Prediction: would McHale still running Harden ISO?

It's not the prettiest or most creative of plays, but it sure helped get us into the playoffs, didn't it? You play to your strengths to win, and Harden going 1on1 was a strength a lot of those critical moments.

Anyway, now the same people will probably be complaining about Howard is iso'ing in the post, while Jeremy is "parked on the corner!". Or maybe they'll be more lenient on Dwight because he helps Lin get on some assists or lob highlights.

 

My question is this: why are you guys capitalizing iso as if it is some type of acronym?

 

The ONLY Rockets coach that knew how to use iso ball was RUDY T!!!! (Well, since I've been alive, anyway )

Rick Adelman wasn't a fan of it, but allowed Tmac to use it while healthy, but it was definitely outside of Rick's offensive methodology.


McHale doesn't understand how an iso is supposed to work. If you truly want to execute an iso with your best player, you spread the court from an angle.

If James is going to iso, put him on the left side and place the other guys on the right. Give him the ROOM to be isolated.

That way, once he gets doubled on his way to the rim, there are 4 alternatives to the ISO.

When you ISO from the center of the court, like where James starts from the three-point line, the defense can stay put. The spacing is terrible and the ISO was a wasted possession because it didn't force the defense into an uncomfortable position to defend.

Remember how Cuttino would get almost the entire left side of the court during ISOs in the 4th quarter? It's because he had that quick first step and would get past his defender at will, which in turn, caused the defense to react only to him. He could either score or hit any of the 4 guys that were now open because he isolated and froze the defense.

Rudy T was very good at utilizing this while it still worked in the league. He would put Stevie, Mooch, Cat, Mo Taylor and even a declining Glen Rice in an open spot on a SIDE to start the isolation. Rudy T rarely had ISOs that started at the center, but if he did, he spread the rest of the guys out to one side or an area that ALLOWED a true isolation to take place.

McHale still doesn't have the hang of this. I think it's because he's old school in his approach to "team ball." Isolation plays aren't ideal to former players that weren't used to it. Sure McHale got his touches in the post, but he wasn't alone there. He had Bird, etc ready for a jumper if he was doubled in the post.


I truly want the Rockets to succeed. I don't hate McHale, but I am not fond of coaches that are so limited in their approach to offensive and defensive sets. It seems like the best players- and McHale is one of the best ever-make for the worst coaches.

Yes, we made the playoffs and exceeded expectations. Yes, Dwight liked (allegedly) McHale during free agency recruiting. But, my opinion still stands that McHale is not the ideal coach for this team, not because he can't coach at all, but the players on this team are way too skilled and DIVERSE for him to deal with.

When McHale was coach of the TWolves in 2008, his roster was filled with undeveloped players including a raw Al Jefferson and Kevin Love. He could have such BASIC plays because his team was young and his individual players were still finding their own game.

Our current Rockets is so, so different than that. Their abilities, from one guy to the next, are completely different because the majority of them are developed (minus TJ, GS, Dmo) and bring an individual skill to the table that the next guy can't, but instead, brings his own strength.

It's just a different time of talent where coaches don't always fit with their roster of superstars, starters and role players.

I hope that I eat crow for my lack of faith in McHale to lead a team, but I think the talent and expectations of this group, along with some salary-driven egos yields the need for a more appropriate coach that specifically addresses the strengths of our core, but a coach that has the experience in reconfiguring or alleviating the "weaknesses" of individual players and the team as a cohesive unit.

Just my two cents as a coach and Rockets fan.


I keep saying I love ya'll, because truthfully, legitimate, loyal ROCKETS fans are the best fans and people around. This is going to be a great season for us, after waiting so long for a WCF appearance and finally eliminating our nightmarish post-season relationships with the Jazz, Mavs and OKC from our minds.

 

No. His ISO didn't take us to the playoff. His offensive skills and whole team chemistry take us to the playoff.

Instead, his ISO made us against 1seed OKC instead of vs weaker team.

 

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=7858129&postcount=120

Rockets rarely ran isolation plays last year and you'll see even less ISOs this year with more options to check down to first.

 

Just for this discussion, will differentiate "iso" and "Heroball".
Iso is designed strategy.
Heroball is a hogging the ball and shots away from team and scheme. That might be what Harden is guilty of, taking it too much on himself on offense.

The Harden iso lazy McHale coaching absolutely is overblown. On what was a top 4 offense in the league. (All the bashing should be directed on Harden's DEFENSE. By far the biggest deficiency of Mchale and the staff.)

Lets not forget that Harden on the first game of the season almost dropped 50, with no practices not knowing his teammates or any of the plays. Was 85% isos and individual talent, showing hes just very good at it.

(And yes it took wind out of the Jeremy Lin sail, which some fans didnt like. Though Lin was unhealthy too. Cant have it both ways say Lin should dominate touches when hes not healthy enough to carry the load)

I'd like to think Harden out of anyone realizes that he got worn out the end of the season and he cant be a 1 man wrecking crew. Though its also encouraging harden accepts responsibility of being a max player

 

I am not a big fan of the ISO play but every team with Superstar PG/SG or SF that can break their man down off the dribble. Will always run ISO, especially in certain situations. So yes we will see a lot of ISO play from the Rockets.

 

How many times did you hear McHale saying the "ball was sticky"?

Harden is running ISO, not McHale.

 

Well now it's obviously going to be a high screen and roll with Howard and Harden with (who will likely be in for a last second shot scenario) Lin as the bail out pass to the wing, Parsons in the corner and Garcia on the left (where Harden is going) between the wing and corner to spread the floor.

 

Best ISO analysis I have read in a long time! Thanks, you are the man.

 

Isolation is like a drug to Harden. He's tried it, is now addicted, no way he's going back even if its obviously ineffective sometimes.

 

I believe that people who complain about Harden iso ball have a misconception about who actually is the point guard for the Rockets. The point guard for the Rockets when Harden is on the floor is Harden. He averaged almost 26 points and 6 assists per game last season. If that were Tony Parker or Chris Paul out there would people still be complaining about iso? Yeah probably. Just turn 26/6 over in your brains people. There can be no complaint other than McHales about Hardens style of play.

And as a point of reference - wasn't Tony Parker about the best PG in the NBA? He averaged 20/7.5 last year. And as another point of reference - wasn't Chris Paul about the best PG in the NBA? He averaged 17/10 last year.

 

Thanks for posting that. You have more patience with this overblown iso narrative than I do.

 

why are we still comparing Harden iso to Yao iso? they're completely different players with completely different rosters. i never even brought lin up. are you still trying to rationalize why he's still very turnover prone?

 

I completely agree. It is discouraging to see so very many posts that are based only on peoples incorrect impressions about the NBA game. If people would do the work to understand NBA basketball you would rarely see a post complaining about Harden iso.

 

Great post. Although I can't say I agree with this team is "too skilled and diverse". They're the youngest team, with loads, still, to develop. Or was that just your nice way of calling Mchale too simplistic? :grin:

 

+1 yes I agree