Watching the Rockets against the Grizz really demonstrated the reason why this team has the potential to be extremely good as they continue to grow. The pick and roll is one of the hardest things to defend in the NBA when it is done well. This is particularly true when both the offensive players in the set demand attention from defenses. One of the real advantages the Rockets have is that they have several big men (Yao, Mo, Cato) who can set strong picks and either hit open jumpers or know how to roll to the hoop and finish strong. In addition, the Rocks are loaded with great one-on-one players who can exploit the big man showing on them. Tonight, Gasol was absolutely exposed in the PNR. He did NOT want to leave his man but didn't come out far enough to stop the guard. Francis and Mobley got open jumpers and clear lanes to the basket over and over and over. The PNR combined with a VERY strong low post game with Yao is a really, REALLY tough combo in the half court for any defense because it forces teams to decide who to defend. Earlier this season, neither was working particularly well because Francis and Mobley were both shooting poorly and not going to the basket as much. Some of that was tentativeness on their part. Some of it was a lack of good spacing in the lane by the other guys on the floor. The struggles were compounded by the fact that Yao had yet to hit his stride and teams were unafraid to simply front him in the low post and force the team to go a different direction. Now that Yao has really asserted himself in the low post, the PNR is becoming a lethal option on offense. It make the Rockets probably one of the best two or three teams in the league in the half court on both ends of the floor and one of the main reasons why no one wants to face them in the first round of the playoffs.
Great post Jeff, I agree 100% Steve "turning the corner" has given this team so many more options than when he wasn't hitting his jumper and defenses would let him shoot. The Rockets are averaging 96 points a game this month and its no surprise that this comes when Steve starts playing better.
I also noticed that if yao couldnt establish his position early. Ball is quickly swung to the other side, no more wasting time, no more force feed. I thought it worked pretty well.
Inasmuch as I hate the Jazz... if Utah's past success with pick and roll is any indication on how durable this little scheme is, then Rox fans will have plenty to be happy about over the next decade. theSAGE
Yes great post. I love reading your posts! I agree..I hope we can become a good team! We should keep this team together...and add quality players Everybody on the team played very well tonight. Very solid throughout the entire game. I loved it!
The beauty of the pick and roll for us is that we really DO have some BIGS as in BIG PICKS. I see Yao rolling off the pick and I just can't help thinking: "if the pass gets through, one little curl and POW he's around deep in the paint." The Rox pick roll simply causes opposing defenses to implode. Everything starts to collapse - whether it be on the roller b/c of the mismatch in size or the outside guard who is suddenly freed up. Moreover, it's one of the more "reliable" plays insofar as freeing you up for a shot. I can totally see JVG going to the pick and roll even late in games during crunch time. To date, we really haven't seen as much roll action as say the old Stockton/Malone combo. But once the Rox figure out their passing to Yao, WATCH OUT! Stockton used to either (1) pass "through" the switchover and the opposing defender to the roller or (2) curl around the switchover for a pass. We're slowly but surely getting there. theSAGE
Maybe it's because I'm a pessimist, but I'm still not sold that Stevie can consistently knock down that mid-range jump shot coming off the pick. I mean, the Jazz had Stockton and Hornacek, both of whom are absolutely money on that shot. It goes in so much it's like a layup for them. That's why they're so good at the pick&roll, because they get ridiculously high% shots no matter how you defend. If Steve and Cat can both knock down that outside shot consistently, then our half-court offense would be unstoppable.
Quote to support what Jeff said... Incase you missed it: " They are probably the best pick-and-roll team I have faced all season."--B.Davis
The Rockets have built a better arsenal of weapons. In the past, our weapons depended on our players' abilities individually and utilizing ISO's. This is the new Rockets. In addition our ability to play strong one-on-one, we have regained (with Yao) a great in-out game, and now JVG has added an excellent pick-and-roll to our arsenal. Throw in some strong defense, and we are just plain dangerous. And don't forget that awesome Francis-to-Cato alley-oop - that's one of my favorites. Imagine what we'll be like after we control our turnovers. After we learn to play better against a zone. After we learn to really beat a 'front-Yao' defense. I am amazed at the progress JVG has accomplished in his first year here, and I see great things in our future... <br> <br> (but isn't this just about where the wheels fall off the cart? - after beating the tough teams we lose to someone like the Suns?) -- droxford
Uprising you beat me to it. Once Davis said that I said well look out, because there are weapons all over the place.
The best pick and roll in my opinion for the Rockets is when Cuttino gets a pick from Yao and they both head towards the basket with Cuttino getting an easy layup due to the confusion the defense has in trying to keep a man on Yao. However, the best pick and roll team is the Kings. If anyone has seen the Vlade and Bibby play that has been the killer, you'd know what I'm talking about. I've seen that play work against both the Rockets and the Lakers.
thats why we hate the JAZZ so it time to others teams hated us for that IMO now that everyone are playing well and the players are getting confortable in the Rockets-zone a left and rigth hand gards it's more hard to defend
