NBA: Rockets (#4) vs Blazers (#5) Playoff Series Thread

[Double-Up]

They are already a mentally weak team. I'd be surprised if they recover as well.

Mentally weak team? Come on now...

[Venti Quattro]

Mentally weak team? Come on now...

Let's see if they are stronger or just as strong as where Beverley's knees take them

[Killakobe81]

lol at my sons calling beverley the difference between winning or losing. how about your ball movement? late game play calling? inability to slow down aldridge? lack of a plan to defending the pnr? FREE THROWS??? most of this comes down to coaching

how many ing times is that mchale gonna make us watch that 1-4 low with harden up top? and the pnr at the top of the key with everybody else standing still? morey needs to get that the outta houston b. george karl is still available. hollins prolly wants a job. yall need a new coach badly.

This. But less "hood".

Dwight played well Despite some shaky possessions and FT's ...
Harden despite being crazy inefficient chucked his way to a decent game (those 3 straight 3's were filthy)
Lin hit some big shots ...
Jones provided energy ...
Parsons was a stud but bricked some hero 3's late ...

Rox relies way too much on 3's that come off shaky ball movement.
Feeding Dwight makes sense but that ugly hook going right and inconsistent foot-work make it far from reliable.
38 year old duncan is still a much betetr option on the block and it's not close. If he cant dunk or lay it in ... he probably a 33% shooter

Dat Harden defense. Wesley freaking Matthews was going AT dat dude ... they had to freaking switch Jeremy Lin at one point ...RIN!!!

I knew his defense was not good and that it is mostly the reach around (gay) after he gets beat is he main tactic but dat loss despite the 3's is on Harden. Wish I could pin it on Dwight instead ...

[Killakobe81]

This loss only makes me fear the Rockets even more. It took a miracle for the Blazers to pull this game out of their ass. Houston literally handed it to them. Portland is going to need 3 more of these to win the series. They'll get MAYBE 1 in Portland. The Rockets should handle the Blazers in 5-6 games pretty easily. This series is not really that close. The only way it goes 7 is if Houston s around way too much, tbh.

LOL you still but this horse with THAT defense "LOL"

You do realize that they got nearly 25 each from their SF, C and SG and STILL lost?

[Killakobe81]

I don't know - he's pretty damn good. He was guarding a nice player and this went to OT. He grades out pretty well statistically as well.

Good defender but like others it really depends on how much la ude the reffing crew provides ...
Lebron/Iggy is a bit overrated on defense but do not have to rely on as much ref leeway to be effective.

[tlongII]

http://video-embed.oregonlive.com/se...BNUzNkGsOfv-0l

[Killakobe81]

Great showing by Lillard and LA ...tlong if yo can re-sign them both long-term that is a nice foundation.

[Thread]

lmfao!!! You lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The coward dj lost.

tee, hee.

I had to pinch myself.

At home? Where Howard squats.

[Blizzardwizard]

Beverley likely to play in game 2 according to Woj.

[tlongII]

Beverley likely to play in game 2 according to Woj.

Good. Time to run that little MF'er into a couple more picks.

[TacoCabanaFajitas]

Mentally weak team? Come on now...

It's pretty obvious they are mentally weak. It didn't matter last night if it was a legit call against them, or a bad call but every whistle you would think a Rocket player was just called for a Flagrant 2 and ejected from the game. It's a huge production for these guys any time something goes against them, almost like a high school kid looking for attention. Parsons, Lin, Jones, Asik, and Garcia aren't guilty of it but the "leaders" of your squad are attention whoring grandstanders. Make a somewhat important 3? May as well start the JR Smith celebrations! Right Harden? Get called for an obvious foul at half-court? Probably best to run away and start clapping like a 5 year old. Called for a foul under the basket? Why not walk around with that big cheesy ass smile on your face and throw your hands up for a full minute while playing to cameras Dwight?

These guys have 0 mental toughness, with the possible exception of Beverly. The rest of them are ESPN products with 0 winning experience as #1 option in the playoffs outside of Dwight, and that 2008 season feels like a lifetime ago.

On the flip side, you have Portland that lacks the experience but is infinitely better coached and fundamentally sound. They may not win the series, but they are much better equipped than Houston to win a championship in the next few years with more growth from their core. I can't think of a more immature and flamboyant team than the Rockets. It's like a group of less talented Russel Westbrooks

[benefactor]

It's pretty obvious they are mentally weak. It didn't matter last night if it was a legit call against them, or a bad call but every whistle you would think a Rocket player was just called for a Flagrant 2 and ejected from the game. It's a huge production for these guys any time something goes against them, almost like a high school kid looking for attention. Parsons, Lin, Jones, Asik, and Garcia aren't guilty of it but the "leaders" of your squad are attention whoring grandstanders. Make a somewhat important 3? May as well start the JR Smith celebrations! Right Harden? Get called for an obvious foul at half-court? Probably best to run away and start clapping like a 5 year old. Called for a foul under the basket? Why not walk around with that big cheesy ass smile on your face and throw your hands up for a full minute while playing to cameras Dwight?

These guys have 0 mental toughness, with the possible exception of Beverly. The rest of them are ESPN products with 0 winning experience as #1 option in the playoffs outside of Dwight, and that 2008 season feels like a lifetime ago.

On the flip side, you have Portland that lacks the experience but is infinitely better coached and fundamentally sound. They may not win the series, but they are much better equipped than Houston to win a championship in the next few years with more growth from their core. I can't think of a more immature and flamboyant team than the Rockets. It's like a group of less talented Russel Westbrooks

[Chinook]

It's pretty obvious they are mentally weak. It didn't matter last night if it was a legit call against them, or a bad call but every whistle you would think a Rocket player was just called for a Flagrant 2 and ejected from the game. It's a huge production for these guys any time something goes against them, almost like a high school kid looking for attention. Parsons, Lin, Jones, Asik, and Garcia aren't guilty of it but the "leaders" of your squad are attention whoring grandstanders. Make a somewhat important 3? May as well start the JR Smith celebrations! Right Harden? Get called for an obvious foul at half-court? Probably best to run away and start clapping like a 5 year old. Called for a foul under the basket? Why not walk around with that big cheesy ass smile on your face and throw your hands up for a full minute while playing to cameras Dwight?

These guys have 0 mental toughness, with the possible exception of Beverly. The rest of them are ESPN products with 0 winning experience as #1 option in the playoffs outside of Dwight, and that 2008 season feels like a lifetime ago.

On the flip side, you have Portland that lacks the experience but is infinitely better coached and fundamentally sound. They may not win the series, but they are much better equipped than Houston to win a championship in the next few years with more growth from their core. I can't think of a more immature and flamboyant team than the Rockets. It's like a group of less talented Russel Westbrooks

Damn, Fajitas sizzling with that post. Yeah, the Rockets will probably never really mature until Howard gets over himself. This team feels like last year's Lakers, although significantly better. They want to believe they're a contender solely based on their 2K rating. They have no guys on that team with championship-level mentalities. They better hope the Heat break up after this season so they can steal a couple of Miami's role-players.

[Double-Up]

It's pretty obvious they are mentally weak. It didn't matter last night if it was a legit call against them, or a bad call but every whistle you would think a Rocket player was just called for a Flagrant 2 and ejected from the game. It's a huge production for these guys any time something goes against them, almost like a high school kid looking for attention. Parsons, Lin, Jones, Asik, and Garcia aren't guilty of it but the "leaders" of your squad are attention whoring grandstanders. Make a somewhat important 3? May as well start the JR Smith celebrations! Right Harden? Get called for an obvious foul at half-court? Probably best to run away and start clapping like a 5 year old. Called for a foul under the basket? Why not walk around with that big cheesy ass smile on your face and throw your hands up for a full minute while playing to cameras Dwight?

These guys have 0 mental toughness, with the possible exception of Beverly. The rest of them are ESPN products with 0 winning experience as #1 option in the playoffs outside of Dwight, and that 2008 season feels like a lifetime ago.

On the flip side, you have Portland that lacks the experience but is infinitely better coached and fundamentally sound. They may not win the series, but they are much better equipped than Houston to win a championship in the next few years with more growth from their core. I can't think of a more immature and flamboyant team than the Rockets. It's like a group of less talented Russel Westbrooks

Portland doesn't have a chance in to win a championship in the next 5 years unless they get a 3rd legit star.

[Clipper Nation]

Portland doesn't have a chance in to win a championship in the next 5 years unless they get a 3rd legit star.

Not like Houston has any legit stars either.... Harden is a ref-inflated choker and Dwert has declined since his surgery and can't be on the court in clutch moments because he can't make free throws.... and no, adding another loser in Fatmelo is not the answer, either....

[Killakobe81]

Melo ia truly gifted scorer but Rox are what the 2nd highest scoring team?!

Neede defenders another perimeter one to go with Pat B that can hit a 3 would be ideal ...Tjones has potential if they stay patient ...

[Katherine Robinson]

Portland doesn't have a chance in to win a championship in the next 5 years unless they get a 3rd legit star.

Neither do the rockets until their franchise guard learns to play on am elite level without officiating. The whistle blows less in the final minutes.

[Thread]

Go on with your bad self. Stomp a twin to that first mud hole.

CHARGE!!!

[Katherine Robinson]

Dale, catching farts during the ticket era. Pay it or go to AZC

[Bulaien999]

I'm still in full meltdown mode, only got very little sleep seeing how I worked in the morning. ing bull

[Thread]

I'm still in full meltdown mode, only got very little sleep seeing how I worked in the morning. ing bull

Your Easter egg Howard hatched.

tee, hee.

[RobbyH]

Your Easter egg Howard hatched.

tee, hee.

lol

[jag]

It's pretty obvious they are mentally weak. It didn't matter last night if it was a legit call against them, or a bad call but every whistle you would think a Rocket player was just called for a Flagrant 2 and ejected from the game. It's a huge production for these guys any time something goes against them, almost like a high school kid looking for attention. Parsons, Lin, Jones, Asik, and Garcia aren't guilty of it but the "leaders" of your squad are attention whoring grandstanders. Make a somewhat important 3? May as well start the JR Smith celebrations! Right Harden? Get called for an obvious foul at half-court? Probably best to run away and start clapping like a 5 year old. Called for a foul under the basket? Why not walk around with that big cheesy ass smile on your face and throw your hands up for a full minute while playing to cameras Dwight?

These guys have 0 mental toughness, with the possible exception of Beverly. The rest of them are ESPN products with 0 winning experience as #1 option in the playoffs outside of Dwight, and that 2008 season feels like a lifetime ago.

On the flip side, you have Portland that lacks the experience but is infinitely better coached and fundamentally sound. They may not win the series, but they are much better equipped than Houston to win a championship in the next few years with more growth from their core. I can't think of a more immature and flamboyant team than the Rockets. It's like a group of less talented Russel Westbrooks

Fajitas doing work

[Malik Hairston]

Fajitas with a good post until the last paragraph, tbh..Portland is a well-coached team, but their style of play will never win a le IMO, I can't remember a le team that won using their defensive principles..

Houston is certainly immature, but their style of play limits them more than their mental weakness IMO..they ranked 30th in isolation success this year, yet they continue to run as many isolation plays as any team in the league..Harden is a top 10 player, but he needs to learn how to play a style of basketball that translates to team play and ball movement, which he has never learned to do, even in OKC..

McHale is obviously the other major problem in their offensive strategy, as is generally the case with the majority of coaches that were former players, tbh, their coaching strength lies with their motivational tactics, rather than X's and O's, unfortunately..

I'm sticking with my prediction that Houston won't contend this year, but will be a major player next year IMO, assuming McHale is fired(which seems like a guarantee if they lose the series to Portland)..

[skut_farkus]

It's pretty obvious they are mentally weak. It didn't matter last night if it was a legit call against them, or a bad call but every whistle you would think a Rocket player was just called for a Flagrant 2 and ejected from the game. It's a huge production for these guys any time something goes against them, almost like a high school kid looking for attention. Parsons, Lin, Jones, Asik, and Garcia aren't guilty of it but the "leaders" of your squad are attention whoring grandstanders. Make a somewhat important 3? May as well start the JR Smith celebrations! Right Harden? Get called for an obvious foul at half-court? Probably best to run away and start clapping like a 5 year old. Called for a foul under the basket? Why not walk around with that big cheesy ass smile on your face and throw your hands up for a full minute while playing to cameras Dwight?

These guys have 0 mental toughness, with the possible exception of Beverly. The rest of them are ESPN products with 0 winning experience as #1 option in the playoffs outside of Dwight, and that 2008 season feels like a lifetime ago.

On the flip side, you have Portland that lacks the experience but is infinitely better coached and fundamentally sound. They may not win the series, but they are much better equipped than Houston to win a championship in the next few years with more growth from their core. I can't think of a more immature and flamboyant team than the Rockets. It's like a group of less talented Russel Westbrooks

Crucify em faj, crucify em