I think teams are starting to practice beating a zone more too. Houston isn’t the only team throwing out zones these days. This year in particular teams seem to be experimenting with much deeper press sets than in years past. I think the use of zones and full court presses is no longer a novelty and teams are starting to prepare for it more thoughtfully meaning Houston will in turn need to adapt with new wrinkles.
I think this is a very underrated point. We have to remember this is still a relatively new team playing a new way, guys are in different roles, our pecking order has changed fundamentally, etc. 100% that causes us to work at a less than optimal level and I think you are on to something that Houston still needs to figure out how to work together in crunch time and we have ultimately fumbled those games so far this year. It’s going to take some time for sure but I think your point is really good perspective for where they are as a team right now(not necessarily individually as players)
To give the Rockets a chance on the defensive glass and (somewhat) to protect the rim, the zone defense should be limited to the double-big lineup unless the other team is playing a small lineup.
Spurs are a problem. I say play off Fox and Castle in the halfcourt pack the paint and trap Wemby every time. But alternate on sets and sometimes trap Fox as well before he gets a one on one or high screen. Get the ball out and press the other guys to make a play.
Reed initiates our offense as a ball handler better than Amen. Once Reed can hold his own from getting hunted on defense he'll start over Okogie...
We don't want to say that no FVV is having an effect, because "#1 offense!" without him. But a sure handed point guard like FVV brings more cohesion.
We're missing an enforcer. Tari could've taken on that role, but I think the contract negotiations killed any enthusiasm for that. In the playoffs with the Drays and Lu Dorts of the world, we're going to get stepped on.
Ehh. Books need drama, risk and a high potential. Sheppard is just going to grow gradually into what we expect. Wouldn't really be sticking my neck out.
Our coach cusses out Lebron James, Adams picks enforcers up like they're toddlers, Amen throws people across the court, Tari/DFS/Okogie are tough as nails. The rest of the guys may not be known for toughness but they're 6'10+ (Capela, Durant, Jabari). Absolutely no one is messing with us. Teams like the Pistons make a lot of noise but it's performative. We are naturally the toughest team in the NBA. People hate facing us. Opposing coaches constantly say we punked them. If that's not enough toughness then we're just not talented enough to win imo.
Gotta admit, even as a big fan of Tari for his love of the game, I wonder if he’s being cautious about injury with no contract. Not that he’s dogging it on defense,,,he’s just not dawging as much.
Nah, Adams is intimidating but he's not an enforcer. If Draymond smashes someone in the head with an elbow is he going to retaliate with an elbow of his own? Nope.
Ime's not out on the court getting physical, all bark no bite. Not an enforcer. Don't need Adams to pick people up, need him to retaliate in kind if someone throws an elbow to a temple. And his value staying on the court outweighs him getting ejected, so not an ideal enforcer. Amen's wild, but we need him to produce on the court, not get ejected. Tari/DFS/Okogie I can see pushing people back, but to do the dirty work? Nah.
I think we can beat any team in the league with our current roster except OKC. They just have have elite defensive players everywhere and even worse, they are really well coached defensively. I think our current roster would average 27 turnovers per game against them in the playoffs. We need another guy who can dribble against pressure and coordinate the offense. Reed is looking so much better especially because of the shooting. I would still love to have Derrick White here but I'm willing to accept a great backup PG instead. Jose Alvarado and TJ McConnell would both fit this roster.
We are doing ok, but we are not great at having a plan - we should be trying to get out best shooters the ball in a place they do well, every time, there should be plays run designed to make that happen - instead we still rely too much on pure athleticism, and we are having guys trying to make plays that should be shooting at the end of the play and are turning it over....too much....KD is a great example, just let him be the end of the play run something that gets him the ball in his spots. Ime's offense, IMHO, sucks - we are winning on talent alone, Ime isn't helping. DD
