I saw highlights of the championship series w/ the Magic a fews days ago on ESPN2. One thing that stood out with the Rockets was the passing. It was like poetry. Hard to explain unless you watch the games again ... it wasn't just 'more passing' or just 'hitting the open man', it was a combination of quick passes that surgically dismembered the defense. Beautiful. I saw some of that again against the Magic last night. So is the biggest improvement our defense, passing, or something else? I was excited about the improvements in the defense, but what I saw last night raises my hopes for this team immensely.
Defense. I know 75% of this BBS barely gives it a passing thought, but as the saying goes "offense sells tickets, defense wins championships."
Passing definitely. The Rockets were already a good defensive team last season, but were dead last in assists. Now we're great in both areas. Part of the reason for great passing might have to do with Mooch only playing 7 minutes the whole game. There was a point during the game when Padgette, Boki, and Braggs all entered where the passing looked fantastic. They looked like the Kings/Jazz out there. These guys are exactly the type of role players the Rockets have needed for several seasons. And with Pike and A. Griffin coming back, the great passing is only going to get better. I just really hope the perimeter shooting doesn't take a dive. When our outside shots are falling, noone can stop this offense. If the Rockets can remain near the top in 3-point accuracy, there will be no stopping us.
Defense is something you learn in practice. Passing just kind of comes along naturally with team chemistry. Granted some of it can be taught.. but I think if our defense is solid and our offense started clicking.. the passing will fall into place
Right now, we're 22nd in terms of assists. I'd like to see that go up substantially, and I think Pike coming back + more playing time for Boki will improve those numbers. Pike generally catches and shoots, which means an assists almost every time he scores. Mobley is doing some great catch and shooting right now, but still likes to make it his own play more often. As for Boki, he's basically a shooter, plus he cuts to the basket and Ming usually catches him cutting. As time goes by, I'm pretty sure the overall assists will go up, and the TO'S are BOUND to go down.
Our big improvement this season is the JVG installed DEFENCE. Passing has improved a little but we have so many poor or unwilling passers but that can be corrected in time by JVG, especially as he gets his complete team assembled.We stiil are a poor assists team and we have far too many turn overs, all correctable though.
I think the passing has improved considerably. It's still early, but the trend is outstanding. As is the defense. Cut down on the turnovers, get back the guys who are out (if we can), and we're really looking good. So I have to say "both". Hey, did the Rocks really double-dribble that much last night?? Some of those had to be bogus calls!
If the team continues passing like they did some last night, that will change quickly. They weren't quite in sync yet and we had some t/o's that we won't later.
Yeah. He has a horrible tendency to double dribble...sometimes refs call it...sometimes they don't...Mobley does the same thing but not as worse. They both travel a lot too! They are still great of course. I think defense is most important. We are doing pretty well in that...#1 in points allowed and opponents' field goal percentage. Very nice. And uhh..I love passing. The Magic are a pretty good passing team as well but they just didn't make the open shots. Only guy who could shoot was Juwan Howard. Tyronn Lue made some too. Rockets looked nice out there as well..passing is beautiful...of course..only if it results in some points scored.
