I get so tired of watching the Rockets take late game jumpers, or fade away 15 footers. While the opponent is attacking the rim constantly getting to the charity stripe or dishing out to wide open players for UNCONTESTED jumpers. This is how the Mavs game went and how the last 5 losses have gone, the Rockets just do not attack the basket late, they settle, and if they hit their shots they win. This team needs someone that attacks the basket with reckless abandon to help Yao and Tmac. Penetration is how you win in today's "No touch on the perimeter" NBA. Look at the top teams: Spurs have Manu and Parker who attack the basket and can make the pass when the defense collapses. Suns - Have Barbossa and Nash, same thing. Mavs - Have Terry and Harris, same thing The Rockets need that type of player, and I am not sure that we have one on the Roster. The obvious answer would be Steve Francis, but can he still do it? Is he capable of making the pass to the open player when the D collapses? I actually think that Brooks may be the answer at some point, he has all the intangibles that the team needs, and is uber quick.....if Chris Paul can do it, then so can Brooks. The team needs an infusion of : 1. Attack the basket players in the rotation 2. Killers who will do anyting to win - enforcers (Bring back Mike Harris). DD
I would love to see Brooks get some extended playing time to see what he can do. He definately has the speed and can get to the basket! Even with the few minutes he payed in the Suns game, he looked good. I would like to think that if Coach A really thought he was better than Alston, James, Francis, then he would be playing.
Adleman was fawning all over Brooks in the summer and preseason. He's going to play. It's like Adleman personally recruited him.
The key to penetration lies in an unrelenting and steadfast Head going deep, hard, and persistent. Luther is performing better this year, showing the kind of maturity unseen during the younger years.
The answer is right in front of us. Why can't Adleman see it. 2006-2007 Francis to Channing Frye 2007-2008 Francis to Yao <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BIDVUMYYqn8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BIDVUMYYqn8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aaycZlZKgeQ&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aaycZlZKgeQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> Oh and just for grins, here's one of Steve last year totally owning Mike James. LOL
our closest player that can constantly penetrate and get in the paint is Mike James, but rarely will he look for teammates if he has nothing there. i agree i think Aaron Brooks could be that penetrating PG like Tony Parker or Devin Harris, but his size will obviously be a disadvantage when finishing in the paint.
I want to see a lot more of Aaron Brooks. He's a player who can penetrate and drain the 3. He needs to be on the court.
In Francis' only game, we saw get him get to the paint every time he penetrated. In the his preseason time, when he was "out of shape", he got to the paint with ease. See the Memphis game where he made huge plays in the clutch. Steve also finishes better than any of or guards when attacking the rim. I think the obvious answer is #3.
I wanted to see Tmac take it to the hole rather than putting up that long-range J. If he won't do it (hurt?), then go back to Yao. Dallas really couldn't stop Yao and if they foul him he's a great FT shooter.
