I just read the Feigen article on the front page. It seems we have our team. How do you want to see these guys played? Offenses, defenses, what guys on the floor? Specific matchups? We can throw very different sets at teams. They are all RUN AND GUN, but they are very different. Steve, Mobley, Rice, Griff, and Yao. Sounds like a lot of fun to watch. Rice shooting from the outside. Mobley and Steve slashing. Alley Oops! Defensive presence inside. Lets talk strategery.
All talk begins with where Ming is. Asia or Houston...Low post or high post. We are primed for placing a tall passer at the high post and freeing up the basket area for very basic UCLA cuts and backdoor cuts. The main question is: can Francis buy into that. The other question is: can Francis, or someone, lead a fast break. The defensive question is: can we finally play a zone!!!!!!!!! sheesh
Francis is the key. He has to be the leader. The leader has to be selfless and confident in his ability. I hope he can share the spotlight, and remain poised.
I've heard that Rudy is implementing some new type of offense. It was called the Hexagon or something. Strangely enough, there are 6 points, but only 5 players. I assume players will be expected to move in that shape. As far as defense goes, I think they should guard the perimeter and let the big fellas play volleyball. My two cents, that's all.
Rockets were last (or close to it) in fastbreak points in 2001-2002. Does adding Boki & Yao and having the vets relatively healthy impact this substantially? I don't see much better than improving to around 18th to 20th...but I'd love to be surprised! Best case scenario: * Yao's defensive presence allows the other Rocket defenders to take chances (somewhat like Horry, Fox and Fisher do with Shaq behind them). ** John Lucas keeps repeating Calvin Murphy's "stop and pop" motto to Steve at Westside and it sinks in.
I agree with you 100% GATER. If for size alone, Yao should give the guards a break on defense, helping to keep them from getting burned with outside shots. It should also lead to more fast breaks, since they will be able to make more risky moves on D. Then, Boki shows his potential and greatest benefit. It looks to me like the people running this team have their heads on straight.
Zone defense will be very important.It can not only slow down opposing players but it also could prevent Yao from getting in foul trouble too quickly.
http://www.cybersportsusa.com/hooptactics/ucla.asp http://www.bbhighway.com/Talk/Coaching_Box/Clinics/BasicDef/ucla_hp.asp http://www.eteamz.com/basketball/instruction/tips/tip.cfm/696/ http://www.eteamz.com/basketball/instruction/tips/tip.cfm/694/ I'm pretty ok with 2-3 zone, with Ming, Griffin and KT. 1-2-2 seems to expose the basket, given that Francis' man will always blow by. Opposing pgs will light us up from outside, like always, I guess, unless we leave some bricklayer open and switch or double w/ Francis every trip. If the opposing 2 is Tariq Abdul Wahad - let Cat switch over. Given that Francis is such a poor man defender, perhaps we should have him play disruption d and not man. Just bust up the opponent's play, no need to shadow.
With Ming, I want to see alot of inside/outside offense. There should be alot more passing and looking for the open man. Stevie is the leader of this team and I think he would buy into it. Stevie does look to get other people involved even Cato (Slam Dunk!). As far as defense in the paint, it will be alot better this year.
