The Offense Revolution?

tmac has led the rox in scoring 11 of the last 13 games

 

Well, I'm not sure if JVG has explicitly "unleashed" these guys to start breaking more or if it's simply a byproduct of getting the guards that we're using currently.

Any team with Charlie Ward starting at point probably isn't going to run hard or rack up a lot of easy baskets. When Sura came back and started to get comfortable, we started to see the ball pushed up the floor on offense and generally a more uptempo game. Right now, I don't think there's a question that Sura's our third most important player behind the Big Two. His toughness (just came off of back surgery!), rebounding, shooting streaks, speed and ATTITUDE have all been most beneficial to this team. The Rockets started to show glimmers of hope again once he worked himself into the system.

They haven't played many games yet, but Barry and Wesley give us two more guys who can actually RUN THE BREAK. It's something we haven't seen in this town in a long time. In the little time they've had to show their stuff here, both appear to be decent shooters with great passing and smart decision-making. They look like the vaunted "JVG Types" that were discussed so much last year.

Basically, these three guys seem to feel very comfortable to run an uptempo game from the guard slots. Wether they're playing that way under orders or simply because it's easy for them is up for debate, but I recall JVG is rather noted for his micromanagement. I guess what you believe on this issue depends on your faith in the coach.

One thing I should also say about the fast break points is that they come a lot easier when you've got good perimeter defenders. Wesley has been excellent defensively thus far and Sura had 5 or 6 steals against Utah's guards, whom many on this bbs are in love with. They're also more likely to throw long, baseball outlet passes (and connect) than anybody we've had in years.

 

I think brake check is getting worried now. They have to shell out more money now that they are starting to break more.

They were looking like geniuses when they did the deal before the season. Now they are starting to hurt slowly. lol

 

I think they are almost over $5,000

 

What's great is having guys that WANT to run on a fast break like Sura and Wesley. That one sequence in teh 3rd quarter tells us a lot. Wesley took the Utah turnover and ran it down the court by himself and out of nowhere Sura just comes streaking down the court. Wesley passes and Sura lays it in and gets a foul. That's how you run a fastbreak. I remember the days of botched fast breaks by Steve and Cat and seeing tonight's game was satisfying.

 

there was another bueaty when Howard got the steal and gave it up to the Guard in the middle to start the 3 on 2 (instead of slowing it down or trying to take it himself) ... that is the way I learned to run a break when I was in 8th grade

 

these are the fundamental things i rarely saw in the Francis era. Yea cheapshot but it's true. It was also evident in the playoffs last year that they have a hard time running even a 3 on 1 fastbreak. But from the look of things, I think we have players that are capable of playing a high speed game (due to defense and the creation of TOs of course)

Phoenix--bring it on.

 

Contrary to what 75% of this board feels, Van Gundy has nothing against pushing tempo or early transition offense. Do you not recall him franticly waving his arms at Steve Francis to push tempo last season? Van Gundy just likes the game under control (read: few turnovers). This team has always had the green light, now they just have players who are capable.

As much as I like(d) Jim Jackson, his modus operandus in transition was to plant himself at the arc. When you're not hitting your 3's and you're not driving, this negatively impacts early transition effectiveness. Wesley and Jon Barry go to the basket and they are decent passers. A subtle but very significant point.

If you've been watching, the team from Game 1 has been a good transition team. This jumped significantly when Sura came off of IL and now again with Barry and Wesley. We're not SAC or PHX and we don't have Jason Kidd...but we're not going to turn it over as much in transition.

 

Good news for the future - Tmac at the 3 is working.

It will be cheaper and easier to get serviceable guys for the 2 spot, like we got in Wesley and Barry. Wesley is defending well. Getting rid of JJ was a good thing.

We still need more talent overall, but this was a good move to take advantage of what's most available in the talent market.

JVG gets some credit for turning Tmac loose to save his job. Thanks, JVG. We want to see Tmac be Tmac. No handcuffs.

 

lol yup.

I agree with pasox2 Tmac is playing great as usual at the 3.

Wesley and Barry fit very well with Sura and Howard and Mo and Yao are playing better. Basically...as I said in another thread..we're playing as a team!!! Our offensei sn't as boring since it's more uptempo.

Also, I really think what Pat says is true. I never thought of that. But maybe JVG gradually built or is building our offense..or maybe he desperately changed it after our struggles. I'm not sure but the idea of JVG developing our offense over time sounds nice.

Also, I think JVG think it is more important to get the rebound. And once we secure the rebound..JVG starts pushing us to go. Do we still appreciate him lol. I hope the Rockets can beat some teams with better records than them. Their ultimate goal should be to make the playoffs.