Asik discussion: Poor guy deserves at least one thread about him

+1 it is worth missing several hard dunks in a row--always throws more fear into the opponent, and you are more likely to get a foul call. Maybe Asik is afraid to draw contact because of his foul shooting. The worst thing would be if he becomes like Biedrins in GS who won't do anything aggressive on offensive because he's afraid of getting fouled and shooting ft's. Asik's FT form is not terrible, and he has been practicing, just take your time, gather yourself, go for the dunk, and take the FT's.

 

Hope you are right! I'd be happy with a second Mutombo, slightly worse on defense and as good or slightly better on offense (Mutombo was not bad on offense--he shot a good FG% and FT% but could not pass like Asik).

 

With Harden and Lin. Its impossible not to see drastic improvements for the Rockets.

You saw it with Harden and OKC.
You saw it with Lin and NYK.

Alone they make their teams better. Sometimes in ways you can tell obviously.. with Harden running sprints with the losing squad during practice even though he was on the winning squad. To the fact that Lin and Harden both come early - leave late. They put in massive work ~ which is infectious.

Both believe in TEAM and all of this has got to be nothing but motivational and positive for the entire team. From starters to the 15th man.


The rest is heart and determination and the willingness to work.

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My opinion is that these starters and the rookies whom I really WANT to see play. They got that in them. With leaders like Lin Parsons Harden Omer and even Tony Douglas I would always bet on the Rockets.

One thing I noticed is despite how bad TD performs he HUSTLES - that speaks VOLUMES. There are notable players on other teams that start shouting and turning negative and start walking around - hanging their heads. All this has a ongoing impact during games.

Momentum is not something we can necessarily touch and feel. We can't caress it and touch it smell it bite it.

But its very real and a lot of this is the willingness to instill change. To make it happen. When Omer had that monumental rebound night ~ man that is WILL to WIN.

 

I'm so happy to hear that Harden ran sprints with the losing team. This is the kind of great leadership that winning teams need. Lin has always been a winner and raised all of his teammates' play the same way. I've read about how hard Asik works. These are the 3 highest paid players, the newest players, and when they work that hard, I'll bet everyone follows (anyone that doesn't should be booted immediately or at least suspended with their butts on the bench). These intangibles can not be measured in the stat sheets but always end up being measured at the end of the year in the W-L column. For anyone who needs proof of this, realize that the Rockets could have packed it in when they got down the first two games, in which case, they could be 0-3. Instead, they are 2-1 and considered and up and coming team.

The only "downside" to winning really is draft position. Frankly, to better motivate regular season performance, the NBA just do a random-draw draft regardless of regular season record. If needed, you can make up for the big market teams by just having more revenue sharing. Ok, it's getting late, so not sure if I'll wake up having second thoughts about this second paragraph.

 

Asik's work on the offensive end is still at a relatively rudimentary level. It seems like he's only working on a basic hook shot and dunk with his back to the basket.

He is certainly not ready to work with olajuwon, who teaches drop steps, fadeaways, spin moves, stepbacks, etc.

If you expect Asik to become an offensive juggernaut, you will be extremely disappointed. If you expect him to become an 8-11 ppg scorer, shooting around 50 or 51% from the field, your expectations are much more likely to be met.

 

Not really true. If one of Asik's misses turns into a make, it changes everything that comes after.

 

I think Asik will soon get his act together offensively, to give us say 10 easy points from dunks and layups...very soon...perhaps in a few games time...mark my words...

 

@Kinein, Great comment bro!
@rocketsfan4 yours too!

 

Honestly, I am of the opinion that Asik's offensive game will come in time but is not necessary.

If he maintains his defensive performance against even more talented/experienced big men, then we are in good shape. It is up to the rest of the players (besides Lin and Harden) to step up their game along with the coaches to actually start creating plays/set ups for other players.

 

He needs a haircut.

 

He just needs to pass it out whenever he gets an offensive rebound.

I don't care if he is right under the basket with no one around him. Pass it!

 

he did in game one: scored 12 pts. He'll do it again, just needs to relax.

 

hehe unorthodox, but very smart!

 

The new Sultan of Swat

 

well said! he knows very well how to do it, just need to relax...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35seTbD2mOo

 

He'd have an easier time next season when we sign a Jefferson or Millsap

 

Yes but he is from turkey and the Turks actually had sultans. The reason I said that.

 

He needs to keep that ball high and don't bring it down after an offensive rebound. He needs to look at Tim Duncan videos. Duncan grabs it and just softly puts it back in.

 

How about this:

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sorry if you cant see yt link it's not quite clear to me how properly to place it...