Anyway, back on topic I think McHale has done an excellent job incorporating Howard into the offense without sacrificing anything from Harden, Lin, and Parsons. This is an incredibly difficult task. Props to both McHale and Howard for working hard and being open-minded professionals. I'm so excited for this teams future.
So then you agree that the Rockets do intaft have a very clear "Team Identity". So what is this debate over?
The Blazers had the worst bench of the league last season. They were able to keep their core this season and upgraded their bench during the offseason. Look what they are able to achieve now.
Pretty sure things have "changed a bit" as you seem to want. The team does go through Dwight pretty frequently, especially in recent games when his post-up game is more in rhythm and successful than it was at the start of the season. The team also frequently sent cutters at the basket when Howard gets extra attention, with guys like Parsons getting layups off passes from Howard. So, given this and given that the team's offense is ranked 3rd most efficient in the league, I am not sure what you are complaining about. The team obviously knows what it wants to achieve on offense-- it is No. 1 in the league in Free Throw Attempted Rate, No. 1 in 3 pointers attempted rate, so it should not be hard to figure out what the coaches have instructed them to do-- and is being successful with it given their offensive efficiency.
Thank you, lol. while you call it a catch phrase at least you acknowledge that it exists. If you notice I am not upset we are just talking and I am not calling anyone stupid or assuming that they believe in something simply because I saw a person say it on television, lol. When he doesn't even know if I saw the program or not. It's ridiculous.
The meaning is still too soft for me to take seriously. The other words you used, style and pholosophy, fit perfectly. Rockets have a style, that can't be questioned. Rockets have a pholosophy, that can't be questioned. But when someone asks, what is the Rockets "identity", I just roll my eyes, because any disagreement in regards to perceived "identity" is merely a reflection of each person's usage of the word. That's the problem with buzzwords and why I avoid them.
QFT, this post is 100% pure and did not get the attention it deserved. Credit must be given where credit is due. McHale (and his staff) have vastly improved over last season. Had they not experimented with TT early on, this team would likely be 3rd in the WC seeding today. Furthermore, the Asik drama has not infected the locker room, despite what some believe. Look around the league. Teams with hopeful playoff aspirations (during the preseason) are now tearing themselves apart (see Brooklyn, NYK, Detroit, Cleveland, etc.). This is due to poor leadership, where bad coaches have failed to instill trust and establish their team's identity (i.e. philosophy and corresponding systems). It's the reason why they'll soon be fired... for failing to right their ship after lackluster starts. McHale has clearly distinguished himself from this group. The Asik/TT situation could have easily blown up in his face, but it didn't. There's a reason for that. We cannot underestimate the influence McHale has on the core of this team (Harden, Howard & Parsons). This is true in the locker room as much as on the court. I'm far from a LOF, but Jeremy must also be given credit. By his own admission, after his playoff disappearance (before injury) he recognized vast improvements were needed in his game. He didn't complain or deflect accountability. He just went to work this offseason. Now we see a tougher defender, a more confident spot up shooter, and an overall complementary skillset next to Howard, Harden and Parsons. All the while, the former strenghts of his game (attacking the basket, court vision, transition offensive, pace, etc.) have not weakened, but remained steady. Now, this doesn't mean McHale and Lin have both arrived in their respective positions. They are not elite. No knowledgeable student of the game would say they are. McHale needs to become more consistent in his substitution patterns, in-game adjustments, etc. While Jeremy needs to limit his turnovers, maintain his dribble, and remain aggressive (way too timid, at times). That being said, both McHale and Lin are growing and showing promise. Bottom line: McHale must be commended for strengthening Lin's game. Lin must be acknowledged for putting in the work and being a professional. Their true test will come this postseason. For the sake of the team, I'm rooting for them both.
Our bench is really weakened by the injuries. Asik, Beverely, Greg Smith all being injured. And yes we are missing the points from a certain 3 point shooter that is no longer on the team. I think most of us (certainly myself included) had expected Garcia to step up and fill the Delfino roll but that clearly has not happened. AB has been a terrific #3 PG but he lacks the punch he had a few years ago. Asik / Smith Casspi 3 point shooter (Delfino Style)/defender not on the team or maybe in the D-League Lin (when Bev is healthy or Bev if Lin stays in the starting line-up) That would be a terrific bench IMO.
If Beverley wasnt hurt,Mchale probably play Beverley in the 4th quarter on both games memphis and new orlean. Mchale no other choice but to leave lin out there in the 4th quarter lol If Beverley was healthy to play, Mchale probably snatch lin to the bench real fast.. lin probably wont get a chance at all at mr.4th quarter lol smart coaching or just because of Beverley injury lol
Only frequently yes but I don't think enough. I also think they have to have a real discussion on team defense. There are times when the Rockets even as successful as they are at scoring and pushing tempo, seem to rely a bit too much one on one rather than team play. We do not assist enough. That stuff won't fly in the playoffs we won't get past the first round, no matters what our scoring rate or efficiency is.
I agree that I'm not fond of their defensive philosophy. They play good man on man defense but they cheat the passing lanes and take too damn many chances on defense that get themselves out of good defensive position leaving the opposing team open for uncontested 3 point shots too often. When D12 or Asik is in the game their post defense is solid to great.
Seems who the weakest link of the bench is is coming to the surface from the previous discussions. Is that Morey's or McHale's job to address that?
I am ready to agree with all your statements but I would also like to see what McHale is going to do when given "options". The theme of this season so far has been about making the best of what we have available what with all the injuries the team had suffered from. Like you said, we should give him some credit for making things work albeit in a clumsy way. My real issue has always been about how he fails to utilize our full roster depending on the match-ups and situations. However, like you said, we have something going on for us right now and let's wait and see how McHale is going to perform towards the end of the season and in the playoffs assuming there won't be any major injuries/problems getting in the way. This doesn't excuse McHale for running Harden to the ground or his other terrible late game executions last year. Harden is an essential piece of Rockets going forward and him going through a serious injury would have spelled "game over" for Rockets. I think it will also be important to see whether there will be a bad season end streak again (unlikely with the level of talent on this team). On the off chance that it happens again, I think everyone on this board would agree to let McHale walk. On the player development side of things, I think McHale failed to help Harden so far. Yes, Harden is an all-star but that doesn't mean he could not get even better. I think some people thought I hate Harden when I criticize him but my anger has always been towards McHale for not supporting him or teaching him how to be accountable or how to lead this team. I think Harden has a tremendous amount of talent and great amount of basketball IQ and I would hate to see it all go to waste with him ending up like another one of those ballhog/volume shooter type of players. After all, the more good players there are, the better my enjoyment will be when I watch basketball :grin:
This! pisses me off so much. Harden and Lin do this the most. With the way we score all they have to do is stay with their man and we would win, just play solid defense, which I know they can do. I suspect they want to steal and run so they gamble a lot. Also, the whole team has trouble with screens and pick n roll defense.
Same here. That's why I don't get too high or too low during these regular season games. I see some steady improvement on the team so I am excited. Howard is getting more comfortable in the post and his teammates are looking for him more. Less Harden ISO play lately. Better ball movement. Chandler has gotten his groove back! All of this despite all the key injuries we've already had. Great job all around. Go Rockets!
Not really worried about the bench. First, the bench is largely doing its job. Many of the guys who began the season on the bench or even out of the rotation have filled in for injured teammates and have done so well enough for the team to be 21-11. It's not like last year's Blazers where they ended up with 33 wins with very good performance from their starters but an absolute disaster of a bench. Second, there is plenty of time and resources available to add bench players. Asik can get traded to add extra help or come back to be that extra help. Beverley and Smith should return for the stretch run. Motiejunas may show a spark. The team even has the room exception with which to sign a guy who gets waived or bought out.
I like how these types of criticisms directed at McHale are completely hypothetical and baseless. I would think seeing Dwight play only 18 minutes, playing none of the 4th quarter, and being substituted by a player who barely played any minutes this season (D-Mo) would finally convince certain people that McHale doesn't have anything against Lin. It gets old how there is a constant need to create an underdog story out of whatever situation Lin is, just to create this illusion that there is always a villain that the hero (Lin) needs to overcome.
McHale has Morey in his ear, that is part of the job requirement. The Rockets management style and analytical approach to the game is unprecedented in the NBA. I trust Morey, I trust analytics, because analytics has been shown to be effective wherever it is used. Harden will get more rest eventually as the team shifts more offensive responsibility to Howard. Also as Lin improves, and we get better bench players, more of that load will be lifted from Harden. McHale is still "young" in coaching terms, but he and Morey trust each other, therefore I have no worries about the coaching situation. I look at Adelmans final year with the Rockets, where it was clear that he did not agree with Morey's philosophy. That is the LAST thing I want to see on this team again, regardless of coaching pedigree.
