Correct me if I'm wrong: Isn't the 4th quarter T-Mac Time?

Exactly, that's why Jordan never trusted guys like Paxson to make the big shots.

 

Let's wait until McGrady can consistently get around his man and to the hole before annoiting him 4th quarter savior. Watch him play, he's not himself. It looks a LOT like his back is still stiff and he's lost the athleticism and quickness that made him so hard to stop. He's a jump shooter right now and is struggling to free himself up for shots.

Evan

 

Your comments are based on the assumption that TMac can still take the ball to the hoop all the time, but frankly, I believe Tmac is not the old, unstoppable TMac anymore.

 

He hasn't been making his shots though recently...

 

It's not Tmac is not trying to take over, it's that he's not put the ball in the basket over double or tripple team and his teammates not delivering when he passes out to them.
It's part of Tmac's fault, because Jordan/Kobe could dominate whenever need to, but the pritmeter guys need to help him too. It's not fair just to point out Tmac is not getting it done for us.

 

Too bad. The Rockets' 20 mil dollar man is playing like a 10 mil dollar man. Any refund, T-Mac?

 

Tmac has lost his first step and now he has to give up the ball too often. In the past, he'd just attack DT and take it to the hole, but not any more.

 

Didn't T-Mac used to take over in the 4th?

His first season he did and last season whenever he was able to he did.

A lot of games stand out to me, but one road trip does moreso. Does anyone remember that 5-or-so road trip along the west coast a while back? We came out 4-1 and that was the same road trip T-Mac drilled 5 3pt shots against the Sonics in the 4th quarter to win the game, and the same road trip where he had that clutch drive resulting in a lay up and win against the Lakers. I'm not sure if that was the same road trip but I think it was...

Anyways we need that T-Mac back. I remember he used to have like 20 or less (usually like 13-17) points before the 4th quarter, and he always ended up with like 25 or 30 or something.

We need that T-Mac back. The playmaking is nice on a whole, but only for the first 3 quarters. He needs to look for his shot first in the 4th, then Yao/open jump shooters.

 

Tell Assistant coach Gundy to stop making him run pick and roll's at the top of the key. Its one of the most boneheaded things to do. Its so easy to trap a guy when he's that far from the hoop.

I see Assistant coach Gundy calling plays in crunch time for players like Rafer Alston and Luther Head. Its like he's almost obsessed with the team shooting 3 pointers no matter what the circumstances are. We all know he wont adjust his rudimentary offense so we just blame Tmac for not trying to split triple teams and go the the hole as if there isn't two or three bodies standing right in front of him and packing the lane.

 

Tmac is supposed to be known as the clutch player on the team instead its turned out to be Luther Head which is a good thing but Tmac has to take over in the 4th quarter especially when we are struggling to make shots. He has to be the leader and take charge of the game. It seems to me like hes not himself anymore and thats something to worry about. I hope the old Tmac will reappear somehow.

 

Jordan did not win a championship until he found trust in all his teammates ................
Don't the great ones make those around them better? One of the things that made Jordan the best ever was that he demanded his teammates try and play to his level. He willed them to get better, and when that didn't work, he yelled at them

 

It takes 5 baby, watch the adidas commercial.

He 's probably lost a little of his confidence, but still making a right decision. I rather see him defer than press the shot at the current situation and recent funk that's he's in. Once he's in the groove again , then he can let it fly.

 

If it's an open shot, take it, super star or not. I dont care who takes it, as long as makes it. So the PnR top of the key play mostly has done good for us because it resulted in wide open shots. Are you suggesting Tmac should take a pull up jumper over 3 hands in his face, even if he can make it, that's a bad shot and should not be relied on at critcal time. Also as other mentioned, Tmac is not as explosive as before, so sometimes he has to give up.
As far as the PnR with Yao, that should be the bread&butter of our offense.

 

whether he is on or off in a game or in a stretch of games....The roxs will not get far relying exclusively on tmac and or yao in the 4thq. They need all 5 to play the tangies and intangies in the last 4qs.

 

Nah, Jordon didnt yell at them, he sucker punch them.

 

Mabye Yao should yell at Rafer, after shooting 3/15 before the last clutch shot.

Or Mutumbo should yell at Yao, telling him to headbutt that Ooompa Loompa next time if he ever jumps that high, or bite his ear or something.

 

From My observation of the recent fourth qtrs. Tracy McGrady isn't in the condition, both physically and mentaly to take over in the 4th qtr. Possibly as he gets himself more acclimatized he will be able to distribute his energy and talents to do so. Even so The coach should demand that the players stop rushing all the wild outside shooting and play the same type of game which they have been playing in the previous qtrs. If the coach wants all this wild outside shooting possibly Novak would be the one who should be playing at this time- at least he can score!!!!!!!!

 

The problem isnt the pick and roll... fact of the matter is until T-Mac finds his game (which I no doubt he will) the Rockets will struggle in the 4th quarter as opponents will continue to gear their defense to deny Yao, leaving the Rockets to either post another player, go one on one or go to the pick and roll with T-mac being the desionmaker, playmaker and shotmaker.

The pick and roll or "boneheaded" play as u called it, is one of the MOST utilized & effective plays in the League. Its the easiest way to create penetration, mismatch and open shots. Far from boneheaded, it is that which allows Tmac to get to the hole or get off a jump shot without having to beat his man. Trapping the player while effective if done correctly creates open shots for other players. The problems at the moment is, one: players are not hitting the open shots, Two: Tmac is not hitting jumpers, and Lastly T-mac is not effectively splitting or attacking the trap.

Trapping the pick and roll is not easy or else John stockton and Karl Malone would not be hall famers or Nash would not be a two time MVP.

The only problem I have with JVG's pick and roll is that he (or the players) sets it too damn high, often time 2 feet beyond the 3 point line. I would love to see it set at the top of the key INSIDE the 3 pt line and at the elbow.

 

The operative words--- as long as makes it!!!!!! Sorry but they need more organized basketball in the 4th qtr. with more steady, unrushed shooting. It would be a good time to bring in the fresh legs and shooting touch of Novak.