There is a reason that Fisher could stay on the court for 35 minutes with stat line like 0/0/0. NBA rewards dirty play.
I remember during chat in one of the prior games I was remarking on how the Rockets need to stop setting picks for Aaron Brooks and just let him go iso, and others agreed. Morey just confirmed that on the radio interview as well. Apparently it was Landry who didn't get the memo...the correct play was for every body to go flat to the wings, leave the middle wide open and let Brooks take Fisher by himself high. There is no way Fisher could stop him 1-on-1 without fouling, and any attempt to double team would have resulted in an easy pass for an open game winning shot. Instead Landry comes out, sets a pick, making it real easy for Landry's man to cheat and corner Brooks, and the play breaks down.
Brooks should have made his move quicker. I could understand trying to run the clock down in a tie ball game but when you're down you're first obligation is to get a GOOD shot. Anything other than a bucket and you automatically lose. You don't worry about how much time the other team will have to score again. Instead, we get Brooks dribbling around waiting for the clock to tick down allowing the Lakers to zero in on him. Had he caught the ball and made his move it would have been him and Fisher alone at the top of the key. Huge advantage for Brooks. He would have gotten to the rim with no problem. Even Clyde understood this and repeated it before the play fell apart.
I know what you mean, but at the same time I still think AB had the ability to turn the corner or at least get a foul call cause it woulda been more blatant of a check from fisher had there not been the help defender from the screen that stepped up to prevent brooks from turning the corner.
Who tried to give it to the post? The same little man who wouldnt be able to find Yao Ming in a phone booth. If you are trying to go down low. Aaron Brooks cannot be the guy doing it. He is probably the worst player of all time in passing into the post. His height and fear of passing anything other than a hand off or pass to outside three is a problem. I really dont understand why Adelman thinks Brooks is the guy to do it. It is going to cost them more and more games.
I just love how Aaron Brooks is fouled in the act of shooting by Lamar Odom and thats on the floor, but earlier in the game when Ariza got stuck guarding Odom down low. He took an obvious foul by swiping Odom's arms. The ref waited another second though and blew the whistle when Odom spinned around and made a layup. Just complete bull****.
Maybe Landry messed up, but Aaron still needs to wave him off. I remember last season at the end of the game against Boston, Landry started to set the pick, but Aaron emphatically waved him off. Landry returned to the baseline, Aaron blew past Rondo, and Landry received the pass-off for an easy shot (he missed, but Yao tipped it back in). Aaron will have to be more assertive when he knows he can beat his man. It seemed pretty clear that the Lakers were not going to let Aaron torch them like he did in the playoffs, and trapped him hard to get the ball out of his hands (or force turnovers).
AB is learning. And about the overuse of pick and roll part, even CP3 needs screens to be efficient. With AB being our best go to guy, you have to run the pick and roll. He's not that good on iso'ed plays. I remembered the Nuggets were destroying the Hornets last season in the playoffs where Dahntay Jones was allowed to play physical defense on Chris Paul.
Watching the replay of that final possession last night, Brooks had a brief opportunity to thread a pass to Landry streaking down the lane when Odom came to double. He also could have gone over the top but I'm sure he was scared to even try to make that pass, fearing a turnover. His second option was to pass the ball to Ariza earlier at just above the 3 point line on the far side of the court. That would have put Ariza in better position to do something. He would have been closer to the basket with more time on the clock and more space to work with. Either way, once Brooks got trapped, picked up his dribble and missed the opportunity to hit Landry, it was a busted play. Brooks was indecisive and tentative. I don't think he's a selfish player. He's trying to do the right thing. As a starter or a backup, he needs to reduce the bad decisions to be effective in this league.
The PnR has worked for Brooks plenty of times. Last year we won against Phoenix by having Yao set a screen on Nash. This time Brooks got trapped and picked up his dribble too early. Tough, but he'll learn. Kobe got trapped and stripped at the end of regulation on a PnR too, but nine times out of ten that will not happen. The PnR is a much better option than an iso.
The problem is, we think AB needs a screen. He doesn't, the screen just clogs up his ability to drive or shake his man. A 1-4 set with everyone on the baseline gives AB the best chance. There was no way Fisher can in front to defend a jumper, layup, or floater. This also pulls a big man away leaving room for Chuck, Landry, or Scola. I would also like to see the alley-oop with Pops coming off the baseline.
Before the end of the play, Brooks already had 6 or 7 TOs, his vision as a PG is just not very high, he can score points, but you do not know when or where. Clearly this team needs a all star player, hoping that Morey can find one within a year.
I don't know if anyone noticed this, but according to the box score at NBA.com of last night's game, Brian Cook didn't get in the game: http://www.nba.com/games/20091104/LALHOU/boxscore.html LOL, that's what should've happened.
