ROCKETS @ BLAZERS - GAME THREAD - 11/05/13, 7:00 PM, TUESDAY

I would watch the same number of them regardless, so that question doesn't matter. I guess if I really looked at it, I would WANT to watch more if they were either competing for a title or competing for a franchise player more than trying to get the 6-8 seed.

 

Well done amigo.

 

Easy to stay out on Lillard and funnel him to Howard.
Harden averaged 30/6.5/7 last year vs Portland
Howard should be able to get Lopez and Freeland in foul trouble leaving Leonar_
Fun fact. Omer Asik had a higher PER last year than Matthews.

While we may win, the reasons you and your basketball knowledge spewed out will not be the reason.

 

No, my reasons are exactly the reason why we'd win the game. You're a glass half empty guy, and going by the fact that you seem to despise all other basketball, don't have any right to dispute my knowledge or reasoning on a game I've watched and analyzed since I was 5 years old.

I'm simply writing down reasons why we have a chance against the Houston Rockets.

1. Dame is a better player than he was last season, on both sides of the ball. He can split picks regularly and funnelling him won't work the same way because he can simply kick out to Batum and we all know how great Dame's decision making is.
2. Harden can't be stopped, but he CAN be contained. Matthews might not do it, but one man does not beat a team.
3. Howard should be able to get Robin and Joel in foul trouble, but who's to say he will? Both him and Asik are atrocious free throw shooters, so they won't be in there late-game anyways, and if they are, foul the fucks.
4. Whatever shits I could give about Asik having a higher PER (busted ass stat) than Matthews went out the window when I pinched myself and realized they play completely different positions. Asik gets his PER from shooting from 3 feet and gobbling up rebounds. Oh, I'm shaking.

While we may lose, your lack of perspective spewed out will not be the reason.

 

I want to see the same uptempo game we saw against Denver and SA. I like our chances better in that scenario. My fear is Harden having a parade to the free throw line.

 

That's my biggest beef as well. I would hate to see him get Wade-like phantom calls. It seems refs give us no love though… It really pisses me off

 

Agreed. I wish he were a better passer. I'd love to put him at the top of the key, send Nic from the right side across a pick, behind Asik, receiving a pass as he enters the paint, one dribble towards the hoop and Howard either concedes the basket or closes on Nic resulting in Lopez wide open for a dunk.

The defense should be all about closing on shooters and playing the passing lanes. We're not going to win points in the paint or rebounds tonight (duh! When do we ever?). Gonna have to win this one off of fast-break points, long-distance shooting, and a few surprise offensive put-backs once Howard/Asik feel like there's no competition for the boards.

 

6.3 passes for scoring opportunities, 3.3 assists. If he was a terrible passer, then he wouldn't have such a high % of assists per scoring opportunities.

 

If LaMarcus can get Asik in foul trouble early, we will be set.

 

I really think Howard will be assigned to guard LMA.

 

You'd think Adelman wouldn't want Howard to pick up any cheap ones trying to stop LaMarcus.

 

That's possible, but I think Adelman isn't the coach of the Rockets. If you mean McHale, then I would think he wouldn't want Aldridge to set the scoring tone early, like he's done in the last 3 games.

 

Oops. I menat McHale. Internets kinda' slow up here.

 

I'm curious if Houston will play single coverage on Aldridge? Not many teams do.

 

Between Damian and Harden who do you think is going to have an easier time of it in this game? Harden is a proven all-star caliber shooting guard facing a somewhat middling defensive team. Lillard might be improved, but he's going to have to contend with Asik and Howard roving inside which is probably going to force him into living from the perimeter more than we would like.

 

Between Asik and Howard I think they've got the personnel to do it.

 

I think they do too, but I still don't know. I've only seen one team play him straight up and that is SAS. I'm sure there are others that try it for stints, but mainly double him.

 

The only way I see Houston doubling him is if LMA is absolutely abusing somebody ... I guess anything can happen, but I don't see many easy buckets against Asik or Howard.

 

One thing is for certain… This is a good test for our ball club. I hope we pass with flying colors.