Is it me or does JVG not make good adjustments during the game and series. He always sticks to pretty much the same rotation and I never see many adjustments in game. He does a great job preparing us for games but doesnt adjust to the situation at hand verywell. For example today when Shaq was left in game and re entered shortly with his 4th foul in the 2nd quarter, and the lakers switch it up with shaq on Cato and malone on Yao. Comon Shaq would have to be such a timid defender to avoid his 5th foul before the half. This is a prime time for bringing in MoT to force shaq to guard him. There is just no absolute way shaq will be able to guard Mo if he faces up.
Malone is going to have a harder time guarding Yao than Shaq guarding MoT. I saw JVG make 1 in-game adjustment tonight, that was to take Yao out of the post when Malone was on him. I don't understand why, but for once, it wasn't the Steve's fault that Yao didn't get the ball.
That could be true, but malone is one of the most scrapiest and I might add a lil dirty, not to mention strongest defenders in the league. In my view Getting that 5th foul on shaq would have been a killer. No way shaq is going to play aggresive defense and go for the block. Remember Taylor is the X-factor, the only player on the lakers bench that could guard MoT is Malone, and if he has to be stuck guarding yao or cato, Mo would be having a field day with Slava and Luke walton.
There are some points here, but keep in mind that Riley/JVG/Carlisle teams, unless very deep, will actually make fewer in game adjustments than you'd think. The point of the grind is to win a war of attrition, and you want your main guys in there to start gaining on the other team as they wear down or pick up fouls.
We have to play a perfect game to win, but we did not control the tempo in the 3rd quarter. How the hell Lakers scored 30 points in the 3rd quarter? This has been a problem for the Rox this season. Hopefully next season, they can bring in a PF and a backup PG.
It's more that Rockets didn't adjust defensively. When Shaq was on the bench, PJ brought out shooters to compliment Kobe's penetration. Rockets did a lot of traps, but not effectively. Malone, sometimes L Walton, took advantage of the open spaces in between and found their shooter. Rockets did very poorly to rotate to their shooter or deny the ball to Kobe. In short, Laker is a better team.
Now that is true. I would also like to have yao catch the ball on the move more often now and have him catch and shoot much closer to the hoop. It seems Yaos fadeaway and outside jumper have not been falling for a while now.Yao doesnt seem to score as well when there is physical contact, as he is not stong enuf to absorb it. And he hasnt had much success posting up shaq and malone with all their physical post play. If yao catches the ball on the move more then he will have a chance to score when shaq isnt set to defend him and could be able to draw more fouls. having him catch on the move is one way to get him going and put pressure on shaq. Many of yaos points Yao has had so far have come from very quick shots where shaq hasnt had time to dig in and start pushing.
None the less....I was still impressed to actually see Rocket players moving around WITHOUT the ball....Gee, I can't rememeber the last time that we actually had an offence that included MOTION....I got so sick of that dang ISO offence that we ran for the last 3 years.... Rockets are suffering from "no experiance"....We all expected that...but at least they are gaining a little knowledge....I hope game 3 goes a little more the Rocks way....But still...Shaq with only 7 points and we still lose?....can't see that happening again....
Three things happen after Shaq pick up his fourth foul: 1. Rockets think they are in control and lost defense intensity, while Lakers knows they need to step up for Shaq and they did. When Rockets found out they did not take advanttages of the situation, they mentally crack down. 2. Rockets try to take advantages of Yao and Malone match up. Unfortunetely Malone was extremely physical to Yao and Yao was intimidated, thus he went with 0/3 against Malone. 3. When Shaq came back, and Rockets found out Yao-Malone match up hasn't worked out, Guards are trying to go inside and draw Shaq's fifth foul, it does create some easy baskets, but unfortunetely, Referee won't call it. The game is basically over when Mobley pick up that three point foul at the end of the three. Going into fouth quarter with double digit deficit is a huge blow to Rockets confidence and a great boost to Lakers.
I agree...We didn't make good adj. from Game 1 and after halftime in Game 2... It was driving me freakin' crazy...
Mo T should have been in the game the second Shaq picked up his 4th foul. Instead JVG left him on the bench and we were forced to watch Cato jack up 15-18 foot jumpers. Shaq was able to roam the paint and help out Malone with Yao. JVG should have used MO in some pick and rolls or some ISO offense sincw shaq is not quick enough to stay with Mo. Thats were the game was lost.
I could not believe MO T did not come into the game when Shaq got his 4th. Shaq does not like to guard on the perimeter and Mo would have had open look after open look.
I thought Van Gundy should've give Padgett some playing time too, especially after Fisher, Walton and Rush came in and started hitting 3's. The Rockets 3 pt game is horrible right now.
