{Chron} Rockets Notes: McGrady feeling out of sync

Yes, give him the ball more, that is EXACTLY what needs to happen.

Not that he needs to earn it, or produce when he has it....just give it to him.....to let him work himself into shape, at the expense of the team.

DD

 

I don't know how the Rockets players feel, but I wouldn't be inclined to give more touches to a cripple who's shooting below 40%. I'd give Luis, Aaron, and Carl more touches before Tracy.

 

Have to agree with you on this one....that was what preseason was for, but i think i remember his saying something like he didn't need the preseason....If thats true, well....

 

As much as i'm not a Mcgrady fan I agree that he should get more touches. He has been playing like crap but if he gets the ball more and starts getting involved then maybe he will fell important and start putting some more effort into the game.

 

I am a McGrady fan but it sounds like he is complaining that he's not getting the ball enough. I'm not sure that is the best option. Now if he is going to drive and free up some shooters then all means do so. But if he plans to shoot from the perimeter then forget it. He's not shooting good and he's not getting enough lift to do so.

 

bad sign

 

Remember his first season with us? He said the same thing in December, the Rockets made the switch, and it apparently was for the better for him and the team.

The last couple years, McGrady's touches increased quite a bit when Yao got injured, and his performance improved.

So, there might be something to it. The problem is that if the offense is always revolving around him with the ball in his hands, that puts a severe cap on how good we can be as a team on that end. His number one deficiency as an offensive player is his inability to be effective without the ball. Until that changes, we'll never be a really good offensive team.

 

i was going to post this. i am really concerned now. i hope this is mcgrady talking out of his a**. last night i read that kobe was telling luke walton that he'll probably play 30 mins a game if they keep beating people by double digits. Tmac needs to make the most of it. The triangle is similar to the motion offense as the ball is moving constantly. kobe also mentioned that the lakers are deep team and he doesnt have to do much. what is wrong with Tmac? more touches?? you have to be kidding me. Yao needs more touches! Artest needs the ball too. i really dont understand what he wants. we shouldve traded this guy when we had a chance. now all we can do is hope.

 

TMac, the former scoring champeen, should get all the touches he wants. He should be allowed to take whatever shot he wants as often as he wants. He should be allowed to stand around both on offense and defense because he's, well, a former scoring champeen.

 

"His number one deficiency as an offensive player is his inability to be effective without the ball."

Sounds like SF3...

 

I had the same problem with my iPhone, I had to restore to factory default, that was a pain. But after I did it, my phone got really fast. Maybe if we do the same with T-Mac? I mean they're both macs.

I think all this overanalysis of why the Rockets are "failing" is killing me. Personally, I think if players like tmac let it go to their heads, we're gonna have a long season.

 

This is why I said all along that Ron Artest does not fit.

Because both he and Tmac and Yao for that matter need the ball to be successful.

Tmac and Ron do it off the dribble, not off the screen as a catch and shoot player.

Tmac CAN do the catch and shoot thing, he just never commits to doing it consistently.

I know Morey brought in Ron for a song, but if we could trade him for Mike Miller it would make the team so much better because of the chemistry fitting better.

Just think if Tmac gets more touches, Ron gets less, so he goes out of sync......there is no balance when 2 guys need the ball all the time to be successful.

I am waiting for Battier to be back and Ron to go to the bench to see how that works, if it doesn't, then Morey should trade Artest this year for a great jump shooting, move without the ball player.

DD

 

Agreed. I don't mind Tmac getting more touches. Just stop jacking up quick 3's and long 2's w/ 20 seconds left on the shot clock.

He also seems to prefer to get the ball on the perimeter, wait, then try to break his man down. With his ability the ideal situation should be running w/ out the ball off of screens, then catch and shoot or catch and drive.

 

If he gets more touches, he'll be jacking up quick 3s and long 2s ... guaranteed. He is TJack after all.

 

This reminds me of the Van Gundy quote from Wednesday - the hardest thing to do as a coach is coaching a star in decline.

 

But when they brought in Artest, they wanted him for his defense and for his scoring. And I honestly think that Morey and Rick had it planned for him to come off the bench. There was need to have a third option because of injuries. Our starting 5 was one of the best last year. The problem was no one could score besides T-Mac and Yao.

I watched a lot of Kings games last year and Artest was great down load and cutting to the basket. The problem I see that Rafer needs to handle the ball and find people in their spots. And we know that's not going to happen.

 

Yeah, the difference is that they'll fall...

 

Sorry DD, but I would trade T-Mac before I would trade Artest (I know you won't get equal value, but it might be time to cut your losses). At least with Artest you know what kind of level of play and intensity your going to get. I have been patient for several years when it comes to the T-Mac saga and I just don't think the rockets can win a championship with him. I don't think he has the right mind set to do it ie.(no mental toughness at this stage in his career is scary).

 

What about three stars in decline?