Encouraging Loss — Rockets Might’ve Found Something

The real takeaway is you can't win close games against playoff teams by throwing away minutes on Tari and DFS. If this team had any accountability DFS would be on the bench and Tari would take his role. And f**k Tari's feelings - he turned down an extension and will likely be miserable as a restricted FA. There's no need to keep playing him just for vibes.

 

I appreciate anyone speaking to positive signs in losses - too much of the bellyaching on this board is a direct response to wins/losses and the reality is sometimes you just gotta trust in the process more so than the result and shake someone's hand when they hit a series of incredible shots. I'll take improvements in a loss over bad habits in a win on most days.

 

I specifically said DFS and Tari as a late closing lineup was bad. Especially that specific Lakers game, where the team had ZERO defensive stops all game. So go offense instead of defensive wings

Unfortunately the Rockets don't really have any other options past Tari and DFS. So right now they're in the rotation by default

 

This actually isn't correct. Plenty of posters would point out when the Rockets lose but certain young players play well or the group has done good things. Of course, this happened more back when the team was younger and had more young players with potential. It's kind of hard to find positives with a veteran team, and the Rockets are now a veteran team as their age on the floor weight by minutes played is 12th in the NBA. For comparison last year's team was 21st in age. Mind you this is even with FVV and Adams injuries. If they weren't injured this would be an even older team. This is a clear win-now roster and losing when the team is built to win now by definition is not good.

Also plenty of posters would point out issues when the Rockets were barely beating clear lottery teams. You just don't remember those because the posters here who constantly defend coaches/management will counter any negative thoughts on a win as "well they won the game so you are wrong" logic. And follow up with responding to any negative comment after losses with "you are only being negative because they lost." It's a good way to make people think you are winning an argument, but not actually rooted in reality.

 

“If we limit TOs” not on Dickersons watch

 

“It’s either a win or a learning lesson. So, tonight was a learning lesson.” - words of wisdom from Rockets Legend™ Jalen Green

 

That's what Durant as main hub is SUPPOSED to be, having 4-on-3 advantages off double teams. It's seen as appeasing Durant's ego, but I don't blame the team at all for trying it. A competent NBA offense should thrive with that advantage

Unfortunately, Rockets don't have competent NBA offense & offensive players. Which includes Durant as a passer.

This is one area where NBA teams not being able to practice more is a hindrance. It'd be nice to have more practice time to polish things up

 

I'd play Isaiah Crawford over one of them, at least for a week or two. He couldn't be worse, and he might produce.

Everyone has bad games. But after a bad month you should start looking over your shoulder if the coach is doing his job. And after 2 bad months you should be on the pine - that's already a huge chunk of the season.

Ime is such a fake tough guy. If he was really demanding he wouldn't keep feeding these guys minutes. He's all bark and no bite.

 

I'm pretty sure weekly there are several threads that do exactly what you say isnt correct - "I am so Pissed", "Sitting at the x seed", etc. Everything on this board is either a reaction to the lat game or a reaction to someone else's reaction like...."Calm down, sitting at the x seed".

 

I noticed that Durant was able to pass to Sengun at the top of the key when double team came. I wish Sengun was more cognizant of kicking out to shooters when the defense reacted to him receiving the ball there.

 

This dude is a clown

 

I don’t know if you realize how bad this team is defensively:

Ayton
LeBron
Doncic
Reaves
Smart

If you can’t score easily on these guys, who can you score on in the playoffs?

 

I like this take. Thank you for the positivity rather than the doom and gloom we've been listening too in 2026. Nice change of pace.

 

I was really mad at half time. The team looked like trash. But, they *finally* figured out how to get KD the ball off of movement and screens. The thing fans have been begging for for the entire year! And holy cow, they actually put 2 and 2 together. They even started spamming the play. over and over. Heck yeah!

I don't ever want to see KD going 1 on 2 at the top of the key again. KD should be banned from bringing the ball up the court. The action has to start with someone else. What do you know? Those Golden State teams may have figured this all out last decade.

So, while I'm annoyed at the Rockets in general, its clear they found something out here. I just hope they remember it.

 

There are no losses, just learning lessons...

 

That's encouraging. Hopefully they will correct that mistake in the offseason.