The changes needed have nothing to do with the current starting lineup. The changes needed in no particular order are: Fastbreak more and go for early offense and pressure of the defense - attack the rim. Get SF out on the break more Rededicate to defense and mix in zone and pressure. Reduce SF and Mobley's minutes Minutes goes to those who run and play defense There are 12 players on the team capable of being in the rotation, so let us bring a tough attitude and use up some fouls to establish a much tougher tone. There are no exceptions here. Opponents need to start questioning whether they want to come down that lane. Folks need to wonder if Riley is the coach. These changes, which are within one light bulb going off in Rudy T's head, are well within the capabilities of this team. The changes would do more for changing the direction of the team than changing the lineup would. People around the league are doing better with less so it's time Rudy abandon his failed scheme and secure his survival.
Hot Rocket, I would like that lineup....you could protect Yao by having Cato play the more offensive minded player. Yao could be the weakside support, or Cato could, depending on who you use. Set up Yao on the left block dump it in to him, and have Cato crashing from the weakside on a pick set by the entry passer after he cuts through the lane. I like it....RUDY !!!! DD
For the rest of the year start with..... Yao Mo Rice Mobley Francis --we have to come out of the gate scoring better, and this line-up gives us our best chance. But then Rudy has to sub earlier than he normally does (don't wait until the whole line-up is freaken exhausted because then not only do they struggle on both ends by the time the bleeding is stopped but you have delayed when you can get some fresh good offensive players back in the lineup)--and start clamping down with a better defensive unit while the other team slows. Thus the following changes should be made with 5 or so minutes left in the first quarter-- 1) Posey for Rice, 2) either EG for Mo or Cato for Yao (leave 1 in for a low post threat, take out the more tired/less effective one), and 3) Mooch for Francis or Mobley (same rule as before). Thus between Francis, Mobley, Yao and Mo--we always have at least 2 in there for offense while the next two rest and get fresh for when the other two come out. Thus we start with our vet and best offensive starting line-up, followed by introducing a better defensive team while also having a couple of fresh enough offensive threats throughout the game. Sorry Tmo and Hawkins should only get spot duty and Boki is out of the question untill we can officially write off the season (if he wasn't playing when Rice was out he isn't going to play)--which may not be until the last couple of days the way us and Phx are going. If this team can't make the playoffs Rudy and other vets should go.
lol.....I was looking all over for Free Agent's name on the board cuz I knew he would post this. AND IT'S GOOD. It seems like he has replied to the forum.....and it's a good thing. Francis Mobley Rice Griffin... Yao Like what everyone else said. And I still think Yao and Cato should get to play together....
When you think about it, this team has so so many problems that need to be adressed. I know the talent pool is large enough for us to overcome those flaws and make the playoffs, but when the pffseason arrives, I'm hoping for 2 or 3 new starters, a smaller rotation, and a better bench. Right now, the best we can do is start Rice and Taylor at the F positions, it helps dramatically with spacing. It gives Ming and Francis with a whole new comfort level. MoT is getting it back, and when Rice is off, teams still respect his range. Also, the experience they bring is invaliable, and despite not being defensive specialists, their experience in the league along makes them as good a defensive unit as Posey and Griffin. Right now, I don't see the defense from those 2. Every swingman is lighting us up, and same goes for the PF's. We had Posey getting steals and Griffin getting blocks early, but that's gone, and it seems their effectiveness has gone with it. Ming MoT Rice Mobley Francis Right now, effort is not great, but good enough. The defense is there when we put in the effort. What hasn't been there all season is consistent, efficient scoring. I don't think our team gets any worse defensively by switching to this line-up, but they improve dramatically on the offensive end. Go for it Rudy. It's playoffs time, cut the rotation, play the vets.
Yes. If we really want to make the playoffs....bench Eddie Griffin. Don't let any rookies play besides OF COURSE YOU KNOW WHO. And yeah...then that means no playing time for Terence Morris or Juaquin Hawkins... or Jason Collier!!! But yes. We need a change. Hopefully today....he changes the lineup. Forget our bench. Francis and Mobley play the whole game anyway. !!! I hope the Rockets start out good tonight with their new lineup.....
I won't comment on the starting lineup, but I think Mobley should be subbed for first, instead of getting the most minutes. Put Rice in for Mobley, move Posey over to the two guard defensively. Wait, I will comment on the starting lineup. Mo should start. Terrence Morris should get more minutes against weaker PF's of the Antoine Walker, Abdur Rahim mindset.
Maybe Rudy should think about making a coaching change. j/k, Rudy is my boy. Rudy should try moving Francis to SG and moving Moochie to PG with Mobley coming of the bench as sixth man. I hate Moochie but by doing this we will see how Francis can handle playing SG for the rest of the season. If he excels then the Rockets can look at bringing in a pure point guard for next year. Oh yea, more minutes for Boki!
We definitely need some changes. My vote is to bench EG and Posey and start Rice and MoT in their stead. We need some energy. We need some hustle. We need some urgency. The current starting 5 ain't getting it done. theSAGE
I believe that you cannot have more than 2 bad defenders on the floor together. Since Francis is a sure starter, and he is a bad defender, you we can only afford to put in one more defensive liability. So, don't play both Taylor and Rice when Francis is in. My starting lineup would be: Francis Mobley Posey (if he continue to stink, put Hawkins in) Taylor Yao Second unit: Francis Mobley Rice Griffin Cato Third unit: Moochie Mobley Rice Griffin Yao Fourth unit: Francis Hawkins Posey Taylor Yao That way, you always have at least 3 good shooters and no more than 2 bad defenders on the floor.
2003: Rudy thinks about changes 2004: Rudy still thinking 2005: Rudy decides no changes are needed 2006: Rudy changes mind, decides to shake things up next year 2007: Rudy brings Matt Maloney and Dan Langhi back into the Rockets fold
I'm on board with this. I hate Rice's game. But if there's even a remote chance he can get hot, put him in right after the warmups and see if he can stay hot. Hawkins has enough handles to run an effective PnR. Taylor and Rice are probably the best post entry passers we have. The substitution pattern from there is entirely a "who's hot - who's not" proposition.
I envision this instead... 2003: Rudy thinks about changes 2004: Rudy pauses for a drink 2005: Rudy has himself another drink 2006: Rudy forgets what he was thinking about 2007: Rudy takes a nap 2008: Rudy wakes up 2009: Rudy thinks about changes theSAGE
Rudy doesnt have alot of options. Our bench is strong, but do you wanna ris Griff's impact on the glass for MOT's shootin touch? Do you wanna risk Posey's defense for Rice's shooting? If the Rocks switch up their lineups, Theyre gonna lose somethin, if they dont theyre gonna lose somethin.....Rudy doesnt have alotta developed talent to work with. The only thing we can do is to wait till Nachbar and Griff develop into the players that we envision them to be. Without them, This Rockets show is gonna go nowhere.
One thing I dont get is...why in the hell would u eva have Steve and Yao out of the game at the same time? Doesnt make sense to me, in my book, one of the 2 have to be on the floor AT ALL TIMES. Whenever they are not.....we get our run up and down the court. Just a thought guys, who knows, maybe Rudy reads these posts......he should.....
Woah, don't know if anyone mentioned this (too lazy to read everything, like usual, plus much HW), but Jan. 29th is when Mo was replaced with Griff? Isn't that around when the Rocket **** hit the fan? It doubtfully had much to do with it, but hey, maybe it just jinxed us...! Either way, Mo's performing now, so I say put him back for the time being. BTW, I still hate Rice and thing he's a massive waste of space (both physically, and capwise), and see no reason to start him. Things only got worse with his return, though I doubt he had much to do with it. I'll try anything at this point. Nothing to lose anymore, everything we've dreamed of (for the Rockets) to gain.
Mo deserves to start period. Give us some sort of offensive weapon to start the game with... Sheesh it cant get any worse than our, what is now customary 15 points or less quarters.....
It's not GLen's shooting that is inconsistent, it is, and completely arbitrarily, his shots. I don't wanna hear you ignorant Texans say he cannot create his own shot, because he can post at will if only given the oppurtunity. It's ridiculous that Rice comes on in the 2nd, bangs home his first jumper pure, and doesn't touch the ball again in a shooting position until the first quarter when A) we need more scoring and B)he'd just come off a game where he scored 19 points in 24 minuts. You Texans need to get your nose out of the stat books and watch the game. This team needs to pass and take advantage of its offensive players...in every facet of their game. There is no reason Maurice Taylor should be a go to while Glen sits at the arch...this team is a coaching and play-making disgrace, and I hope Glen speaks up about it, he's the only person on this team who would...this team is spiraling south and something needs to be done...how about getting the most out of your big time players, and I don't are what you silly Texans say about Glen, he's done it in the past, and he can still do it, yes, as in this year, as in next game if you give him the opportunity...this man has scored 18 in a quarter this year...this isn't the Charlotte Rice, this is the old Houston Rice...who is still great offensivle and smart defensively and needs to get a little respect from Rudy...who, by the way, looks like more of a drunken, washed-up joke every game. FREE GLEN RICE!
