And that is a very good post. This team has kind of an identity problem right now. Not only do individuals not understand their roles yet, but the team as a whole doesn't understand how exactly they are trying to play. They first have to figure out what style of basketball they are best at. Which style gives them the best chance to win based on their personnel. THEN, they have to play their roles an do their job. Not many people realize that individual players have individual objectives that the coach gives them. That is their role on the team. Once they find their identity as a team, then they will be able to better fill their roles, and the team will start to jell.
This new team, on paper, should be much better but is only +2 games of last year's team (through 9 games). Though the team could have easily been 7-2 with better playing strategy against 76ers and Lakers.
True...no way the rest of the Rockets (minus Lin) will be shooting 20s for all season. I'm sure Lin's % will drop and the rest will rise.......
There is a Business Insider story that talks about roles, making the claim that Lin will only be at his best as top playmaker and yet he isn't good enough to win a championship in that role. No matter what you think of the thesis, the photo they used to go along with the story cracked me up. Sometimes pictures can overwhelm the written content.
Stop trying to analyze the game from the GARM and start watching. Turn-overs are easily the biggest problem IMO followed by a lack of Perimeter Defense and a shooting slump from 3 point land by some notable players, James Harden, Cisco, Parsons and Beverly. All are shooting far below their career averages.
This is absolutely right because Lin will never be a super star play maker i.e. Wade, Lebron, Durant, other "Go to guys" that is required to be a championship team. He isn't that piece that you can build around. However, given his ceiling and his skillset as a playmaker, he is probably most suited to be a 6th man. Of course, this is all within the context of Lin maximizing his skillset.
You have a point but I don't totally agree. As several have said, turnovers are def the biggest issue right now. I'd add in free throws as well. Everybody knows that DH will struggle. So when he's missing or when they really count, everyone else needs to step and sink thiers. Parsons missed a huge one just last night. And as for the points in the OP: I don't have a problem with feeding DH in the post, he's THE big man, and if the Rockets are going anywhere it'll be because he's dominate down there. This is the guy they payed big money for, now use him. He'll sink or swim. Let Harden do his thing offensively. He'll win you far more than he'll lose you. His progression away from that foolish iso-ball will have to be a natural one. Granted his defense def has to improve, but he's a competitor. When the time comes and the lights are the brightest, we'll have a clear view of the game's best SG. The Asik problem will solve itself. Or rather, Morey will solve it soon enough. This team will find itself. My prediction is for things to begin to click in early Jan. Then a trade envolving Asik at the deadline will push the team over the top heading into the playoffs.
Health, free throws, perimeter defense are trouble areas but can be tolerated at this juncture. Turnovers (not the apple kind) and 3-point shooting are the low hanging fruit. C'mon is reaching league averages too much to ask?
From basketball reference: http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2014.html League average 3pt%: .358 Houston Rockets: .321 League average TOV: 131 Houston Rockets: 176
