Kitten Steps...

[MacBeth]

Almost lost amidst the general hoopla surrounding the Rockets win over the high flying Sacramento Kings last night was the intriguing and hopefully telling play of one Cuttino Mobley. At first glance it would appear to be yet another typical game for the Cat of old...5 of 15 shooting, only 2 trips to the line...and it would be easy to chalk it up to another night of chucking. But it would be wrong...A closer look at the numbers, and a review of game tape reveals something a little bit extra, a little bit different, and hopefully, a little bit of what is to come : Mobley was generally playing smart, team oriented ball.

One of Mobley's flaws in the past has been that he gets the ball, fixes his eyes on the hoop like a man possessed, and drives or shoots with only one thing in mind: score. This year, and particularly last night, he often penetrated and dished off, not wild off balance shots which were forced by the fact that even he had to concede that the shot available was unrealistic, but calm, premeditated, in the flow passes to open teammates. Sure, he still put up 15 shots, but he could have put up a lot more last night, especially in the second half, and a year ago he would have. It's not a huge leap here, more of a baby step, but it's progress,and frankly I didn't really see it coming.

Another area in which the Cat took kitten steps last night was in the secondary, non-scoring scheme of things...7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and get this, only one turnover ! Additionally, his opponent, the previously hot Doug Christie, managed only 6 points on 2 of 8 shooting. This quiet but extremely effective all around night may have been drowned out by the thunder of Yao Ming and the lightning of the Franchise, but it was an important contribution to the win, and possibly a huge portent for the future.

The previously held to be selfish and not-too-bright Mobley is showing signs of the light going on, and the attitude adjusing to a different role. If this continues, I will be forced to admit that I was wrong about him, and as much as I hate to do that in general, I will be very happy to have to do that in this case. If Mobley continues to take the steps towards limiting his scoring game while simultaneously expanding his contributions and effectiveness in other areas, we are one huge step closer to being a complete team, and one with the Old Gang still intact.

I had always thought it possible that Mobley might be able to adjust to Yao et al by limiting his shooting; even an idiot could see the writing on the wall, but I never suspected he'd be able to compensate for that by elevating the rest of his game...It is looking like he can, and is. Let's hope that he continues to take the baby steps he showed last night; they're heading in the right direction.

[A-Train]

It's nice to know you're putting that degree in English to good use, MacBeth....Now get back to the fryer...and don't forget to salt the fries this time!! :D

I think Cat learned last year that he will probably never be the #1 option on an NBA team, but if he's utilized correctly, he can be an excellent player. I want to see him coming of more screens for jumpers. He has an excellent, high arcing jump shot, but he usually has a defender in his face when he is releasing it off the dribble. He also has one of the quickest first steps in the league. Another thing I noticed is that, last year, if Cat brought the ball up the court, you KNEW that he was going to shoot it...it was like clockwork....Now, he's starting to defer to Yao and Steve...

Dollar for dollar, I'd say that Cat is the best value among NBA shooting guards...

[Rileydog]

I completely agree. I've always thought that the key to this team making it to the next level is Cuttino Mobley shifting his energies from just scoring, to doing all the other things he did last night . . . defending, rebounding, passing.

But, one night does not a transition make. Hopefully, it's a start of something Big for Cuttino.

[xcharged]

I heard reports (Philly post game with Bill & Calvin) that while The Cat was out he spent his time reviewing games and taking notes on player positioning in the offense.

definitely paying off!

[Raven Lunatic]

Last night was a great example of what Cat needs to do for this team to be successful. I can only think of one play where he took a shot that had me scratching my head. He was on the left baseline not far from the 3 point line and another defender started moving towards him to double team. Eddie Griffin, who was very hot from behind the arc last night, was wide open at the 3 point line and Cat opted to take a long, fadeaway jumper that didn't stand a chance. I was upset, but the fact that it was the only time I was upset with his play last night is very telling. I have been critical of Cat in the past and I have questioned his ability to adapt to the new Yao Ming offense. He answered a lot of my questions.

I get more and more excited about this team with each passing day.

[arno_ed]

as usual a great post by Macbeth.
i think Mobley is getting smarter and plays more intelligent than he did last year.i always liked cat.But if he is shooting less, and passes more to Yao Ming i like that.

[MacBeth]

Originally posted by xcharged
I heard reports (Philly post game with Bill & Calvin) that while The Cat was out he spent his time reviewing games and taking notes on player positioning in the offense.

definitely paying off!

I hope that that's true, and moreover I hope that it takes long term. That's the kind of thing you hear a lot of, and then a few games later it's forgotten, as old habits resurface....Let's all cross our fingers.

[ChenZhen]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this yet...but Stevie said they had a team meeting gathering everybody together prior to the game just to talk about passing and getting teammates involved (Did Stevie called this meeting?)...I think this has something to do with Cat's willingness to pass yesterday...Cat's D is really impressive this year!

[heypartner]

ChenZhen,

Glen Rice called the meeting. It was in the Chronicle today.

[studogg]

the reason i love this website is for the intelligent posts of people like Macbeth. Please keep your commentary coming.

[Raven Lunatic]

Originally posted by heypartner
ChenZhen,

Glen Rice called the meeting. It was in the Chronicle today.

Oh good, so maybe he contributed SOMETHING to the win last night. He sure as hell didn't do anything in the game.

[Panda]

HIRE Rice as the Coach!

[ChenZhen]

Originally posted by Raven Lunatic
Oh good, so maybe he contributed SOMETHING to the win last night. He sure as hell didn't do anything in the game.

Rice is our only veteran leader on the squad...he's very important to this young squad...

I mentioned this before but its kinda ironic yesterday because two times we had a 3 on 1 and 3 on 0 fast break (correct me if I'm wrong) and Rice decides to pull up for the three and throw up a brick...

[studogg]

Originally posted by Raven Lunatic
Oh good, so maybe he contributed SOMETHING to the win last night. He sure as hell didn't do anything in the game.

I don't know if you noticed or not, but defense is a team concept and Rice played excellently within that

[saleem]

Macbeth, I would like to read your analysis about the overall game last night including the right and wrong things as well and what do you think we need to improve on.
Your comments about Mobley are greatly appreciated.

[Raven Lunatic]

Originally posted by studogg
I don't know if you noticed or not, but defense is a team concept and Rice played excellently within that

I didn't notice because Rice really wasn't in the game much...because he was sucking. Rice didn't get embarassed on defense, but I wouldn't go as far as saying that he was excellent last night. Peja didn't drive past him much...but then again Peja wasn't looking to drive much having just come off an injury.

[Clutch]

I was saying in the chat room last night that I was real impressed with Mobley's play, how he had 4 assists in the first half and how well he led the second team in the second quarter.

Then with the Kings charging like madmen in the fourth quarter and the Rockets desperately needing to regain poise (up 9 with about 6 minutes left), Mobley got that key offensive board - perfect for the Rockets since they got a new 24 and would be able to set up the offense and use some clock.

Turn. Fire. Jack. I went from pumped to just stunned. Some times I just will not understand the guy ... seems like the bare minimum basketball IQ level required to be an NBA caliber ballplayer would say it's common sense not to shoot that ball. He did. Kings announcers tore him a new one for it too.

Otherwise a great game by him, but still lapses of poor judgement.

[MacBeth]

Originally posted by saleem
Macbeth, I would like to read your analysis about the overall game last night including the right and wrong things as well and what do you think we need to improve on.
Your comments about Mobley are greatly appreciated.

I honestly don't have time tonight, saleem, but I appreciate your asking, and will try to get something thrown together tomorrow...

[MacBeth]

Originally posted by Clutch
I was saying in the chat room last night that I was real impressed with Mobley's play, how he had 4 assists in the first half and how well he led the second team in the second quarter.

Then with the Kings charging like madmen in the fourth quarter and the Rockets desperately needing to regain poise (up 9 with about 6 minutes left), Mobley got that key offensive board - perfect for the Rockets since they got a new 24 and would be able to set up the offense and use some clock.

Turn. Fire. Jack. I went from pumped to just stunned. Some times I just will not understand the guy ... seems like the bare minimum basketball IQ level required to be an NBA caliber ballplayer would say it's common sense not to shoot that ball. He did. Kings announcers tore him a new one for it too.

Otherwise a great game by him, but still lapses of poor judgement.


LOL! I swear, Clutch, when I wrote this I distinctly remembered you and I discussing just that play on-line last night, and I was going to mention it as a qualifier, but forgot to...and then I couldn't get in to edit once I'd realized that I'd omitted it...I agree that it was a sign that the old Cat hasn't completely left the building, but I do think he is taking baby steps in the ight direction...even if he isn't ready for daycare yet.

[Yodels]

Before the preseason started I was a little worried about our guard play. Although we're usually praised for it, I never thought we played sound, high percentage basketball in the past.

Although I've seen flashes of improvement this year, I hadn't seen something to be excited about until the King's game. Francis, Mobes, and Mooch love to dribble the ball when we're in transition as well as when they make an offensive move in the halfcourt to create defensive shifts in the opponent. In the King's game I saw many instances where we kept the ball hoppin during our advances to the front court. This is smarter basketball...it gives us a chance to attack the basket before the defense has any time to get set. Also, instead of 'shake and bake' from the perimeter to create space between them (guards) and their oppoenent, I noticed times when they used a teammate to achieve the same effect. Case in point:

1. Francis gives the ball to Ming in the left block. Francis then 'shakes and bakes' without the ball, creates space between he and his opponent, gets the ball from Ming for an easy layup. I don't know if you guys remember this...

2. Mooch gives the ball the Ming in the left block. Mooch runs baseline to receive a nifty pass from Ming for another easy layup...

...As this thread is about the kitten steps of the Cat...I saw some noggin out there...feeding the post when a post player has his man sealed...I know that isn't much but it sometimes never happened in the past...driving to the hoop, make the defensive man commit and dishing off for the higher percentage play...

I was happy to see Cat...I've missed his jumper and his knack to slither in for a layup...his defense has been good...if he continues to pass like he has, he may transform to Joe Dumars.

[derrock]

Cuttino's defense last game has been briefly mentioned but I think we should better acknowledge his efforts. Christie came in on Tuesday nite averaging nearly 20pts, 7ast, and 60% FG, 60% 3PT. He came out of the game 2-8FG, 0-4 3PT, and only 6PTS. And I know we didn't play much zone either. Christie's not the key like Iverson is but he's played well all season. With Cuttino's athleticism and strength, he could be a very good defender. His only problem is his height so it'll be interesting to see how he does against the taller-jump-over-you guards such as Kobe or Finley. But from what I've seen, the effort is there and defense certainly starts with effort.

[Pat]

I think we are all pretty happy with the Sac game. Catino's all around play was definately improved. The only point I want to add to, or differ on, from MacBeth's post was the phrase of "only one turnover" for Mobley.

In my opinion he has several turnovers a game that do not show up in the box score. Jacking up a low percentage shot, out of synch with the offense (ie not much chance for a rebound) is the same thing as a turnover (ie often leads to a fast break for the opponent). This shows up as a missed shot attempt, not as a turnover and not as the overall negative effect it had on the game. By the way, I didn't see a lot of jack ups by Mobley, just want to make a point about statistics.

To further that point; Glen Rice. Is it possible that his calling a meeting was the thing that won the game. Is it possible that was the single most important action of the game. If this turns out to be the game that gives us confidence, promotes team play. and sets the tone for the season, then Glen 1-7 Rice is the key. Maybe not, but maybe yes.

My point being stats don't show everything, and sometimes miss the most obvious aspects of the game.