15 replies to this topic

[Red94]

New post: Rockets vs the Calendar: Starters' Minutes on Back to Backs

[datruth]

Man please stop telling stories. Mchale allows Harden to stay in a lot of blowout games to get stats. Then when he has a bad game someone says he tired. Look at the tapes of all games and tell me how many times Harden was the only starter on the floor when the game was out of hand. The opponent pulled their starters out and Mchale had Harden in to get stats.

[feelingsupersonic]

Thanks for the piece. I like that McHale pushes these young guys especially during that stretch. Harden, Parsons and Lin are young enough to bounce back unlike some older guys in this league. Also I don't mind less minutes for Asik as past history tells us you have to take care of your big guys (see Yao). Above all I am glad Harden gets a load of minutes. Whether we get another elite player or not there will be times in the future when Harden will have to carry this Rockets team and will them to win. I believe he might as well get to know that weight now.

[thelinquisition]

Not sure, but I think above should read: "So far this season, ... Parson averages 36.2" instead of 26.2.

Also, @ datruth, if by stats you mean points, then yeah, I'm guessing that's why McHale wants Harden playing. He's the only player who doesn't lose confidence even though he's shooting 30% through the first half of the game.

[timetodienow1234567]

But even when they've won the game or they've lost the game, say up or down by 15+ with 2-3 minutes to go, Harden's most likely still in the game focusing on scoring. What does that do except pad stats?

[feelingsupersonic]

That's just ridiculous to say that there is a real effort by the coaching staff and Harden to pad his stats. Unbelievable, what some of y'all find to complain about. I guess that is why McHale played Harden so much late in the game against the Jazz.

[timetodienow1234567]

We all know Harden is the key to our team. But prior to last night Harden had played most of fourth quarter blowouts. And he stayed in longer than the other starters and went out once he got 25 points. We need him healthy and chasing stats is not the way to go.

[feelingsupersonic]

Respectfully disagreeing timetodie, look I don't have time to look back and check all the games but even if Harden was in there are multiple reasons as to why Harden might have been kept in games late. You cannot just give an opinion, like that there is a concerted effort to pad Harden's statistics, and state that it is a fact. If anyone wants to say the Rockets are definitely engaged in something then back it up with facts and if you can't just say it is your opinion. Nothing wrong with having a strong opinion but that doesn't make it fact.

[Chichos]

I have no problem having him pad some stats. Stats are the currency of the NBA, so let him add a few extra numbers in the PPG column. Then we get to hear analysts bring his name up in all scoring conversations. But you also have to admit that Harden is the only one McHale completely trusts except maybe Parsons. Harden plays those minutes because McHale doesn't have confidence his bench can play consistently well every night.

[Chichos]

and remember no lead is safe



I know it wasn't technically a blow out come back. but i love that video.

[timetodienow1234567]

Agree to disagree then. (P.S. I loved that game.) What are your feelings about Lin? It seems like Lin has been getting more consistent minutes and is attacking again, rather than trying to play mistake free. It's better that way. Just like you live with Harden's constant turnovers, you just have to live with Lin's. They will watch film and make some minor adjustments to cut those down, but this team is at their best when Lin does what he does and gets open looks for Harden and keeps them from double-teaming him.

[thejohnnygold]

I've got time!

4th quarter minutes for James Harden in reverse order from today for the month of January including Win/Loss:

Utah - 0 W
Nets - 5:54 W
Hornets - 8:38 W
Denver - 10:50 L
Charlotte - 9:09 W
Minnesota - 9:27 L
Pacers - 11:01 L
Mavs - 12:00 L
Clippers - 7:24 L
Sixers - 12:00 L
Celtics - 10:44 L
Hornets - 8:48 L
Lakers - 8:04 W
Cavs - 8:25 W
Bucks - 6:25 W
Hornets - 9:41 W

That is a record of 8-8.
In the wins, Harden has played 67:06/96:00 minutes available. Roughly 68%.
In the losses, Harden has played 82:14/96:00 minutes available. Roughly 86%.

In games decided by 11+ points (10 games) Harden played 76:57/120:00 minutes available. Roughly 63%.

Barring mathematical error on my part, this pretty much means you are exactly wrong, timetodienow. Sorry.

Looks like McHale is trying to win games when we are behind and protecting Harden in the others. Besides, there is nothing to chase statistics for besides all-star selections, contract incentives, or a new contract (unless you're Kobe). Since All-Star is done now we'll see if anything changes.

*I recognize that the zero minute Utah game skews the averages a bit, but it is relevant so I used it.

[feelingsupersonic]

@timetodie: Lin is fine, I am okay with him and his contract. I think Lin is a good role player that can explode from time to time and deserves to be in the rotation of top seven players for this Rockets team. Honestly, I think Lin is still young and needs time to develop. He could be anything from a solid starter to a top sixth man in the NBA. Ironically I think he could dominate second units like Harden did for OKC and once he is on he is hard to turn off.


@johnnygold: Regardless of who is right or wrong that is some impressive homework you did. I would like to believe that here at Red94 it's not so much about who is right or who is wrong but rather can we find the information that leads us all to having better informed opinions about the Rockets. After all we are all Rockets fans here and probably some of the best. Thanks for the insight johnnygold.

[rockets best fan]

thejohnnygold:
impressive................I bet you use to do a hell of a book report didn't you however it does put that arguement to rest. as for complaining about harden and lin we must remember these are players being put in this position for the first time. their young and just beginning to scratch the surface of what they will become. no way around it they are going to make mistakes.

[datruth]

feelingsupersonic, i agree 3 wins is three wins. harden seem different last couple of games. This team seem different the last couple of games. They seemed prepared and honestly had a game plan from the start. regardless of who is playing we all support this team.

[thejohnnygold]

@timetodie: Lin is fine, I am okay with him and his contract. I think Lin is a good role player that can explode from time to time and deserves to be in the rotation of top seven players for this Rockets team. Honestly, I think Lin is still young and needs time to develop. He could be anything from a solid starter to a top sixth man in the NBA. Ironically I think he could dominate second units like Harden did for OKC and once he is on he is hard to turn off.


@johnnygold: Regardless of who is right or wrong that is some impressive homework you did. I would like to believe that here at Red94 it's not so much about who is right or who is wrong but rather can we find the information that leads us all to having better informed opinions about the Rockets. After all we are all Rockets fans here and probably some of the best. Thanks for the insight johnnygold.

You are right. Didn't mean to come across that way...I was aiming for good-natured ribbing.

thejohnnygold:
impressive................I bet you use to do a hell of a book report didn't you however it does put that arguement to rest. as for complaining about harden and lin we must remember these are players being put in this position for the first time. their young and just beginning to scratch the surface of what they will become. no way around it they are going to make mistakes.

I was a history major in college...which means yes.