Brooks has struggled more often that not but the only other person on the current roster that I would trust in a last second situation is Lowry. The ball needs to start in the hands of a perimeter player in those situations 99% of the time. I have no problem with Lowry being the guy if he has the confidence to shoot in that situation in addition to making a pass. As great as his court vision is, there will be times where he needs to shoot instead of passing up a shot or forcing a pass. Lowry may actually be our best option but I don't think he can shoot off the dribble or over opposing defenders quite as well as Brooks. Brooks has a higher and quicker release and seems more comfortable shooting off the dribble. Perhaps, Lowry's passing ability will compensate for that. I think he should get some chances to be the guy to find out. Most teams have an elite wing that they can go to in those situations. Battier and Ariza are not triple threats that can create their own shots. Budinger is still learning but could be an option in the future. Perhaps, we could put the ball in Ariza's hands for a few games, maybe at the end of first halves, and see what he can do. I wonder if he'll yell at himself when he turns it over or makes a bad play because that will absolutely happen a lot if he gets a number of opportunities. I believe he's just generally frustrated right now and taking it out in various ways recently. Not everybody has the courage to take those last second shots. Most don't even have the skill set to even be considered in those situations. I am fairly sure Brooks would be more than willing to let somebody else handle those duties if Adelman made that decision. For now, these are the types of plays where not having superstar makes things more difficult. Brooks is doing the best he can trying to do something that he really shouldn't be doing so often. He has come through on occasion going back to last season. Even players fit for this role come up short more often than not. Ideal or not, right now, he or Lowry are our best options to start with the ball in late game situations. If they have time to get the ball to Landry, that's great, but a perimeter player needs to start with the ball in his hands.
Brooks is by far and away the most efficient guard or wing we have on the team. He gets the ball because he is the BEST chance we have. DD
There are few people that give good replies on a consistent basis. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Couldn't help noticing that Brooks went to the stop and pop for the final shot of the third quarter against the Thunder. After he sank it, Brooks and Ariza slapped hands, both looking pretty pleased with themselves.
Rockets are hard workers, though very vanilla in overall personality. So when someone is demonstrative in their expression to each other its like oh no the tight knit team chemistry is being threatened. A visible disagreement is worth noting. Not to intervene in, just to notice if its just players being proactive or if it becomes a bad pattern of behavior. Which it doesnt look to be.
Ariza is under a lot of pressure and everyone understands that. He needs time and it's a long season.
That's a good point. And if these guys actually trust each other, then they are not afraid of giving some constructive criticism, which may be more animated at some times than others.
Ariza has played way too much minutes and is weeded. lets not forget that is nothing more than just a sidekick.
