I thought this blog entry by Jonathan Feigen was a good read and makes a great point. http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...-on-target-with-criticism-of-his-performance/ [rquoter] Kyle Lowry blamed himself. He has done that before. It’s a pretty stand-up way to react to a poor game. But this was different. Lowry missed his first 13 shots on Wednesday, but this time, Lowry was not talking about his shot. “When they went on their runs, we put our heads down,” Lowry said. “That’s partly me. That’s something I did as a leader. I take that loss on me. They made a shot, we put our heads down, walked the ball up, didn’t play our game. It was a bad outing for myself. When I put my head down, my teammates follow me.” Lowry could have looked to get into the paint more often and probably looked to draw fouls, rather than complete drives, a few too many times. But he generally took the sorts of shots he takes. He has not shot well lately. He is shooting 39.6 percent. In the five games before Wednesday, he has made 34.9 percent of his shots and then made just 2 of 16 against the Bucks. His shot will come around. And he contributes in so many ways – he had 10 assists and eight rebounds on Wednesday – that his shooting is often besides the point. Lowry has become the Rockets’ leader, a strong personality in a locker room full of strong personalities. He is a point guard in more ways than his responsibilities with the ball. Lowry uses his emotion to fuel his play, but his displays of emotion can send the wrong message to those that follow him. A team’s point guard and its leaders should display a lot of things in their manner – determination, confidence, intensity. Lowry showed frustration and disappointment. That is not usual for him. He tends to show everything, good and bad. But among all the things the Rockets need from him, an attitude of impenetrable confidence needs to be among them. It is the next step in his growth as a leader. They need to be able to look at him and know things will work out because he believes it, or at least, seems to. There was a great deal that was lacking from the Rockets on Wednesday, starting with the intensity to execute and defend. A game like Wednesday’s offers a chance to learn and grow. Lowry sounded as if he already has.[/rquoter]
He did struggle. He is taking too many heaves, end of shot clock heaves, etc. He needs better mates. He needs a dominant offensive post presence to be at his most efficient. I think it was Clyde during the telecast referred to Kyle as having "jelly legs" from playing so many minutes. We are going to see the dynamics and efficiency of these guys all go down as the season progresses if McHale keeps running 7 guys out there and overplaying them. Reminds me of the '81 Billy Martin Oakland A's.
As well he should. 2 of 16 is beyond pathetic, especially for a starting PG. After about 10 shots, he should realize its just not falling and STOP SHOOTING save for layups.
Except he did make a big 3 to take the Rockets within 6 points toward the end of the game. If you are a capable shooter but is having a bad shooting night, you keep on shooting unless there's something physically wrong with you and the shots not falling isn't just a matter of luck.
Everyone is complaining about McHale playing Lowry too many minutes. The team is trying to promote him as an all star. Don't most all stars play heavy minutes? I understand a short rotation being tough, but don't star players play heavy minutes regardless of depth? I don't understand the complaining!
It's nice to to see our best player take the blame instead of pointing the finger. I just want to see how he will react on a night she shoots well and our team still loses.
Glad to see Lowry stepping up, I would have liked McHale to say something to them in the huddle during the game though. DD
Do you honestly think that McHale didn't say anything to the team as we were melting away? Your McHale bashing is very transparent and indicative of the type of poster you are. I think that we just missed a bunch of jumpers and we are taking too many. Parsons shows a great first step and I would like to see him and especially Lowry/Martin be more aggressive going to the basket. Scola has definitely regressed in his ability to get into the paint and finish. He did well last year but seems a little timid nowadays. He definitely showed some spring last night chasing a couple of his bad misses, but I think his physical ability has regressed this year.
It's nice to talk and accept it's on you but next game we will see on the court what the response is... we haven't made the playoffs in 2 years.
I did notice on a couple of those last second heaves last night were due to Martin and Scola doing their pump fake and turns while getting nowhere and passing it to KLow at the last second. With that said I'm glad he noticed his flaws and is trying to correct them and I agree with the assessment that he is being overplayed.
This team lacks other players who are willing and able to take shots under pressure. Lowry may not always be best equipped to take some of these tough shots, but at least he's got the guts to take them.
Next we're gonna be hearing this from Lowry <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oleKfixy-7A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
That will be the day we all find out Lowry's balls never dropped and are still so far stuck up his body that they are competing for eye space. Owning up for miskates IMHO is what separates men from boys, but at the same time, talk is cheap. If he follows this with the string of his best basketball yet, then he is a man above men. :grin:
