I wouldn't trade Asik for either. Howard would never give Houston 100% because he's attracted only to the bright lights of the major markets, and Bosh would pale in comparison to Asik in the position. I freaking love Asik's game.
Awesome win. Worried about our defense these last few games, but damn, our offense is so good. But when our shots don't fall, the defense has got to get better. Loving the point distribution tonight. Team basketball is the best kind.
yeah as much as talk about Lin, I just love Asik's game. he is awesome at defense. His offensive game is getting better. By the end of the year, he will be regarded as one of the best big men in the game. Great pick up by Morey.
Actually this is the first game all season that the coaching staff actually let him run the offense for the majority of the game. Also it seems that a lot of posters feel that Lin's scoring is the most important thing he does for the team whereas it's probably 3rd or 4th after running the offense, passing to the open man and playing defense. \
I would say if they distribute the ball like tonight, AND they play solid defense, they'll win most games
TD didn't play so badly this game, that's why he stayed in. There have been games where he didn't play well and was taken out early.
There are times where Sampson putting TD in over Lin is questionable, but if TD's not completely stinking it up then I don't mind having him in for around 15 mins. Lin needs all the rest he can get.
His scoring will only make Lin a much more dangerous player. He needs to do more of it and improve to help the team overall.
One thing we need to keep in mind regarding our Defense is that Defensive skills are usually the Slowest to develop for young players. Even while they're working on defensive sets, highly skilled defense takes a combination of positional awareness, ability to read offenses and react to changing offensive sets, awareness of the movement of offensive and defensive players on the court, awareness of driving and passing lanes and angles, talented footwork, ball awareness, body positional awareness, some degree of lateral quickness and hand speed, and opponent familiarity. This all takes time for young players to assimilate, learn and develop. You can't just read a scouting report and *know* instinctively how to react, especially against the more talented offensive players and more refined offensive sets. On both an individual and team level the Defense will be a work in progress most likely for several YEARS, and for players who are poor defenders to start with, some of them may NEVER reach even an average defensive level. Personally, I'd be happy if the Rockets could get to somewhere around a top 20 level of defense, but I'm really not banking on it. Defense takes a LONG time.
Greg Smith continuing to makes strides. That was a signing that many will look back on and applaud, whether he develops in Houston (on the books for one more year at 900K, UFA '14) or becomes an intriguing piece closer to the deadline. I think he was 1st-round worthy, but sounds like questions about maturity & effort hurt him. He has 7-ft-3 wingspan and under 7% body fat... kid's a freak. Not to mention, a 36-inch vert. I really like what he did tonight, especially at the line. I hope we see more and more of Smith over time.
I think the coaching staff did a good job in delegating minutes at the PG position today. Did anyone notice Lin played the entire 1st half because he was racking up assists despite shooting only 0/2 and the team down 8 or 9 points at one point? They showed trust in him and by the end of the period he made a shot (1/3) and led the team back to a tie. Additionally, at one point Sampson had TD in the game but took him out as the Jazz went on a short scoring run. Although the starters did not stem the run, Sampson's choice to replace the bench with the starters does signify his trust in them.
All right. Not to worried we still won. We will need his outside shooting though. Qeustion: is Lin avoiding contact now when finishing at the rim or is he just not getting calls like he was last year. Because this season he is averaging like 2 FTA a game whereas last year he was perpetually on the FT line?
He used to take it to the hole, now I notice that whenever he drives in and gets defended, he kicks it out.
Exactly. NBA superstars are also very good defenders. Whether it be Lebron, Kobe, CP3, DHoward, DWade, etc....they all defend well on top of scoring. For Harden to be considered a superstar he has to take the next step in defense.
