I think people make (way) too much of the "We don't have any plays" comment. First of all, it's an exaggeration. The Rockets do have multiple sets and actions in their playbook. Now, to be fair, they have gone away from using some of those previously already sparingly used sets and with Patterson and Morris traded, I don't expect this to change, given that Delfino & Parsons probably don't know exactly where to be and what to do as the 4, never mind it's much easier and probably more effective simply running pick&roll and spreading the defense out. That said, you still will see the Rockets run "Wheel" and "Loop" multiple times per game, which the last time I checked is a set and an action, respectively. Secondly, it's not like guys just are out there freelancing. Although a large part of the the Rockets offense is random, there are spots guys are supposed to be in/run to and things they should do if X, Y or Z happens. "Pace-and-space" puts it quite well. Additionally I hope you guys understand that "random" is very much helpful in keeping up the pace up and the offense free-flowing. Finally, due to this fast pace the Rockets play at, quite naturally a lage of the Rockets offense starts out with simple early offense 'wrinkles' such as "Drag", "Double Drag", "Pistol" or "Single". Obviously early offense wrinkles aren't comparable to half-court sets, but it's not like guys just bring the ball up the court and "just swinging the ball around for a 3". That's laughable. The Rockets offense is (vastly) different from your typical system/set offense, however it's not like they are doing something completely uncommon, either. The Nuggets offense for example is (and has been) random to a very similar degree and it appears to work quite well for both teams, so I don't see what the big fuzz is all about.
I'm really not sure why people still go crazy over the rockets not having set plays. It makes no sense no matter how you look at it. From a results standpoint, we are 4th in the NBA. Anyone believe we're underachieving relative to our talent? From a "watching the game" standpoint, the Rockets almost always take optimal shots, ones near the basket, free throws, and open/semi-open 3s. They don't shoot those godawful 20 footers you often see opponents clanking against us. From a theoretical standpoint, no set plays is the optimal offense assuming enough BBIQ on the team. Set offense restrict decision making, preventing the best shot to be taken because players would choose less optimal plays due to restrictions of the offense. But assuming all 5 players are on the same page, it is always best to let them make decisions on the court. As far as I can tell, this team is not made up of Steve Francis/Stro Swift types. So why not let your smart, unselfish group of guys do what they feel is right?
Between Lowe's and Bima's articles, there is no better summary of the Rockets today. Very great reads.
we don't have set plays per se, but we do have set types of shots we want to create and take (3pt/rim/FT) unlike say, the Kings, which have neither
Why are people so freaked about not having plays? Isn't the proof in the pudding? Our offensive ranks are all among the top 10 in the NBA, and we're now 58 games into the season. This team doesn't need plays.....they need a system to run, and that's what they have. They are smart players who understand their role on the court. Nobody tries to do too much, and I think McHale's real job here is to pull the reigns whenever they do. And how can anybody not like the Robinson trade? That makes no sense to me. Patterson and Morris are pretty much what they are.....solid role players who should probably be coming off the bench. Robinson however has the the potential to be an incredibly capable starter, and COULD become even more than that. He has far more potential than any of the players we gave up, plus there are 28 other teams in the NBA who hold him in very high regard. Whether he fits right now within the system is besides the point.....it's whether he fits in with our future plans.
Just because there are no "set plays" does not mean there is no specific offense they have to run. They're not playing pickup ball. It's all based on pick and roll and players positioning themselves based on where the pick is set. Edit: just realized that this was already mentioned in several posts. HMMMHMM and Fryeball in particular.
The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in points scored, 6th in fg% and 9th in 3 point %. I suspect they are near the top in TS% (though their average FT shooting hurts). If that's reflective of McHale's ability to coach offensively, then sign me up. It may be a valid argument to note that it's a style that isn't condusive to being good defensively... as opposed to say San Antonio or OKC, who thrive both offensively and defensively... but I'd argue that's also a function of skillset. The Rockets don't have a Duncan/Splitter or Ibaka/Perkins frontcourt. Don't get me wrong, some of it is a function of style and coaching. Since its not as "fundamental" a high octane offense as say the Spurs or OKC, the players are equally less "fundamentally" sound defensively, and its basically impossible to be good defensively by free-playing like they often do offensively.
My concern is when play against good defensive teams in a 7-game series in playoffs, it will be difficult for us to keep free flowing and control the pace. The well rehearsed set plays will be very useful to get quality shots. If we can't score a lot of points, it will be tough to win. Our defense is not good enough to keep the opponents from scoring.
I have to disagree with your thought. Defense is not the forte of most young players. I have a wait and see attitude about it. Proper rotations and reducing the number of over commits to the ball will take care of many of the Rockets defensive problems. Court awareness will help a lot also. It will take time - maybe a year or more to get a disciplined defensive system ingrained in the young players.
Sometime during the next 3 games I am predicting a huge breakout performance by DMo. Something along the lines of a 20/10 type game that clearly establishes him as a solid starter and top offensive option for this team. I'll be disappointed if it doesn't happen within the next 3 games. The kid is setting on ready.
Good post. I'm more worried about how we will work in the upcoming years during the playoffs, with Coach McHale at the helm. The run and gun offense absolutely works till you get to the playoffs and from there you almost have to find a way to run effective plays to succeed. Hopefully we have our long term answer at the head coaching position by the time we are true tilte contenders.
I agree with coach Sampson, playing small ball should be your curveball, not fastball. Playing small all the time just puts too much wear & tear on our undersized guards on defense, especially when they're already spending tons of energy on the offensive end.
love the article. (without taking a breath) The same people that frown on posters for comparing stats of a certain rocket are now comparing Mchale to the fuhrer? yikes. Not enough credit goes to Daryl who has always inserted players with high basketball I.q and that work well in a team environment. That said, The number of assists we generate from a "we don't know what we're doing" offense is pretty damn amazing, not to mention the open looks for our snipers like delfino.
That is not at all what the artice is implying. Your just trying to create a lie about McHale because you don't like him. Here is a quote from the article: In case your wondering the restricted area is that area directly under the goal. So no... Houston does not just swing the ball around looking for 3s and the article does not imply that. Another quote: Houston is clearly not just a team looking for a 3 point shot. Houston does not have a play book, they have an offensive phylosophy based on fast breaks, pick and rolls, scoring in the paint, beyond the arc and at the free throw line. I love it!
Does anyone here that hates our lack of classic, bench-called offensive sets actually believe that our coach, one of the best post players (him and Hakeem are about the only 2 in the discussion) of all-time, wants to run a fast paced offense that "only shoots 3s"? He has said in multiple interviews that he would prefer to have a big man that he could dump the ball in to on the block. In his time in MN, he drilled the ball to Al Jefferson in the post. We ran plays last year for Scola in the post all the time. When D-Mo runs the court, he's doing a great job of getting a duck-in early post. It's obviously a focus for those who the coaching staff feels are capable of doing something in the post. ****, we post up Omer more in one game than he ever was posted up in Chicago... Think about it. If anything, McHale should be getting praise for effectively overhauling his preferred BB philosophy for one that would work with this roster. He adapted what he would prefer to do, to what would work with what he was given. Not a lot of pro coaches are willing/able to do that. Just take a step back and consider that before acting like coach and Mike D'antoni have the same philosophy regarding basketball...
agree. It may not work but its not the dumbest idea in the world. Especially if Morey is pushing a small lineup. Its also possible Robinson could develop more range. To simply say he doesnt fit, bad trade is simplistic.
