Rudy added a new wrinkle to help prevent Francis from being smothered. Basically, rather than have a forward follow Francis down the court for a pick...Francis comes down by himself, making a double team a dangerous commitment. Not until Francis is on the wing, do the picks come. He'd get not only one, but sometimes two weaving picks. Oh, and don't forget about Walt on weak side getting a later pick from one of the weavers. This is a solo dribble-entry to the wing, to start the play. I still expect some teams to double this regardless. Rudy's challenge is going to continue to be finding multiple entries to the wing and multiple plays off of it. I haven't seen any passing entries to Francis coming around wing picks. I still would like to see Rogers or Hakeem at the key, throwing an entry to Francis. They are tall enough for the pass, and outside threats to make the d pay for leaving them after the pass. This motion can also rotate into a low post to Hakeem if nothing materializes, or a flashing Rogers through the lane. Minnesota introduced a new double-team concept against Steve, and Rudy has implemented an answer with this solo dribble entry. I'm pleased. I think Rudy and Stevie are developing a nice set of PG-initiated plays.
I am so glad to see that Rudy knows something else besides the post on the Left block. I called for his head before but I am impressed. I still don't think that it is the play calling as well as it is the intensity that he requires. Along the years I think the problem with the Rockets has been the intensity. They could have won at least 10 more games if they went for the same intensity as they did to get the lead. I think they need to stay agressive instead of playing "not to loose."
Heypartner, judging from the responses (and the lack thereof), I'd say your threads regarding on the court tactics is over a lot of heads. I appreciate it because I don't get to see many games anymore and this sort of tactical analysis isn't really brought to bear by any other poster here. Keep it up!
Juan, thx. I think people do follow, otherwise my writing sucks. Hopefully, they are looking to see if they can find the plays I'm describing. It might be difficult to understand from my writing, like how can you explain Xs and Os without using bball lingo. But I feel several people here can see it the court, once any attempt at writing about it is made. I hope people look for it on the court and contribute comments, later. My dream is to have some of this in Flash pretty soon so you can see it animated, and so I can get better feedback. But, you know, Rudy is changing so fast, I can't settle on what to draw, yet. I do know this is a revolutionary moment in following Rocket ball. To me, it is much more fun if we can figure out and follow the new system developing around our Franchise. I look forward to contributions from others.
heypartner, I have also seen Cat and Shandon on ISO's. What is it with the left block? Back when Willis was here it was whoever got to the left block first. However Barkley was 2 times the passer that Hakeem and Willis put together were.
Oh, my God. Can you imagine the conversation between Rudy and Hakeem this summer: "We want you back for one more run at it, Dream. Let's make this last one a great one. But we also want to make sure you're comfortable with the new offense. What we need from you on a regular basis is a solid entry pass . . ."
lol Will... how about, "I want you on the high post, to get you facing the basket with some spacing. Plus, we need to get Francis rebound positioning down low." Steve, Yeah. Sometimes it does seem like Mobley waves off the whole team before he even gets across halfcourt. I do see him on the right block as much as the left. He's left-handed, so left drives can get him into the lane. That's what I like to see from him. Then plant either Francis or Dream on the top of the key to take the pass should the D collapse. And I've seen a baseline pick used on the opposite block right when Mobley starts the drive in order to give Mobes a dish opportunity. I totally forgot about last nights game. Can someone describe how the defended Francis? Let me guess from Bullard's stats, that Francis and Bullard played the 3pt area wing clear-out pick and Bullard got some 45 degree angle freebies. Did the offense ever set-up 4 low post weak-side and Francis solo wing side, then start the picks for Francis? [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited January 29, 2000).]
LOL, I guess we could move Francis to the 5 since he has been getting so many boards. Didn't get to watch it either, I am hope I can catch some of the game tomorrow. Heypart, Did the offense ever set-up 4 low post weak-side and Francis solo wing side, then start the picks for Francis? Is that ISO with a pick set on the wing for him to drive the lane? / - \ /H S X \ | X X Where H is for the high screen? [This message has been edited by Steve Phrancis (edited January 30, 2000).] [This message has been edited by Steve Phrancis (edited January 30, 2000).]
Dang it, Clutch, when are you gonna get that play-diagram software up and running? I guess I'll have to do it the old-fashioned way. Here's the "screen-and-sesame-seed-roll" play I've seen Rudy run for T-Ham. Hambone gets the screen at the top of the key from Hakeem, fakes to the basket, and then cuts a sharp left out of the arena to order a Whopper. The play is designed to take advantage of the opposing D's preoccupation with winning the game. While they're busy sealing off the lane to prevent the basket, Hambone gets the burger uncontested. The play doesn't work quite as well without him, but I could see us running it 4 or 5 times a game with Pig Miller or Kenny Thomas. / /H X \ ......\ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > BURGER KING X X .....O [This message has been edited by Will (edited January 30, 2000).]
yeah Steve, four guys will line-up on the baseline (that's what i mean by 4 low post), to allow Francis to dribble into the wing area. Then the picks come to give him a lane option. The weaving picks give him a baseline option, on the 1st pick, then another guy comes over to give him a pick for the lane. This is quickly becoming the most used set. I'm going to do these in Flash pretty soon. How'd you like the Mobley ISO against the Lakers. I knew Cato was going to help that play. Cato loves to get the dish for slam. Hakeem just doesn't seem to find the passing lane as well as Cato. Mobley seems to always be more effective when Cato and Rogers are in.
I did see a lot of it yesterday.. What I also saw on the `Two Shake' as they call it which is the Mobley ISO. Thing thing that impressed me the most about this was the movement that Cato brough. He was line up in the post, as CAT begin to head towards the basket, so did Cato. Shaq came over for the double and got the ball slammed down on his head. What is great about this, is that it lets us execute man to man and if they double, we can exploit it. You know that they could run the high screen and use either they one where the guard keeps the ball and runs through the lane, or they could alter it to use the pick and roll depending on if steve's defender goes under the screen, or over the screen. If he goes over, keep the ball and if the double occurs, dish it out, else Dunk! If his D goes under, use the pick and roll.
What I really love to see is a point guard that can dunk. It is like the center that can shoot the 3. As far as the 2 shakes, if you have it recorded, check and see how Cato got free on his dunk. I was watching the ISO and saw the movement and wondered how he got free. One of the disadvantages of not recording it. I also wonder why Shandon doesn't post up more, when he moves over to the 2.
I don't have to review the tape for that one. Cato was free for three dunks from Mobley drives (2 dunks converted one was stopped by an Horry foul). In all of them, Shaq left Cato once Mobley left his man on the first step. Mobley drove left once and baseline twice. He also found Walt free once for an open shot when Phil decided to have Walt's defender slide to Cato.
I think "Two Shakes" is different than the ISO. At least that was my reading of Mobley's comments. I'm going to look at the tape again after reading that quote. I think there might be a play for both Anderson and Mobley called Two Shakes,,,as in the 2 position shakes his defender. I like your "else dunk" part. Don't you just love plays that make you defend the "else dunk" part.
So, is was the Rocket's job to create the space, or create the double from the perimeter. I guess that is better than the low block but it is kind of the same offense that we have been running. I do like the addition of the screen in the high pick iso. I would like to see some more variations. I won't be able to watch the first half tonight, where it seems that Francis seems to dominate. He will be matched up with a good shoot in David Westly and someone alot like himself in Byron Davis. I think Steve's attitude is what makes him different than most stars.
The two shakes play was also designed for T. Hamilton.....you gotta have something to wash those burgers down with!!!!!! Thank you, drive thru! ------------------ HOOP-T Hey Shaq, Acme called, and they want their bricks back!
Phrancis... Big difference. First, in the Mobley ISO we are talking about a single play, that is getting called only about 5-10 times per game, depending on the defense. The new wing play at top of the thread is different. Secondly, driving is not anyway shape or form the same as low post play. In driving, the double team allows Isiah, Magic, Jordan, Francis, Mobley, et al dish to a player for a slam. The double team in low post forces Jabbar, Hakeem, Walton, Barkley, Moses, Ewing, Shaq to ignore it and pound it through anyways, or pass it for a 3-pt attempt. (last sentence is meant to describe our version of the low post dump) very different when explained that way...eh? [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited February 01, 2000).]
The benefit from both the Dribble ISO and the low post is to get the other team to commit to the double and exploit where the double came from. It has always been on the perimeter since Rudy loves the trey. Also the references to coming off of wing picks, is what Starks or Chris Jackson(I love the flag, Abdul-Ruf(sp)), were famous for. I love the use of picks because it is meant to create separation and of course we both know, where there is separation, there is usually a high percentage shot.
