Rockets are better without KD the cancer.

Pretty funny coming from Perk, when KD protected him and kept his chunky ass in the starting lineup in OKC, even though he stunk.

 

This is just a tangential reactionary post but...

KD is not a cancer, and I shouldn't even write that word into existence at the moment (Lol, but seriously) That narrative is going to haunt his legacy, but regardless of how these playoffs end, it's clear that he instilled confidence in Twin, Reed and Bari. As everyone has seen and heard, KD and Alpi have not adapted as well as we all hoped for. Apparently (actually, not apparently) there is definite tension between both, and it comes down to communication, ego and both Alpi and KD not taking accountability for weak screens and unforced turnovers.

Twittergate/GetoffmyDickerson is another potential issue, and while I've heard that only a portion is accurate (The Bari stray), we all know he's no stranger to expressing his displeasure through social media and group texts. So, does our team know how to pretend to ignore their leader's critiques (even false, the stray shots were not inaccurate), or is it our fan base overreacting from a playoff blunder and the alleged "noise" is as quiet as a mouse pissing on cotton?

If KD were playing, this team would have a better shot of winning a series than our previous starters in DB and JG. It's not even close. Though, I will concede that Brooks may have been a better locker-room presence to push toughness and cohesiveness. Then again, Brooks also had too many games where his contribution was being an unproductive nuisance and Green was never going to be the man. Even Amen told him, "I got you out of here." Amen is the man of this team and if Stone is smart, he'll keep building with Twin, Alpi and Reed (Reed is not going anywhere).

We all know that there's a lot that goes into the complete destruction of a team designed for some sort of playoff noise. I want to believe that KD's injuries are truly keeping him from competing, but from a purely Rockets' fan standpoint, something does seem off. The conspiracy of his ankle keeping him off of the court after Bari respectfully stated that KD needs to be KD and adjust to the double and triple teams he's faced his entire career is likely just a fan conspiracy...but when has KD not suited up even when he's at 60 percent?

I'm in agreement that Ime's inability to adjust is being shown to the world in this series. During the season, it was not nearly as blatant. Ime is a great coach, but to be outcoached by JJ and keep a low IQ offense/defense in during game 3 with Tate and Tari is embarrassing and inexcusable. I don't even blame Reed for that turnover because Amen should have been handling the ball. That's not an adjustment...it's just coaching 101.

Still, I'm not willing to place 80-100 percent of the blame on KD. We are still in the middle of a youth movement, regardless of Ime saying something like "we're not that young." When you place a 18-year-vet/ natural scorer- who happens to be one of the best players in NBA history with high expectations to compete deep into the playoffs- and surround him with a bunch of 20-somethings with incredibly unique skillsets and limited playoff experience, I'm not sure what the end goal for Stone and Co. could possibly be... The "maybe it's not our year" is equally inexcusable. There were at least 4-5 options available to stabilize the backcourt, even if it was with guys who were only brought in to handle the ball and run the offense. You also have A. Holiday rotting on the bench with underrated handles, and he's more than capable of setting the offense up while hitting 3s and penetrating the lane to open things up. And, damn, my guy Josh is in and out of the lineup, when the eye test shows his hustle and IQ on both sides of the court are superior than other guys on the roster (Hi, Tari) .

Then, you have Freddy V who was being gassed up by Rich that he would return just before the playoffs and it doesn't happen. I'm not sure why he kept the implication going, unless it was just intended to support another contract. Yes, Fred is adored in Htown. Yes, he would have been an immense help in this series. Yes, if Ime stays in "charge," he will try to make Fred untouchable. Either way, the Rockets mgmt. FAILED miserably to secure so many offers for point guards who would have provided the stability Fred is unable to with his "healing" injury.

Like every analyst in the world, the Rockets problem is not KD and his ish-talking. It's as simple as certain the parts of the puzzle that just don't fit. Amen's leap has been incredible and Alpi's slight regression should not put him on the table for a trade.

Admittedly, I am a huge Jabari fan and I think his growth on the court and vocal/actionable leadership add a ton to our core. However, he is likely going to be part of a trade package. Personally, I don't think the Ime plays him to his strengths, and as much as like that his 3ball work has improved, his length would be much better served just outside of the paint or when he takes the initiative to post up and hit those sniper jumpers.

I've got the Rockets stealing game 5 in LaLa land, but this off season is going to be wild. Thankfully, Tari has shown his true colors of inconsistency. and he'll be a valuable asset to many, many teams.

Ime used to maintain an inspirable locker room earlier in the season, but the constant displeasure with his young core even when they make strides is wearing them out. It reminds me of Van Gundy's racoon eyes of rage even when the Rockets were up by 20 with 3 minutes left in the game. Maintain the serious demeanor, but celebrate the growth and encourage your young core to continue building their confidence and ability to share leadership through actions, words and the body language that Uncle Jeff shows regardless of the score.

We're all tired of disappointment and this series would have been a rough patch with a game 6 win if KD played. And, yet, here we are.

Still, it's Htown for life. I'm going to have gratitude today that Jeremy Lin, Kevin McHale, Dwight Howard and Royce are not affiliated with our beloved team.

Much love to all Rockets fans,

Cod

#FckCancer #FreeNic #FreeJosh #X0twod

 

Thanks for your post, but last years team was absolutely better. We’ve been losing to teams that have been trying to lose (left and right) and the current lakers team were losing to would at best be a play in team

 

The Suns lockeroom had this same issue with him and he had this issue with Kyrie. So saying he's not a cancer so confidently when he has issues with someone like Alpi who never had issues with anyone BUT KPJ I think is shortsighted.

 

KD's legacy was already haunted @Codman when he joined the 73 win team Warriors. As was Lebrons when he joined the Heat. The stans will never admit that. But in 30 years when we are talking about Lebron and KD vs whoever is the "GOAT" in 2056, it will be the old heads reminding folks of the context surrounding those cowards' moves.

 

This is fair. I haven't heard that KD a chemistry killer in the locker room, but I can see how is game either positively or negatively impacts our young core ON the court. With all of the close games we've lost this season, I would agree that there is no gray area with respect to KD's presence on the court. He's never been known to be a vocal leader on or off of the court, but I think the hope was he would elevate himself into more of a vocal leader at all times.

And, yes, you are correct in that Ime has his "favorites." That's like any other coach, but I would agree with you that it's a bit too obvious that Ime gets on everyone's ass aside from KD, Fred and Reed.

I love what he and Twin have done for Reed's confidence.

 

For second, forget twitter posts, forget chemistry, forget all that.

This man has somehow found a way to play 20 seasons in the league without learning how to adapt to a double team. That’s incredible. Never seen a HOFer just implode the way he does when a double comes.

He also apparently doesn’t realize there are other ways to receive the basketball and score than demanding the ball 35 feet from the basket while he struggles to get space from try hard g league level players.

 

KD is better the least amount of dribbles he takes. Aside from Kerr, other teams try to make him play like Bron as a a hub, but he's best when he can get some motions, cuts , pin downs. Then in the end he has the energy to play pnr and get a good look. If they from action and Sheppard and KD on the same side as action, he wouldn't get doubled

 

Which is why he only won with GSW. You cant double him with Klay and Curry there. Without GSW he would be ringless.

 

I think you underrated how dysfunctional this roster is. Yes we all love to blame Ime but the reality is this isn't a core where the games mesh well. Amen and Alpi are terrible because neither can shoot so the spacing is a nightmare, Alpi and Reed are terrible together because they are complete turnstiles on defense. Tari is the most consistent inconsistent player in the league. To be honest the only player on this team that can fit with anyone is Bari he unfortunately doesn't get a lot of touches. For some weird reason they would rather see Alpi chuck up some bullshit then let Bari shoot.

FVV is a mid tier washed, injured terrible shooter. DFS naturally can't do anything anymore and the rest of the guys are castoffs. KD is by far the best player on this roster and it's not close. The team isn't better when KD doesn't play they are substantially worse.

 

Its funny how our core is awful now after a year with KD lol

 

Of course, they are being show up by a 41 year old, even the best 41 year old.

 

Similar issue as last year. We dropped multiple games to bad teams, including some brutal late-game collapses.

The Rockets added one starter, a highly efficient player, but not a superstar at this stage of his career. They lost three starters. There is no real replacement for FVV, and Brooks’s replacement (DFS) did not pan out. The bench is about the same as last year. Of the remaining starters, one has taken on a larger role (with the growing pain of a new learning curve and somewhat inefficient), while the other is essentially unchanged.

On paper, this team should be worse than last year’s, and it shows.

 

our young core is doin alright in the playoffs without KD. 2nd in BPM 1st in Net Rating

https://www.nba.com/stats/lineups/traditional?CF=MIN*GE*10&dir=D&sort=PLUS_MINUS

https://www.nba.com/stats/lineups/advanced?CF=MIN*GE*40&dir=D&sort=NET_RATING

 

Only insider I trust

 

You could see the issues last year as well if you were looking at the team without letting your fandom get in the way.

 

Nobody says he cancer when puts 30 up, and wins the game for rockets. lol

 

he only played one game so far and he scored only 23 pts and resulted in a loss

you're right if he scored 30+ and a win then nobody will say he's a cancer