The main reason for today's loss to Jazz is that Rockets were tired in the 4th quarter, again due to intense defense but short rotation. Three of Rockets played more than 40 minutes (Alton 43:40, Battier 41:49, Yao 40:00) while only one of Jazz (Williams) played 41:09. So the key is to reduce starters' minutes in the first three quarters without sacrificing offense and defense much. This is workable because Jazz bench is not better than Rockets. The key only requires playing VSpan as the backup PG. It can: (1) Reduce Yao's minutes. When Yao was out, Jazz made pushes. The reason was mainly due to lack of offense by Rockets (although defense suffers some). A team's offense flow needs a good PG on the floor (that's why Williams played such big minutes). I would suggest JVG put VSpan in to play small balls when Yao is on bench. (2) Reduce T-Mac's PG role. He was required to do too much on the court, which sacrificed his offense. His shoots were off most of the time, and he would be too tired to attach the basket. The main idea is to keep the offense flow when Yao is on bench. When Yao is on the floor, try to destroy Jazz's luxury front as he did today. Jazz will have to put their starters on bench for longer time as they are in foul trouble. Then Rockets bench can share more minutes with starters on court. There are 8 games left and the last game is against Jazz. So there are still time to improve the team. Forget about home court advantage now. Developing a better system is more important before playoff starts.
Been saying all year that the uber short rotation is going to tire out our players. Anyone with half a brain can see the 4th quarter collapses and realize that a lot of them are due to fatigue, both mental and physical. DD
No that is not it. The team needs to make shots, don't expect them to shoot this poorly in the playoffs. I liked the defense for the most part, but the thing we really need is... PICK AND ROLL DEFENSE VS. THE JAZZ. IT WILL BE A FIRST ROUND EXIT IF WE CAN'T STOP IT. Cue: JVG. Will he outcoach Sloan? Probably not. Can he adjust to the pick and roll forcing Sloan to use some other strategy? I hope so. Oh and DaDa you're right. Even if the bench players suck, we need to give the starters SOME rest. JVG, come on man, you've got Bonzi sittin' on your bench, frickin' use him!
we just needa let bonzi go to town on whoever's guarding him. whether it be ak47 on the wing or have boozer rotate on him on the low block. shifting those defenders around on him gives just as good an opportunity as tmac or yao having the ball. i just wish he'd take his friggin 15 minutes a game and just run with it. no role is "reduced". every part is important. from your stars to your bench players.
too bad JVG only cares about defense... too him.. offense is chance.. listen to his press conferences.
