I agree with the point on the rebounds and the lift Dream has left. In every game I have seen these past few seasons (I say this because I can't watch too many), Dream barely gets off the floor when he gets a rebound. Most of the time, he's positioned correctly or it's simply a defensive rebound. Pay attention to how many offensive boards he gets...almost none. ------------------ Nederland 2002 Rockets crush Bucks. Read The Cat's latest game recap.
Athough he's not as explosive as he use to be, I think he gets his position where he likes the ball and the ballhandlers just can't lay it in there to him like Clyde and Horry use to. Its a simple thing and I think overlooked but if he's not getting it where he use to, then the timings all off. I wish they would get it to him when he gets down low but they don't and he can't hold it like he did in the old days but if they did it quick it would work. Thats my thoughts! ------------------ Rockets For Better, For Worse......'til death do us part!
DaDakota: He doesn't have more lift than most big men. I can tell you that for a fact. If anyone still thinks Olajuwon has skills, go watch any of the Clutch City videos. Not even CLOSE to comparison. ------------------ Save Our Rockets and Comets SaveOurRockets.com
Athough he's not as explosive as he use to be, I think he gets his position where he likes the ball and the ballhandlers just can't lay it in there to him like Clyde and Horry use to. Its a simple thing and I think overlooked but if he's not getting it where he use to, then the timings all off. I wish they would get it to him when he gets down low but they don't and he can't hold it like he did in the old days but if they did it quick it would work. Thats my thoughts! ------------------ Rockets For Better, For Worse......'til death do us part!
As wattsup said, where he gets the ball is one of the big problems(If you can't get the ball how are you supose to shoot it?)...when he tries to postup near the paint(where he most likely would have to start to get a jump hook), his defender almost always fronts him. I have yet to see (through the first 6 games) a good lob pass past the front. LOL The reason for that would take up another thread. Of course if he was able to get the ball down low I still believe as others that his so called "lift" is not there anymore. It gradually came to this over the last few years. Even though his scoring is down, I'm really enjoying his play. He's been really active on the offensive boards. I think his hussle in the 1st half of games brings alot to our team. Am I the only one extremely satisfied with his play? ------------------
I think Rudy would let Hakeem do whatever the hell he wants. The fact is Hakeem cannot do anything anymore. Except the jump hook and face up to the basket for 15 foot jumpers (which he should do more of also). But RocketsPimp is right on - Hakeem knows he can't do it anymore and is so far inside his own head I'm not sure he can get out. I don't know how he is having any fun at all offensively. But for $14 million I think I would probably be completely happy just standing out there too. ------------------
Part of the problem is that Hakeem doesn't have the lift he used to have. In the early and middle 90's, Hakeem used a combination of the fadeaway AND the spring in his jump to avoid defenders with the dream shake. Now, he barely leaves the floor and just fades. When you don't have the spring any longer, it is tough to shoot the jump hook without getting it shoved back at him. Watch even his rebounding. He barely leaves the floor. He just doesn't have the same jump he used to and now relies purely on his instincts to find the ball when rebounding and to out-maneuver players offensively. ------------------ Save Our Rockets and Comets SaveOurRockets.com
Dream needs to watch some tape of Kareem's last couple of years. At 39, 40 and 41, Kareem had nothing left but his sky hook. He would bounce the ball toward the lane and then make his deliberate move baseline and hook, he never left his feet for that shot. Granted he was 7-2, Dream is only 6-10 ish so he has to jump for his hook. IMO the jump hook isn't Dream's signature shot, the baseline turnaround is, and that is what Dream needs to be concentrating on. He is no longer explosive, but you don't have to be if you just go straight into it, no more dribbling, no more dream shake, just turn baseline and shoot as soon as you get the ball. j ------------------
