Of all the Rockets documented problems, I think that the most severe is their inability to remain indisciplined on offense. Personnel wise, we're lacking a couple of things. But the squad we have is actually fairly good, especially if we get healthy. But I think we've got a real problem with wasting possessions. This tends to happen: (a) early in the game before any rhythm is established, (b) any time we get a bit of a cushion, no matter how small, and (c) when McGrady is on the bench, and the team is having trouble making the entry pass to a (usually open) Yao. During these periods (and sometimes we have several such possessions consecutively), the problem isn't that we can't get anything going - we don't wait long enough. The problem is that we put players in a position where they won't succeed. Some examples: (a) posting Swift up more than about 6 feet away from the basket (b) using isos for Howard when either McGrady or Yao is on the court (and sometimes, we doit when they're both on the court) (c) Taking contested shots with lots of time left on the shot clock We do all of these things far too frequently. We're particularly susceptible when we're up by 5-10 points. Such a lead isn't big enough that you can take possessions off or do luxury-type things...but we tend to, anyway. If we could eliminate these sorts of mistakes (entirely mental, not remotely skill oriented or athletic deficiencies) I think we could add 4-6 points to our total per game - enough to change us from a good team to an elite team.
I think the exact opposite...they are TOO disciplined and restrained on offense..they need more freedom and more variety on offense, which they've been showing as of late...but Van Gundy needs to let them run a little more and get easier baskets...
van gundy is definitely not holding them back from running. this team could benefit from alot more easy buckets and jvg is aware of that, you can see it on the sideline.
see, he keeps saying that and I do see him where he says "push it" but there's no evidence that this team wants to run...we're last in fast break points, and everytime we go to halfcourt, we get into a set play, not just look for the first and easiest shot...so I believe hes just saying "we want to run" to save face, not because he actually wants to...
You're confusing two different concepts. Playing a "freewheeling" and running style of game has absolutely nothing to do with discipline. Extremely disciplined teams run all the times. Indiscipline occurs when players fail to operate according to the game plan. This happens when the team fails to utilize its strengths and avoid plays that accent a weakness. I'm not saying we run too much. I'm not saying we extemporize too much. My argument is that we frequently fail to work play so as to maximize each possession. If you disagree, why do you think that offensively limited players should play into their limitations?
Are you saying that when McGrady is on the bench, Yao is usually left open and not (at least) double-teamed at all times?
Argh! That comment was actually tongue-in-cheek to an extent. I will say, though, that our team isn't precisely stellar at getting the ball to Yao no matter how open he is.
They're not "stellar", but I am willing to bet they're better at it than most other teams in the league.
Having Ryan Bowen and Deke take shots outside of their range, early in the shotclock, is not good. If they can't dunk, or lay it in, they should not shoot the ball unless the shotclock is clearing it's throat. Find a better shot.
whatever you want to call it, ryan bowen taking 11 shots and like 9 of them not being layups, is BAD offense. they should have just pulled him. regardless, their offense is just awful.
I think Worrel or Bullard said it. Bowen should only be on the floor when both TMac and Yao are in. That way, we can afford to play 4 on 5 on offense. Otherwise, teams are daring Bowen to take wide open shots, which he hits about 10% of the times.
I won't waste too much time analyzing this squad's offense. We're trying to make-do w/o our point guards and also missing 2 other guards who'd be seeing minutes. They're doing pretty good.
Hey, does the word "coaching" come to mind for anyone other than me as being the real problem when reading the above analysis ?
