No need to blame Mobley for this one.... and some advice for posters

My opinion is that assists is an indicator. It may not be the only one but it is indicative of how a team passes.

Assist leaders:
1. G. Payton SEA 9.1
2. J. Kidd NJN 8.4
3. S. Marbury PHO 8.3
4. J. Stockton UTH 7.7

Coincedence they are also considered the best passers and PG's?

We're 21st in the league in scoring and 3rd to last in assists.

Coincedence?

The problem with our team is that our guards do not set people up to score.

They may pass the ball but you must then create your own shot to make the basket.

That's why even though Cuttino may actually pass, he doesn't do it in a way that will lead to a easy basket or a direct score.

For example in last night's game:

Pass to Yao, Yao swings it to James Posey, Posey dishes to a wide open Cat for a 3 pointer. That's great passing. That's also an assist.

Yao passing to the cutter, whether Francis, Cat, Mo. Taylor or Posey, that leads to a score or a foul and 2 ft's.

How often have we seen Cat make a difficult pass leading to an easy basket unless it's an alley-oop.

Obviously Cuttino is not a PG but he has 1 assist in the last 2 games while playing 40 minutes per game.

3.5 assists/48 minutes. That ties him for 93rd in the league.

He takes an average of 15.4 shots per game. He shoots an additional 4 FT's per game and turns the ball over 2.3 times.
He is on the court an average of 41.6 minutes per game.

How often does he touch the ball or is involved in the offensive sets and yet gets 1 assist in 2 games?

Cat is obviously not the only reason or even the main reason we've lost these games but his inability to set up teammates contributes greatly to our inconsistency.

 

Without prejudice 'Growth' like you put it is NOT inevitable. There is a saying that states that in life "you either evolve or die" (figuratively of course). That is more like it - it is a matter of choice.

 

The Rockets will destroy asses after the all-star break. I don't know why I believe that, but I do. I just know it.

When we beat Utah in the back2back games everything will be good in Rocket Land.

 

Rockets03, you're being drawn in by the light. COME AWAY FROM THE LIGHT!!

 

Just for that play, it was SF's fault. I was in the game and about 15 feet away from the court. When SF thought he passed the ball to Ming, Cleveland's guard (10) caught the ball with ease...more like an pass-to-your-teammate-in-fast-break play.

But did not Ming have a chance to turn around and grab that ball before Cleveland reached it? Yes, if he was <b>very quick and could run very fast and jump very high</b>. But Ming is not such kind a player. He is very skillful, he is very smart, but he is not very athelitic like many NBA players are.

This leads to the point I want to state: don't make plays to expose Yao's shortcomings, but play a game for he to use his strengths the most. Unfortuanatly our guards haven't learned this, they are still passing long ball to Ming for alley oops, they are still taking Ming as another guard in fast break play.

 

Well believe it because Ming does not Hustle at times when it is needed, I have noticed he does not keep his eye on the ball at all times like he should...
Sorry but the truth hurts.

Everyone is to blame not just the guards.

 

That is idiotic.

The truth is you have no clue what youre talking about.

That pass from Steve was underthrown

If you throw it over someone's head and it lands in bounds you can claim it was a lack of hustle.

Seriously, where is the IQ meter for posting? We really need one.

 

Too much emphasis on "believing" and "trusting."

I know that the Rockets have failed to make the playoffs the last 3 years. I know that this has been too long.

Should I have trusted in Rudy/Steve/Mobley, etc, the last 3 years? If so, my trust/belief would have been betrayed.

Part of being a fan is believing in a team. But part of following sports is knowing when something isn't working.

 

I maintain my oft-stated stance that regardless of the regular season's ups and downs and schizophrenic nature, no one will want a piece of this team come playoffs.

All of these breakdowns and missteps are learning tools. Rudy knows what he is doing. He has shown he knows how to have his teams gel come playoffs.

Remember the second championship season? That was a 47 win team that had a siginificant change in makeup during the season.

Never underestimate the heart of a champion.

I believe.

 

5 post entry passes in an entire half (and twice Mobley got the ball back in the set) is supposed to convince me that...? That Cuttino passes off to a teammate instead of forcing a drive? That he doesn't shoot 3's too early in the shot clock when he could get the same shot later in the clock after some ball/player movement? That he makes good court decisions and has a high BBall IQ? Sorry, but 5 post entry passes (4 in Q3) is not enough to convince me.

 

whose ass? I couldnt even destroy cav's ass.
Sorry I dont see we can beat utah back to back, a split is all I am asking for.

 

All of you assclowns complaining about Mobley not passing the ball can get off the long bus and go get on the short bus.

Mobley is not on this team to get assists or setup his teammates. He is here to score and attempt to play defense. That's his job. I'm not saying he shouldn't make the pass if a better scoring opportunity presents itself or that he should jack it up everytime he gets the ball, but he is not here to distribute the ball and create for his teammates. That is Francis' job.

 

Great, the Classic Mobley is Ok as long as he gets one assist in 80 minutes because he's a shooting guard argument. Yeah we are asking too much indeed.

 

I kind of agree.

With all the turnovers our team commits i am happy enough that we get a shot off.

 

And Yao Ming's job is to set up the other players? Here's a hint. On a good team everyone can pass and setup players for scores.

And you can do it more often than once every 2 games.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.

 

I think RocketsPimp is onto something here!

You see, Francis leads the league in TOs because he tried to pass (6+ assists). Mobley must learned the lesson there. I think he just doesn't want to cause the team a loss by committing TOs. Yeh right, just kept the ball to himself. How brilliant!