Gene Peterson asked Rudy about if Dream's starting. He said, "No, he doesn't know the offense yet...our new rinkles." "He doesn't know a lot of the plays we are running." I call these good signs, because it obviously means that Rudy will work Dream into the new system. We will not go backwards and focus only on Dream. Look for Dream to run around double picks, like Bullard has been doing. Look for him to take up top-of-key--positioning during Mobley's ISO. Also, look for a new high post play for him to do later. The one Rogers does back to basket, two cutters (one heading baseline, one into the lane) go past him and he hands off to one, that's an immediate pick. Dream will be able to do this and also fake the hand-off for a follow-the-leader into the lane. I believe, although Rogers is the main person doing this play, it was designed for Dream to run. watch closely....i'm ready
Funny how the same statement can make one person happy and another mad. Let me preface this tirade with this: I'm just a fan, I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, BUT... I was FURIOUS when I heard that Hakeem didn't know the offense. WHY NOT!?!? He can't watch practices? He can't review film? He can't ask the coaches questions? How many hours do the Rockets go over plays in practice? I'm sure Hakeem can pause his rehab to sit in when they're home. I'm sure tapes can be made and sent to him when the team in on the road. He can watch the games. It sounds to me like a lack of dedication and commitment. He gets paid enough to put in a little OT. I know there's nothing like actual participation, but he should be familiar with the plays. I don't understand that.
SpaceCity, In response to your "seeing it" vs. "doing it" statement, read my original message: "I know there's nothing like actual participation, but he should be familiar with the plays." You don't agree? By "pause his rehab", I meant to reschedule his day so he gets his rehab in as well as sits in on practices. He could certainly "walk-through" the plays with the team in the latter stages of his rehab. I'm hoping everything I suggested took place, and the coaches/commentators were making pre-emptive excuses to lower the fans expectations of what the Dream could accomplish early on.
Tb-Cain To clarify: In today's emerging offensive sets, a player moves in reaction to an opponents defense of several pre-designed movements. To make it sound simpler, think of it as a dance. When this is done then you do that. When the opponent then reacts to you this way, you in turn move over there. When your forward mate goes to the weak side and his covering defender moves with him, you go here. If he doesn't move with him, then you go there. To accurately gauge your effectiveness and position yourself properly you have to be "in" the set. Playing in real game responses. You can only simulate the movement to a position, not the timing or the "read" to go there. Not trying to be highbrow about it.Hope that helps. I watched ironically last night as Francis pointed to Hakeem's specific spot on two possessions. On two others Drew did the pointing. It seemed,Hakeem was the master of concentration and perplexity all night. On Leadership: Whos's ship is this? At the half, Hakeem and Francis walked to the lockeroom together, and Hakeem was joking with him about him (Francis) putting the ball in his own basket(after the period ended). Francis said somethimng like: "I just can't stop that" or " I just can't resist that" or something .... Hakeem was nodding and laughing,saying "I know,I know you can't." To me,it was an example of Hakeem's admiration for Francis' game. They seemed comfortable together. Francis is clearly the leader on the floor. Earlier he chastised Mobes for his slefish play in a pass from Francis, and he (Cuttino) held the ball too long, missed the pass opportunity and turned the ball over. Francis went directly to him and spoke heatedly about cutting with the ball, then passing off not holding it when he draws a double like that. Will I think it was my Grand Dad who said wrinkles were the road maps of experience. So I take it you are either experienced or spend a lot of time in water. An experienced fish maybe?? [This message has been edited by popeye (edited January 18, 2000).]
