2014-15 Regular Season Thread

[Goldin Brown]

Draymond Green is splashing outchea.

 

[randymoss1881]

Cousins 1st player last 28 years to get 30-10 in 23 min or less

 

[Rich]

By April you guys won't be calling me crazy for saying Cousins is better than Davis

Yes I will because Davis is sooo much more disruptive on defense than Cousins is.

 

[randymoss1881]

Yes I will because Davis is sooo much more disruptive on defense than Cousins is.

That's pre team usa but even last year it was closer than you think and this year he's gone to another lever defensively.

Cousins: 101.5 defensive rating
Davis: 102.0 defensive rating

Cousins: 51.1% at the rim % defended
Davis: 48.8% at the rim % defended

Cousins: 1.5spg, 1.3bpg led all big in steals, blocks, charges taken per game.
Davis: 1.3 spg, 2.8 bpg

 

[Rich]

No, last year it was probably closer because Anthony Davis was a 2nd year player. This year it's not going to even be a contest between the two on that end.

 

[lukesicari]

So, today will be that one Spurs-Win-While-Resting-All-Their-Starters-On-National-TV game right?

 

[Lazor]

Wanted Cousins over Love just because of his defensive presence which is much needed in the paint on this team.

 

[lukesicari]

Unbelievable that some media had them missing the playoffs. A healthy Howard (don't forget those ORL rosters he used to trot into the playoffs) and Harden giving 60% more effort on defense means they are contenders.

Ariza is also infinitely a better shooter and defender that Parsons.

I think the Rockets aren't built for the playoffs. As good as Harden/Howard/Ariza can be, I think lack of depth will hurt this team.

Beverly is a very nice, defensive-minded point guard but Isaiah Canaan is backing him up.

You have Jason Terry playing 21 minutes a night, at the back end of his career.

Motiejunas and Terrance Jones hold up the power forward position well, probably their deepest position.

Papanikolau, and Tarik Black round off the main rotation players, two rookies.

This team isn't getting past the first round.

 

[mhi]

I think the Rockets aren't built for the playoffs. As good as Harden/Howard/Ariza can be, I think lack of depth will hurt this team.

Beverly is a very nice, defensive-minded point guard but Isaiah Canaan is backing him up.

You have Jason Terry playing 21 minutes a night, at the back end of his career.

Motiejunas and Terrance Jones hold up the power forward position well, probably their deepest position.

Papanikolau, and Tarik Black round off the main rotation players, two rookies.

This team isn't getting past the first round.

How do you figure ? The playoffs are actually the only place where depth doesn't really make a big impact.

Harden, Ariza, and Bev can and should play around 42-45min per game in the playoffs. It's harder for Howard since he's had back issues, but if he is really healthy I don't why he can't go back to 40+ like he did in ORL.

I also like the lineup of Harden at the point with Terry at the 2 that they've been playing. It works if Howard is healthy and can clean up everything.

Realistically, the only thing that should hold them back is McHale's coaching. If he runs into someone like Pop or Carlisle, they will be thoroughly out coached.

 

[Simon]

How do you figure ? The playoffs are actually the only place where depth doesn't really make a big impact.

Harden, Ariza, and Bev can and should play around 42-45min per game in the playoffs. It's harder for Howard since he's had back issues, but if he is really healthy I don't why he can't go back to 40+ like he did in ORL.

I also like the lineup of Harden at the point with Terry at the 2 that they've been playing. It works if Howard is healthy and can clean up everything.

Realistically, the only thing that should hold them back is McHale's coaching. If he runs into someone like Pop or Carlisle, they will be thoroughly out coached.

Um, depth is really a big factor in the playoffs. I'll give you one team who's bench was a factor throughout the playoffs last year: Spurs.

 

[mhi]

Um, depth is really a big factor in the playoffs. I'll give you one team who's bench was a factor throughout the playoffs last year: Spurs.

Exception, not rule. And by the finals, only six players were averaging more than 20min per game, including Danny Green at 21.

Random cases in point, Raptors and Bulls had good depth last year, but still lost in the first round.

 

[Triumph36]

Um, depth is really a big factor in the playoffs. I'll give you one team who's bench was a factor throughout the playoffs last year: Spurs.

no, it's really not. you basically need 7 quality rotational players and you'll be fine.

re: the rockets, their limiting factor is age and inexperience more than anything. so much of their rotation is so young with limited meaningful playoff experience. even with someone like ariza, his best experience came 5 or whatever years ago in los angeles. since then, he played only 6 playoff games up until last season and spent the rest of the time on shitty teams.

edit: i do want to say i actually hope the rockets succeed out west, as i've been a harden fan from day one and was one of the few not putting the blame on dwight for what happened in los angeles. they'll certainly be contending, but bringing on one more quality experienced guy would really do wonders down there.

 

[lukesicari]

How do you figure ? The playoffs are actually the only place where depth doesn't really make a big impact.

Harden, Ariza, and Bev can and should play around 42-45min per game in the playoffs. It's harder for Howard since he's had back issues, but if he is really healthy I don't why he can't go back to 40+ like he did in ORL.

I also like the lineup of Harden at the point with Terry at the 2 that they've been playing. It works if Howard is healthy and can clean up everything.

Realistically, the only thing that should hold them back is McHale's coaching. If he runs into someone like Pop or Carlisle, they will be thoroughly out coached.

I think depth is a major factor come playoff time man. Look at the Spurs last season, had the best bench in the NBA!

If they run into a deep team in the first round, say Portland again, they ain't winning

 

[priceFTW]

Would have really loved Dieng on this team (could have drafted him but didn't need him at the time). He's only playing about 17 minutes per game, but can score in the post, with a little jumper, runs the floor, rebounds really well, block shots, shoots FTs well, and plays with a lot of energy.

 

[Simon]

Ricky Rubio out with a sprained ankle. Out for the rest of the game.