So if you’re a Rockets fan…last night was pretty dadgum good. It’s “just preseason,” BUT it looks like the new HC knows what he’s doing. I never cared for the previous HC. This team was FUN to watch last night. FUN. And they didn’t even have their big free agent acquisition, Christian Wood (Center) and they still blew the doors off the Bulls. I think they made like 24 3-point shots too.

First video is a good “primer” for you if you’ve wondered, or heard vague things about the drama surrounding James Harden. He’s contemplating moving on to a new team. Last night was a good look at the team WITHOUT Harden, and also without the new Center (Christian Wood). Again, it’s just preseason but the early sneak preview sure looks promising.

Second video is the actual highlights from the game. Cousins is not a speedster, OK? What he is, however, is a very savvy player who knows how to work younger opposing players and beat them with a variety of set-ups. And, he’s strong. John Wall looked like what Westbrook would look like if Westbrook played within himself (with control, instead of like a maniac) and also if Westbrook could actually hit deep jumpers and 3’s like Wall can.

There’s no telling if Harden liked enough of what he saw and it convinced him that this team is just as much of a contender as some Eastern Conference team might be. Then again, some fans speculate that’s why he wants to go to an Eastern Conference team (Nets, Heat, 76ers) because the East doesn’t have…LeBron and Anthony Davis (the Lakers). It’s an easier path, in Harden’s mind, to get to an actual NBA Finals for once in his career. That’s one theory.

Another theory is that James doesn’t like to be one of the team; he likes to BE the team–He likes to be a veritable player-coach who gets to essentially run the show. The new HC ain’t gonna’ be about that type of situation, unlike the previous HC who IMO can’t coach basketball (TEAM basketball) worth a flying flip.

Whatever the outcome, whether Harden stays or leaves, this is the most excited I have been to watch the Rockets on a regular basis since…well, I can’t remember when. Wall and Cousins are good leaders on the floor. Gerald Green (Houston native, and often called “Mayor Green” by Rockets fans) is back to his old self, too. Eric Gordon looks better than he did last season. And Silas, the new HC, is moving the ball and everyone gets to actually PLAY ball. What do you think about it all?

Happy Friday, you hooligans. It’s time for the Heh Report!

Week-13-Heh-Report-Colts

Neat little series by TouchdownWire called “Mythbusters,” with this particular article tackling the infamous “no huddle” topic, especially at a quick tempo, and if it’s a fix for a passing game on a no-matter-what basis. Lastly, a monster video breakdown by Texans_Thoughts that’s just so much fun to watch, and learn, and enjoy what we’re seeing.

Mythbusters: Why no-huddle isn’t the universal cure for every ailing offense
By Doug Farrar, TouchdownWire

Excerpt: In this series, Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar dives down into the NFL’s common myths and examines what the real story is. In this installment, let’s look at the idea that the no-huddle offense, especially at a quick tempo, is a fix for a passing game on a no-matter-what basis. 

Generally speaking, when teams have success out of no-huddle, there’s an immediate “build the whole plane out of this” statement regarding the help tempo can give a passing game. But it’s not always the case. First, there are different kinds of no-huddle — it’s not always speed no-huddle. When Philip Rivers was with the Chargers, I distinctly remember a lot of no-huddle in which the Chargers would bleed the clock. That was less about forcing a defense to hurry up, and more about keeping a defense in unfavorable personnel without the ability to substitute. Second, there are instances in which it can hurt a quarterback as much as it can hurt a defense.

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Texans_Thoughts on twitter:
“As heartbreaking as the #Texans loss was to the Colts, there were plenty of positives to takeaway, and I broke them down in this video – Deshaun vs an ELITE defense – Keke Coutee and Chad Hansen showing PROMISE – Defensive formula for FUTURE success Enjoy.”

Texans Unfiltered posted an article by YoungAriGold and Texans Thoughts that delves into what they think the next Texans HC needs to possess, and I encourage everyone to read the full article. Also: In that article they’ve linked to an article at ToroTimes (Deshaun Watson: The Case for MVP 2020) that I have also posted a link to within today’s daily thread article.

All Deshaun Watson Needs Now Is His “Phil Jackson”
By YoungAriGold & Texans Thoughts

Excerpt: After Bill O’Brien was dismissed this season, my initial thought was to hire a defensive-minded HC given the holes on defense, and the fact I believe Deshaun will thrive no matter the HC. That changed for me last week; I want a HC who is going to maximize the talent of Deshaun Watson as he isn’t even close to hitting his ceiling. The Texans need to look for a HC that understands who Deshaun is as a QB, player, and person. They need to lay out their vision for the team on both sides of the ball as they impact how Deshaun can thrive.

They also need to understand they have a player that cares more than anybody else in that locker room and gives you the ability to establish a winning culture quickly. When your leader cares how Deshaun Watson does, it makes setting that culture a lot easier; it becomes infectious and spreads throughout the organization.

However, culture also needs to spawn from the top of the organization, enact the change required to become a true winning organization. The Texans need a HC that can evolve and build an organization, offense, and defense, not just one of the three. You can’t hire a HC that is looking to replicate previous success at their former team because you are doing a disservice to Deshaun at that point. He isn’t just any other QB; he is Deshaun Watson.

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Deshaun Watson: The Case for MVP 2020
By Martin Marroquin, ToroTimes (Article was posted 1 week ago, by the way)

Excerpt: Even with the pressure of playing from behind, Deshaun Watson has performed. Completing 140 of 201 passes for 1855 yards, along with 16 touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Clemson product also accounts for 87.9 percent of the Texans total offense, which is a higher percentage than any of the other three mentioned quarterbacks.

Watson is third in passing yards despite not ranking in the Top 10 in passes completed or attempted in 2020. That is due to him leading the league in yards per attempt. So even though Watson ranks 15th in pass attempts in the NFL, he is making the most of his opportunities.

As mentioned, the Houston Texans rushing attack is among the worst in the league. This should allow defenses to really focus on stopping Watson and the passing game, but that has clearly not slowed down the young quarterback.

Watson’s counterparts have the luxury of a running attack to make their jobs easier. Each of their team’s ground games are in the Top 20 in rushing yards and all three are in the Top 11 in yards per carry. To reiterate, the Texans are 31st in rushing yards and 28th in yards per rush.