Game Thread GAME# 58: ROCKETS @ BLAZERS - FEBRUARY 25, 2016 - THURSDAY, 7:30 PM (PST), TNT

[BBert]

I voted in the poll with my heart: I hope he breaks the record.

I think another good question would be (and I thought this before watching that clip): Will Patrick Beverly get a technical or flagrant tonight? I'm going with 'yes'.

 

[illmatic99]

Have a great feeling of this game, similar to how I felt last FRI. Beverley brings the best out of Dame, and Harden can't really hide on D since he'll have to check one of CJ/Crabbe/Henderson/Hark. He'll still get his points, but I think we win this going away.

I'd start Mo again if I were Terry.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

"Kill.....you.........sprockets................Kill.........you ..........sprockets....."

 

[Strenuus]

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=269601&page=4

Enjoy the whole thread. I started at the last page. But it's all good.

 

[Chris Craig]

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Damn, I hate TNT games.

 

[Strenuus]

Damn, I hate TNT games.

One of the perks of listening to Wheels mostly... it never changes.

 

[Superbeard]

And they call us soccer moms. They've all turned on the team in half a season.

Nah, it was quicker than that. I'd say about January I gave up on this years Rockets. With that said I haven't given up on Harden, I think he gets a lot of unnecessary flack for a team that is just broken.

Harden just doesn't work with Dwight. I think someone mentioned it here last year that the Rockets were more dangerous with Dmo at center and the last time the Rockets went on a winning streak, Dwight was out. He just doesn't work with him. Mainly because Dwight demands post ups and is an ineffective post up player and in doing so he brings his man into the paint which closes out driving lanes.

Ty Lawson just doesn't work period. He's been a complete negative for the team.

Jones has regressed...Brewer is the worst player on the team and continues to play a high amount of minutes, Dmo has a serious injury...Ariza, Harden, and Dwight are the only guys you can depend on for good games night in and night out and as I mentioned before...Dwight and Harden's game just don't mesh.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Nah, it was quicker than that. I'd say about January I gave up on this years Rockets. With that said I haven't given up on Harden, I think he gets a lot of unnecessary flack for a team that is just broken.

Harden just doesn't work with Dwight. I think someone mentioned it here last year that the Rockets were more dangerous with Dmo at center and the last time the Rockets went on a winning streak, Dwight was out. He just doesn't work with him. Mainly because Dwight demands post ups and is an ineffective post up player and in doing so he brings his man into the paint which closes out driving lanes.

Ty Lawson just doesn't work period. He's been a complete negative for the team.

Jones has regressed...Brewer is the worst player on the team and continues to play a high amount of minutes, Dmo has a serious injury...Ariza, Harden, and Dwight are the only guys you can depend on for good games night in and night out and as I mentioned before...Dwight and Harden's game just don't mesh.

Nice to see an opposing fan with a sense of rationality. Will be a good game tonight no doubt. I think both teams will come out swinging hard. Portland continuing to try to prove themselves and Houston with their backs against the wall.

Question for you. Would you prefer to be able to build around Harden now(his prime) or Howard of 5 years ago?

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Nah, it was quicker than that. I'd say about January I gave up on this years Rockets. With that said I haven't given up on Harden, I think he gets a lot of unnecessary flack for a team that is just broken.

Harden just doesn't work with Dwight. I think someone mentioned it here last year that the Rockets were more dangerous with Dmo at center and the last time the Rockets went on a winning streak, Dwight was out. He just doesn't work with him. Mainly because Dwight demands post ups and is an ineffective post up player and in doing so he brings his man into the paint which closes out driving lanes.

Ty Lawson just doesn't work period. He's been a complete negative for the team.

Jones has regressed...Brewer is the worst player on the team and continues to play a high amount of minutes, Dmo has a serious injury...Ariza, Harden, and Dwight are the only guys you can depend on for good games night in and night out and as I mentioned before...Dwight and Harden's game just don't mesh.

I didnt know a rational r*ckets fan existed.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

View attachment 8029

Lmfao!

 

[Orion Bailey]

I didnt know a rational r*ckets fan existed.

Rasheed fan, meet Superbeard. A die hard Harden fan who is not delusional and knows his team is in a world of hurt as long as they keep trying to win with the current roster. I can respect a fan who can be honest about the downward spiral of his team. Im not saying they are a lottery team type of suck, but based on expectations.. I mean come on. Most of us thought Houston was a lock for the playoffs and would probably be a top 4 seed based off of last year. So did the majority of the media and I can only imagine, rockets fans.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Nah, it was quicker than that. I'd say about January I gave up on this years Rockets. With that said I haven't given up on Harden, I think he gets a lot of unnecessary flack for a team that is just broken.

Harden just doesn't work with Dwight. I think someone mentioned it here last year that the Rockets were more dangerous with Dmo at center and the last time the Rockets went on a winning streak, Dwight was out. He just doesn't work with him. Mainly because Dwight demands post ups and is an ineffective post up player and in doing so he brings his man into the paint which closes out driving lanes.

Ty Lawson just doesn't work period. He's been a complete negative for the team.

Jones has regressed...Brewer is the worst player on the team and continues to play a high amount of minutes, Dmo has a serious injury...Ariza, Harden, and Dwight are the only guys you can depend on for good games night in and night out and as I mentioned before...Dwight and Harden's game just don't mesh.

Do you think the rescinded trade with DET will cause further morale problems in an already disfunctional locker room? It would kind of suck to get sent back to a team that didn't want you, but Montiejunas hasn't been playing anyway, and Thornton is used to being the NBA version of Hot Potato, tossed about randomly from team to team, never finding a real home.

BNM

 

[Shaboid]

I really hope Dame got his nap in again before the game! Lights Out Lillard!

 

[Boob-No-More]

Can't wait for this game to start, but don't want to get too cocky. HOU is in disarray, but they still have enough talent (and will get enough bogus calls) to be dangerous on any given night. I hope the Blazers come out focused and build a steady lead so they can fend off any HOU second half runs.

BNM

 

[kjironman1]

Networks are trying to figure out why they dropped the Blazers down to so few nationally televised games. I can see someone getting fired for that decision.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[Spud147]

If Portland beats Houston and GS beats Orlando tonight the Warriors will clinch a play off spot. It's not even March... Wow... just Wow

 

[Spud147]

Can't wait for this game to start, but don't want to get too cocky. HOU is in disarray, but they still have enough talent (and will get enough bogus calls) to be dangerous on any given night. I hope the Blazers come out focused and build a steady lead so they can fend off any HOU second half runs.

BNM

I feel the same way... even though I'm excited about the direction the team is going. And the winning streak. I still feel a little uneasy about the game, I hope these young guys aren't buying into the hype right now because they're suddenly the darling of the NBA. We still have a very difficult March and Houston was in the WCF last year. Championship teams don't have mental lapses and the Blazers just need to take it game by game - no over looking teams because they look like they are vulnerable.

*cough<76ers>cough*

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I really hope Brewer doesn't go into his normal Blazer Killer mode tonight.

 

[Superbeard]

Nice to see an opposing fan with a sense of rationality. Will be a good game tonight no doubt. I think both teams will come out swinging hard. Portland continuing to try to prove themselves and Houston with their backs against the wall.

Question for you. Would you prefer to be able to build around Harden now(his prime) or Howard of 5 years ago?

Harden now, because I think if you put Harden with a great basketball mind of a coach that he would excell. Harden's problems are mental mainly. He can play defense...but he often doesn't care to. He can share the ball...but he often decides it's time for him to win the game.

Howar's problems is his skillset. It was always reliant on athletic ability. Now that's gone he's now just a really good center in the NBA. Personally I wish Harden had a chance to play with Yao who was far more skilled than Howard could ever dream of being. Not that I hate Howard, I mean he is who he is. I'd be down for keeping the guy but Morey is right not to want to give him the Max. Today's NBA you can get away with putting any average big at center and roll with it.

Rasheed fan, meet Superbeard. A die hard Harden fan who is not delusional and knows his team is in a world of hurt as long as they keep trying to win with the current roster. I can respect a fan who can be honest about the downward spiral of his team. Im not saying they are a lottery team type of suck, but based on expectations.. I mean come on. Most of us thought Houston was a lock for the playoffs and would probably be a top 4 seed based off of last year. So did the majority of the media and I can only imagine, rockets fans.

Haha thanks. I'm just looking forward to the Astros season right about now lol. This team and really franchise has a lot of issues. Rockets as a franchise are in a tough spot right now. It's easier to handle as a fan if you just realize it and move on.

Do you think the rescinded trade with DET will cause further morale problems in an already disfunctional locker room? It would kind of suck to get sent back to a team that didn't want you, but Montiejunas hasn't been playing anyway, and Thornton is used to being the NBA version of Hot Potato, tossed about randomly from team to team, never finding a real home.

BNM

From what has been reported by umm...Sam Amick...I don't think it can get much worse than it is. Even Tmac who does come to Rocket games and likely still talks to some of the current players say there is a rift between Harden and Howard...and it's not like a Kobe/Shaq rift where the two guys hated each other for a time it's more that they both realize that they can't play with each other. Like they just respectfully disagree with each other.

If it gets any worse I imagine guys will start fighting.

If anything this organization needed a season like this, well Morey did. By his own words he thinks coaching doesn't matter too much and he's finding out the hard way how important it is to have a strong coach to keep strong personalities in check and keep everyone striving for the same goal.

 

[SIeepwalker]

I really hope Brewer doesn't go into his normal Blazer Killer mode tonight.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

My question for @Superbeard is; you say Harden needs a great basketball mind to coach him but who do you have in mind? What coach would want to go to Houston? They don't have a good track record post-Adleman. Morey has too much power imo.

Also, Harden does not come across as a leader. Your team desperately needs a guy they can look to take them into battle. Neither Harden or Howard are those guys.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I really wish T-Rob would have worked out.

 

[42N8Bounce]

"James Harden reportedly 'pushed' for Kevin McHale's firing and a Dwight Howard trade."

Man, that locker room can't be fun.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I feel the same way... even though I'm excited about the direction the team is going. And the winning streak. I still feel a little uneasy about the game, I hope these young guys aren't buying into the hype right now because they're suddenly the darling of the NBA. We still have a very difficult March and Houston was in the WCF last year. Championship teams don't have mental lapses and the Blazers just need to take it game by game - no over looking teams because they look like they are vulnerable.

*cough<76ers>cough*

This is where we need Chris Kaman's veteran leadership. Even if he doesn't play, he needs to be in these guys' ears reminding them to step on HOU's throat while they are down. HOU is reeling, but they aren't out. We need to deliver a knockout punch tonight. Don't let them win and start thinking they are back in the playoff hunt. Just keep pushing them down the standings until the fold and give up.

BNM

 

[Superbeard]

My question for @Superbeard is; you say Harden needs a great basketball mind to coach him but who do you have in mind? What coach would want to go to Houston? They don't have a good track record post-Adleman. Morey has too much power imo.

Also, Harden does not come across as a leader. Your team desperately needs a guy they can look to take them into battle. Neither Harden or Howard are those guys.

I don't think Harden is uncoachable and I don't think the Rockets are going to find problems with getting a good coach if they want to. Coach K for instance had nothing but praise for him.

I don't know who could be it. If it was up to me it would be Messina or Thibs. I know many will not want to believe it but Harden is a pretty selfless player, at times yes he thinks he can take over the game but that is true of every superstar. You don't want a superstar that shies away from taking clutch shots.

Also yes. Morey has too much power. He should stay completely out of coaching decisions, it's on the owner to reel that in. He has to tell Morey to stick to his job...

Any ways, I think it will be a tough game. The Rockets need this one and are usually good when backed into a corner. You guys have a bright future admittedly and with a great FA class here this can really be the start. Don't know the cap situation, Horford going to be a big get for any team, I think he'd fit in well with what the Blazers do.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Do you think they will sign Howard in the offseason, and if so, for about how much? $29mil/year? What do you think Morey is going to do?

I don't think Harden is uncoachable and I don't think the Rockets are going to find problems with getting a good coach if they want to. Coach K for instance had nothing but praise for him.

I don't know who could be it. If it was up to me it would be Messina or Thibs. I know many will not want to believe it but Harden is a pretty selfless player, at times yes he thinks he can take over the game but that is true of every superstar. You don't want a superstar that shies away from taking clutch shots.

Also yes. Morey has too much power. He should stay completely out of coaching decisions, it's on the owner to reel that in. He has to tell Morey to stick to his job...

Any ways, I think it will be a tough game. The Rockets need this one and are usually good when backed into a corner. You guys have a bright future admittedly and with a great FA class here this can really be the start. Don't know the cap situation, Horford going to be a big get for any team, I think he'd fit in well with what the Blazers do.

 

[KingSpeed]

The truth is Harden isn't a starter in this league. He should be the 6th man on the Thunder and he'd have 2-3 rings with more to come.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

One of the perks of listening to Wheels mostly... it never changes.

Best ten buck I spent was getting the radio feed on the NBA app