Watchability

What makes the game watchable or unwatchable to you?

With the return of Beverley, who brings an elite-level defensive effort and all around swagger, (for me) the Rockets become a more “watchable” team. With the emergency of Terrance Jones, this team becomes more dynamic. Without them, this team’s watchability falls off for me.

Let me back up and give perspective on where I come from. I’ve listened or watched nearly every Rockets game since 1982 (I was 9 years old). I used to lie in my bunk bed as a kid and forego my homework so I could listen to Gene Peterson and Jim Foley call Rockets games. Gene’s unabashed homerism was pure gold.

I remember when Akeem was drafted and watched his skills emerge. THAT was watchable. The Dream shake, the reverse pivot deke moves, the handles, the spin moves, the absolute dismantling of his peers both offensively and defensively (I’m looking at you, Robinson). Dream…unfortunately…is my baseline. Now I have a one-in-a-million talent as my standard. Great.

Ralph Sampson handling the rock at 7’4” was watchable. Vernon Maxwell’s vicious unpredictability and swagger was watchable. Sam Cassell’s cold-blooded shot taking was watchable. Always fun to see if Sam could get hot and keep Kenny on the bench in the 4th quarter.

Barkley was watchable because of his tenacious rebounding, underrated passing out of the post and mouth. Mostly his mouth. I can hear Peterson’s voice now “Barkley on the low post…backing it in….backing it in…looking for the illegal defense call from the ref….backing it in….he spins to the right for two! Malone wanted a hooking call there but the refs didn’t see one”
Francis was watchable because of his fearlessness in taking the ball to the rim….and desire to posterize everybody. Dropping the ball off to Pig Miller after the penetration was UNwatchable.

T-Mac was watchable. When healthy (and happy) he could do anything on the court. Need 13 points in 35 seconds? Done. Need to shut down Dirk Nowitski? Done. Yao was watchable due to his ridiculous size, intelligence and incredible touch.

Now Harden is special…and teamed with Asik last year was very watchable. I love Harden’s “old man” offensive game, his vision, his unselfishness and intelligence. This year though, I am so infuriated with his UNWATCHABLE and lackadaisical defensive effort. Fortunately with Beverley back, his passion for defense raises all boats, and as a teammate, you don’t want to look like you’re being outworked. Hopefully Harden increases the defensive effort.

And now we get to Howard. Count me as one who was super excited Morey got him. Many an unproductive work days were lost anticipating Morey’s moves to get him. Now he’s here, but I’m not as excited as I thought I would be. I’m not getting the DUNK ON ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY effort I thought I would get. THAT would be watchable. Nor am I getting the elite-level game changing defense I thought $20.51 million was buying me. Howard’s not embarrassing enough opponents to my liking. I don’t know about you, but if I were Howard, after getting blocked and muscled by Robin Lopez, I would demand the ball low and do everything in my power to dunk all over that guy. I would do it repeatedly until he either fouled out or they switched defenders.

Here’re another unexpected (and irrational) concern of mine. I’m disappointed Morey hasn’t made a move! Not that I want him to make a move just to make one (and thank god he didn’t deal Asik for Bass and whatever else Boston was offering), but I’m so accustomed to seeing something new and different in terms of lineup/roster changes that I’ve become bored! Ridiculous I know.

So here’s my pie in the sky brainfart to improve watchability for me going forward, ranked from easily implementable to Dream scenario (pun intended)

1. Give Terrance Jones more touches in the post.
2. Keep Lin coming off the bench. He’s getting better and he can get to the rim. Doesn’t draw enough fouls, but he can run the pick and roll. When we get Asik back, the pick and roll will be dangerous.
3. Lets see more of Montiejunas and Covington. See what we have. I secretly love Montiejunas’ game. You can see a lot of Sabonis in the way he plays. At the very least, you’re increasing his trade value. No doubt he can give you 10 and 5 on a nightly basis.
4. Get some nasty defenders on the bench who can shoot 3s. Steven Jackson. Avery Bradley. Matt Barnes. Tyler Hansbrough. Guys you hate unless they’re on your team (see Artest, Ron). We need a little “something” to balance out and perhaps influence that smiling fool Howard. I want to go to Indy, or OKC, or LAC and push some dudes around. Be the aggressor.
5. Complement those defenders with an unconscious scorer off the bench. Jamal Crawford unconscious. Sam Cassell consconscious.
6. Here’s my Dream scenario….at the end of the season, assuming he declares for the draft, trade whatever player necessary for the rights to draft Joel Embiid. Dude is the closest thing to a second coming of Olajuwon I’ve seen since….well 1983!

I don’t know how to embed videos, but check this out –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Irvvb7Y4-w

I know one move does not an Olajuwon make, but before you complain, read what Bill Self says about Embiid. Watch his youtube highlights, understand Embiid’s background. It’s frighteningly similar to a young Nigerian who took a taxi ride to meet Guy Lewis. Then ask yourself, is this watchable? And can you win with this kind of talent?

What would make this team watchable to you? And how will it make us win more games?

 

Good for you, but you don't get the premise of my post. I'm asking for critical thought here, not your measure of allegience.

 

I'm giving you my perspective to provide context and facilitate conversation and asking you to describe your perspective.

Apparently reading comprehension is a fleeting skill set.

 

But what about the players and style of play? What draws you to watch other than pure allegience (which, for the overly-sensitive simpletons, is not in question).

 

-- THIS.

Team play. Sharing the ball. Backdoor passes. Princeton-offense type people and ball movement.

 

I agree. Watchability is important, but if you ain't winning games, who cares. Gotta win. Why can't we demand both though?