Mchale goes small because lack of shooter to space floor at PF spot. But then we can get killed on D & rebounding at PF position. It's a win loose situation until MOREY gets a TRUE PF that can space the floor or C like all other playoff teams in the west have
McHale said yesterday that he was deliberately going small despite TJ's return because Thad Young is more of a SF/PF than a traditional 4. Funny thing is that Thad only played about 20 minutes (inexplicably IMO, bc he was playing pretty well) -- yet we kept trotting out the lineup that was allegedly intended to counter him.
Small ball needs to stop? That's the thread title and I've yet to see mentioned who could have really helped us last night, assuming he's healthy, and had Morey not let him go. Chuck Hayes.
I agree you can't be one dimensional but you can't say "Stop Small Ball" entirely. Only stop it if it's not working. It worked for us during our 4 game win streak. That's like saying "Stop Using Jabs" in boxing. It's part of your arsenal. You have to use all the tools in your toolbox to be successful. Mix it up.
Subpar defender, but he averaged ~7 rebounds a game playing a full season next to Dwight. Not sure there's any way to argue that's not more of an advantage on the boards than we have w/ this current lineup -- though putting him back in the starting lineup creates a different set of issues where spacing is concerned, so.... eh. Speaking of spacing -- isn't part of the rationale behind going small to give Harden/Ty room to drive to the basket? Why are they not?
I haven't a clue about Harden but that's just the way Lawson plays now. Near the end of Karl's tenure with the Nuggets he got really frustrated at Lawson for settling for the jumper instead of attacking the basket. Could be an age thing. Undersized PGs have the rep for going downhill fast as they near or hit 30. Maybe he doesn't have the legs to play like that anymore. Not a loss of speed, but stamina.
Especially since going small ball was the main reason why the Rockets climbed out of that 0-3 hole to start the season to at least be at a respectable .500 mark right now. They couldn't get a rebound last night because Dwight was trying to block too much, and the wings/guards were leaking out too much, and not helping. Bad chemistry with your shot blocking center to "help the helper" is basic 101 basketball on how to get killed on the glass.
I was referring to going small earlier this season. Sorry, I'm not sure that was clear. I think last night was McHale trying to ride the wave until it died out. He already looked like a fool because he didn't play MC the first two games. He probably thought they'd squeeze out a win.
Are we really just going to blame this loss on our PF situation? Really? You can give Mchale T Jones and D mo, we would still lose games like this. Mchale hides behind Harden iso, when it doesn't work, when Harden is off (Like all Humans, sometimes are.) that's it we're done.
we lost at home to the winless nyets b/c mchale doesn't have LMA or blake or even ZBo to plug in at the 4 spot. he can only work with the threadbare roster given to him, he's not a miracle worker. before you judge him, try hard to love him, look in your heart and ask, have you seen his childhood? he's yearning for that etch-a-sketch in his dreams...
I know, Harden iso makes Ariza miss wide open layups, Harden iso makes Capela miss a point blank dunk, Harden iso makes Brewer miss everything, Harden iso makes us get out rebounded, Harden iso make Beverly miss everything. Harden iso makes Lawson lost outhere even when Harden is on the bench, Harden iso makes Harden miss wide open 3s But somehow Howard and Thornton seem to flourish... Or maybe I see a lot of sucking and a lack of pride in many of these players. But coach fault for them not performing why they did even under the same coach. STOP blaming the coach these are grown mans who need to weak up or be traded.
