Morey says this small line-up will destroy a lot of teams

The new NBA is about versatility. As long as you don't go up against a team that can devastate you inside the paint then that lineup is going to be very efficient in limited doses.

I wouldn't put that against the Lakers with Gasol and Howard out there or the Wolves with Love and their center.

But when the lineup is shooting well it will be brutal for teams.

 

Where did he say that?

 

It was on 790 this morning.

 

I think we used that lineup for a little while last night in the 4th quarter when Delfino was going off.

 

Morey is a damn liar if he said that.

That lineup will work on some match ups but if you are trying to maintain or extend a lead, unless the refs are calling fouls you are in some trouble. That is a jump shooting line up, so if the shots aren't falling you have to hope your front court will get the rebounds and even with Asik and Parson's that isn't always going to happen leading to wasted possessions.

Neither Parsons or Delfino could defend the better Power Forwards that can take it inside or space the floor with range shooting either.

 

I agree, Asik's protection in the paint balances out Parsons in that. Parsons is also a very underrated rebounder and an overall heart guy. With Lin and Harden in it opens up Delfino for three. I think McHale has finally found a small ball lineup that can work. Look at the Heat w/ Battier at the 4, this is something similar but obviously without Lebron.

 

That is not any more of a jump shooting lineup than any other lineup this team has to offer now. With Scola gone this team has pretty much nothing as far as a post up presence, so any scoring in the paint is going to come from penetration and cuts to the basket. That will be the case with Parsons at the 4 or with Patterson at the 4.

As far as being able to defend power forwards, there I agree with you. Last night was an exceptional case because Detroit does not have a great power forward to put in the post and exploit the matchup and the Rockets were lacking their only proven 4 (Patterson) anyway, so having Parsons there only added versatility without adding deficiency (though I would have loved to have seen Jones, White or D Mo get a chance in the first half to have earned that time).

I will say that Morey might be right about how good this lineup might be in the future because there will be a lot of teams without a power forward capable of exploiting Parsons in the 4. More and more teams are going the way the Heat did in the Finals and putting small forwards at the 4. As that occurs the Rockets now have the personnel to adapt and compete with such teams who do this, or to take advantage of teams in the same way as those teams.

 

You should take it a step further and point out that the entire NBA barely has any post presence anymore. Fours don't play defense and have very basic post games these days, the only exceptions are all over age 32. That is what Morey knows.

 

hope that was not a joke.

 

Jones needs to play too, off the bench. As a 4-3.

 

Absolutely. Can't be worse than Morris.

 

That lineup is designed for the pick and roll. Harden and Asik PNR gets center away from basket. PF can't sag of Parsons as he is okay shooting and deadly as a cutter. Delfino must be guarded.

Lin is second penetration threat if Harden is doubled. He has himself as option driving to basket. Asik is possibly wide open after Harden doubled. If PF goes to paint to pick up Asik, Parsons can either cut to rim or be shooter. Lin has Harden and Delfino as three point options if lane gets clogged. I've seen Lin more than once keep dribble alive after penetration giving him ample time to see spot up shooters or cutters.

So yes, there are options for three point shots, but Rockets looking for Harden free to rim first, Asik second. The three point shots are only taken if opponent collapses on paint area leaving them open.

 

It's a line-up that could work against some second units.

Morey was obviously still giddy from the trade and the win lol

 

I felt like the struggle was on the defensive Boards. And while we escaped detroit. If we can't secure a defensive reboud with some authority, then it will come back to hurt us in the long run. We need a glass cleaner. Asik shows an occasional burst, but more often then not it seemed like we were fighting ourselves hfor defensive rebounds.

 

You aren't understand the statement.

Obviously, that is a matchup driven lineup. One that would cause problems for most teams in the league, because most teams in the league have dominant frontcourts.

Think of OKC when they go small. Durant at the 4, and Ibaka at the 5. That is the frontcourt they used to overwhelm San Antonio during the playoffs last year. Parsons is 6'9" and 230lbs. He's more than capable of defending most 4s.

 

Curious to know why "Smith/Asik" are combined. Asik seems to be the far better player...

 

Exactly. Small line-ups dominate NBA today. Just check the last finals.

 

If that line up plays with consistant minutes maybe royce can get in that rotation as it seems to be more in his element ( style of play).

 

The lineup is designed for PNR on offense. Smith and Asik both can be the roll man.