We have all the right people to fix this, but there always seems to be something in our way... T-Mac: Before the season, he said in every interview that his plan was to set-up Yao early to open up the game for him later. I haven't seen that. He's still playing passively in the fourth quarter -- his shot selection has been great, but it is a rare moment when T-Mac looks to attack. We could use that if we want to open up Yao again later in the fourth. Bonzi: We all know he's not there. That's the issue. His game is a perfect median between Yao and our three point shooters. Having him in the line-up would make the spacing extremely difficult to get that extra man in Yao's vicinity. Novak: If we are to rely on threes, it makes sense to have our best shooter in the game. But... I hate to say it, but JVG is right in keeping him on the bench. Novak has not looked ready in any minute he has been on the floor. It's upsetting just how fast he can leave a negative impression, honestly. Spanoulis: The boy can run. His frantic style of offense lets him get to the hoop whenever he wants. He just needs to improve his decision making and rid his turn-over machine image in JVG's mind. Fourth quarter posessions are too important -- it's one thing to miss a shot, but another thing to give the ball away (often resulting in a fastbreak). Every one of these players can pretty much single-handedly fix all of our issues in the fourth. It's going to take them stepping up, and JVG becoming a little more willing to experiment, but the personnel is definately there.
I really like the wide-open 3 that Mcgrady dished to Battier in the 4th Qtr. When he dribbled the ball into the paint, the Memphis had two men on him and another two players on Yao. So their 5th player virtually had to guard the other three Rockets player at the same time. Mcgrady saw it and he passed the ball to the wide-open Battier for a 3. I love it.
