Atlanta acquired Clint because they want to run smallball pick and roll implemented under MDA his first season with Rockets. Nets under Atkinson was also running similar offense. Now Timberwolves will be implementing this system. https://www.canishoopus.com/2020/6/3/21278459/comparing-the-rockets-skill-ball-to-the-timberwolves MDA has already moved 2 evolutions beyond that 2016 system but CF and national media continue to badmouth D'Antoni. Make no mistake that Capela is a smallball center. PJ is microball center. Russ is nanoball center. But it is all SKILLBALL per Mike.
The thing is, that system depends on a baseline assumption: size doesn't matter because the team with the most talent will win. We don't have the most talent. Which makes sense, because we're not one of the biggest spenders and talent knows its value in the NBA.
If we get home court in Orlando, we can put a sixth player on as our advantage, but what will D'antonio do.
Is he wrong though? As dumb as it, Morey/MDA/Harden ball will continue to be considered 'losing basketball' by the narrative-driving talking heads until we win a ring.
Maybe I misinterpreted the original post. I thought the posted was suggesting the MDA system isn't successful because it hasn't won a ring. If so, then yes that's textbook winners bias. If the intent of the post was strictly talking about the media perception viewing it as a failure until the Rockets win, then sure fair enough. Those are two separate arguments, and now I am unclear as to what the original poster's was specifically referring to.
The moment the league catches on the Rockets move on to something else. Never forget, the Warriors stole the Rockets ideas and ran with it. Let's go micro ball.
oh wow good point. Totally forgot about that. Rockets are just an unlucky franchise. Don't come for me when I say this: I think Royce White had Draymond Green type ability (maybe not the work ethic). I know Royce is concentrated garbage now but Draymond is 44oz of garbage juice without his elite teammates too. Morey was on to something and was leap-frogged again. All the stars and planets will align one of these days.
Gotcha, ya now I'm a bit confused by the wording. I think they were referring to media perception - as in 'the bashing will continue'.
How stupid are you? A small-ball center? You idiot? How, why, and what the hell is a small ball center? Clint Capela is a center. His physical profile, instincts, and skill set all go into what a traditional center has. There is nothing small about him. Otherwise Hakeem was also a small-ball center, and so was Bill Russell. And for whatever Capela is, how does D’Antoni get credit for that? Small-ball center...A rim-running big man, something that has existed since the inception of the league, and D’Antoni invented it? No he has the idea of going super small, which is proven to not be viable even short-term because guys get spent easily, and he’s a genius to you? D’Antoni is misusing the last several rosters he’s had with low-will beta male coaching that allows Harden to play with zero discipline. And he doesn’t coach defense. He’s mediocre at best and nothing he’s done has proved otherwise.