Oiler FANatic Posted November 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2018 On 10/16/2018 at 11:22 PM, JakePA_Titan said: Rockets = Regression What regression? It only took 10 games for Melo to lose his job to one of the most unheralded rookies in the NBA right now, Gary Clark. He's probably one of the best defenders in this year's rookie class. The Rockets defense is actually better now than is was last season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oiler FANatic Posted January 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 (edited) You were right about the Rockets bench being so poor at the start of the season, but it has improved dramatically over the past few weeks. They had guys like Melo, MCW, and Marquese Chriss getting minutes early on. Then injuries caused them to go even deeper into the bench. Rookies like Gary Clark and Isaiah Hartenstein were forced into action, and both of them performed quite well in their first NBA season. Then they added Brandon Knight to the rotation after a 22-month layoff, and as you would expect he didn't perform all that well either. Things really improved when they added Danuel House, and after that they got even better when Nene returned to the lineup to back up Capela. But the biggest addition has been Austin Rivers who they picked up after they lost CP3 for about a month. He was a huge signing for Houston. Once Chris Paul returns later this month James Ennis will have a difficult time staying in the revamped rotation, unless they want to go 10-deep. Paul, Harden, Capela, Gordon, and PJ Tucker will be starting with Rivers, House, Green, and Nene as the primary backups. Plus Ennis, if needed. They might even consider starting Rivers and then let Paul come off the bench since he already plays PG with the 2nd unit. That could work. Edited January 2, 2019 by Oiler FANatic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oiler FANatic Posted January 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2019 On 1/2/2019 at 12:20 AM, JakePA_Titan said: A bum ass like Melo wouldnt come off the bench. That bum ass Melo did come off the bench after nearly setting an NBA record for the most consecutive starts to begin a career (#2 after Ewing). Of course they didn't keep track of starts until the 70's, but they got him to do something he never considered doing while playing for the Thunder. But there is still hope for Melo to join the Lakers as they continue to struggle in the 9th spot at 25-24 while LeBron gets to be a captain in the AS game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oiler FANatic Posted February 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) Even after the Rockets gifted the Lakers with a win after the All-Star Break, they go ahead lose to the Pelicans and Grizzlies afterwards. They failed miserably in trying to get AD and now the LBJ experiment appears to be in jeopardy. Playing in the West may be too much for him. At 29-31 their playoff hopes hang by a thread, the Lakers probably need to win around 15 of their final 22 games just to have any realistic chance. Why would any of the top free agents this summer want to join a team like this where Magic/LeBron is running it like a circus, not an pro team? Meanwhile in Houston the Rockets struggled early during an 11-14 start and almost everyone was writing them off as no longer relevant to the NBA. Then Harden turned the season around on December 13th against the Lakers with a 50-point triple double. The first game of his historic streak. With injures to Chris Paul (18 games), Capela (15 games), Ennis (11 games), Gordon (9 games), and Nene (8 games) the reigning MVP took the team on his shoulders for the next 32 games scoring 30 or more points every game guiding them to a 21-11 record despite widespread criticism. Edited February 26, 2019 by Oiler FANatic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiscotitansfan Posted February 26, 2019 Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 Jesus Christ. You have to be the least fun person at a party ever, all that and the only thing you accomplished was hearing yourself blabber on Oiler FANatic 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oiler FANatic Posted March 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2019 (edited) On 2/27/2019 at 5:01 PM, JakePA_Titan said: The media got you fucked up big time. They eventually got things right with the Lakers, they're always slow but eventually they figure it out in the end. Snafu in LA, big time. Now for the first time this season after operating at less than 100% for the past 67 games, the Rockets' roster is finally at full strength. People doubted them early on when things were bad, and when Harden was carrying the team on his back during his streak he was criticized. At last they have their full complement of players with 15 games left in the regular season and could go 11-deep if they chose to with Harden, Paul, Capela, Gordon, Tucker, Faried, Rivers, Green, House, Nene, and Shumpert. Flying under the radar even after winning 9 straight. 2021-22 re-edit: The Rockets can go 11-deep if they choose with more depth than they've had in years, but will likely use just 9 or 10: Wood Jalen Green Porter Alperen Şengün Gordon Daniel Theis Jae'Sean Tate KJ Martin Nwaba Danuel House DJ Augustin Josh Christopher Garuba Edited November 2, 2021 by Oiler FANatic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oiler FANatic Posted March 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2019 A lot further than the Lakers are going to go with LeBron the Albatross around their necks for 3 more years. What a waste of $153,312,846! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downtown Posted March 13, 2019 Report Share Posted March 13, 2019 ☝ That’s for damn sure. Lakers had to come back against the Bulls to save a desperation win. THE BULLS. What a pathetic team. Karma’s a bitch. Oiler FANatic 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downtown Posted March 15, 2019 Report Share Posted March 15, 2019 2 hours ago, JakePA_Titan said: Lakers arent playing for wins anymore. Dude, Lakers haven’t been playing for wins for years. Oiler FANatic 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oiler FANatic Posted March 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2019 (edited) The players they added in the offseason were just as bad as everyone thought: Melo, MCW, Ennis, Marquese Chriss, and Brandon Knight. But during the season Daryl Morey corrected his mistakes by adding Austin Rivers, Kenneth Faried, House, and Iman Shumpert. Even though Shumpert was a full-time starter in Sacramento, he is having a hard time just staying in the rotation with Houston. No Mbah a Moute or Ariza? No problem. Edited July 3, 2020 by Oiler FANatic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oiler FANatic Posted June 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2020 Things are so boring around here since Jake went and got himself banned, I sure am going to miss him. Especially if/when the Lakers get knocked out of the playoffs spoiling the hopes for getting LeBron and friends a championship in LA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oiler FANatic Posted July 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2020 Now Luc Mbah a Moute is returning to the fold after playing just 4 games in his second stint with the Clippers last season. He won't be the elite defender he was two seasons ago, but maybe he can provide decent minutes with the Rockets second unit, most likely at center. They will have a lot of options in their rotation besides their top 6 players: Harden, Westbrook, Covington, Tucker, Gordon, and House. Austin Rivers should be the 2nd player coming off the bench, while Ben McLemore has been a very pleasant surprise this season as well. D'Antoni said he will employ a 9-man rotation once play resumes, as he now has a lot more veteran depth to choose from since first arriving in Houston. Jeff Green played extremely well on offense after signing with the team in February. DeMarre Carroll also has playoff experience and is a tough defender. Now they have Mbah a Moute again, who was excellent on defense 2 seasons ago, the combination of him and Tucker was an outstanding defensive duo. Going 9-deep (or perhaps more) will make things much easier on the starters who wore down during the regular season after playing so many minutes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJClown Posted July 5, 2020 Report Share Posted July 5, 2020 Fresh Harden will be fun to watch in the playoffs. This might be his best chance at a chip. Oiler FANatic 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oiler FANatic Posted July 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 (edited) Even though Mbah a Moute isn't expected to play a large role in his return, his importance to their defense two seasons ago can't be overstated. When they beat Denver early that season, Mbah a Moute was on the court for only 26 minutes but made a huge impact during those minutes. The Rockets outscored the Nuggets 93-36 while he was on the court. His plus-minus of +57 was the highest in an NBA game since the late 90's. In addition to that the team's defensive rating was 103.4 (which is outstanding) when both Mbah a Moute and Tucker were on the court together. They also had a +29.2 net rating with those two outstanding defenders, and now they have Covington too. Plus David Nwaba next season as well. Edited July 11, 2020 by Oiler FANatic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliTitan3518 Posted July 11, 2020 Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 On 7/5/2020 at 6:20 AM, Daqueef said: Fresh Harden will be fun to watch in the playoffs. This might be his best chance at a chip. Of course it is their best chance. They don't have to worry about not being able to beat the warriors. The question is can they get passed the lakers or clippers?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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