Let's see how things are going at the All-Star Break. But yes, McHale is getting these guys(even Harden) to play defense. That alone shows he's a better coach than he was a year ago.
true, very true They had to grow up after that debacle. And they did. Now this season, we haven't been challenged yet. But I'm confident we're getting ready for those big moments.
If McHale has anything to do with slowing the tempo and not be this all out running team that Leslie & Morey have praised, I will take my hat off to him. With all this nonsense from Leslie, Morey & McHale (serving as a mouth piece probably) that we were going to run because that served our team best, I am glad we realised that while fun will not win championships. Surprised stats didn't tell Morey that!! He has been doing well, but not ready to say he's a great coach or anything yet. When we our a few months into the season, with a set rotation and having played some great teams, we will see where we're at. Right now, I think it's more on the players than on the coaches but you never know. It was not too long ago that McHale praised the hell out of Ish Smith so...I do give him that Daniels needs to do more than just shoot if he wants to play. Still, running a set for him wouldn't hurt.
No, he is basically the same coach he was a year ago. A coach can talk until he is blue in the face, but if a player of Harden's caliber chooses to ignore him, it is all over. Fans do not understand that basic simple truth. The coach is never on the floor playing NBA basketball. Players have to make the choice to buy in. And finally, with Lin and Parsons out of the picture the Rockets players are down for some serious business. Once Bosh signed with Miami I question whether the Rockets ever intended to match Parsons offer. Parsons will score in Dallas, the team rebounds will suffer greatly due to him leaking out on the break well before the defensive rebound is secured, and Dallas will not be near as good as people expect.
Thank goodness for these 424 pages of b****ing and moaning. Obviously McHale studied this thread carefully, and it has made a huge difference in his coaching. Let's push this thread to a thousand pages, Rockets fans! We don't need LOF's to help us. The more we complain about our team, the more they win! Squeeze out one more hate post for the team.
Part of the change this year is Harden maturing. It's his 6th year in the league. He's closer to 30 now than he is to 20. He got some good experience with FIBA. And certainly he had to know he failed the team last season in that Portland series. And let's not discount the additions of Ariza and Terry who are veterans with championship experience. That being said, I do think McHale deserves some credit for the defensive performance out there. Especially if they're able to sustain it over the course of the season.
So when we win, its the players but during the loses, its the coach? Why can't we give him and management a little credit for assembling/running a team of has been's and nobody's for the 6-0 record? The wanted a better defensive team and that is what they focused on the first 3 weeks of practice and it shows. Is that the players or coach?
McHale has done ok but to attribute Harden's improved defense to McHale's coaching is preposterous. We all know that Harden's improved D is due to his time spent with real coaches like Thibs and Coach K along with Harden's own self reflection. THe guy got torn a new one by all media outlets, all NBA fans, former players, current players etc after last season and anyone with pride and Harden definitely has plenty of that will strive to take it upon himself to focus more on D and improve.
Perhaps. But to not attribute some of the improvement to McHale (and by default Morey) is every bit as narrow minded as attributing all of it to McHale or Team USA.
Yes, your little b****ing has become one piece of Harden's defensive greatness. Thanks for contributing to his success! Now tear him a third one, Tiger! Just one more oomph to push us past the first round. . . .
Largely agree with this. It's a player's league and the Rockets are a player's organization. So it is on the players to execute on the court. They deserve most of the credit when things go well and most of the blame when things go poorly. With that said, I do believe coaches can improve from one year to the next. So it could in fact be that McHale is doing a better job. We'll have a better idea around the all star break.
"The all star break, the all star break. . . ." Does that mean people will wait until February 15 to resume whining? Didn't think so.
I wasn't whining. Just don't want to make any declarations based on 7% of the season. As for those who do whine and throw fits about McHale 24/7... we could win the title and they'd still give him zero credit.
It was really nice to finally see some Harden-Howard PnR against the spurs last night. I had also enjoyed watching KPap/DMo feeding DH in the post from the top of the arc like we saw against the 76rs and Heat... I don't recall seeing much of that vs the spurs, though.
Every coach in the league wants their team to play like the Rockets. Achieving that is an incredibly difficult job. It requires a great coach and a great GM. Tactically who do the current Rockets team most resemble? The Spurs of course. And that is culture, and as Pop has proved it can last for a decade.
McHale should be be judged by the fact that the second syllable of his name rhymes with "Fail," not by the Rockets' achievements on the court.
Cross post. And I do have to thank FTW Rockets for bringing to my attention one important point. This is a different team for a number of reasons. Here are some, and several of the reasons were brought up by different people. The Lilliard shot to end the Rockets playoffs last season was a wake up call for all of the players. Harden's experience with Team USA refocused him on defense. Losing Lin and Parsons in the off season was addition by subtraction. The simple reason the Rockets last season were below NBA average in defensive rebounding % was that Parsons was continually leaking out for the break before the rebound was secured. Last season Lin pounded the ball. Parsons pounded the ball. This season only Harden pounds the ball, and when he does there is excitement in the air, waiting to see what great drive to score or dish is coming up soon. There are four spot up shooters and Harden on the floor. I believe that was what was intended last season, but Lin and Parsons just would not sign on. Finely, the team is committed to McHale's and Morey's basketball philosophy. It is beautiful basketball. What team most resembles the Rockets right now? The Spurs of course.
hello close personal friend of daral moray. we missed you in the cyberex thread all these months. as a tru warrier insider your first hand insight was trulee missed. please do share with us the fuzzy thoughts and algorithmic impressions of mr. morley before hitting that wild turkey bourbon tonite :grin:
