Comments on: Game #15: Rockets 111, Warriors 101

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:53:03 +0000

I’ve definitely cooled on Smart a bit since the strong start, though that also goes for everyone not named David Lee. It just feels like we’re settling into the same sort of defensive ineptness as last year, but without the ability to score on the other end. Not exactly a good combination…

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:50:32 +0000

Agreed, step 1 is being more aggressive at home in an effort to jump-start the whistles. And good point about Wright — he’s averaging just 2.5 attempts per game. Biedrins is the other guy I left out, as he’s clearly still spooked by the foul line. Tough to really close the gap when 2 of your starters never get to the line — even worse when Lee is also out and getting replaced by a guy like VladRad or Gadzuric.

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:49:05 +0000

Just read the Felt-bot response and I have to say it made me depressed and made me look at the situation in ways I had not before. It does not make Keith Smart look good that is for sure. I guess the most depressing part is that some of this could be solved by playing faster, running basketball … which would also be a lot more fun to watch. I was willing to suck it up and watch a half court methodical team if it meant winning, but faster would lead to more wins than there is nothing positive to say about the style of play. For as bad as Nellie was at managing players (and he was awful) he was a damn good coach at getting the most out of guys. Keeping Morrow was not realistic but the loss of a dagger from outside is hurting this team a lot too.

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:40:42 +0000

Great wrap up. I think the refs play a small role in all of this as NBA referees are just awful when it comes to playing favorites and inconsistent fouls. As bad as MLB umps can be, they are perfect in comparison to NBA refs. That being said this has been an issue with crappy teams with no All-stars for as long as I have been paying close attention and cannot be used as an excuse (Obligatory Fitz bashing: Shocking that Fitz would pass the buck on all the blame because the W’s are just so damn good it could not be anything they are doing). Also the W’s are a net – at home and by big margins when they should be getting said NBA ref bias in their favor. Bottom line is they miss Maggette and S-Jax for that matter. No one else can fill the role of getting to the line. That being said glad Maggette is gone, but someone needs to step in and fulfill that role. Granted it is a hell of a lot easier when you are a “name” that the NBA refs “respect” and give more calls too, but someone has to do it outside of the guards. And while we are at it the guards gotta start hitting more of their free throws. Lee coming back should certainly help, but D-Wright has to learn to get to the line. On the defensive end, yes they need to play better defense and commit less fouls but I think the major part of the foul disparity is the W’s getting way too few fouls more than it is them giving up way too many. Overall though I think they will improve some, but this is pretty much who they are and why it will be one more year without the playoffs.