This is a thread to analyze what is wrong with the Rockets. Rafer Alston isn't the only one playing poorly. The whole team seems to be missing easy and wide open shots. I'm curious as to why this is? I know this is still early, but why is this happening? Why is the entire team with the exception of Yao and Tmac shooting poorly? Our 3-point shooting used to be something that puts the fear into other teams. Now they give us the shot. Hopefully this is just a short term thing. I also noticed Luther seems to hesitate taking shots. He used to pull up with 3-pointer every chance he gets. Now, if there is a seperation, and the defender steps up to "catch" him, he hesitates and passes it off. I love his newfound penetration ability this year, but quite frankly, I prefer the Luther head of last year where he would drain the 3 pointers. I guess for Battier its understandable why he's missing more open 3's. He is taking them at angles where he misses them more often. His shot chart shows that he hits a MUCH higher percentage from the corners. His worst shooting comes from the top of the key. Mike James is another puzzle. He is usually very accurate from the field. It seems like he is rushing to drive now. His shots don't look way off like Rafers, but he is still missing a large percentage of them. Bonzi is missing shots he normally would make. I am actually kinda pleased with his play so far despite his poor shooting percentage. Yao is sort of frustrating to watch. It's not because hes not playing well, but its because there are tons of those "so close" shots. Every time he is fouled, the ball just doesn't seem to drop. It will roll lazily off the rim which results in 2 free-throws rather than the and 1. It's not really a criticism, but just imagine all those extra points we could get if they just fell in.
mike james had a couple good games now hes stinking it up just like rafer is. something has got to be done about that PG position.
I wish yao would just dunk it everytime he gets it at point blank range. I wish our 3s were falling. James and Rafer have been in shooting slumps.
All the Rockets save T-Mac and Yao are well below their career averages from the field and 3 point line. Nobody knows. I guarantee you if all the Suns not named Steve Nash and Shawn Marion suddenly were shooting 5-25% below their career averages they would start losing a bunch more games.
I think you are asking the wrong question. I think you should ask.. "why is it that when we play a team.. they always have one scrub that looks like Craig Hodges from the 3pt line."
due to lack of play making. TMAC's role in play making was reduced by 15%, Yao picked up 5%, role players' shooting dropped by about 10%.
My guess? Players are still uncomfortable in Adelman's system. They are thinking too much instead of naturally reacting. Also, every is just sucking at shooting at the same time. Plain and simple.
Give it some time, the law of average will kick in and we'll shoot out of our shooting slump. After the all-star break when this team gets more and more comfortable with RA's new system we should be a very good shooting team. Shooting is the biggest variant to the game, especially the 3. Our intangibles are pretty set. To contrary belief Rafer commanding the team from the PG is actually pretty effective until his counted on to take the kick out three. Give it some time, be patient, especially in the next stretch with T-Mac out and were playing against the big boys, it'll be ugly, but it's all a learning process. _ Blues
Rafer can't shoot; he couldn't shoot last year (although he took a ton of shots), he couldn't shoot the year before, basically, Rafer can't shoot. Obviously, he is also contagious. I actually like Rafer, nice kid, great ball handler, good teammate, not a bad distributer, can't shoot. I don't think his positives outweigh his negatives, ergo, I think he should not be getting major minutes like he did last night. The Rockets need to find a SHOOTER, on the bench or somewhere else. We need a SHOOTER who has a few other skills, not a HORSE shooter like Novak. I can do that. Wait, maybe we do need a HORSE shooter, maybe we should bring Novak back to take a few shots a game. It is going to get desperate pretty quick if this brickfest continues.
because JVGs offense sucks and he demands too much of them on defense...oh wait...uhhh....rafer stinks
Battier, Mike James and Luther Head all are (proven)pretty good shooters that are definately capable of knocking down open shots with ease, we are all in a slump, yes including Rafer (who is very capable of knocking down the open three from top of the key), if he can shoot at his career 3PT FG% he will be much more effective. Although I definately agree with you that we should be looking for a shooter; Most pure shooters are defensive liabilities (Korver, Kopono, Caroll) and to plug one in our rotation will weaken the defensive identity of this team, hence is the reason why Novak does not get any significant PT. _ Blues
exactly. rafer is just the shameless whipping boy. without JVG, rafer takes all the bashing. sad and pathetic...but true. i dont know whats wrong with battier and MJ just hasnt looked good either. You know its bad when even luther shooting so poorly
