14 replies to this topic

[thejohnnygold]

Interesting to note the difference in activity following a victory versus a loss.  I was hoping to see some celebratory posts today.  The shoutbox got some...and a few others...but this is what should be happening around here today...

 

 

We've got ourselves a series!

 

Harden's game wasn't pretty, but he showed up and helped drag us to victory.

 

Contributions came form all over--Lin, Parsons, Howard, Asik...and Troy Daniels did his best Sam Cassell impression.

 

McHale did stuff.

 

The Blazers are still finding ways to make circus shots that kill momentum for us.  The Rockets continue to find new and creative ways to bumble the ball out of bounds and give Portland extra possessions.  We've yet to play a great game.  Parsons is due for a breakout....Lin....Harden....Daniels?  What happens when D-Mo comes in and starts making Aldridge work in the post?  It's gotta happen, right?  Even if he fouls out in 6 minutes what's the difference?

 

Also, something about Batum makes me want to put Garcia on him...I feel like 15 minutes of 'Cisco grinding him down with defense would be a good thing.

 

We've got a little breathing room back.  Let's keep the pedal to the metal!

[Johnny Rocket]

I agree with my fellow "Johnny" (that sounds a little weird, I know).  It was a real pleasure watching last night's game.  The Rockets didn't play up to anywhere near their potential and still won a tough playoff road game.  Tomorrow's game is critical--I think the winner takes the series--but I'm not worrying about that now and celebrating the win today.  Go Rox!!!

[timetodienow1234567]

It was a great game. But I'm trying not to get too excited since the next game is everything.

[BrentYen]

I stay silent so I don jack the threads into Lin threads....lol It was a great win!!!!!by everyone!

[Cooper]

It was nice to see the defensive energy and finally some shots start falling, Parsons and Harden will need to be a bit better next game but it looks like they're on the way out of their slumps.

[Sir Thursday]

There wasn't a recap post and/or associated thread up, so I didn't comment. Suspect that a lot of people were the same which is why there isn't much celebration going on.

 

Of course, I watched it this morning UK time (and unfortunately was accidentally spoiled of the final result by a random tab on my browser that had ESPN on it), so I didn't get the same euphoric reaction you'd get watching it live.

 

Anyway, I thought the team played to approximately the same level they did in Game 1. Good to see them using the inverted pick-and-roll so effectively. Really they should just keep going to that until the Blazers figure out a way to stop it - it's been lethal all year and defending it's a nightmare. Still painful in the end of game situations though - as long as the offence stalls like that at the end of games the team will never have an easy victory.

 

I thought the Rockets were pretty well coached in this game - for all the gnashing of teeth and the crying out for adjustments, I wasn't quite as down on him after the first couple of games as a lot of people seemed to be, but there's no denying that they made some effective adjustments tonight. Having Asik guard Aldridge from the start was a good call, as was forcing him baseline when he put the ball on the floor. And the aforementioned inverted P&R worked a charm, especially when they ran it on three consecutive possessions.

 

The one thing I was less sold on was the insertion of Troy Daniels. Yes, he got the headlines with his game-winning shot (and was solid from the outside), but he really looked shaky on the defensive end to my eye. Perhaps they went for it for the shock value/the fact that he was unscouted, but it seemed like a pretty reckless gamble to give him so many minutes at the expense of players more familiar with the system. I know McHale believes in giving players large chunks of minutes (instead of splitting that rotation spot between say, Hamilton, Garcia and Casspi), and it paid off this time, but despite the awesome end result I feel like it would have been a higher percentage play to go for someone else in crunch time. (I certainly reckon if they were to do it again Portland would be ready and pound him into the dirt defensively). Process over results, and all that.

 

 

ST

[thenit]

Didn't watch the game and I am superstitious so won't watch game 4 I think that's the adjustment we needed

[rockets best fan]

@JG

I didn't want to respond to this thread earlier because I didn't want to mess with the positive vive you were promoting here. hard for me to be excited looking at how we are playing right now. we got lucky last game, but it's going to take more than luck to beat Portland

[Cooper]

@JG

I didn't want to respond to this thread earlier because I didn't want to mess with the positive vive you were promoting here. hard for me to be excited looking at how we are playing right now. we got lucky last game, but it's going to take more than luck to beat Portland

With any luck we would have won game 1 

[rockets best fan]

@Cooper

we've had our chances to win all three however we only have 1

[Buckko]

I keep hoping, he puts demo in, at least for jones' minutes as he has no purpose to be playing in this series.

[RocketMansinceStevieFrance]

Sorry JohnnyGold, had a formal event too attend today. The Rockets really showed character and as a fan that is all you can ask for. Up late but going to be up even later lol. VERY nervous for tomorrows game, already playing scenarios through my head! Really hoping they can pull out another very hard fought W and head back to Houston with the momentum in the series. 

 

GO ROCKETS 

[rockets best fan]

@Buckko

I disagree...........D-Mo too often struggles defensively and that's a problem we can't afford at this point. Yes he has more length, but his foot speed is slower. now I wouldn't mind seeing T-Daniels get some more PT

[Drew in Abilene]

When it comes to preseason, draft, trades, regular season, and everything else, I'm more than happy to spend my time posting my thoughts rationally on the board. But here in the playoffs, the veneer of rationality falls before a screaming, jumping maniac ruled by emotions. The last week has been filled with deep lows and soaring highs that lend themselves to breathless conversation with friends, punching inanimate objects, and pulling muscles whilst leaping in joy. I've certainly still been reading the boards here, but I'm also posting less than normal while the Rockets are playing. Just what feels right for me.

[rocketrick]

@Buckko
I disagree...........D-Mo too often struggles defensively and that's a problem we can't afford at this point. Yes he has more length, but his foot speed is slower. now I wouldn't mind seeing T-Daniels get some more PT

I agree with RBF on Motiejunas. Plus keep in mind Terrance Jones has been productive (except for limited minutes in Game 3) this series. Just not enough minutes to get Motiejunas involved. I prefer McHale's tendency to give his bench players more time and opportunity on the court. It's hard to give a player 10 minutes in a playoff game and expect them to be able to turn it on instantaneously.

Will be interesting going forward to see if Troy Daniels minutes continues to increase as the kid can score and he hasn't had any major miscues that I recall on the defensive end of the court. I like that he doesn't turn over the ball, too.

Edited by rocketrick, 29 April 2014 - 07:48 AM.