That's the amount of time both Bullard and Drexler stated it would take for new players to completely gel with a new team. The plays are just one thing players must learn. Maybe even the easiest, just X's and O's, but most importantly they must learn player tendencies. Does Brooks perfer to go right or left? Does scola always look for an open man before a certain move? Does Lowry usually drive straight down the middle or at an angle? Does Brooks tend to pass left or right when he drives? And so on. All this helps new players find where they fit best at any given moment on the court. Also they must learn their preferences. Does scola prefer a bounce or chest pass in the post? Does Brooks perfer to shoot after catching the ball or off the dribble? Does budinger prefer an early or late lob pass? I know this seems obvious, but it's the type of thing we forget after a big trade. We want immediate help and immediate results. Unfortunately, even after 15 games we may not get the results we want, but only because we want a contender and anything short of that seems like a failure. So for now let them work it out and after 15 games evalute their progression. Maybe we'll be out of the playoffs by then, but don't let that decide whether this trade worked or not. Instead compare where they were this week and where they are in 15 games as team, without comparing them to everyone else. the process starts again next preseason with Yao back, so let's also keep that in mind. From now until about 15-20 game sinto next season it's about progression, not being a finished product.
15 games sounds about good, although I would think you can learn different players' tendencies with half that amount, especially with practice. I'm guessing this is considering Adelman's system requires players to read and react, which is why players must know how everyone reacts in different situations.
15 is also the magic number of losses we need to guarantee us at least the 11th pick in the lottery. I am not saying let's tank. I am saying lets prepare for next year. Try different combinations to see what will work next year. Don't overwork the vets and give the young guys more minutes. Do all of this and hope for the best while you prepare for the return of Yao.
Not really, i probably should have pointed out it goes both ways. I only mentioned how the new players must learn the tendencies and preferences of the current Rockets, but the current team must also learn about the new guys. the spacing and positioning on the floor isn't fixed, it's not always going to be exactly how coach drew it up. Players must make judgement calls at times and decide if moving over to the left or if getting closer to the rim make more sense at that time. It depends on who has the ball at the moment. Another good example may be on fast breaks, which player always goes for the block, which one goes for the charge, and which will passively contest the shot? If you dont know the answer you may end up with two defenders picking each other off or both of them holding back..instead of one going for the charge while the other swats the shot.
i knew someone would say this....Drexler sucks at commentating. He sucks at coaching. Maybe he sucks at checkers and at math as well, who knows....but the man played over 10 yrs int he NBA. He's a hall of famer, allstar, and was part of a significant trade where he had to fit in with an already established core of players. Bullard, who also said this, was on 3 different teams, but had two separates tints with houston, so you could say 4, was also a long time NBa player. Maybe he sucks at geography or maybe he cant bake a cake, but this is professional basketball we're talking about. I'm gonna have to give them the benefit of doubt here, especially over any one of us who probably never even took part of one NBA practice, much less the hundreds Drexler and bullard have been a part of.
i knew someone would say this...fyi, hakeem olajuwon and kenny smith told me it should only take 1 game.
Wow, really? If you're joking it's a bad joke. If you're not, it's even worse. I seriously doubt any player would say that, but next time they're over at your house again let us know..
I will second that. In the 4 years I've been visiting this board, I've yet to encounter a poster that, upon seeing his/her moniker, I immediately roll my eyes and say, "oh, here we go again..." Until now. On point though, all these chicken littles crying about the falling sky are just laughable. Chemistry takes time. Even knee-jerk reactions should be saved until the team has a chance to at least PRACTICE together once or twice.
I'll admit, there's a lot of posters who make me do that. Oh, and you must spread some rep before giving it to RV6 again. The problem is really that if we're aiming for playoffs, we can't afford to dawdle for 15 games. Fortunately, the team seemed like they were clicking towards the end of this game, so maybe something can come out of it. But yeah, we have to be patient. Damnit. < Good. >
Repped. Yes for a insult but I cracked up reading it. Any ways...Most of the team looks out of wack, I think it's safe to say this is a chemistry problem. Hopefully these guys can practice together and it will just make us look like a better team overall.
