11 replies to this topic

[thejohnnygold]

 

I don't know exactly when the NBA became a league of nut-kickers, but I am very ready for that to end.  These guys are always talking about being "men", but there is a code among men and these guys keep breaking it.  Shape up fellas.

 

Speaking of getting kicked in the jewels, I'm guessing that by game's end Tuesday night that is exactly how I'm going to feel.  The Cavs are stacked with talent and the battle of Big James vs. Little James will ultimately come down to which team is knocking down their threes.  (Ho-hum.  It kind of takes the fun out of the game, but that is a rant for another time)

 

Houston will trot out a slightly hobbled James Harden and his fleet of long-range bombers to do battle with LeBron, Kyrie, J.R., Tristan....oh, and Kevin Love too.  There are some interesting match-ups to be had.

 

I want to see how Ryan Anderson stacks up against his basketball clone Kevin Love.  I think if we can win that match up we will have a decent chance of not having that nard-stomp feeling at the final buzzer.

 

 

I don't know who is going to guard Kyrie, but I'm putting the over/under for his point total at 34.5.  I'd love to see KJ out there with Gordon on JR and Harden on LeBron, but that isn't very likely to occur for a lot of reasons.  I think we will see Harden on JR, Ariza on LeBron and what will appear to be a practice cone guarding Kyrie.

 

Rebounding will be tough and may be more of a factor than the aforementioned 3pt%.  Who cares if you miss a bunch if you keep getting the ball back, right?  Thompson and Love (plus LeBron) will make it tough for Houston to win this match up.

 

Overall, I predict a fun game that ends with Houston humbled by a superior team.  Go find your protective cups, gentlemen, make sure they are on properly and prepare for the worst.  Cavs 112  Hou  96  

 

[slick shoes]

I think your final score prediction is a bit optimistic, JG. We will have a lot of trouble scoring as we have regressed to "give James the ball and see what happens" again and we are facing the reigning champs who have picked up right where they left off at the end of last season. I was encouraged during the preseason seeing us push the pace, moving the ball, and seeing movement in the offense but the last two games have shown a lot of lane clear outs with James at the top of the key dribbling the clock away. I think we got a bit lucky against the Mavs last night with their shooting being a bit cold (the announcers insisted that it was our defense) and an arguable call at the end of the game. I'm hoping that James being slightly hobbled will lead to him passing the ball off more and getting the other guys involved. I'm also hoping to see Harrell at some point going up against Thompson. I feel like he is on the cusp of taking his game to the next level and playing against a team of that caliber would help that next step, even if he draws a few quick fouls. Bold prediction: Sam Dekker will be the X factor in this game. 

Edited by slick shoes, 31 October 2016 - 02:48 PM.

[Jatman20]

Cavs 101 to Rockets 90. Houston can steal this game 107 to 104 (Cavs):

1) Rockets prepare for Cavs slowing the Pace and forcing the ball out of Harden's hands with full court press and half court traps.
I would like to see more back screens on the defender guarding Harden immediately after inbounding the ball.

2) Prepare to pass over the full court press/traps. Rockets players need to understand spacing and where to be to avoid
one defender guarding two or three Rockets at the same time. Decreasing TO's.

3) Cavs run shooters off the 3-point line well in the half-court. Rockets need to get 3's off the fast break. Ariza post up's
of JR Smith/Irving/Shumpert instead of just being a spot up shooter. Ryno and Love will play the same way vs each other.
Posting each other up and shooting over each other for some 3's. Ariza/Ryno/Gordon/Dekker/KJ Mc need to be ready to
put the ball on the floor for one or two dribbles looking to draw defenders as they are forced off the 3-point line...find
cutters or shooters on the perimeter.

4) Plenty of FT's as reward for attacking the basket (carry the ball like carrying a football so they hack your forearms and elbows)
while near traffic.

5) Defenders have greater understanding of rotations, blocking out, transition defense, less fouling (playing defense by moving
feet and less reaching). One thing I am impressed with Ryno has been his blocking out (lapse every once in a while but for the
most part he blocks out). During Lakers game I saw defenders rotating to the same 3 -point shooter. That is happening
less each game. Listen and learn from coach Bzdelik. More Harrell/KJ/Dekker for youth and athleticism.

*side note: Game is in Cleveland......is back ground for shots a factor? (Even open 3's in fast break). Ryno had the greatest
discrepancy from shooting at home vs on the road last year.

Edited by Jatman20, 01 November 2016 - 02:39 AM.

[Jatman20]

This will be the type of game where Gordon earns his money (if he is ready). The Rockets wanted Ty Lawson
to be there if teams trap Harden at mid-court; Ty would then be expected to attack the remaining defenders
not committed to the trap of Harden. Now Gordon has that role. Strike quickly and make them pay. If the
Rockets can sting the Cavs in the first quarter and a half; the Cavs will stop trapping......until a strategic time
in the fourth quarter. Rockets be ready!

[Jatman20]

For those who saw the game....the Rockets played well. The Cavs didn't slow the pace like I imagined; but still won by 8 Pts.
I figured the Cavs would win by about 11. Rockets are not elite......but they played hard. Go Rockets.

[slick shoes]

For those who saw the game....the Rockets played well. The Cavs didn't slow the pace like I imagined; but still won by 8 Pts.
I figured the Cavs would win by about 11. Rockets are not elite......but they played hard. Go Rockets.

I second this. Though we lost, I thought we played really well. There is definitely room for improvement, but I am encouraged by our effort on both sides of the ball. A couple more made free throws (looking at you, Harden) and shots falling and we take this one. Hopefully we can carry whatever momentum was gained into tomorrow night's gam e.

Edited by slick shoes, 02 November 2016 - 03:09 AM.

[DenverRocket]

For those who saw the game....the Rockets played well. The Cavs didn't slow the pace like I imagined; but still won by 8 Pts.
I figured the Cavs would win by about 11. Rockets are not elite......but they played hard. Go Rockets.

 

Agreed. I thought they played well too. The difference was that the Cavs were able to get to the line more, while the Rockets bombed more 3's but shot a lower %.

 

I like what I've seen of Dekker so far - even the Cavs commentators remarked on how he active he was.

[thejohnnygold]

Glad to hear the team looked good--I wasn't able to watch the game 

 

Still, 39% from deep, 30 assists, and a mere 7 turnovers should equal a win, not an 8 point loss.  We got beat up on the glass and y'all are right--those 8 missed free throws hurt in an 8 point loss.

 

I'm becoming concerned about Capela's readiness.  Where the heck is D-Mo!?!?!

[slick shoes]

Where the heck is D-Mo!?!?!

 

I was wondering the same thing last night during the game. I believe we have an open roster spot as well after relegating some of the players to the D-League this week. You would think at this point he would rather have SOME income and be getting low-balled versus not being paid at all. Maybe he is waiting for an injury on a contender who needs a PF with a pretty hook shot and passing ability. Seems like right about the time I find my favorite player on the roster, we trade him (or in this case, trade him, have him come back, then screw around with contract negotiations so that it is the same as him being traded). Ugh.

[thejohnnygold]

I was wondering the same thing last night during the game. I believe we have an open roster spot as well after relegating some of the players to the D-League this week. You would think at this point he would rather have SOME income and be getting low-balled versus not being paid at all. Maybe he is waiting for an injury on a contender who needs a PF with a pretty hook shot and passing ability. Seems like right about the time I find my favorite player on the roster, we trade him (or in this case, trade him, have him come back, then screw around with contract negotiations so that it is the same as him being traded). Ugh.

 

D-Mo's 3 pt. shooting paired with Anderson would leave Harden wide open lanes.  So very, very open.

 

I am starting to think D-Mo may be done with Houston management and is forcing his way out one way or the other.  I can't blame him entirely.  It must be frustrating as heck watching Dwight Howard post up and brick it time after time after time after time thinking to himself, "I would have made that".  Why won't they put me in and let me do my thing?

 

On top of that, any bull that Morey is giving him about injury concerns became invalid after he signed Gordon, Anderson, and Nene    while re-signing Bev last year.

 

I guarantee that a lot of coaches and GM's are watching this situation and are ready to pounce if he somehow becomes available.  I simply don't get it.  His back must be toast; otherwise, give the man some money and let's take a run at the Western Conference.  D-Mo is a game changer--plain and simple.

 

For anyone like me who missed last night's game, here is a solid highlight video:

 

 

It was a tight game down to the last minute and then the Cavs knocked down some threes and that was that.

[Jatman20]

Refs were not kind to the Rockets. I know it's expected on the road; but it looked like they especially didn't like Gordon.
Did anyone else get that take as well. The Houston beat writer said as much. Yes johnnygold, Harden getting one
TO was amazing vs that team. Harden is getting it and so are the other players. Team help has to come in defending
both LeBron, Love and Kyrie. It's touch to leave outside shooters against Cleveland. Neither Gordon or Harden could stay
in front of Kyrie and our PF's had a hard time defending Love. Harrell didn't play. LeBron looked bored and didn't seem
into the game. Ariza got the credit. Game in Houston (Cavs @) may be the slowed down pace. Note Ariza left the game
temporarily to get 5-stitches. Back to back games may be what the Rockets need to get in shape. NFL vets don't just
suit up and play perfect in an uptempo no huddle style with Tom Brady (Patriots) or Chip Kelly spread the field. They tend
to need a little extra conditioning. Harden has been very cautious trying to avoid have-court traps. He is getting more
comfortable. +/- with Harden on the court is a great +; while the team struggles with a big -, when he sits. Gordon
and Ennis may not be doing enough.

[rockets best fan]

For those who saw the game....the Rockets played well. The Cavs didn't slow the pace like I imagined; but still won by 8 Pts.
I figured the Cavs would win by about 11. Rockets are not elite......but they played hard. Go Rockets.

I also agree. however I saw key TO's and free throw shooting as the major reason for the lost. I must admit the effort was impressive though. there is never a such thing as a good loss IMO, but this lost did contain positives we can build on

 

 

I was wondering the same thing last night during the game. I believe we have an open roster spot as well after relegating some of the players to the D-League this week. You would think at this point he would rather have SOME income and be getting low-balled versus not being paid at all. Maybe he is waiting for an injury on a contender who needs a PF with a pretty hook shot and passing ability. Seems like right about the time I find my favorite player on the roster, we trade him (or in this case, trade him, have him come back, then screw around with contract negotiations so that it is the same as him being traded). Ugh.

I'm leaning more in agreement with JG. something is up with that back situation or the Rockets would have settled this by now. they have had chances to sign him for 1 year for a little extra above the restricted amount and still refused. D-Mo's time as a Rocket may be over. I expect him to be traded.