in that case (when they did he got open dunks) and with the double of Harden up top one of the guys on the two shooters had to rotate off toward Josh/the middle giving a lot of open looks. Good variance on the 1 in 4 out we run a lot of the times out of the pick and roll (3 shooters) that fits J-Smoove's playing style (and passing ability) more. Would seemingly work with T-Jones if he can refine somewhat his passing.

Pretty cool chart from fivethirtyeight.com about the nba and winning percentage for a game by point in the game:

 

http://fivethirtyeig...oss-every-game/

(click for interactive chart)

 

(you can select rockets (or any team) from the drop down menu to highlight them).

 

Lines up with my personal observations of good play following half-time (sign of good coaching adjustments?) and with the lack of execution in the 4th quarter at times, although the spike at the very end of games I think has to do with a certain bearded fella. Also we rest harden at the beginning/middle of the 4th most games so a drop off there isn't too surprising if still a bit disappointing.

 

(if you don't want to click link and want to look around the black thing, rockets are the 3rd line (1st red one) in the 3rd/4th quarter). 

 

p.s. preemptively im aware of the fact clicking it doesn't load the interactive version (cause i took the code off the page info) but the interactive one is available via the link above.

Saw this (howard has bone edema in knee) just a minute ago on nba tv gametime. Worrying here's a link to more about it:

 

http://www.howardluk...row-edema-knee/

 

but the part that worries me is this:

 

 

The second most common cause of bone marrow edema is osteoarthritis.  In a healthy knee, the bones are covered in cartilage.  In an arthritic knee that cartilage has become thin, or absent. In that situation the bone is under more stress. If the stress exceeds the capacity of the bone to support the weight then a stress reaction, or stress fracture occurs.  That stress reaction or fracture shows up as bone marrow edema.

 

which combines with Howard statements about how the cartilage is just gone from earlier in the year worries me a great deal that this is not due to trauma (the other major cause, and less worrisome cause). Why this worries me so much is later in the article:

 

 

Osteoarthritis on the other hand is a progressive condition. Sadly, it only gets worse over time.  That means that the edema is unlikely to improve either

 

and

 

 

The initial treatment of bone marrow edema is not very different from the treatment of most bruises. Rest, ice, medications, activity limitation, and  possibly a crutch or a cane. In cases of trauma, and many cases of osteonecrosis, that will suffice.  In some patients with bone marrow edema due to osteoarthritis, the pain might not improve.  If the pain has not improved and your quality of life is suffering, you may prove to be a candidate for a procedure known as a “Subchondroplasty“.

 

If this is an bone marrow edema in his knee, and it is due to osteoarthritis (wear and tear essentially) then not good...The 'procedure' is new and unproven, which is never a good sign either.

 http://blog.chron.co...ule/#27968101=0

(chron.com)

 

Thought I'd post it here cause we don't get enough glimpses into Alexander's thoughts/ideas. I love that he is hands off and trusting of his crew (unlike cuban for example or jerry jones), but it leaves me curious lol.

 

Key part of article in my thought:

The Rockets were among the 17 teams that voted in favor of the more modest draft lottery reform in October when the measure failed to get the 23 votes needed to enact a change in which the four-worst teams would have identical odds to win the lottery. Alexander said he does not believe that reform would be sufficient.

 

Alexander could not by NBA rules discuss how any of his ideas might enter into collective bargaining with the NBA Players Association or other matters, including the coming increase in the salary cap, that will be part of the CBA negotiations.

 

Alexander said he also discussed scheduling “big-time” with Silver to get changes that would keep teams from sitting out players for rest, pushing for a reduction in the number of back-to-backs teams play and the use of programs to ensure teams play similar numbers of back-to-backs each season.

 

 

First off, there something off with it, the first part repeats a couple of times (like the first 12-15 min. plays at least twice with the same dialogue).

 

But, I also wanted to comment on something Rahat brought up in the podcast which was that he doesn't think the best use of Harden is off the ball. I honestly disagree with this. What I mean is that by playing Harden off the ball (besides in the last few minutes of games where it should always be in his hands) will help increase his shooting percentages due to getting open looks and less defensive attention on him. Right now he's only getting 44.8 percent of his 3s assisted (last year 55.8 percent) a HUGE difference which I think accounts for his drop in 3pt (and overall) fg percentage, and is representative of the focus of defenses on him and the lack of overall assisted opportunities he is getting both inside and outside the 3pt line. Getting him open looks within the half court offense should be the aim of the offense, not just depending on him to create for others. (The more and more I watched Kyle Korver against us the other night made me wonder why we don't run any of that action for Harden, or some of the stuff which Tony Parker runs in San Antonio where he comes off double screens down low with the choice to go to either side, this puts the defender behind the player on the reception of the pass which we know with Harden would be game over once his guy is on his back side he is in control).

 

That said, Harden is awesome and generates so much offense at the free throw line and on the fast break that he compensates for this attention (in the half court) by drawing more fouls to stay efficient, but I worry that's detrimental long-term to his health (ex. D-Wade formerly known as the flash). So getting the ball out of his hands I don't think should be such a scary proposition as long as its not someone who will not give it up to him to operate the end of game moments. I'm not saying its necessary, merely not so detrimental as you think and could actually be good for his efficiency and production within our half court offense. Also, would reduce our predictability as a team if we had more options for creating looks in the half-court.

 

Again, I think we get a bit fooled by his production on the break and via the free throw line into thinking that he wouldn't be served getting set up by another player/creator. Yet, he basically gets no corner 3pt attempts (the easiest one at less than one attempt per game) which is a crime for a player who shoots like he does. Pull-up and step-back threes look incredible (when he makes them) but I think getting a true point guard to operate with Harden would be great, just we need one that wouldn't decrease from pat's defense. (Also, at this point Pat's a health-risk...which has to factor into the decision).