The goal of small ball was to get rid of the center clogging space for driving lanes and kick out 3. Seemed like it was working early because teams were respecting the 3 which gave us driving lanes. Teams are now just packing the paint again and giving up open 3s. WB and Harden are back to driving in against 2-3 players everytime except now there's not even a threat of P&R (which especially hurts Harden). The result now is heavily contested layups, role players bricking wide open 3s, getting destroyed on rebounds, and Harden setting for contested step back 3s because the paint is clogged without a threat of his bread-and-butter P&R game. This clearly isn't working anymore. It's time for change.
Idc what the Rockets run, if they can’t shoot it doesn’t matter they were literally 4-38 from deep at 1 point against the Clippers... they were 9-32 today of course the lane will be clogged when u shoot like a bunch of Josh Smith’s from deep...not sure that required much figuring out from the opposi nt defense also, they just gave up 126 to the offensively challenged Magic and gave up 125 to the Knicks earlier It’s time to change to what exactly? All they can do is keep trotting out various small ball lineups or put in a C like Hartenstein who should never be the answer to any problem or Tyson Chandler who is basically a Walking Dead extra.
Someone tell Morey that rebounding matters. That whole "we'll probably get outrebounded but it doesn't matter because we'll hit more 3's" philosophy is pathetic. Just because we're playing smallball doesn't mean Tyson Chandler can't play in 5-10 minutes stretches. This offense & defense is a huge gimmick
truthfully, I’m not really sure what the answer is but something has to change. Maybe Green into the starting lineup for house to give us some sort of p&R.
Doubt it Average NBA player hits 35% from 3 and those are mostly contested in game time situations. NBA players (who shoot from the outside for a living) shooting open 3-pt shots in practice or shoot-around hit probably around 45% to 55% of those 500 to 800 three point attempts per practice. I’m not buying packing the paint has Rockets players forgetting how to hit 3’s. If it is a slump, I would rather the team slumps now than in the playoffs.
Slump or not our small ball is giving up like 70 points at half time to every team in the past week. Doesn't matter how hot you shoot, it's not close to being winning basketball
We need elite shooters to make the system work. Someone like Klay Thompson. We have a bunch of brick throwers instead.
Was figured out here on Clutchfans before the trade....it was figured out with Nelly and small ball years ago. IT DOESN'T ****ING WORK more than a gimmick.... DD
I missed the game (glad I did now) What's going on? Our turnovers are way up. We aren't even scoring like we are accustomed to. This team is so damn jekyll and hyde. We look great for 6 games then like bottom feeders for 4. I just don't understand it. What happened between the Boston and NY game that has led to this ?
It’s pretty simple. Without an outside threat, this system can’t work. When it is working, however, it’s very hard to beat. They need someone to be hot from outside though, and that hasn’t happened much lately. Not to mention rebounding and defensive intensity, which SHOULD be there regardless, but often isn’t with this group for whatever reason. They need to want it more than they are showing, and they need better leadership. This is a veteran group and they really shouldn’t need to be told what to do, but they sure aren’t playing like it.
Small ball would be fine if our roster wasnt filled with vet min d leaguers and nba rejects. Also if our idiot coach ran plays and had off ball movement. Its mind blowing how much more dangerous the golden state death lineups looked compared to the predictable endless chucking you see in our games
DD, I think you are one of the few in Houston who actually “get it”. Senator is another one. Keep fighting the fight as you have been 100% correct!!!
