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The Rockets have never had visions of becoming the Phoenix Suns

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by ReD_1, Dec 27, 2007.

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  1. ReD_1

    ReD_1 Rookie

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    http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Rockets_hoping_to_pick_up_the_-249656-34.html

    HOUSTON -- During training camp and even the preseason, Luther Head was convinced that the Rockets could push the tempo to get some easy baskets in transition.

    He isn't sure why the Rockets have gotten away from that over the first quarter of the season.

    "We got to get out and run," Head said. "We can't win games if we keep walking the ball up the floor. We're not getting any transition points. We were trying to get better at that in the beginning of the year, but we lost track of doing that."

    The Rockets are hoping to change that.

    Nearly three months into the season, the Rockets are once again making an effort to push the ball heading into Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons.

    The Rockets (12-14) have struggled throughout the season to generate consistent scoring. They're averaging 94.4 points -- good enough for 22nd in the league -- and rank among the league's lowest in shooting percentage and three-point shooting.

    Why have the Rockets struggled so much? Houston has had trouble finding another scoring option when opposing teams double Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady and have settled for jumpers through their half-court offense rather than getting looks near the rim.

    Since that's the case, the Rockets are hoping to get more easy buckets by pushing the ball up the floor from the defensive end. Houston hadn't been doing that even though it was a focus coming into the season.

    "If a team scores against us, we need to get the ball in fast," Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "We can't bounce it a few times and let the defense get set. We gotta get it out, get it up and get it to the hole. We could really help our offense by getting some easy baskets."

    The Rockets have never had visions of becoming the Phoenix Suns.

    But even with that being the case, Houston came into the season hoping to get more buckets in transition. Rick Adelman had his team push the ball up the floor in training camp and the preseason, hoping his team would get into its offense more quickly.

    So far, the Rockets haven't been able to maintain that pace. Houston is averaging a mere 8.1 fast-break points per game, ranking 28th in the league among 29 teams. Only Minnesota is getting less.

    Adelman admits he is a bit surprised that his team has struggled to push the ball. But he still confident that the Rockets are capable of doing it.

    "I did not expect it to be as difficult as it's been," Adelman said. "We don't get easy baskets. Guys get used to playing a certain way, though, and sometimes it takes a while to break that. Frankly, we've shot it so poorly as a group that it's even more glaring. I think the more opportunities we get to push the ball will just help us in the long run. We just have to keep working on it."

    The Rockets could have a tough time doing that against the Pistons. Detroit is, after all, one of the league's best defensive teams and doesn't give up much in transition.

    But the Rockets realize the most important thing is that they have to try pushing the tempo more than they have over the first 26 games.

    "We need to get out that habit of walking it up," Head said. "We have to get some easier buckets."



    Reading this story I found intersting that Houston Rockets have never had visions of becoming Phoenix Suns?!
    We changed def coach to a offensive minded coach,that plays free offense where everybody can make plays,high motion offense,added some pieces over the summer but forgot one thing.
    These are mostly JVG type of the players,that are more focused on defense rather on shooting or offense in general.
    T-Mac said offense works great,so I'll buy that,we'll see.
     
    #1 ReD_1, Dec 27, 2007
  2. James23

    James23 Member

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    With Yao and a group of average to below average shooters, how could the Rockets play like the Suns? Alston is not even a shadow of Kidd or Nash. I have seen Yao throws good outlet passes to Alston and T-mac, and they rarely push the ball up to attack the defense.

    In order for the Rockets to win with this group of players, Yao has to be at the low post, dominating 75-80% of the time. Score or draw foul first before looking to pass to the Head or Alston.
     
    #2 James23, Dec 27, 2007
  3. TeamUSA

    TeamUSA Member

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    With Yao on the lineup, there's no way we can be like Suns.
     
    #3 TeamUSA, Dec 27, 2007
  4. EssTooKayTD

    EssTooKayTD Contributing Member

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    I've been recently saying in talks with friends and fellow fans that we should just start taking shots early in the shot clock. Take the first shot available to you that looks good. Stop trying to force a play that is busted or cut off. If you miss, you miss. But you get more possessions now. Yao runs the break decently enough. He's rearely ever going to be leading it, but he can be a trailer like many other big men.

    Start jacking up *open* shots, not just any shot. Start doing something different.

    Just my take. Probably just some frustration talking though.
     
    #4 EssTooKayTD, Dec 27, 2007
  5. Omer

    Omer Member

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    The Suns actually make their shots in a hurry.

    We can't make our wide open shots in the 5 seconds that we have to shoot them.
     
    #5 Omer, Dec 27, 2007
  6. ind0fo0

    ind0fo0 Contributing Member

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    luther is right- and that is truly when he plays best
    just look at his ability to shoot the fast break 3 ball (ie- denver 4th q)

    BECOME FASTER!
     
    #6 ind0fo0, Dec 27, 2007
  7. oneonepyopyo

    oneonepyopyo Member

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    Why we need to be playing like the Suns? :p Why we dont pick a Champ team to study? :D
     
    #7 oneonepyopyo, Dec 27, 2007
  8. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

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    When you have 4-5 scorers on the floor this is a good plan. But it's impossible with Rafer and Chuck in the starting lineup. With those two starting, we only have 2 1/4 offensive options each time down the court. I exaggerate only slightly.
     
    #8 A_3PO, Dec 27, 2007
  9. MR. MEOWGI

    MR. MEOWGI Contributing Member

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    Shane is more of a problem than Rafer imo.

    Why do we want a motion offense again?
     
    #9 MR. MEOWGI, Dec 27, 2007
  10. ReD_1

    ReD_1 Rookie

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    Because Greg Popovich and Rick Adelman have nothing in common except they lead teams from Texas.
     
    #10 ReD_1, Dec 27, 2007
  11. ReD_1

    ReD_1 Rookie

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    When you ask scouts all round the league which team is the most difficult to scout they answer you - "Rick Adelman teams".Why?High motion offense basicly puts every player in organizing position.
    It's all on motion and speed and we have JVG type of players that were supposed to adjust to that.
    Mac said offense looks good I'll buy that.

    Isn't it lil'bit sarcastic.Houston Rockets never wanted to be Phoenix Suns,they even changed floor and it looks like the one in ARIZONA!
     
    #11 ReD_1, Dec 27, 2007
  12. MR. MEOWGI

    MR. MEOWGI Contributing Member

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    The offense looks good, the offensive players not so much.
     
    #12 MR. MEOWGI, Dec 27, 2007
  13. ReD_1

    ReD_1 Rookie

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    They're proffesionals,they NEED to adjust.
     
    #13 ReD_1, Dec 27, 2007
  14. JayZ750

    JayZ750 Contributing Member

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    I disagree. I think Yao would be a great fit on the Suns, and guarantee you they'd trade Amare for Yao. Yao doesn't have Amare's athleticism, of course, but not all of the Suns points come on fast breaks either. Yao would be a great half-court option for them, and provide a solid middle of the paint defender.

    I've said this in a number of threads this year, but I'll repeat, I don't think Yao impacts the type of offense that should be ran. Of course, Yao is more effective in the low post, and close to the basket. BUT, with his increased stamina, I see no reason why Yao can't be an extremely effective player at 35-38 minutes per game when half court scoring is needed.

    The problem, imo, is that our other superstar, Tracy, who would be the star to take the cue from on a faster attack, is also a very slow, half-court player. Nothing against T-Mac...dude's an amazing player, scorer, gifted passer, solid rebounder and can be a great defender when he wants to....but he just doesn't run on breaks...when he gets the outlet pass he doesn't push the break...heck even if its just a mini-break 3 on 3 type thing, where when one of your 3 is T-Mac, would hope for an easy basket, Tracy will pull it back. The rest of the guard play feeds of this slower paced energy.

    When your 2 best offensive players aren't good in the fast break, your team won't be either.
     
    #14 JayZ750, Dec 27, 2007
  15. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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    Did Tmac get the memo, or was he busy denying the MRI?

    RUN RUN RUN !!!!

    Early offense.....

    MOVE IT OR LOSE IT !!

    DD
     
    #15 DaDakota, Dec 27, 2007
  16. MR. MEOWGI

    MR. MEOWGI Contributing Member

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    Yeah, and maybe Brooks can ADJUST to playing center...
     
    #16 MR. MEOWGI, Dec 27, 2007
  17. ydqkang

    ydqkang Member

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    The point is the other can't shoot wide open,Sucks!
    Force them to practice 1000 free throws everyday.
     
    #17 ydqkang, Dec 27, 2007
  18. wolverinemich

    wolverinemich Member

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    Phoenix run-and-gun suns has not won and will never win a champ.

     
    #18 wolverinemich, Dec 27, 2007
  19. battousai

    battousai Member

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    u want to run and play at a faster pace? then u need a PG and guards that can run and shoot.

    alston can't run consistly up and down the court, he usually a pace faster than Yao. Tmac don't run anymore he like to settle for jumpers.

    we got no players that can finish around the basket. if we run who's gonna finish it?

    Suns got nash to push the ball and he's cak by barabosa who can run.
    they got marion, amare to finish it around the basket. we don't have any players that can do that, except for bonzi.

    we need to play Head, AB, sydner more, as at least those guys can run and finish around the basket a bit better than alston, james, and out of shape SF.

    the missing piece is an upgrade PG.
     
    #19 battousai, Dec 28, 2007
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