Watching Dwight Howard blossom in Orlando and comparing it to the semi-dominant Yao of last year, both guys had two things in common. Perimeter shooting to create spacing in the post. Four Rockets shot over 100 treys last year and Dwight Howard has the quick releases of Lewis and Hedo on the perimeter (both much better than any shooter on the Rockets given their size). Currently we have no one who can consistently knock down the outside shot and as a result Yao is extremely crowded on the low block. I think we need some confident shooters (specialists) to get this offense clicking and allow slashers like Francis and Bonzi to go to work. Right now we only have Head and with his size he isn't that big of an advantage. Battier has too methodical of a shot and doesn't have the lateral movement to keep up with quicker perimeter players, so he is now extremely expendable. A trade has to be made to bring in a quick release shooter with decent size since Novak is still not NBA material. It would make sense since the Rockets were hot for Rudy Fernandez on draft day and just missed out. Matt Carroll, Jason Kapono, Tim Thomas and Wally Z come to mind. Once the shots start falling from the outside, TMac will gain confidence in his teammates and Yao will gain confidence working quickly in the paint. Right now no one can get into their natural game against quicker defenses and low confidence = low fg %.
That has been an issue since the Texans first ignored the need for an offensive line. How long has this team needed shooters? A very long time. Several drafts and many trades have gone by with few improvements in this area. It really does seem like every team in the NBA has tons of mid-range shooters and our guys struggle to make lay ups. Go figure.
It's called Van Gundy offense (in reference to the original poster). Orlando has it. THe Rockets don't anymore. You'd have to hire a Gundy before surrounding Yao with shooters.
And we all know Adelman can't work with shooters given Peja's run in Sacramento. I just don't see players like Battier and Hayes being fully utilized in an Adelman type offense. Battier isn't athletic enough to make quick cuts to the basket. His shot release isn't quick enough to come off screens and knock down jumpers. Rafer is still starting because he can push the ball up the court in a hurry, but his 3 point shooting is terrible. The main point being = Yao needs space to work with in the paint. Right now defenses can double him and have no problem with other Rockets taking outside shots. We have a 7'6 monster with great post moves, it pains me to see them go to waste with guys like Bonzi and Francis standing on the perimeter... and Hayes floating around looking for loose change.
That's crazy talk. Absolutely crazy. No NBA coach in his right mind would suggest playing inside out with Yao. You're insane.
Every player on the court doesn't have to be a shooter. But we need one specialist to compensate for Wells/Francis/Rafer whoever is in the backcourt. James is just too streaky and Battier is too methodical with a slow release. I only wish Head was 3-4 inches taller.
All kidding aside if the team continues to struggle, why not? Bring him and Brooks up and toss em in the mix. DD
besides JVG? essentially tahts what he did. I just didnt like when he brought out Yao 22 ft away from the basket to set picks. I'd say we need 2 or 3 great shooters until we can be taken seriously. Adelmen has yet to go inside out with Yao. It needs to happen every play. Going back to teh phx game earlier this year. Good things happened with Yao touched the ball in the final 4 minutes. HE TOUCHED THE BALL EVERY PLAY. Not only did he touch it, he touched it first...
We need more guys attacking the basket, not more guys camping on the perimeter shooting threes. Thats what we did last year and it go us nowhere in the playoffs.
Yeah, but we did that with guys who couldnt shoot. I agree. Jump shooting gets you nowhere, but that doesnt mean we shouldnt have any shooters at all, and this is the third year in a row where thats the case. we have no shooters outside of Lu and Battier
Maybe the #1 priority should be getting a new coach, or hoping our coach finds a way to relate to these players. Sacramento fired him for a reason.
Just what the Rockets need....another first round exit from slow players that can't get their own shot or create matchup problems. Been there, done that.
I agree, we played damn well under JVG with a worst roster. Give him this team, which has a better roster, and we would not be .500 right now. I'm not saying JVG is the answer, but we wouldn't be this bad had we kept him. There would be no learning curve. Just go out there and play simple basketball. The way the game should be played.
