This is a long-term question, as in by the end of the season and into the playoffs, what do you see as the winning approach to the Rockets being able to score in the final two minutes of a close game - dependence on Yao Ming to initiate the offense, or dependence on team ball? This is not a trick question, a lot of coaches have said they fully expect Yao to get the ball in crunch time, but the real question is, is this best for the team long-term to be so predictable, or is it still our best chance to score despite that?
Team ball. Remember all the key baskets made by the Cassells, Horrys, and Smiths of the Rockets? Not to mention the Paxsons and Kerrs. Team ball all the way. DD
The plays called for Yao in the last few minutes were predictable, and against a guy (Chandler) who is long enough to bother Yao in the post... I think Head should have been spotting up for a kickout 3 or cutting to the basket. Otherwise, the motion offense should have been run like usual. Guys gotta be able to take the shots in crunch time - not just predictable isolations of Yao or Tmac, who tend to get smothered in those situations.
Let me restate my points again http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=140491 1. Big man is hard to be clutch (even Shaq) unless he is a shooter (Garnet). Because big men usually slow and rely on good position to score. In clutch time, they are hard to get ball there. Even they get, they are high in turnover. They will draw a lot of collisions and the referee hesitates to call a foul at that time. So, we should not rely too much on Yao to finish a game, he will draw the attention anyway. Instead, penetration is the key. The penetrating guy should be quick and smart to decide: lay-up? draw a foul? or pass to a open man? That's how old lakers and spurs succeeded. I hope McGrady can take the role to prove he is still a super star. 2. Yao should improve his mid-range shooting. Right now, he is terrible. That's how he can be more clutch. 3. McGrady should reduce the role for setting up play, he should let the team rolling by itself and focus more on score and defense. 4. The team needs more consistent shooting.
i think you give the ball to your best player early in the sets, but of course there has to be team ball
Keys for success in the crutch: 1. Attack the rim, whoever can. Not a J. 2. Get the right calls from the Refs. I think Yao did right things, we just need the call which is likely on the gambling table.
Execution is the key in the clutch time. They should execute well plan and well exercised play. Apparently, they didn't.
pound it in to yao..... hope for the superstar foul call which he should get everygame then if doubled kick it out for three and hopefully some one makes it.. if theree not avaliable or double is not present ill live with yao taking a one on one shot with his defender
If you watched a lot of clutch time plays, you would find that referees often miss calls. In addition, attacking the rim is a good start but finishes are all varied.
This was the exact execution why Rockets have lost so many leads in the 4th since last season. pound it to Yao will never work due to : 1. Yao's fatigue; 2. Yao's un-clutchness; 3. too predictable; 4, not team ball; 5, Refs dont like Yao's race. 6, we need rebounds from Yao more than his points.
Predictably going to Yao early in every single solitary possession while everyone else stands around is just stupid, unless he is overwhelming the defense. When motion and cutting work the entire game, enough to give you a lead against a good team, why would you trash it and become 100% predictable? Yao was tearing up their defense when we moved the ball around. Why not continue that? I'm glad the team is playing better on offense and stepping it up without Tracy, but Adelman sometimes wastes it with bad decisions. He is sending a message to the other players that Yao is the only one he trusts in those situations. Yao is fine when he gets the ball in scoring position but I guess getting him the ball, period end of story, is the goal in crunch time. I guess Adelman didn't watch any film of last season. Count me in with those who say going to Yao exclusively late in games is a terrible idea. Of course, Adelman would say we are 5-1 our last 6 games so why change now.
Last season Morey mentioned quite a few times Yao was the Rockets most efficient scorer in the 4th quarter.
I dont think going to Yao in most possessions in final quarter is stupid. The idea is get Yao the ball and Yao will kick the ball out if double team comes. However: - The Hornets played Yao straight 1-on-1 most of the time. - Yao was the best scoring option and he's been hot. - The offense didnt have too much flow in 3 quarters anyway - early shots, bad shot selections, missed layups led to fastbreaks, etc.. It was way to easy for the Hornets in 1st half. I think most coaches will do the same under these circumstances - going to Yao in every possessions.
that's a bad defesnive sequence. I think they should trap Chris Paul in front court instead of letting him pick up the ball and drive.
