Beijing time on December 29, the Rockets team lost to the Nuggets in the second game of the regular season, and suffered a two-game losing streak. Before this campaign, the Nuggets had lost two consecutive losses and failed to win a victory after the start of the season. The Rockets' situation was even worse. Many of their players were suspended. After that, the Nuggets lost to the development. For the team, although Harden scored 44 points and 17 assists and Wood also scored 31 points and 13 rebounds, it is a pity that the Blazers’ double guns Lillard and McCollum’s firepower are too strong, the Rockets The team lost by 2 points.
In this game against the Nuggets, since Gordon, Cousins and other players have not yet lifted the ban, the Rockets can only have a maximum of 9 players on the lineup. The Rockets’ starting lineup for this game is the same as the previous one: Harden, Nuwabah, House, Tucker and Wood, the replacement group of four are: Brown , Tate, Thomas and Capocolo. In the previous game against the Blazers, the Rockets' main lineup performed normally. Unfortunately, no one on the bench can stand up and take on the responsibility. The final loss is also directly related to the lack of firepower of the bench.
In this campaign against the Nuggets, Harden and Wood of the Rockets teamed up to score 40+ points in halftime. However, the problem was exactly the same as in the previous game. House continued to perform in a sluggish performance, and 1 of 9 in the game was helpless. The Rockets’ four substitutes are really not scoring substitutes. After halftime, only Brown scored two points and Tate made a three-pointer. Capocolo and Broderick- Thomas did not both. The score is recorded.
In fact, from the perspective of Silas's employment, Tate and Brown have received enough attention in the preseason , and the two of them also got a lot of opportunities to play. On the contrary, it is Capocolo and Thomas. They were originally limited in strength. Now that the Rockets have only 9 players, Silas has to give them some chances to play. After all, it is impossible for Harden and Wood to play. Play the core for 48 minutes.
But given the opportunity, Capocolo and Thomas did not seize the limited playing time, and their performance on the court had no sense of existence. At the end of the game, Thomas 5 points, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls, Capocolo 6 points, 6 rebounds and 4 turnovers, and the two's scoring basically appeared in the fourth quarter when the outcome was determined, which had no practical significance.
Compared with the bravery of the main five tigers, the Rockets' 4 substitutes really drag the team back. Especially the 23-year-old two-way contract player Broderick Thomas, the Rockets cut off old shooter Gerald Green, just to give him a chance, how can I think that the Rockets really picked the wrong person? Green is standing on the bench in the team. The situation is definitely different from now. At least Green's scoring ability is far better than Thomas.
Regardless of personal offense and defense, Thomas seems to have been outside the Rockets' overall tactical system, which is also determined by his personal strength. Thomas is just a little-known undrafted rookie. Originally, his best place this season was the development league, but due to the Rockets' multiplayer suspension, Silas had to "catch the ducks to the shelves" to send Thomas. Analyzed from the performance of the two games, the Rockets will adjust the lineup in the middle of the season. Perhaps the next player the Rockets will lay off is the rookie guard Thomas with a two-way contract.
