Rockets vs Celtics

I know how Houston plays..but its still shocking to see at times. CP3 PnR in the playoffs may be there saving grace.

Athletic Alchemy

dantoni system isn't a gimmick, he's just not a good enough coach to coach another way because his attitude, demeanor and attention to detail are lacking. Steve Kerr got his pace system from dantoni when he was GM in PHX. Kerr is just smart enough to also realize it's not the only way to play and you need to be able to execute AND play more than 8 guys. Ker basically mixed dantoni pace system with Pops motion and rotation philosophy with some adelman corner offense and jackson/winter's triangle because those are both motion offenses where everyone touches the ball. But the warriors pace and space and quick drag screen philosophy is from Dantoni

Surprised they didn't both flop at the same time!

Athletic Alchemy

Gotcha MP...thanks

Athletic Alchemy

Alchemy, you turned your intro music down too much for the guy who said it's too loud when he watches when he's at work! Split the difference! :)

Major Powers

There's a lot of ways to view the players, the system and the player chemistry of the Rockets, but, to me, it comes down to how I answer one essential question and that question is can the Rocket's offensive philosophy be considered a gimmick? Is it simply a linux style flavor of LMU or Paul Westhead's Denver teams? The eye test tells me it is and we know how it ends ( sorry Kiki Vandeweghe, Alex English, and Fat Leaver you guys #'s were due to a gimmick) it makes JH seem better than he is.

Steven Stanley

I haven't watched it yet, just got home...but the guys on bball breakdown said that after the 1st one the ref went up to them and told them to knock it off and stop. The 2nd one JH dared him to blow the whistle. It was a foul and smart was stepping backwards with arms out to side. MS sold the call, but it wasn't an egregious flop. Harden was just butt hurt. The 1st one was definitely a charge. Harden needs to be mad at himself and dantoni for how he tried to get free for the pass. Like you have to get the ball inbounded...HAVE TO, and that's how you try and do it. After blowing a 26 point lead. To me, that shows their level of "give A.F." was basically nothing. Plus JH gets all kinds of cheap ass bulls..t

Thanks for the analysis. It might've worked in this game but I don't think you're gonna usually get away with putting a smaller quicker guard on Harden. He's just too good a player. He'll use his strength advantage to get points at the basket or FT line or make the right pass when they're forced to double him. If you look at the numbers, the Rockets best +/- quarter by far is the 1Q. They almost play in the 1Q like GSW plays in the 3Q. But they're a team that will wear down as the game goes on. They have trouble sustaining their energy. They can work hard for a quarter or 2 and put the game away in that span, but they can't outwork an opponent for 48 min. They just have very few players who have that "ethic". Compare that to a team like the Spurs who have nothing but players like that. And the Rockets should've seen that last shot coming - Horford is shooting nearly 70% from the right block this year.

I have been impressed with his vocal leadership. Guess he never really had the chance.

Athletic Alchemy

Thanks for your review of this game. You helped me gain some clarity on a couple of things. Especially, some of the calls that were made in the last few minutes of the game.

Strong Foru

I've learned to appreciate Kyrie's game a lot more now that he's not on Cleveland anymore

I wish I could have watched this game when it was actually on tv. Cause this was an epic collapse to be honest. I was really into this highlight video and was shocked that the Celtics broke the rockets down like they did.

Jason (NONPFIXION)

Also Shane Larkin put in work in the second half getting the bench going by just being everywhere and I don't think alot of people notice what he can do. But once again he's a wild card for us as well. Also I agree with you about Kyrie on defense, he doesn't try hard enough to fight over screens and gets lost in pick and rolls and rotations, but I will say he is playing better D than he did with the Cavs.

Al Horford is a wild card for us, sometimes he's great and drops down threes off the pick and fade and sometimes he just gets roasted and can't get a rebound to save his life. That's pretty much what can be said about all of the Celtics team except for Tatum and Kyrie. We have a game in our house to say how many times Marcus Smart will do "Marcus Dumb" things.

I just wish the internet existed in the 90s like it does today... wouldn't have been limited to Dirk highlights, even his coverage was limited! Nevertheless, been a fan of Dirk from the start and the Warriors ever since the We Believe days. Keep up the good work!!! <3

Can't say I agree with either flop/foul call, but damn it felt good to see Harden get a good dose of his own medicine. Glad to see you covering more than GSW games, AA. You provide entertaining, yet accurate and informing, commentary so you could commentate any of the games, and it would still be quality stuff.

Thanks Mary!

Athletic Alchemy

Smart did get under his skin which set it up well. From my coaching days I was always told you can bump a guy off just don't extend the arm. I think he was just stepping into him to bounce back the other way. He was never even gonna go that way. Im getting ready to officially start a pod here in January, Jimmy G and the Hiest of 2017 will be covered.

Athletic Alchemy

Almost a triple double with 8 turnovers 😂😂😂👌🏽 appreciate ya and the work you put in!! Doesn't matter if I have to miss a game due to lack of sleep or if I watch your content in addition to live games, definitely can't miss out on your analysis... much love from Germany!!

Great stuff as always. I'm really looking forward to more non-Warriors content! As for the late calls here, I feel like the first one was more questionable than the second one. I get what you are saying about "the spirit of the game", but Smart was entitled to his spot there and Harden just bulled him over. On another note, do you plan on doing any niner coverage? The buzz around Jimmy-G has been a ton of fun. I'd like to hear your thoughts on that.

Im stepping up my coverage on Warrior off nights.

Athletic Alchemy

Love it. Was thinking it'd be great to hear your opinions on this one. Excited to hear breakdowns of other big games.

Spence