That's quite a leap you're making. Maybe they were being similarly presumptuous and based their comments on his body language and dispirited facial expression. McHale hasn't said anything publicly but words of encouragement for players who aren't in the rotation.
I just don't think McHales approach to coaching is for everyone - some guys need a kick in the butt, some need a pat on the back.......it is just the way folks are wired, and it is a coaches job to find out what each player needs to get the best out of them. So far, every single Rocket player that played under Adelman has gone down in production this year, every single one.....with the possible exception of Lowry whose usage has gone throught the roof, but whose shooting percentages are declining a lot lately - probably due to overwork. I know the team is beating some of the weaker teams in the NBA, but I have serious doubts this will work over the long haul. DD
Is this all you're basing it on? That some other players percentages have gone down? Because it surely isn't based on McHale yelling and screaming on the bench or criticizing his players in the press. First of all, percentages are down quite a bit throughout the league, and also in general the trend is that percentages will be lower at the start of the season. Moreover, the Rockets have had very little practice time and their focus has been mostly fixing issues on defense. The offense just isn't a priority right now. And, despite that, we still are currently ranking 9th in offensive efficiency so its not like our offense is really sputtering. Certainly, there are things in the offense that can be improved as far as spacing and getting more ball movement. But I think we need to give this team more time. They are a work in progress at this stage. Its not like we were a well-oiled offensive machine out of the gate under Adelman either.
Mabye fire and brimestone was the wrong choice of words. The team has become a jump shooting team, over one that got tons of back door cuts and midrange wide open shots under Adelman. Agreed we need to give it more time, but with percentages declining as we play the sisters of the poor portion of our schedule does not bode well to me. DD
I really can't agree that Bud has the same level of production as either. Lee is equal or better scorer, explosive and passer and easily a better defender. Parson is streaky like bud as a scorer, probably a little worse but his defense and effort blow him out of the water. Bottom line we have been a better team when parsons has started instead of Bud. About trading, I just don't see what player we can go for. Not too many teams are in the market for expiring contracts, except Dallas. If Scola is included then I say another go for another PF. Im not sure 2Pat can start...yet
Yeah, I think you mean a coach that demands hustle on BOTH ends of the floor. He's asking for way too much
Clee and Parsons are both better than Budinger DD. Terrence Williams is also better than Budinger. Kevin McHale if he were to step onto the court right now would be better than Budinger. You can't teach mental toughness.
I made an extra point on my post above after an edit: even under Adelman we weren't a well-oiled offensive machine out of the gate. Each year, the team's offensive flow improved as the season wore on. I think its not a fair comparison to look at what we were doing at the end of last year and compare it to where we are at the beginning of a compressed lockout season.
There are two things that make me question his competitive/mental makeup. First is the fact he hasn't really developed since his freshman year in college. Second and more telling is how he reacted after getting his face stepped on in the UH game. He really didn't go after Coleman. He kind of went through the motions but it didn't take much to hold him back. Its like the dude smokes too much weed, and nothing really bothers him.
McHale shortening rotation to 8 guys basically to give the gooder combinations more time together. So far Budinger is not one of the 8. Team might still need him later if a bigger bench wing is needed. Budinger can actually play some.
Jim is a great announcer. I didn't realize it was him until they posted that picture of him guarding McHale. His voice doesn't fit his 80's look.
You do realize that Lowry has a lower usage rate than every other point guard above him in PER except Chris Paul, right? Or that he's 0.1 away from being third on his own team behind Scola and Martin, right? Stop making it sound as though Lowry's numbers are simply statistical interpolations of what he was already putting up on a per-minute basis in the past. You say his shooting percentages are declining...well his TS% remains the highest of his career at 56.4%. The guy's an all-star now, and we're a better team for it. The rest of the team will see a resurgence in their stats now that the rotation is settled; just look at yesterday. Patterson is finally getting his sea legs under him (no more missed dunks). Lee is just coming back from injury. The only one you could argue that is not going to regress to their career mean would be Scola, and that would be due to age.
