this isn't the NFL or college bball. The NBA does not have the luxury of consistent days at a time of practice. NBA coaches develop their "in game adjustments" in practice on limited time. JVG practices a plethora of defensive adjustments. To say, arguably, the best defensive coach of all time doesn't make in game adjustments is disrespecting half the game of basketball. In short, JVG focused the Rockets on practicing defensive adjustments. They aren't easy to spot, and they tend to be described by us fans as "WE NEED TO DOUBLE TEAM THAT GUY (duh)" or "PLAY ZONE AGAINST NASH (sigh)" or "SWITCH ON EVERY PICK (sigh...sigh)" . Of course, the game is not that simple. There are many other options. Options none of us know. I wish I did. Offensive options are easier to know and easier to spot. But most of all, they are easier to describe, and so the analysts talk about them most, and they get the most attention...hence this thread idear of mine. It's very hard to describe why JVG is the best defensive coach around and how he makes adjustments in game. Basically, when he has superstar offensive players, he relies on precentage offense and coaches/plans defense, given limited practice time in the NBA. Rudy was my hero too, because he was the master of developing a team for Hakeem "giv me da ball" Olajuwon. Many failed before him. Adelman has a plethora of offensive adjustments. Equally hard to implement, but easier for us to spot and describe. When Barry says that Adelman has only implemented 10% of his offense is like saying Adelman has only implemented 10% of all credible basketball offenses. I'm sure he can implement anything. Just like I'm sure JVG can implement any defense, if he felt inclined to. Adelman said it best in Dec?, "I have to make it more simple" paraphrase. He will implement what he thinks this team will do best. What I was worried about with Adelman is whether he could get the team to buy into it. I was r e a l l y worried after that atrocious Philly game where we flat out did not try. Like Nolen said in his thread, we are spoiled. We as Rockets fans are not used to seeing teams who don't try. Rudy, JVG and now Adelman clearly get the most out of their teams because they create a team environment where everyone who plays tries their best...and don't just collect checks (Maurice Taylor and Kelvin Cato aside). these are good times ps: Nolen, I'm a firm believer the Princeton Offense is for Webber and Miller and Divac type guys. It's not for Yao. I think Adelman agrees. Plus, we don't have an off-the-pick shooter like Peja/Hamilton/Reggie. That changes your playbook, too. Adelman will adjust to his players. GO ROCKETS!!!!
So could having Scola and the new and improved Rafer. But I have to give Adelman his props. He is throwing out some sick lineups. Credit Morey too for finding diamonds in the rough like no other GM in the league is currently doing.
excellent post heypee. on a macro basis, I'm wondering if and when adelman will begin to focus more on establishing an inside presence. I realize injuries have undoubtedly affected our post presence but I holding out hope that adelman is holding that card for the end of the season and playoffs. teams are often described as "peaking too soon" when they go on big streaks in the reg season then tail off come playoff time. this, imo, is simply a function of scouting. other teams start making adjustments and figuring out how to keep their opponents from their sweet spots. in the chess game that is nba coaching, you have to "hakeem-it". you have to have counters to counters. as soon as teams figure out to push mcgrady to the sidelined (flattening him out, as JVG said) and force luther, rafer, shane, et al to be playMakers as opposed to finishers, we will have a problem. a good counter to have is establishing more post options so the wingman has a good post option to feed. from there, tmac is free to cut to the basket. I luv the chessmatch!
agree, yet stunned. this is happening, but it isn't beating us yet. This goes beyond opponent game plans. Clearly, Phil Jackson's interview at half leads us to believe he had it all figured out. Think again Big Chief Triangle. You got destroyed flattening out TMac. good luck next time. what's our next test? I guess stopping HOFer big men like Kevin Garnett.
really enjoyed the post. would like to know more. wish the site had more detailed analysis and less "trade player x" or "player y sucks" or "would we be better with or without player z". good job hp.
HP, I have enjoyed your post. It seemed to me that the offense got going when Jackson came in and played alongside Alston. In my non-technical way, I figured we were having trouble passing the ball around, so put in two point guards and see what happens. Is that what you said? Or is there any corelation between that and what you saw?
I'm not Basketbal IQ Genius but It seems like . . .everyone can Create *a* shot just Not consistantly like the superstars of the league So . . what they do is maybe create one to two plays a quarter and that is sufficient [but that just maybe a function of the offense cutting curling etc and not the player] Seeing Battier Dribble penetrate from time to time is interesting Rocket River or I could be babblying about things i know nothing about
yeah, 4 out 1 generally calls for replacing a big with a guard. In college, teams do this because (1) they have a lot of quality guards, so playing 3 works (see Tinsley's Iowa State team or UofI's Deron team) or (2) their big can't beat double teams so they need to develop space and get the defense moving. So, classically, in college, 4 out 1 is playing your best players. In the NBA, it can be too, but as an in game adjustment, i tend to think the coach is trying to answer a opponent's defense devoted to eliminating the lane. I'm not so sure it's because "we were having trouble passing" as it was a response to the Laker's defense. Phil Jackson basically said to Adelman...beat this! And we all know that Adelman lives to beat Phil Jackson!
You said it with when you mentioned injuries. Rockets have A post option, Scola. Mike Harris out-muscling a guy his height is the next closest post player. Its all about Landry coming back healthy for that to work. If not Battier needs to start working that seldom utilized left hook down low. I think the Rockets start every game with post play in mind, like how NFL coaches try to establish the run. But they might have to adjust away from it according to game conditions, or if its not working. The same analogy, you're just saying run the ball a little to open up the passing game more (good post option opens up McGrady to cut). Its different this year cuz we actually have a little faith in the coach being opened minded to these types of offensive strategies
One thing I marvel about Adelman's coaching is that he sees things and is willing to shuffle around. Novak cant defend but can shoot, and Adelman finds a way to play him, making Novak contribute. Mike James was 2nd string PG, not playing into the team concept, sorry first sit, then the door. Brooks was showing promise and becoming a fan favorite, but not ready as a PG, no more PT, on and on. Adelman's coaching style is natural, and yet players buy into what he thinks. You can see he's been encouraging Rafer to take more shots, and asking Tmac to get to the rack more.
it used to in large part thanks to guys like verse and heyp (among many others) great thread HP, Ill digest it tomorrow and maybe or maybe not reply.....
