Fastbreaks

The Rockets need to get better at scoring easy points. Fast breaks are something we've been near or at the bottom of the league for a number of years. That puts a huge burden on our half court offense, and we're just not talented enough to make up for that. So, I don't mind Wafer and Lowry pushing the ball up the floor. Wafer can be a little out of control sometimes, and he's not the best finisher in traffic. But I still think its something we need them to do.

 

the lack of fastbreaks certainly is a cause of concern

 

We should know how to run a proper fast break.

A fast break doesn't have to be "out of control."

Last night, Lowry and Wafer just did a poor job at executing a fast break, especially Wafer.

They are both young though. They are what? 23 both? They'll learn as they get more playing time.

And they will learn to also get back on defense fast.

It's the maturity process. We gotta deal with it, and hope it'll help us in the long run.

 

Our starters are just too slow to be a good fast break team. Yao, Scola, Battier, Artest- all are slow at their positions and it's easy for the defense to get back and set up.

So if we were to get any fast break points it would be from our speedy second unit players such as Wafer and Lowry. They just gotta make their layups. I don't think their attacking aggressive philosophy is bad.

 

We are not athletic enough to be a very good fast break team.

1) Our guards are fast but short which means there is always a good chance they might be blocked.

2) Battier, camps out at 3 point line on a fastbreak, instead of going for a strong finish at the basket. Counting Yao, that effectively takes out 2 players as a fast break threat.

3) Von Wafer is athletic and Artest is strong but both can be out of control.

We just dont have the personnel to be good fast breaking team. Lack of shot blocking and reliable fast breaks is a concern and it will become more apparent in playoffs, unfortunately.

 

Exactly. The sheer fact that we're even getting fastbreak opportunities in the first place is already progress. Those shots/layups aren't always going to rattle out the way they did last night. I love Lowry's one-man-fastbreak ability and in all fairness: last night was really his only POOR game since we acquired him. As for Wafer, he may be a poor finisher but he has PG speed and you have to love his aggressiveness. Last night wasn't his night either but keep in mind it's not always going to be like that.

 

Dude they worry me soo much, every time we get a steal and drive down the court, our fastbreaks SUCK

 

And the easiest way to score points is making free throws. We're one of the best at FT%. Yet our best player Yao has not taken 10+ FTs in a game since February 3rd against the Bulls.

Running towards the basket will disregard will not help us get easy points against the good teams that get back in transition.

 

Actually, I think its easier to get Yao the ball where he can be really efficient if we push it first and get the defense scrambled. If we walk the ball up the floor, we make it easier for the defense to deny position to Yao.

 

Even if we run the fast break, by the time Yao gets in position himself, the defense is already unscrambled.

 

Lowry's fast break ability was the only thing that kept us in the game the last time we played the Jazz. . . So I didn't so much mind him doing it last night.

Wafer needs to recognize when going 1 v 2 or 1 v 3 isn't going to work out for him and just take it easy and set up the offense.

I am assuming that this aggressiveness is half the reason these guys are on the roster in the first place, and I'm willing to let them work on it some more.

 

Not necessarily. I think you could potentially create mismatches by pushing the ball up the floor, and that could pay dividends later on in the possession. The important thing is to flow into a continuity offense that makes it difficult for the defense to adjust instead of bringing it back out and setting up a half court set with 12 seconds left on the shot clock.

 

Exactly. Wafer is in there to bring energy to the second unit. However, he has to know when to attack and when to pull back.

Plus, the Rockets really missed Landry on the fastbreaks last night.

 

More than a fastbreak, i am worried that weather Yao misses a shot, the other team can cruise to the other side of the court with 3 or 4 seconds to execute a 5 vs 4 play until Yao is back.

I would like Adelman to design some kind of a one guy pressure on the ball so that the team can hold on until Yao is back.

 

I actual think Lowry has been consistently terrific on the fastbreak. He really wasn't as bad last night as some people are making it out to be. He was aggressive, drew a few fouls and he'll usually finish more when he penetrates. He also played good defense and boxed out after shots went up.

Wafer does tend to put his down at the wrong time on occasion. He has shown signs of starting to get it though beyond just that 5 assist/0 TO game several days ago. He's looking to move the ball and bring it back out a little bit more. He's still learning and will continue to improve.

 

our team just doesn't have the talent to play run-and-gun. our smart guys like Bbarry are too slow to launch a fast break while our quick guys finish a fastbreak with an offensive foul, like von wafer did last night.

 

This thread is the dilemma of the rox.They don't have players that can change ends and place pressure on the opposition. Scola runs the court a lot and gets a easy basket or two. None of our wings runs the court and normally those are the finishers. The 2 pgs can transition good which is always good. If the rox had another slashing wing like Jefferson, they would score at least another basket or 2 per game.

 

What about Wafer, or do you mean we need another slashing wing in addition to him?

But given that we've brought in Gerald Green, Wafer, and now James White, it looks like Morey and Adelman are looking for one as well.

 

Only two guys attempted to run every time we had the ball. that was Wafer and Lowry. The other 3 guys were too slow to make it to halfcourt. I give a lot of props to Wafer and Lowry for trying to create something, but they were going against 2-3 jazz defenders every time. you need players to fill the lane otherwise our fast breaks will continue to be bad. Usually your most dynamic athletes are your SG and SF. Wafer tries to get up, but Battier is too slow to make it down the court.