Asik and Howard to start next game (Updated w/ Blog Post)

Lets go Rockets!!!!

 

I don't like how this line up looks defensively against the mavs.

 

Was not atrocious but was not up to standard either

 

What?? That was a fantastic move. Allowed us to sign two max deals.

 

I think not. Smith and Asik were a "surprise" pairing. Nothing more. The 228 minutes they played together last season amounted to what - less than 3 minutes a game? It is neither statistically significant nor relevant. Find another point that makes any kind of sense. This one does not.

 

We outrebound the Mavs and has more offensive rebounds which give up more shot opportunity. If it wasn't for the many turnovers that we committed, we would have better chance of running this game away. So far, i think the Asik and Howard work okay. Asik allow Howard to get a lot of rebound just because Asik like to come out and challenge the shot and so that leave Howard to rebound the ball playing as PF. Plus, DH is quick enough to play the PF position.

 

DH may be "quick" enough to play the PF spot, but pairing him and Asik on the floor hampers the defense and destroys offensive spacing. What actually happened in the first quarter when they shared the floor together? Yeah, defensive disaster. Offensive stagnation. I think we will see little of them on the floor together for the foreseeable future.

 

I remain cautiously optimistic about using the twin towers. Impressed that their rebound-per-minute rates were so high despite sharing the floor for much of the time. There was plenty of raggedy play, but that's to be expected the first time out.

 

my friend on facebook said he saw D12 at Uchi with Omer Asik after the game.

 

I am not sure but perhaps we should reserve them for critical quarters.

Like the end of second, fourth quarter in waning minutes.

Reminds me of the playoff games against the Jazz when we couldn't rebound.
No more.

 

Three "surprise" minutes a game works. And that is all we will see of them together on the court.

 

Will it work?

Judging from their first twin tower lineup, it appears as if Asik's contribution as part of a twin tower will not work. I think that the money would be better spent on a true pf.

Also, after seeing his low numbers, do you think Asik is reaffirming his desire to be traded? As important as a ring is, you must consider its value in comparison to a max or near-max contract to a guy who hasn't made big money yet. If I'm Asik, I want to be a starter with high stats (He was #1 in rebounds last season) so I can get that max. The ring will eventually come.

What thinks you?

 

The Offense looked pretty bad with the Twin Towers.

1. Only 2 three-point opportunities(1 for 2). Missed the stretch-four hitting that corner three that can put teams away.
2. Less fast break points.
3. 5 points in first 6 minutes of 2nd half.
4. Boring to watch.

 

It was really more the defense that bothered me. Jose Calderon scoring 9 points in like 6 minutes is not cool.

I'm not much of an optimist about it but it seemed like Asik was pretty rusty as well.

 

The defense looked good in every second of the game that I watched. Granted, I did not see the first quarter, but I liked what I saw.

 

I say to give it more try out over the next few preseason games.

Asik just looked rusty, if he and Howard can sort things out I think we will be fine.

But twin towers as an option should never be over-used - NBA teams are able to adapt to whatever offense/defense system we apply, so we should switch to other modes when necessary.

In fact, we have a happy problem for the coach, we are now seeing he has multiple options - so I am expecting a much better performance overall for rockets this coming season.....

Go rockets!

 

too good not to try. and no pf's are clear starters, gives another good reason to try the twin towers.

dont over do it. stretch 4s aren't that overrated

 

Asik doesn't sound very happy in the post game interview.

http://www.clutchfans.net/video/view/?v=1325&/omer_asik_interview/

As much as I hope it works, I have my doubts.

 

I think that match up wise this wasn't a great one for them. Though, something I did notice is the more they were on the court together the better it got.

Lets all keep in mind that Omer and DH haven't even had that much time together in practice, since asik just got back like three/four days ago.

I'm guessing that against a team like memphis or even the clippers, this combination can work... mainly because their fours are more traditional fours allowing dwight to do what he does instead of dealing with a stretch four

 

I've said a few times that I don't think it will work. But hey, it's the preseason, so why not give it a shot? I hope they try it out a couple more times before they scrap it.

In the end, though, I expect DMo or Casspi to get the starting nod.