This isn't a who would win thread. This is a thread for observations about how absolutely different this team is compared to the Hakeem-era teams. Remember right before the beginning of last season when Dream said that this is the most talented team he'd ever been on? Well, now it's time for that talent to make a name for themselves. I want to see some obvious and not so obvious differences you guys notice with the changing of the guard. #1: Outside-in game. Before, it was simple. Get the ball down to Dream, they double- or triple- team him, (if Dream doesn't shoot, then) he finds the open man & passes, the defense adjusts, we pass it around 'til we get an open shot, and then take it. This year, it's an outside-in game. The guards are the ones drawing the mismatches, and creating plays. Sometimes they drive, a big defender switches to help, and they pass to an open big man for a close range basket. Sometimes they come off picks. Regardless, it's nearly the opposite of the "Rockets then." Totally a new-look offense, but a very exciting one to watch indeed. #2: Fast breaks. We actually have fast break points. This is mostly a result of us being such a younger & faster team. In the past we were almost exculsively a half-court offense. We much preferred to be in our set offense with the right spacing over beating the other team to the other side of the court. This post is getting long, so I'll leave the others for you guys to (hopefully) post. One thing that hasn't seemed to change -- turnovers. I wish we were a little more careful with the ball, geez!!!
The turnovers will improve as the season progresses. I know this sounds like a cliche but this team did not get 1 preseason game together. Rice is rusty and went the wrong way on STeve's passes last night. Although Francis with get the stat for turnovers, the real culprit was Rice. Rice is still learning the system and learning what his teammates can do. Afterall, he was a NY Knick who is not used to getting any passes thrown to him. The Knicks don't share the ball. I think Sprewell and Houston are selfish players. The rockets will only get better and better.
