The Rockets are playing out of their minds right now. We no longer have those 4th qtr collapses that did us in early in the season and last year. This had always been a symptomatic problem of the Houston Rockets. The team is playing with energy and passion for the entire game. When the opposing team inevitably lapses sometime in the 3rd qtr typically, our team still has the foot on the gas. Why is this? I will put out a possible explanation. If any one else has another explanation, please feel free to chip in. The second unit of the Rockets is now near to fully developed. We are a very deep team and Adleman has no problem going 10 deep into the lineup. When the other team relaxes a bit, we are still sending waves of fresh players into the game. As I said, our foot is always on the accelerator. Our second squad of Head, Landry, Hayes, Battier, Brooks and Novak have all contributed and they are all capable of starting on a weaker team. I also believe that defensively we have reduced our turnovers and increased our overall defensive capabilities with Mutumbo but have lost scoring with Yao out. All in All- Losing Yao and replacing with Mutumbo is kind of a wash. Make no mistake, I'd rather have him on board because he's a great weapon to run at other teams. McGrady has increased his scoring and the role players have all stepped up. Everyone is pitching in and sharing the ball and scoring from every spot on the floor. The unselfishness is a joy to see. This is very good basketball and team play. The main reason for our run however, is still the fact that we have a deeper squad than any of our rivals. Who else in the NBA can go as deep as the Rockets into the bench without losing a step? This is what makes the Rockets such a dangerous team to go deep into the playoffs.
Agreed! Depth was always going to be a bonus this year with the offseason acquisitions that we made (not that either Francis or James are playing at all) No doubt that Morey knows what he's doing, and he brought in guys that could make a contribution - 3 of which have panned out superbly (Scola, Landry, Brooks) The guys on the bench CAN all contribute in meaningful ways - and we're seeing the benefits it's having for the team. I might just offer another factor: Luis Scola as a starter - I think we have only lost 2 games with him starting (can someone check that fact?) - and the addition of another post scoring option certainly enhances the 4th quarter prospects of any team...
Agree, Scola is an integral part of the Rockets in the starting lineup. He certainly knows how to play the game and brings in leadership and a winning attitude from his FIBA experience. He is part of the reason the Rockets are winning games at the rate that they are. However, he's still averaging just over 20 mpg. The Rockets have been called the most balanced team in the NBA. Lots of interchangeable parts and every one of them able to play at a high energy and efficiency level.
Luck! And it's not a bad thing to have or devalues our wins. Yao being out was like the worst thing can happen, but then the basketball god decides to even the playing field to take Dirk and West out. I will be really disappionted if Kobe is not out on Mar.16th.
can't say i disagree with the tone of your post that much, but this particular one is off. deke only plays like what, 20 minutes a game? and his offensive output is close to zero.
The truth on what our record is when Scola starts i can tell you that we only loss 1 game with him starting and that was his first start but that 1 game is when Yao was out then after that we have not lossed.
were 18-1 and with luis in our starting lineup. his first start was the utah game i believe. the only other team as deep as us is the spurs. the bring udoka, stodamire, oberto, finley, vaughn and soon they will have barry back. anyways i would say our great defense and offensive efficiency have really fueled this steak. coach A has been great mixing up the offense, teams have really been having trouble figuring us out of late.
We were better at rebounding(+8) and shooting(50% FG ). Now one strength has gone, rebounding. NOT good sign, guys.
Yao is ok at rebounding but he's not a beast like Garnett. I think Scola/Landry/Deke and Hayes can make up for Yao's rebounding.
He started at center against Utah. So far, Rox are undefeated when Scola starts at the power forward spot.
Assists are up. Turnovers are down. We rebound like crazy. Add that together and that equals good basketball and success.
Now all we need is Durvasa to put it all together with his stats. rebound rate before and after yao, assist rates, scoring etc. Also maybe the same look at Scola and Landry effect.
Great team chemistry. All the pieces are fitting together perfectly. That's why Landry being out scared me. Everyone has found their perfect roll with this team...don't want to miss with that
It is clear now, the reason for 4th quarter collapses is Yao Ming. Predictable dump-it-to-Yao offense, slow defense, turnovers, fadeaways, no rebounds, low energy level, REFs no call, ...
