http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4288377.html Oct. 28, 2006, 10:32PM The Rockets need more than talent to realize their potential. But it's not a bad place to start Perfecting the mix By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle The Rockets hear the word all the time. "Chemistry." Coach Jeff Van Gundy hammers home the point. "Chemistry." He repeats it regularly. "Chemistry." In truth, the Rockets have many of Van Gundy's words echoing between their ears. From autumn to spring, his voice is the soundtrack they cannot get out of their heads despite the automobile audio systems and state-of-the art headphones they crank up between practice sessions. But on a team with such clearly defined roles, and in a sport so greatly removed from the simple addition of fantasy-league competition, chemistry is everything. The elements were collected not to be summed separately, but to mix and transform one another into something greater. It is the Rockets' plan and hope. "Coach is real big on chemistry," said guard Kirk Snyder, added via trade with New Orleans/Oklahoma City. "We have to learn that and buy into the team game of coach Van Gundy. That's exactly what it is, just chemistry." The work begins The alchemy of basketball, turning a roster into a team greater than its table of elements, is the job of every coach and, eventually, the measure of every season. But few teams have become more about the annual chemistry experiment than this season's Rockets. With Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, the Rockets have known quantities. So it boils down to how the other elements react with their stars. The Rockets believe they have what they need. The key to their season could be found in whatever amalgam they create. "Without a doubt, this is the best team I've been on in my 10 years in the league," McGrady said. "The athleticism we have, the shooting, my creativity on the court, the inside, the outside — we have everything. "We have a little more depth. We have a lot more talent. But talent doesn't win games in this league. So far, the chemistry has been great." Unselfish players needed But basketball chemistry is tested under pressure. Van Gundy says the Rockets want a foundation of commitment, attitude and chemistry. But when he speaks of chemistry, his players say he is referring to playing for the greater good. "He's talking about chemistry on the court, which means guys willing to play with each other and not looking for their own stats or glory, and off the court, which means guys who are responsible and understand this is a long season," said guard Casey Jacobsen, who played in Europe last season. "We have to build relationships with each other. "It sounds like boring, cliché stuff, but it is important because a lot of teams have a lot of talent. The thing that separates teams that have talent and the teams that win, and go to the playoffs — and go deep into the playoffs — is guys that build relationships with each other, become unselfish and want to see each other succeed and then take that to the court. ... He keeps trying to hammer the point we have to play for each other." More than an attitude But chemistry is not just attitude. It likely begins there. And can end there. "He talks about it all the time," guard Rafer Alston said. "Chemistry to him is not just guys getting along in the locker room and on and off the court. Chemistry is guys sacrificing their games for each other, doing all the things for the good of the team. We have a lot of guys that come over here averaging 16, 17 points and will end up averaging seven or eight points. Are they willing to do all the little things to help the team win?" The Rockets sought distinct skills for a team built around Yao and McGrady. The ideal complementary player must do things stars might not. A creative, go-to player might be allowed the tradeoff of committing turnovers. A role player cannot. Stars can have plays called for them, can shoot off the dribble, search for their shots. Complementary players must play off the stars, bringing skills that help the stars be effective, and take advantage of opportunities that come not because of their talents but of the talents of teammates. To Van Gundy, the job description is clear. "(Forward Shane) Battier, to me, you couldn't find someone better," he said. "Versatile. Can shoot, pass, (makes) minimum mistakes. That's as good as it's going to get in our league for a complementary player. "Know your strengths, know your team's strengths and know the others' strengths. That would make you an intelligent player. And I'm not sure how good any role player can be if you can't shoot. You've got to be able to know when to pass and when to shoot; make quick decisions with the ball, but be able to shoot." There are times that even great players cannot do what lesser players must, though with role players humility is often key. "Look at myself," said Battier, considered the consummate NBA role player in his five years with Memphis. "I don't think I possess any skills T-Mac doesn't. T-Mac does possess a lot of skills I don't possess. I'm not a creator. That's not putting myself down. That's just not my strength. My strength is catching and shooting. It all plays into what the team is trying to do. "I need to knock down shots. I need to keep defenses honest so they can't collapse on Tracy and Yao. I need to play with energy and a high IQ. I need to make the plays I've made throughout my whole career." With the Rockets, even players with go-to player skills know they will more often have to do the complementary-play thing, playing off the stars. "The role players, myself and the rest of the guys, we just have to be good playing off those guys and be good role players," said guard Bonzi Wells, added after spending last season with Sacramento. "When they experience a lot of heat, we have to take some heat off of them. (The Rockets) have a lot of better players than me. I just want to come in and do my role." Mindful additions This is how the Rockets were built, or more specifically, after last season's implosion, rebuilt. Beginning with an assumption that Yao and McGrady can stay healthy, almost every addition was made to complement them. "A lot of guys we consider, we talk about a lot and decide would not work here even though we might like their talent," general manager Carroll Dawson said. "We put them under a microscope, not a highlight film, and look at the way they play, their good plays and their bad, and judge them the best we can. We try to figure out how they would be with our team, coaching staff and philosophy. "It's always a consideration. The team with the most talent hardly ever wins in the NBA. The team with the most chemistry, that plays together, that best understands each other, usually wins." Talent search Seasons do reach a point at which talent distinguishes teams, though at this point, almost every NBA team considers itself greatly talented. Injuries — as the Rockets were reminded last season — can play a huge role. Good fortune, timing and the bounce of a shot in or out can determine winners and losers. But every time the Rockets speak of their improved talent, there is a sense that making it work will be a matter of chemistry, of turning hydrogen and oxygen into water, and water into wine.
why are we seemingly always the team worrying so much about/talking about 'chemistry', at least on a public stage? obviously we haven't found it in almost 10 years...maybe we're trying too hard.
It's funny that Feigen would still include a quote by Jacobsen about chemistry when the guy had just been cut. Like the quote by Wells, though. Talking about chemistry, have Snyder and Sura ever kissed and made up? I remember that Sura accused Snyder of some racist taunts when Snyder was with Utah...
I think virtually every team talks about chemistry before the season starts, particularly teams deep with talent because chemistry, in those cases, is equal to guys sacrificing some of thier game for the greater good.
I wonder if that JVG quote about guys needing to be able to shoot is a bad sign for Chuck Hayes. The guy obviously can't shoot unless it's a point blank shot close to the basket. Should we expect Juwan will be ahead of Chuck in the rotation?
I think JVG will try to drill into Chuck's head that he should not atempt any jumpers unless he's close or under the rim. Best lineup with Chuck on the floor: PG- Alston SG- T-Mac SF- Steve Novak PF- Chuck Hayes C- Yao Ming With at least two reliable shooters (T-Mac and Novak), Chuck will (hopefully) pass to them and record an assist. Also, possibly this lineup: PG-T-Mac SG- Shane Battier SF-Steve Novak PF- Chuck Hayes C-Yao Ming I know many people object to T-Mac being a 'point forwad' but from the games I've seen so far in the preseason, T-Mac has brought the ball up the court more than once (quite a few times actually) and I see no reason why JVG won't have a couple of plays with T-Mac at PG. Of course, I'm writing all this assuming that JVG runs a couple of plays for Chuck too, or to get an offensive rebound and pass it out for a wide-open three pointer.
I am wondering what is the chemistry? anything that converts to win should be considered as chemistry. A new thread about how to improve our wins would be very interesting. The first should be improving our FG%, our defence should be above average in the worst case.
Chemistry, like talent, is an old theme. The real story this year is variety. Name any kind of player we might need to insert -- sharpshooter, glass-cleaner, big post-up guard, perimeter defender, shot blocker, tempo pusher, quick defensive rotator, alternative scorer -- and we've got it. That's a huge difference maker in the playoffs. We didn't have it two years ago. This year we do.
No way. Chuck's biggest problem staying on the floor is fouling, not Juwan. He's being given the backup C role and it's up to him to be effective. On offense, he is not expected to shoot jumpers, just get putbacks and finish when he cuts to the basket after getting a pass. The occasional offensive rebound wouldn't hurt either. Right now, Juwan isn't in the rotation and won't be unless Hayes completely fails. Even then, Deke will get backup C minutes before Juwan.
Filler. Every day this time of year, the editor of the Chron sports section--whether he wants to or not--needs 800 words (or whatever) on the Rockets. Some angles are new, some are rehashes. Not really a story, especially to junkies like us.
Chemistry is also knowing your teammates capabilities. Not just off the court but during game time as well when the ball is on play in order to make good decisions. One thing we also lack is the killer instinct. We only play our best when we play against strong teams like Phoenix, SA, Dallas, etc.. When we play against the weak teams like NO, we tend to play it soft... This is NOT how SA do it..
nice quotes from bonzi and shane. very generic article though. players say "we need to play to our strengths and not make mistakes" no kidding.
You will only work on chemistry through experience. I'm guessing mostly practice and games. I would say Rockets had great team chemistry T-Mac's first year here. We also traded for a lot of new players so it can easily be worked on. Its easier because we have guy's like Battier who already understand their role. If Bonzi is true to his words, then I think we will be fine.
a good team chemistry comes naturally. look at the suns. it only took one year, one player to turn it all around, they have one of the best team chemistries anywhere.
