November 5, 2025 • 33 mins
The Rockets (5-2) have now won five straight games, and Amen Thompson (28 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals) was the big story in their latest win at Memphis. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Wednesday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down what we learned after a dominant showing against the Grizzlies.
This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrWXL_SinRk
This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrWXL_SinRk
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome into the post game.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Rockets get their fifth straight win, one twenty four to
one oh nine in Memphis.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Uh and Ben Ben Dobo's here with me.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I gotta say this, Rockets looked really good on a
night when some things maybe weren't flawless. They just looked
really good. And they came at you in waves. No
Steven Adams tonight, Jabbari does come back. And there's just
I mean I made a list of at least seven heroes.
Maybe there's more. Just they are deep, and they are
(00:34):
playing really well. They're a big team and tonight they
just they just destroyed the Grizzlies.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Yeah. And I think the biggest story is Aman Thompson
looked like the best player, the best player on the floor.
And I think that's something the Rockets had been needing
and expecting to see for a while, in large part
because of the attention that Kevin Durant and Allprinchhing Goon draw.
It felt like this was a game where anytime they
got the ball inside the three point arc and in
(01:02):
some cases beyond it with KD, they were getting a double.
They were getting played super physically. I thought the refs
let a lot of contact go. But if you have
these four and threes on the back side, then a
men Thompson, with his combination of athleticism ball handling power,
he should be the guy to take advantage. I thought
in the first half he did against Dallas, it felt
(01:23):
like he ran out of gas a little bit. We
speculated on Monday's postgame about the calf cramping maybe being
an issue. Again, it was not tonight. He had everything
for the full game, finished twenty eight, ten, seven and two.
And what's crazy to me, Dave, he was thirteen of
twenty six. And obviously the twenty six shot attempt speaks
(01:43):
to just how much Kevin Durant and all Prin Shongoon,
who both struggled in terms of the shooting tonight, fitting
in large part due to the defense, is full attention
being paid to them. But of the thirteen of twenty six,
obviously the twenty six very high. It speaks to, you know,
things being funneled towards a Men and those other guys.
He easily could have made seventeen or eighteen, like a
(02:04):
men missed some shots in the four or five foot
range that I think he feels like he probably should make,
and so That's what's really encouraging to me is that
we know how good Kevin Durant and all Prinshan Gunnar
and if Amen Thompson is capable of doing this, and
the Rockets certainly believe he is. This guy is the
limit for this team. Like the crazy thing to think
about in the macro of this season, they started zero
(02:25):
to two. Now they're five and two. The first three
games or so, a men wasn't a men. You know,
the first game in Oklahoma City, he looked good, but
he had to leave with the calf cramps. The next
two games against the Pistons and the Nets for games
where he was in early foul trouble. The Pistons won, especially,
he had four fouls in the first half and then
you know, got bench to start the second half. As
a result of it, never seemed in rhythm. The Rockets
(02:47):
were number one in offense without having anywhere near the
version of a men Thompson that internally they expected. Now
you're getting the version of a men Thompson. What's scary
about this team is that, really there have only been
two games Toronto and Boston where it feels like they've
all been humming at the same time in terms of
the big guns, because these last two games, Kad has
(03:08):
been off from a shooting perspective, and you know, some
of it's how teams are choosing to defend him, but look,
he's missing some shots that he should make. There's a
lot of good looks for Katie tonight that just rimmed out.
It is what it is. Happens to everybody who already
two games. But if the Rockets are this good offensively
best in the league, with KD struggling the last two
games and with the men struggling the first three, and
this is out of a seven game sample, just imagine
(03:29):
how good this team is going to look when everybody's
clicking at the same time.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Yeah, You're exactly right.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
It's it's I'm amazed, Like I'm just watching this team
and I'm like, man, they look good. Now, I will say,
before we go and rave about him. They're five to
zero against teams that are five hundred or below currently
in the standings, and I believe they're owing to you know,
the first two games of the season against teams that
are above five hundred. We're about to see some more tests,
but they have been passing tests as they've gotten better
(03:57):
and really with Flying Colors. They didn't a couple of
poor games obviously Detroit and in this last game, but
you know this one here, they just roughed up Memphis.
Memphis is not the best team twenty fifth offensively, twenty
third defensively coming into the this game, but you still
have jaw. You know, Cedric Coward has looked really good
as a rookie. They have some talent, but Rockets just
(04:18):
ran over them. Jabbari comes back. Steven Adams is out today,
so you're wondering how they're going to do in the
rebounding battles. Sixty two fifty seven. It was actually close
on the boards overall. But Jabari, I thought was significant
in the plus minus. Every time they put him in,
or every time he was in they made a run,
they took him out, they'd step back. I'm not saying
(04:41):
it was solely because of Jabari, but that was definitely
a key thing tonight. He only took eight shots, six
of eight from the field, two of three from deep.
Did have that one dunk attempt and landed on his tailbone.
Hopefully he's fine. He did continue to play. But yeah,
I mean, just all around for Kevin Durant, for Adams
to be out and Kevin to go five of eighteen
(05:01):
from the field and shngun. I mean he ended up
getting a few baskets at the end, but six of
fourteen from the field. It just speaks to the overall
talent of this team that they just still crushed them
in waves. I mean, as you pointed out a men
thirteen to twenty six from the field, the Rockets not
killing you with volume from three, but thirteen of thirty
(05:21):
from deep.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Very efficient.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
They're continuing this change of this leap I guess into
being a really good three point shooting team. It's hard
to say if that's going to continue, but up to
this point they've been well over forty percent on the year.
So yeah, I was just super impressed with how they played.
Started with a men Shangun nice all around game as well.
He wasn't, like I said, efficient offensively, but twenty points,
(05:44):
sixteen boards, seven assists. So yeah, you gotta love that
when Kevin Durant has a poor game and they still
play like this.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
One hundred percent. And I think you look at the
two big guns for Memphis. John Morant was six of
nineteen Jaron Jackson Junior was two of six, and I
know you want to talk about this first game on Friday, Dave.
The way that Josha Koge denied Jaron Jackson Junior makes
me think, and you tweeted this during the game, that
he's going to get a shot against Wemby as well,
(06:14):
and it might work to an extent. We've seen some
smaller players with quick hands and good lateral quickness succeed
at least to an extent against Wemby this year, so
it would not surprise me if if Josha Koge gets
a look. And you know the one net pick I
had when we were texting at halftime, I talked about,
you know, if a Kogi doesn't make threes at some point,
(06:35):
you know, that's always been the question in his career.
Is he a good enough three point shooter for his
defense to be worth it? And at halftime I said,
you know, if he doesn't make enough threes at some point,
they may need to think about playing Tarry Easton over him.
By the way, Tari has been fantastic his last five games.
He's shooting over fifty five percent from three, So yeah,
he looks really good. Four of eight tonight. But then
(06:58):
Josh it's almost like he saw our in the second
half of the game. He came out and made three threes,
and it's just it's one of those situations where with
the attention that Kevin Durant and Alprin Shing Goon draw
and eventually Amen Thompson as well, if you're one of
those other two guys, you know, Jabari he's been good
when he's been out there all season long, Like we
(07:18):
talked about that in the aftermath of what he did
in Toronto and Boston. But when Josha Kogi is able
to make threes at the clip that he largely has.
The first half, he missed some open ones, but he
made up for it in a big way in the
second half. I mean, that's a really good and well
balanced starting five. And then when any of them needs
a break, well, then you put in Tari Easton off
the bench, who also has that shooting. And so when
(07:39):
you get the gravity of the big three, I mean,
really the top two, but we know Amen's going to
be there as well, and then the supporting cast shoots
the way they did tonight. You know, you look at
the three point percentages Javari made two of his three,
Josh made three of five, Tari made four of eight,
reach Shepherd made two of four. Like, these are good looks,
(08:00):
but I don't care who you're playing. It's tough to
shoot that well. And so the fact that they've done it,
they're number one in the league. I think they still
are in three point accuracy for the year. Yeah, I
mean seven games is it's a small sample, but it's
not nothing like we're getting, you know, by the end
of the weekend, we'll be close to you know, ten
percent of the way through the season, as crazy as
(08:21):
that is to say. So, it's getting a point where
you don't want to draw any super firm conclusions, but
it's not necessarily statistical noise either, Like the shooters have
leveled up. You know, Charnie Easans in the contract year.
I love your tweet Dave about he bet on himself
and so far he's winning. Yeah, if he shoots threes
at anywhere near forty percent, combine that with defense and
(08:42):
we assume durability, and he's going to get paid next offseason,
be it from the Rockets or somebody else. But yeah,
whatever you ascribe it to be, it the better quality
of looks, the individual shooters leveling it up, perhaps a
combination of all of it, but regardless, if they shoot
at this level and you combine that with the gravity
of the Big two, the Big three, then this is
(09:03):
going to be just a great offensive team all season long.
The sooning.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Hell yeah, you know, it's interesting that you nailed it
on the Tari thing, because you know, the first couple
of games, we were like, what is going on with Tari?
He was kind of a wreck, and we thought, man,
it's this contract weighing on him not having the negotiations,
you know, not coming out of that with a successful extension. Boy,
I mean it's since then, I think we've had five games.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Four of them he's hit three or more triples. Three
of them. Now he's hit four or more triples. Is
I mean?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
This is Tarry Easton. The guy's never been like a
terrible three point shooter. He's never been a great one either.
He's kind of average. Thirty five is thirty six percent
is what you kind of expect maybe from Tari. He's
just scorching right now and he's obviously putting in a
lot of work on his game. And yeah, I do
think his bet is looking terrific. I don't know if
(09:56):
somebody's gonna throw a fortune necessarily at him, but he's
a way player. He creates a lot of chaos really tonight.
A men A, Kogi and Tari and I'll include Jabari
in there. But those three they're sort of doing a
Kogi's filling that Dylan Brooks role. And I can't remember
which player was saying this the other day. I heard
him talking about lou Dort just getting away with being physical.
(10:19):
That's what that's Imo Udoka's entire style and what he
uses with Dylan Brooks. I think now Kogi's you know,
he has changed it for the Rockets. I think what
they expect. They expected Dorian Finney Smith to fill that role.
He's not back yet. You'll have another guy, another big, defensive,
two way kind of guy that you'll add to this
roster when he comes in here. I mean, I'm just excited.
(10:42):
I look at this team and I'm thinking, yeah, they
can contend. I mean, yeah, they're missing Fred the point
guard thing and all that, but a man is growing
by leaps and bounds. Reed Sheppard had his best game today.
He had a few blunders here and there like red Ken,
you know, tends to.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Have at this early stage of his career.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
But five of seven from the field, as you mentioned,
two or four from three probably his best game this season.
Maybe I'd have to go back and look, but it
felt like it that was a better showing from him
with twelve points. So yeah, I like I said, this
isn't the greatest test, but the Rockets are passing all
these tests.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Yeah, a great showing overall.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
And I think what's really noteworthy they've played four of
their seven games on the road. And there's the old
adage that role players shoot better at home. No, they're
shooting better on the road. The fact that they go
into opposing chems and shoot this well by the eye tests.
The three best shooting games they've had were tonight, Toronto,
and Boston. All three of those were on the road.
(11:40):
If anything, they've been clearly. The worst in my opinion,
was the Dallas game, where it felt like they couldn't
throw it in the ocean. And that's where the over
the balance of eighty two games, you would think they're
going to have some games where the vibes are better
because they're at home. So the fact that they're performing
this well on the road, not just winning, but shooting
this well, and not just the big guns, because yeah,
you would expect Kevin not to be phased by fans
(12:01):
booing him, and he's not. But for the road, for
the young guys to go out and execute in these
road games, to me is really really encouraging. And yeah,
there's just so much to like. I guess, you know,
the only nitpick you could throw out. I see a
comment from the chat about, you know, opposing teams putting
smaller guys on Kevin Durant. I think that's a valid concern. However,
(12:25):
I think a lot of what happened tonight the Rockets
played with the comfortable lead for a lot of this game.
You know, it got down, you know, very briefly to
four at the start of the second half. For the
most part, it felt like it sort of oscillated between
ten and twenty for most of the game, especially the
second half. And I think there was a lot of
contact that if the game was close, would have been whistled,
(12:46):
but that they let go tonight. And I haven't seen
the updated stats, but for the season overall, going into tonight,
KAD was over nine free through attempts per game. That
was a big bump from like five and a half
or so last year. I think the game plan he
didn't deviate too much from it tonight. I just don't
think he got the whistles that he wanted to. And
(13:08):
I think a lot of it comes down to if
you're winning easily and you're on the road, that's sort
of the perfect storm for officials to let a lot
of things go and just move the game along, especially
if they don't think it's that impactful to the bottom line.
So that's the one thing I'll offer. Like it's not
to say that Memphis didn't do a good job against him.
I think they did, But I think the box score
looks a little bit differently if you take away a
(13:29):
couple of those misses and instead you give him, you know,
four or six free throws. And if he plays in
San Antonio and it's a tighter game, which I think
we both expect it's likely to be, hopefully he gets
a friendlier whistle, the star level whistle that we all
want Kevin Durant to get. And you know, beyond that,
he also just missed some shots. Like let's just be clear,
it's a long season happens to anybody. Several of those
(13:51):
looks like you saw him sort of exasperated, just you know,
arms and eyes to the heavens, just looking up. You know,
why can't I get a break? And you know, it's
always good that happens in a win. But yeah, like
a lot of the shots he made the first five games,
he missed them the last two. It happens to everybody.
I don't think unless it goes on for a sustain period,
it's samething to be particularly concerned about. I don't think
(14:12):
he's you know, hurt or worn down. I haven't seen
any signs of that. They haven't had any back to backs.
I think it's just, you know, it's a long season,
it's early. He's missing some shots that he would otherwise make,
and fortunately the players around him are taking advantage of
his gravity so much that it hasn't even remotely affected
them when it in terms of where it matters most,
which is wins and losses.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Yeah, a few other notes I had just jotted down.
You know, shan Gun obviously not offensively the most efficient,
but as you pointed out, the gravity it was very
significant and what he does so well is read off
the double teams. I think that's been his most impactful
thing this year. I think if you actually look his
first game this season against Okay, see he was incredible
(14:55):
efficient five triples. When you look since then, his efficiency
is a little concerning, kind of slipping back to last
year's stuff. It's way too early. I'm not saying it's not.
I think his leap is is for real because he's
comfortable now shooting threes where he wasn't before.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
I really don't care so much.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Yes, free throws seam up to but his passing has
been the most impactful thing with Fred out, he just
seems to find guys.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
There was one play, you know, I think it was
third quarter.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
He brought the ball up, quickly, whipped it to Jabbari
in the corner, fired off a three, nailed it. He
has a knack for finding a men Thompson. He knows
when a men's guy out of that dunker spot or
the baseline cut.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
He knows when he comes for a double.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Just I keep always saying this that if I was
an opposing coach, I would probably live more with Shangun
just trying to score repeatedly. And maybe he does burn you,
but rather than bringing that guy off to double him,
because shn gun is so good at finding the open,
particularly a man. A couple other things I want to
mention about a men. One just seeing him next to
(16:07):
John Morant realize makes you realize what a freak this
guy is and how physically tough it must be. This
guy is busting it on both ends of the floor.
His size is he was so much bigger than joh
I could just see that. It was striking to me.
And then one other thing, because I may addressed this
after the game, is I noted in the first quarter
(16:28):
when they had triple J on a men, they were
sagging off and asking a man to, you know, shoot
that long range shot, and there was a play I
can't remember what point it was in the game where
he had a top of the key and wide open
triple J was five ten feet away from him and
a man didn't take it.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
He ended up kind of dribbling in.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I think he took a shot from about fifteen sixteen
feet missed it, And I noted that. Of course, he
ended up having a great game, but that's something that's
still a thing with him. He's gotten better, but it's
he's if he this is a guy. If he is
able to knock down that long three when they sag
off of him, I mean, the sky is the limit
because this guy is amazing. He is the best, in
(17:09):
my opinion, the best pick they've made. He is a gem.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Yeah, and it's worth noting he has made a three
in each of the past three games. Now it's just
one three, so let's not get carried away. But it's
better than you know, the start to the year when
he I think was zerover ten through the first four
games something like that. So the volume is still low.
But even if it's just on occasion, him hitting one
or two per night when they sag off to that
(17:33):
extent can make a big difference. So it's early, but
you know, it's it's one of many promising signs for him.
I still think the biggest thing is just the durability.
I really thought the same thing would have happened Monday.
It's just once he had that collision midway through, he
didn't seem to have the same juice. We speculated as
to why we don't know that tonight there was no
such collision. He had the juice and he was able
(17:54):
to finish and play forty eight full minutes in a
way that you know he was still good in the
second half on Monday, he just wasn't otherworldly the other
thing on a men, And I think this is this
is a source for optimism. I was looking at the
two men and three men lineup, dad and to see
who plays well together, And really it's more who plays
best together, because you know their net rating to this point,
(18:15):
it's second in the NBA, their first in offense, seventh
in defense. So everything looks good, it's just how good
and one of the big differences. So going into tonight,
when it was Shoon and a men, the plus minus
in net rating is like plus twenty five, almost plus
twenty six. When it's KD and A men, it's like
(18:36):
plus nine, which is still good, but it's a difference
between good and elite. And I think it actually makes
sense because the thing about A men Thompson, he is
one of the most unique players in the NBA. Like
we talk about how rare his athleticism is, but really
just the entire package of his game, there are very
few players not just like him. If he were close
(18:57):
to him, and so I think for Kevin it's going
to take him a little bit more time so early
in the year. Yeah, the fact that you know Shinggoon
seems to have this connection with him, I think that's
really important because you sort of need to lean into
Shongoon as a playmaker early in the year to get
the best out of a Men. I think as the
year progresses, Katie will figure it out. Obviously he's extremely
(19:18):
high IQ, but I think for now, just based on
the two previous years of experience playing together, the chemistry
between Shangoon and the Men is a little ahead of
the chemistry between kat and a Men. I think that's natural.
I think it'll improve and really like as I see it,
that's encouraging that they're playing this well, even with the
growing pains, because to me, that's low hanging fruit. Katie
and Men are going to get more used to playing
(19:39):
with one another. I think Katie in one of his
interviews mentioned that he hasn't played with anyone like a
men before. So yeah, as the season goes along, assuming
they all stay healthy, Like that's one of those little things.
As the chemistry gets better, it should only benefit the
team moving forward. Like That's the crazy thing is that
they're five and two. The ratings are through the roof.
I know the schedule's been a little light, but look,
(20:01):
even adjusting for the schedule, the ratings speak for themselves,
like the fact that they're going out. And I know
I said it a couple of episodes ago, but I'll
say it again, the Gerald Morey quote. Good teams don't
win close games, they avoid them, and so for the
Rockets to be able to consistently, I guess the one
exception being the Dallas game, and you know, to the
Rockets credit Katie and shouldn't goun did do what they
(20:22):
needed too late in that game to make sure they survived.
But most of these games, especially on the road, like
they're just going out and you know, professionally taking care
of business. I mean, the crazy thing tonight, like a
lot of people on social media were saying that the
Grizzlies' effort looks sort of bad and wondering. You know,
obviously there's been questions about the new coach. How bought
in is Joan Morant? He obviously got suspended a week ago.
(20:45):
I thought, what sort of kept the Grizzlies in somewhat
I don't want to say striking distance, but kept them,
you know, down fifteen or twenty instead of down twenty
five or thirty. The Rockets gave up some pretty easy
transition points when it felt like they were a little
bit bored, like they would get twenty one, twenty two
points and just get a little bit you know, sloppy,
just thinking oh, we got this, and then it would
go back down to twelve or fourteen, and then the rockets,
(21:07):
you know, there was never a point that you really
felt threatened. Anytime it got even remotely closed, the rockets
just said, yeah, that's cute. And again that's you know,
it's frustrating, but a it's what good teams do, and
b like it's it's a way you can get even better,
Like they're doing this even with you know, a few
sloppy turnovers and some lapses in transition defense. Like just
imagine as they build more chemistry and get more dialed in,
(21:31):
I mean, they can be even better than this.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Yeah, you know, and you're absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
Then, by the way, I'm I'm really amazed at how
I mean, I'm really optimistic about the ceiling of this team.
I think that they've got a lot of great things
going on. For you to have Fred out and Katie
to play like this, you know, and again it is
against Memphis. And as far as efficiency, Katie obviously deals
with a lot, gets fouled a lot. I'm I'm not
knocking Katie, but just had a poor, inefficient shooting night.
(21:57):
For them to still basically crush Memphis was an incredible sign.
I want to give a shout out to Clint Cappella
as well. With Steven Adams out, you know, the Rockets
believed in Capella. We thought at the time, what's going
on when they added a third center, didn't quite understand.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
What that was about.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
And it's really his incredible rebounding rate, which you know,
he's up there with Adams. Adams is one of a kind,
but he's up there and you still kind of wonder,
well will he fit in the same way tonight ten
boards four offensive did this in just sixteen minutes, So
I think it's really encouraging to see Clin Cappella embracing
this role. You're able to give Steven Adams off nights
(22:39):
and Capella can still play and do the same kind
of thing that you need with that double big Yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
One other note from tonight's box score before we can,
you know, wrap up with a little bit of Spurs talk. Yeah,
I think tonight was a game if you were on
the fence about Sean Morant, and was reported by Sam
Amocott The Athletic earlier in the day that the Rockets
were unlikely to tray for Jaw or pursue a trade
for Jos, citing a team source, meaning he spoke to
the Rockets. I think tonight should have been more evidence
(23:08):
to tip you, I think to where you and I
already were, which is on the side not pursuing it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Yeah, we talked about it. We both were just like,
I can't see the Rockets pursuing him.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Derek White, I could see if that was a thing,
if it wasn't rageously priced.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
But everybody, I mean, we're just forecasting.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
As far as how they view the player, I don't
think they would.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
Go after him. Yeah, I mean I think what he brings, like,
he doesn't look quite as explosive as he was earlier
in his career. But even adjusting for that, I just
don't think it fits the model. Like, we know a
lot about how this head coach in this GM view
the team. For when they chose to go after Fred
van Fleet instead of James Harden two years ago, Like
they don't. They value being able to let certain guys
(23:49):
and in this case, you know the young guys and
Men Thompson and all Princh and good most notably, they want
to be able to get them more touches to continue developing.
And now you have Kevin Durant in the fold as well,
which you didn't two years ago. So I don't think
they want a very high usage guard like the perfect
guard to have would unfortunately be Fred been Fleet, and
doubt that's going to happen this year. And so you
(24:09):
know it's a backup plan. You mentioned Derek White, someone
of that mold. Yes, but when we're talking about someone
who consistently has a usage rate of around thirty or so, no,
like at that point you're taking away touches and playmaking
opportunities for the likes of KD Shing Goon and a
men And I think you're seeing consistently this team has
enough offensive firepower and for all to talk about is
(24:30):
a Men Thompson a point guard or not? Well, I
mean for starters, the plus minus continues to speak for itself.
They are succeeding when he is their point guard on
the floor. It just is what it is. But beyond
that tonight, look, you didn't even really need a point guard.
The offense was wait until the other team since that
second defender towards Kevin Durant or All princhon Goon, and
then whoever gets the ball either shooting open three or attack. Like,
it's not rocket science. You don't need a point guard
(24:52):
to organize you. When you have Kevin Durant and all
Princh and Doon, they sort of organize you by themselves.
So yeah, it's just with job specifically. But I also
think really any of these high usage point guards, barring
something crazy happening, like a downturn in their level of
form or injuries that you know, are much more significant
than we're anticipating, I just can't see that making sense
(25:15):
with what they have now and what we already know
about the Emai Udoka and Rafelstone era Rockets and how
they sort of you do the team, because I just
don't think they want to just like load up and
have you know, nothing but big name stars at every position. No,
like they value you know, some of these guys being
role players and fitting in around the stars. You have
the firepower now, and I think, you know, that's why
(25:37):
they're targeting guys like Josha Kogelectrianfony Smith that they think
are going to fit like gloves around that big three.
And I think that's going to be the focus if
they do make any moves during the season.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Yeah, and and.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
John, you know, with Katie here, shengon and a man.
And even Jabari is like, you know, if just not
taking fifteen twenty shots and I is he going to
be happy and all? And really the real strength of
John Morant was his incredible rim pressure when he's a rookie.
And if you look at his year by year stats
as far as the amount of how he attacks the
basket and the rim pressure, I mean, it looks like
(26:09):
an Enron stock chart. It's just plummeting down. I don't
know what's going on with him. I think a team
that just has an approach to team building right now,
of like why not like the Kings or the Pelicans,
some team that just has to win. Maybe there's a
pressure from owner or something. They may take a flyer
or the Raptors. I can't see the Rockets. People will say, oh,
(26:30):
they need a point guard, and they'll continue to automatically.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Assume every point guard should go to Houston. I don't
think that's necessarily the case. Let's talk about the Spurs.
This is look.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
I don't think we came into the season saying having
this one circled is in this is the great test.
But the Spurs came out red hot and Wemby looks unbelievable.
They have lost their star rookie Dylan Harper, number two
pick in the draft, who looked really good. He's out
with the calf injury. Not that Rockets fans are in
any way feeling so sorry for any team that has injuries.
Rockets are dealing with plenty of themselves. But you won't
(27:04):
see the full Spurs team, just like you won't see
the full Rockets team. But this is a really big
test for how they deal with Wemby. Dylan Brooks, in
my opinion, was the Wemby stopper. He did an incredible
job just being physical up and down the floor with him,
and I thought maybe Tari will fill this role.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
But I do think, as we talked about.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
A Kogi could very well be that guy for stretches
in this game, I want to see how Shangun does
against him. Shangoon, you know two years ago, torched him
for forty five points, made him look silly, kind of
like how he does with you know, just other players
that really weren't you know, defensive wizards like him. However,
last year Wemby had tremendous success defending Shangun, so I'm
(27:51):
very curious to see. This is like the third you know,
basically the rubber match here. I want to see how
this looks this year. But overall, this is a big,
big test, first NBA Cup game as well for the Rockets.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
What are you expecting?
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Yeah? And storyline? You didn't even mention Reed Shepherd against
Stephan Castle. Oh yeah, I know. I mean he's been
out played now. There's some obvious differences and circumstances there.
But I will say when the Rockets get the version
of Reed they have tonight where he's making shots and
a couple of seals as well, this is a completely
different team. There are no weaknesses, so hopefully read on
(28:29):
Friday against Castle like that's nowhere near the top storyline.
But you know, if Reed circles that on his calendar,
I suspect that he will and goes out and plays well,
then what that means for the team overall is significant
because if Reid isn't getting outplayed in his minutes, then
where is the weakness for this Rocket team as far
as keys to the game and do the Rockets actually
(28:51):
get to win? Like, obviously Kevin needs to be better.
A few people in the chat have mentioned that, like,
you need KD to be on his game against the
Spurs and when you're in spots in the half court
make shots in a way that he didn't tonight. Now
they didn't need him to, so you got to throw
that out there. But I really think like from an
x's nose perspective, the biggest variable on Friday, it's gonna
(29:12):
be the mid range games, typically those little push shots
the floaters from all for in Shamoon and a Men Thompson,
because the one thing about Wemby like it's going to
be very difficult to consistently get to the rim unless
you're lucky enough to get him in foul trouble and
hopefully they shoot well enough from three, But you don't
want to necessarily count on, especially at the low volume
(29:35):
the Rockets shoot that carrying you on the road. So
what you need is in a normal game, you'd be
able to get to the rim and finish draw a
lot of fouls. Against Wemby in his length, you may
not be able to, like, you'll still get advantages, Don't
get me wrong, because between KD A men alp like,
the Rockets have enough on the perimeter that they can
(29:56):
draw second defenders. But instead of being able to get
all the way to the rim, you may have to
pull up a little you know, five six, seven, eight
feet somewhere in that range and you know, stop and
pop put up. A Midi Javari could play into this
as well. But I really think a men in shingoon
on the two of them when you're looking at because
they handled the ball a little bit more, and we
know that in a perfect role they would go straight
(30:17):
to the rim. They both did that a decent bet
to get going tonight. That's gonna be a little bit
harder in San Antonio. So in the half court against
a team with six with a seven foot five freak,
excuse me, are those guys going to be able to
execute in the in between areas? If they do, I
think the Rockets win.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Yeah, it's this is going to be an interesting one.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
Spurs are currently again it's early second in the league
in defensive rating. That's what I want to see ken
the Rockets, just their number one offense up to this point,
how that matches against the number two defense, which is
the Spurs at this point as well. Again, Dylan Harper's out,
I don't think that necessarily is the impact for the defense,
(30:57):
but that's what I'm looking for, and in particular one
just how the Rockets, Because the Rockets are gonna have
to deal with Wemby for a long time and Cooper
Flag was the same thing. I was curious how they
would do. Rockets looked really good. He's a rookie, of course,
looked really good against Wemby. Eric's against Cooper Flag. But
how this Rocket team matches up with Wemby is one
(31:18):
of my biggest question marks. Yeah, they have a lot
of good talents. Sohan's a good defensive player. You know,
as you pointed out about Castle, Castle is not exactly
an efficient scorer shooter, but you know, got good size,
good defensive player. It's basically right now, offense against defense.
The Rockets want to be there defensively, and they are
climbing back there.
Speaker 1 (31:38):
But it's it's an offense against defense and one.
Speaker 3 (31:41):
And one last key to the game. I really hope
they get Steven Adams back. He was out with a
hip flexer strain tonight. I hope it was maybe the
Rockets being a little bit conservative because Friday's game is
obviously a lot more difficult. Memphis is a game you
were heavy favorites no matter what, because I think the
Spurs trying to keep Steven Adams off the offensive class
like he's a very good player overall, and the double
(32:04):
big might be very useful in this game to sort
of overwhelm them with physicality. But more than that, I think, yeah,
you see on the screen right now Wimby being in
foul trouble. Steven Adams is a magnet for getting guys
into foul trouble, and that might be how you could
sneak a couple of early fouls on Wimby, because we
know how difficult it is to box out Steven Adams, yes,
(32:25):
even if you're that long. So you need Stephen for
a number of reasons. But Steven Mike can get a
couple of cheap ones on Wemby. Well, I mean They're
not cheap. I mean, they're legit fouls, not like Steven's
out there flopping. But you know what I mean, they're
very atypical. And I think if Steven plays Friday, that
might could help you a little bit if you can
get Wemby in the foul trouble, because if you do,
then that completely changes everything.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
Man.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
I'm so looking forward to that one. That's gonna be
a fun, fun game Friday night. Hey, if you guys
don't have weekend plans, or make this your weekend plans,
We'll be back Friday night after the game. To look
forward to talking to you Ben about that one.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
But Rockets get their fist straight win.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
They are rolling after an oh and two start, and
let's hope they can get a big one move to
six and two against the Spurs. That would be great
and certainly send a message to all those Spurs fans
who had no problem talking smack when they were three
and oh and Rockets were zero and two.
Speaker 1 (33:14):
So yeah, this would be a great message to send. Ben.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
Appreciate you doing this tonight, Go Rockets. We will be
back on Friday.
Welcome into the post game.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Rockets get their fifth straight win, one twenty four to
one oh nine in Memphis.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Uh and Ben Ben Dobo's here with me.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I gotta say this, Rockets looked really good on a
night when some things maybe weren't flawless. They just looked
really good. And they came at you in waves. No
Steven Adams tonight, Jabbari does come back. And there's just
I mean I made a list of at least seven heroes.
Maybe there's more. Just they are deep, and they are
(00:34):
playing really well. They're a big team and tonight they
just they just destroyed the Grizzlies.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Yeah. And I think the biggest story is Aman Thompson
looked like the best player, the best player on the floor.
And I think that's something the Rockets had been needing
and expecting to see for a while, in large part
because of the attention that Kevin Durant and Allprinchhing Goon draw.
It felt like this was a game where anytime they
got the ball inside the three point arc and in
(01:02):
some cases beyond it with KD, they were getting a double.
They were getting played super physically. I thought the refs
let a lot of contact go. But if you have
these four and threes on the back side, then a
men Thompson, with his combination of athleticism ball handling power,
he should be the guy to take advantage. I thought
in the first half he did against Dallas, it felt
(01:23):
like he ran out of gas a little bit. We
speculated on Monday's postgame about the calf cramping maybe being
an issue. Again, it was not tonight. He had everything
for the full game, finished twenty eight, ten, seven and two.
And what's crazy to me, Dave, he was thirteen of
twenty six. And obviously the twenty six shot attempt speaks
(01:43):
to just how much Kevin Durant and all Prin Shongoon,
who both struggled in terms of the shooting tonight, fitting
in large part due to the defense, is full attention
being paid to them. But of the thirteen of twenty six,
obviously the twenty six very high. It speaks to, you know,
things being funneled towards a Men and those other guys.
He easily could have made seventeen or eighteen, like a
(02:04):
men missed some shots in the four or five foot
range that I think he feels like he probably should make,
and so That's what's really encouraging to me is that
we know how good Kevin Durant and all Prinshan Gunnar
and if Amen Thompson is capable of doing this, and
the Rockets certainly believe he is. This guy is the
limit for this team. Like the crazy thing to think
about in the macro of this season, they started zero
(02:25):
to two. Now they're five and two. The first three
games or so, a men wasn't a men. You know,
the first game in Oklahoma City, he looked good, but
he had to leave with the calf cramps. The next
two games against the Pistons and the Nets for games
where he was in early foul trouble. The Pistons won, especially,
he had four fouls in the first half and then
you know, got bench to start the second half. As
a result of it, never seemed in rhythm. The Rockets
(02:47):
were number one in offense without having anywhere near the
version of a men Thompson that internally they expected. Now
you're getting the version of a men Thompson. What's scary
about this team is that, really there have only been
two games Toronto and Boston where it feels like they've
all been humming at the same time in terms of
the big guns, because these last two games, Kad has
(03:08):
been off from a shooting perspective, and you know, some
of it's how teams are choosing to defend him, but look,
he's missing some shots that he should make. There's a
lot of good looks for Katie tonight that just rimmed out.
It is what it is. Happens to everybody who already
two games. But if the Rockets are this good offensively
best in the league, with KD struggling the last two
games and with the men struggling the first three, and
this is out of a seven game sample, just imagine
(03:29):
how good this team is going to look when everybody's
clicking at the same time.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Yeah, You're exactly right.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
It's it's I'm amazed, Like I'm just watching this team
and I'm like, man, they look good. Now, I will say,
before we go and rave about him. They're five to
zero against teams that are five hundred or below currently
in the standings, and I believe they're owing to you know,
the first two games of the season against teams that
are above five hundred. We're about to see some more tests,
but they have been passing tests as they've gotten better
(03:57):
and really with Flying Colors. They didn't a couple of
poor games obviously Detroit and in this last game, but
you know this one here, they just roughed up Memphis.
Memphis is not the best team twenty fifth offensively, twenty
third defensively coming into the this game, but you still
have jaw. You know, Cedric Coward has looked really good
as a rookie. They have some talent, but Rockets just
(04:18):
ran over them. Jabbari comes back. Steven Adams is out today,
so you're wondering how they're going to do in the
rebounding battles. Sixty two fifty seven. It was actually close
on the boards overall. But Jabari, I thought was significant
in the plus minus. Every time they put him in,
or every time he was in they made a run,
they took him out, they'd step back. I'm not saying
(04:41):
it was solely because of Jabari, but that was definitely
a key thing tonight. He only took eight shots, six
of eight from the field, two of three from deep.
Did have that one dunk attempt and landed on his tailbone.
Hopefully he's fine. He did continue to play. But yeah,
I mean, just all around for Kevin Durant, for Adams
to be out and Kevin to go five of eighteen
(05:01):
from the field and shngun. I mean he ended up
getting a few baskets at the end, but six of
fourteen from the field. It just speaks to the overall
talent of this team that they just still crushed them
in waves. I mean, as you pointed out a men
thirteen to twenty six from the field, the Rockets not
killing you with volume from three, but thirteen of thirty
(05:21):
from deep.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Very efficient.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
They're continuing this change of this leap I guess into
being a really good three point shooting team. It's hard
to say if that's going to continue, but up to
this point they've been well over forty percent on the year.
So yeah, I was just super impressed with how they played.
Started with a men Shangun nice all around game as well.
He wasn't, like I said, efficient offensively, but twenty points,
(05:44):
sixteen boards, seven assists. So yeah, you gotta love that
when Kevin Durant has a poor game and they still
play like this.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
One hundred percent. And I think you look at the
two big guns for Memphis. John Morant was six of
nineteen Jaron Jackson Junior was two of six, and I
know you want to talk about this first game on Friday, Dave.
The way that Josha Koge denied Jaron Jackson Junior makes
me think, and you tweeted this during the game, that
he's going to get a shot against Wemby as well,
(06:14):
and it might work to an extent. We've seen some
smaller players with quick hands and good lateral quickness succeed
at least to an extent against Wemby this year, so
it would not surprise me if if Josha Koge gets
a look. And you know the one net pick I
had when we were texting at halftime, I talked about,
you know, if a Kogi doesn't make threes at some point,
(06:35):
you know, that's always been the question in his career.
Is he a good enough three point shooter for his
defense to be worth it? And at halftime I said,
you know, if he doesn't make enough threes at some point,
they may need to think about playing Tarry Easton over him.
By the way, Tari has been fantastic his last five games.
He's shooting over fifty five percent from three, So yeah,
he looks really good. Four of eight tonight. But then
(06:58):
Josh it's almost like he saw our in the second
half of the game. He came out and made three threes,
and it's just it's one of those situations where with
the attention that Kevin Durant and Alprin Shing Goon draw
and eventually Amen Thompson as well, if you're one of
those other two guys, you know, Jabari he's been good
when he's been out there all season long, Like we
(07:18):
talked about that in the aftermath of what he did
in Toronto and Boston. But when Josha Kogi is able
to make threes at the clip that he largely has.
The first half, he missed some open ones, but he
made up for it in a big way in the
second half. I mean, that's a really good and well
balanced starting five. And then when any of them needs
a break, well, then you put in Tari Easton off
the bench, who also has that shooting. And so when
(07:39):
you get the gravity of the big three, I mean,
really the top two, but we know Amen's going to
be there as well, and then the supporting cast shoots
the way they did tonight. You know, you look at
the three point percentages Javari made two of his three,
Josh made three of five, Tari made four of eight,
reach Shepherd made two of four. Like, these are good looks,
(08:00):
but I don't care who you're playing. It's tough to
shoot that well. And so the fact that they've done it,
they're number one in the league. I think they still
are in three point accuracy for the year. Yeah, I
mean seven games is it's a small sample, but it's
not nothing like we're getting, you know, by the end
of the weekend, we'll be close to you know, ten
percent of the way through the season, as crazy as
(08:21):
that is to say. So, it's getting a point where
you don't want to draw any super firm conclusions, but
it's not necessarily statistical noise either, Like the shooters have
leveled up. You know, Charnie Easans in the contract year.
I love your tweet Dave about he bet on himself
and so far he's winning. Yeah, if he shoots threes
at anywhere near forty percent, combine that with defense and
(08:42):
we assume durability, and he's going to get paid next offseason,
be it from the Rockets or somebody else. But yeah,
whatever you ascribe it to be, it the better quality
of looks, the individual shooters leveling it up, perhaps a
combination of all of it, but regardless, if they shoot
at this level and you combine that with the gravity
of the Big two, the Big three, then this is
(09:03):
going to be just a great offensive team all season long.
The sooning.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Hell yeah, you know, it's interesting that you nailed it
on the Tari thing, because you know, the first couple
of games, we were like, what is going on with Tari?
He was kind of a wreck, and we thought, man,
it's this contract weighing on him not having the negotiations,
you know, not coming out of that with a successful extension. Boy,
I mean it's since then, I think we've had five games.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Four of them he's hit three or more triples. Three
of them. Now he's hit four or more triples. Is
I mean?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
This is Tarry Easton. The guy's never been like a
terrible three point shooter. He's never been a great one either.
He's kind of average. Thirty five is thirty six percent
is what you kind of expect maybe from Tari. He's
just scorching right now and he's obviously putting in a
lot of work on his game. And yeah, I do
think his bet is looking terrific. I don't know if
(09:56):
somebody's gonna throw a fortune necessarily at him, but he's
a way player. He creates a lot of chaos really tonight.
A men A, Kogi and Tari and I'll include Jabari
in there. But those three they're sort of doing a
Kogi's filling that Dylan Brooks role. And I can't remember
which player was saying this the other day. I heard
him talking about lou Dort just getting away with being physical.
(10:19):
That's what that's Imo Udoka's entire style and what he
uses with Dylan Brooks. I think now Kogi's you know,
he has changed it for the Rockets. I think what
they expect. They expected Dorian Finney Smith to fill that role.
He's not back yet. You'll have another guy, another big, defensive,
two way kind of guy that you'll add to this
roster when he comes in here. I mean, I'm just excited.
(10:42):
I look at this team and I'm thinking, yeah, they
can contend. I mean, yeah, they're missing Fred the point
guard thing and all that, but a man is growing
by leaps and bounds. Reed Sheppard had his best game today.
He had a few blunders here and there like red Ken,
you know, tends to.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Have at this early stage of his career.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
But five of seven from the field, as you mentioned,
two or four from three probably his best game this season.
Maybe I'd have to go back and look, but it
felt like it that was a better showing from him
with twelve points. So yeah, I like I said, this
isn't the greatest test, but the Rockets are passing all
these tests.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Yeah, a great showing overall.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
And I think what's really noteworthy they've played four of
their seven games on the road. And there's the old
adage that role players shoot better at home. No, they're
shooting better on the road. The fact that they go
into opposing chems and shoot this well by the eye tests.
The three best shooting games they've had were tonight, Toronto,
and Boston. All three of those were on the road.
(11:40):
If anything, they've been clearly. The worst in my opinion,
was the Dallas game, where it felt like they couldn't
throw it in the ocean. And that's where the over
the balance of eighty two games, you would think they're
going to have some games where the vibes are better
because they're at home. So the fact that they're performing
this well on the road, not just winning, but shooting
this well, and not just the big guns, because yeah,
you would expect Kevin not to be phased by fans
(12:01):
booing him, and he's not. But for the road, for
the young guys to go out and execute in these
road games, to me is really really encouraging. And yeah,
there's just so much to like. I guess, you know,
the only nitpick you could throw out. I see a
comment from the chat about, you know, opposing teams putting
smaller guys on Kevin Durant. I think that's a valid concern. However,
(12:25):
I think a lot of what happened tonight the Rockets
played with the comfortable lead for a lot of this game.
You know, it got down, you know, very briefly to
four at the start of the second half. For the
most part, it felt like it sort of oscillated between
ten and twenty for most of the game, especially the
second half. And I think there was a lot of
contact that if the game was close, would have been whistled,
(12:46):
but that they let go tonight. And I haven't seen
the updated stats, but for the season overall, going into tonight,
KAD was over nine free through attempts per game. That
was a big bump from like five and a half
or so last year. I think the game plan he
didn't deviate too much from it tonight. I just don't
think he got the whistles that he wanted to. And
(13:08):
I think a lot of it comes down to if
you're winning easily and you're on the road, that's sort
of the perfect storm for officials to let a lot
of things go and just move the game along, especially
if they don't think it's that impactful to the bottom line.
So that's the one thing I'll offer. Like it's not
to say that Memphis didn't do a good job against him.
I think they did, But I think the box score
looks a little bit differently if you take away a
(13:29):
couple of those misses and instead you give him, you know,
four or six free throws. And if he plays in
San Antonio and it's a tighter game, which I think
we both expect it's likely to be, hopefully he gets
a friendlier whistle, the star level whistle that we all
want Kevin Durant to get. And you know, beyond that,
he also just missed some shots. Like let's just be clear,
it's a long season happens to anybody. Several of those
(13:51):
looks like you saw him sort of exasperated, just you know,
arms and eyes to the heavens, just looking up. You know,
why can't I get a break? And you know, it's
always good that happens in a win. But yeah, like
a lot of the shots he made the first five games,
he missed them the last two. It happens to everybody.
I don't think unless it goes on for a sustain period,
it's samething to be particularly concerned about. I don't think
(14:12):
he's you know, hurt or worn down. I haven't seen
any signs of that. They haven't had any back to backs.
I think it's just, you know, it's a long season,
it's early. He's missing some shots that he would otherwise make,
and fortunately the players around him are taking advantage of
his gravity so much that it hasn't even remotely affected
them when it in terms of where it matters most,
which is wins and losses.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Yeah, a few other notes I had just jotted down.
You know, shan Gun obviously not offensively the most efficient,
but as you pointed out, the gravity it was very
significant and what he does so well is read off
the double teams. I think that's been his most impactful
thing this year. I think if you actually look his
first game this season against Okay, see he was incredible
(14:55):
efficient five triples. When you look since then, his efficiency
is a little concerning, kind of slipping back to last
year's stuff. It's way too early. I'm not saying it's not.
I think his leap is is for real because he's
comfortable now shooting threes where he wasn't before.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
I really don't care so much.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Yes, free throws seam up to but his passing has
been the most impactful thing with Fred out, he just
seems to find guys.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
There was one play, you know, I think it was
third quarter.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
He brought the ball up, quickly, whipped it to Jabbari
in the corner, fired off a three, nailed it. He
has a knack for finding a men Thompson. He knows
when a men's guy out of that dunker spot or
the baseline cut.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
He knows when he comes for a double.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Just I keep always saying this that if I was
an opposing coach, I would probably live more with Shangun
just trying to score repeatedly. And maybe he does burn you,
but rather than bringing that guy off to double him,
because shn gun is so good at finding the open,
particularly a man. A couple other things I want to
mention about a men. One just seeing him next to
(16:07):
John Morant realize makes you realize what a freak this
guy is and how physically tough it must be. This
guy is busting it on both ends of the floor.
His size is he was so much bigger than joh
I could just see that. It was striking to me.
And then one other thing, because I may addressed this
after the game, is I noted in the first quarter
(16:28):
when they had triple J on a men, they were
sagging off and asking a man to, you know, shoot
that long range shot, and there was a play I
can't remember what point it was in the game where
he had a top of the key and wide open
triple J was five ten feet away from him and
a man didn't take it.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
He ended up kind of dribbling in.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I think he took a shot from about fifteen sixteen
feet missed it, And I noted that. Of course, he
ended up having a great game, but that's something that's
still a thing with him. He's gotten better, but it's
he's if he this is a guy. If he is
able to knock down that long three when they sag
off of him, I mean, the sky is the limit
because this guy is amazing. He is the best, in
(17:09):
my opinion, the best pick they've made. He is a gem.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Yeah, and it's worth noting he has made a three
in each of the past three games. Now it's just
one three, so let's not get carried away. But it's
better than you know, the start to the year when
he I think was zerover ten through the first four
games something like that. So the volume is still low.
But even if it's just on occasion, him hitting one
or two per night when they sag off to that
(17:33):
extent can make a big difference. So it's early, but
you know, it's it's one of many promising signs for him.
I still think the biggest thing is just the durability.
I really thought the same thing would have happened Monday.
It's just once he had that collision midway through, he
didn't seem to have the same juice. We speculated as
to why we don't know that tonight there was no
such collision. He had the juice and he was able
(17:54):
to finish and play forty eight full minutes in a
way that you know he was still good in the
second half on Monday, he just wasn't otherworldly the other
thing on a men, And I think this is this
is a source for optimism. I was looking at the
two men and three men lineup, dad and to see
who plays well together, And really it's more who plays
best together, because you know their net rating to this point,
(18:15):
it's second in the NBA, their first in offense, seventh
in defense. So everything looks good, it's just how good
and one of the big differences. So going into tonight,
when it was Shoon and a men, the plus minus
in net rating is like plus twenty five, almost plus
twenty six. When it's KD and A men, it's like
(18:36):
plus nine, which is still good, but it's a difference
between good and elite. And I think it actually makes
sense because the thing about A men Thompson, he is
one of the most unique players in the NBA. Like
we talk about how rare his athleticism is, but really
just the entire package of his game, there are very
few players not just like him. If he were close
(18:57):
to him, and so I think for Kevin it's going
to take him a little bit more time so early
in the year. Yeah, the fact that you know Shinggoon
seems to have this connection with him, I think that's
really important because you sort of need to lean into
Shongoon as a playmaker early in the year to get
the best out of a Men. I think as the
year progresses, Katie will figure it out. Obviously he's extremely
(19:18):
high IQ, but I think for now, just based on
the two previous years of experience playing together, the chemistry
between Shangoon and the Men is a little ahead of
the chemistry between kat and a Men. I think that's natural.
I think it'll improve and really like as I see it,
that's encouraging that they're playing this well, even with the
growing pains, because to me, that's low hanging fruit. Katie
and Men are going to get more used to playing
(19:39):
with one another. I think Katie in one of his
interviews mentioned that he hasn't played with anyone like a
men before. So yeah, as the season goes along, assuming
they all stay healthy, Like that's one of those little things.
As the chemistry gets better, it should only benefit the
team moving forward. Like That's the crazy thing is that
they're five and two. The ratings are through the roof.
I know the schedule's been a little light, but look,
(20:01):
even adjusting for the schedule, the ratings speak for themselves,
like the fact that they're going out. And I know
I said it a couple of episodes ago, but I'll
say it again, the Gerald Morey quote. Good teams don't
win close games, they avoid them, and so for the
Rockets to be able to consistently, I guess the one
exception being the Dallas game, and you know, to the
Rockets credit Katie and shouldn't goun did do what they
(20:22):
needed too late in that game to make sure they survived.
But most of these games, especially on the road, like
they're just going out and you know, professionally taking care
of business. I mean, the crazy thing tonight, like a
lot of people on social media were saying that the
Grizzlies' effort looks sort of bad and wondering. You know,
obviously there's been questions about the new coach. How bought
in is Joan Morant? He obviously got suspended a week ago.
(20:45):
I thought, what sort of kept the Grizzlies in somewhat
I don't want to say striking distance, but kept them,
you know, down fifteen or twenty instead of down twenty
five or thirty. The Rockets gave up some pretty easy
transition points when it felt like they were a little
bit bored, like they would get twenty one, twenty two
points and just get a little bit you know, sloppy,
just thinking oh, we got this, and then it would
go back down to twelve or fourteen, and then the rockets,
(21:07):
you know, there was never a point that you really
felt threatened. Anytime it got even remotely closed, the rockets
just said, yeah, that's cute. And again that's you know,
it's frustrating, but a it's what good teams do, and
b like it's it's a way you can get even better,
Like they're doing this even with you know, a few
sloppy turnovers and some lapses in transition defense. Like just
imagine as they build more chemistry and get more dialed in,
(21:31):
I mean, they can be even better than this.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Yeah, you know, and you're absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
Then, by the way, I'm I'm really amazed at how
I mean, I'm really optimistic about the ceiling of this team.
I think that they've got a lot of great things
going on. For you to have Fred out and Katie
to play like this, you know, and again it is
against Memphis. And as far as efficiency, Katie obviously deals
with a lot, gets fouled a lot. I'm I'm not
knocking Katie, but just had a poor, inefficient shooting night.
(21:57):
For them to still basically crush Memphis was an incredible sign.
I want to give a shout out to Clint Cappella
as well. With Steven Adams out, you know, the Rockets
believed in Capella. We thought at the time, what's going
on when they added a third center, didn't quite understand.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
What that was about.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
And it's really his incredible rebounding rate, which you know,
he's up there with Adams. Adams is one of a kind,
but he's up there and you still kind of wonder,
well will he fit in the same way tonight ten
boards four offensive did this in just sixteen minutes, So
I think it's really encouraging to see Clin Cappella embracing
this role. You're able to give Steven Adams off nights
(22:39):
and Capella can still play and do the same kind
of thing that you need with that double big Yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
One other note from tonight's box score before we can,
you know, wrap up with a little bit of Spurs talk. Yeah,
I think tonight was a game if you were on
the fence about Sean Morant, and was reported by Sam
Amocott The Athletic earlier in the day that the Rockets
were unlikely to tray for Jaw or pursue a trade
for Jos, citing a team source, meaning he spoke to
the Rockets. I think tonight should have been more evidence
(23:08):
to tip you, I think to where you and I
already were, which is on the side not pursuing it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Yeah, we talked about it. We both were just like,
I can't see the Rockets pursuing him.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Derek White, I could see if that was a thing,
if it wasn't rageously priced.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
But everybody, I mean, we're just forecasting.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
As far as how they view the player, I don't
think they would.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
Go after him. Yeah, I mean I think what he brings, like,
he doesn't look quite as explosive as he was earlier
in his career. But even adjusting for that, I just
don't think it fits the model. Like, we know a
lot about how this head coach in this GM view
the team. For when they chose to go after Fred
van Fleet instead of James Harden two years ago, Like
they don't. They value being able to let certain guys
(23:49):
and in this case, you know the young guys and
Men Thompson and all Princh and good most notably, they want
to be able to get them more touches to continue developing.
And now you have Kevin Durant in the fold as well,
which you didn't two years ago. So I don't think
they want a very high usage guard like the perfect
guard to have would unfortunately be Fred been Fleet, and
doubt that's going to happen this year. And so you
(24:09):
know it's a backup plan. You mentioned Derek White, someone
of that mold. Yes, but when we're talking about someone
who consistently has a usage rate of around thirty or so, no,
like at that point you're taking away touches and playmaking
opportunities for the likes of KD Shing Goon and a
men And I think you're seeing consistently this team has
enough offensive firepower and for all to talk about is
(24:30):
a Men Thompson a point guard or not? Well, I
mean for starters, the plus minus continues to speak for itself.
They are succeeding when he is their point guard on
the floor. It just is what it is. But beyond
that tonight, look, you didn't even really need a point guard.
The offense was wait until the other team since that
second defender towards Kevin Durant or All princhon Goon, and
then whoever gets the ball either shooting open three or attack. Like,
it's not rocket science. You don't need a point guard
(24:52):
to organize you. When you have Kevin Durant and all
Princh and Doon, they sort of organize you by themselves.
So yeah, it's just with job specifically. But I also
think really any of these high usage point guards, barring
something crazy happening, like a downturn in their level of
form or injuries that you know, are much more significant
than we're anticipating, I just can't see that making sense
(25:15):
with what they have now and what we already know
about the Emai Udoka and Rafelstone era Rockets and how
they sort of you do the team, because I just
don't think they want to just like load up and
have you know, nothing but big name stars at every position. No,
like they value you know, some of these guys being
role players and fitting in around the stars. You have
the firepower now, and I think, you know, that's why
(25:37):
they're targeting guys like Josha Kogelectrianfony Smith that they think
are going to fit like gloves around that big three.
And I think that's going to be the focus if
they do make any moves during the season.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Yeah, and and.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
John, you know, with Katie here, shengon and a man.
And even Jabari is like, you know, if just not
taking fifteen twenty shots and I is he going to
be happy and all? And really the real strength of
John Morant was his incredible rim pressure when he's a rookie.
And if you look at his year by year stats
as far as the amount of how he attacks the
basket and the rim pressure, I mean, it looks like
(26:09):
an Enron stock chart. It's just plummeting down. I don't
know what's going on with him. I think a team
that just has an approach to team building right now,
of like why not like the Kings or the Pelicans,
some team that just has to win. Maybe there's a
pressure from owner or something. They may take a flyer
or the Raptors. I can't see the Rockets. People will say, oh,
(26:30):
they need a point guard, and they'll continue to automatically.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Assume every point guard should go to Houston. I don't
think that's necessarily the case. Let's talk about the Spurs.
This is look.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
I don't think we came into the season saying having
this one circled is in this is the great test.
But the Spurs came out red hot and Wemby looks unbelievable.
They have lost their star rookie Dylan Harper, number two
pick in the draft, who looked really good. He's out
with the calf injury. Not that Rockets fans are in
any way feeling so sorry for any team that has injuries.
Rockets are dealing with plenty of themselves. But you won't
(27:04):
see the full Spurs team, just like you won't see
the full Rockets team. But this is a really big
test for how they deal with Wemby. Dylan Brooks, in
my opinion, was the Wemby stopper. He did an incredible
job just being physical up and down the floor with him,
and I thought maybe Tari will fill this role.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
But I do think, as we talked about.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
A Kogi could very well be that guy for stretches
in this game, I want to see how Shangun does
against him. Shangoon, you know two years ago, torched him
for forty five points, made him look silly, kind of
like how he does with you know, just other players
that really weren't you know, defensive wizards like him. However,
last year Wemby had tremendous success defending Shangun, so I'm
(27:51):
very curious to see. This is like the third you know,
basically the rubber match here. I want to see how
this looks this year. But overall, this is a big,
big test, first NBA Cup game as well for the Rockets.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
What are you expecting?
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Yeah? And storyline? You didn't even mention Reed Shepherd against
Stephan Castle. Oh yeah, I know. I mean he's been
out played now. There's some obvious differences and circumstances there.
But I will say when the Rockets get the version
of Reed they have tonight where he's making shots and
a couple of seals as well, this is a completely
different team. There are no weaknesses, so hopefully read on
(28:29):
Friday against Castle like that's nowhere near the top storyline.
But you know, if Reed circles that on his calendar,
I suspect that he will and goes out and plays well,
then what that means for the team overall is significant
because if Reid isn't getting outplayed in his minutes, then
where is the weakness for this Rocket team as far
as keys to the game and do the Rockets actually
(28:51):
get to win? Like, obviously Kevin needs to be better.
A few people in the chat have mentioned that, like,
you need KD to be on his game against the
Spurs and when you're in spots in the half court
make shots in a way that he didn't tonight. Now
they didn't need him to, so you got to throw
that out there. But I really think like from an
x's nose perspective, the biggest variable on Friday, it's gonna
(29:12):
be the mid range games, typically those little push shots
the floaters from all for in Shamoon and a Men Thompson,
because the one thing about Wemby like it's going to
be very difficult to consistently get to the rim unless
you're lucky enough to get him in foul trouble and
hopefully they shoot well enough from three, But you don't
want to necessarily count on, especially at the low volume
(29:35):
the Rockets shoot that carrying you on the road. So
what you need is in a normal game, you'd be
able to get to the rim and finish draw a
lot of fouls. Against Wemby in his length, you may
not be able to, like, you'll still get advantages, Don't
get me wrong, because between KD A men alp like,
the Rockets have enough on the perimeter that they can
(29:56):
draw second defenders. But instead of being able to get
all the way to the rim, you may have to
pull up a little you know, five six, seven, eight
feet somewhere in that range and you know, stop and
pop put up. A Midi Javari could play into this
as well. But I really think a men in shingoon
on the two of them when you're looking at because
they handled the ball a little bit more, and we
know that in a perfect role they would go straight
(30:17):
to the rim. They both did that a decent bet
to get going tonight. That's gonna be a little bit
harder in San Antonio. So in the half court against
a team with six with a seven foot five freak,
excuse me, are those guys going to be able to
execute in the in between areas? If they do, I
think the Rockets win.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Yeah, it's this is going to be an interesting one.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
Spurs are currently again it's early second in the league
in defensive rating. That's what I want to see ken
the Rockets, just their number one offense up to this point,
how that matches against the number two defense, which is
the Spurs at this point as well. Again, Dylan Harper's out,
I don't think that necessarily is the impact for the defense,
(30:57):
but that's what I'm looking for, and in particular one
just how the Rockets, Because the Rockets are gonna have
to deal with Wemby for a long time and Cooper
Flag was the same thing. I was curious how they
would do. Rockets looked really good. He's a rookie, of course,
looked really good against Wemby. Eric's against Cooper Flag. But
how this Rocket team matches up with Wemby is one
(31:18):
of my biggest question marks. Yeah, they have a lot
of good talents. Sohan's a good defensive player. You know,
as you pointed out about Castle, Castle is not exactly
an efficient scorer shooter, but you know, got good size,
good defensive player. It's basically right now, offense against defense.
The Rockets want to be there defensively, and they are
climbing back there.
Speaker 1 (31:38):
But it's it's an offense against defense and one.
Speaker 3 (31:41):
And one last key to the game. I really hope
they get Steven Adams back. He was out with a
hip flexer strain tonight. I hope it was maybe the
Rockets being a little bit conservative because Friday's game is
obviously a lot more difficult. Memphis is a game you
were heavy favorites no matter what, because I think the
Spurs trying to keep Steven Adams off the offensive class
like he's a very good player overall, and the double
(32:04):
big might be very useful in this game to sort
of overwhelm them with physicality. But more than that, I think, yeah,
you see on the screen right now Wimby being in
foul trouble. Steven Adams is a magnet for getting guys
into foul trouble, and that might be how you could
sneak a couple of early fouls on Wimby, because we
know how difficult it is to box out Steven Adams, yes,
(32:25):
even if you're that long. So you need Stephen for
a number of reasons. But Steven Mike can get a
couple of cheap ones on Wemby. Well, I mean They're
not cheap. I mean, they're legit fouls, not like Steven's
out there flopping. But you know what I mean, they're
very atypical. And I think if Steven plays Friday, that
might could help you a little bit if you can
get Wemby in the foul trouble, because if you do,
then that completely changes everything.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
Man.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
I'm so looking forward to that one. That's gonna be
a fun, fun game Friday night. Hey, if you guys
don't have weekend plans, or make this your weekend plans,
We'll be back Friday night after the game. To look
forward to talking to you Ben about that one.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
But Rockets get their fist straight win.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
They are rolling after an oh and two start, and
let's hope they can get a big one move to
six and two against the Spurs. That would be great
and certainly send a message to all those Spurs fans
who had no problem talking smack when they were three
and oh and Rockets were zero and two.
Speaker 1 (33:14):
So yeah, this would be a great message to send. Ben.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
Appreciate you doing this tonight, Go Rockets. We will be
back on Friday.
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