Shieeeet..... We're not classy like Philly with a "The Process" slogan. We're more like "Check out Fertitta's Dumpster Fire".
What I'm saying is, we were implementing PnR while Harden was here......then Harden left and we (Rockets) decided to tank instead. Rockets have so many expiring contracts that will go in a fire sale at the trade deadline that is makes it hard to build on that. Also Wood has been out since around game 19 with a sprained ankle; also not helping. If the Rockets were fighting for the 8th seed or better in the West, I'm sure Wood would have been back a couple weeks ago. Since the Rockets were not......let's take our time. So in essence the Rockets have gone back to "Small-Ball," last year's scheme as a front. Give the impression that they are trying everything within their means to try to win games. Even resorting to the gimmick scheme of last season which brought us the 4th or 5th seed. But it's not meant to actually win at the moment without Wood. Right now is about building up Oladipo/Wall/Eric Gordon as isolation specialists and House, Nwaba, Sterling Brown, Tucker as accessory role players that can hit 3's as spot shooters and play some defense (McLemore just shoot). Keep it simple. Don't get hurt (like Nwaba or Clemons). Having Oladipo/Wall throw lobs to no one there or clank the ball off the rim in passing lobs or turning the ball over in the crowded paint in a bounce pass to Tucker or Patton does nothing for their trade value, except hurt it. After the trade deadline I expect more of a team concept as guys like Kevin Porter jr and Kenyon Martin jr serve as players building towards the Rockets future. If the Rockets look to good with Kevin Porter (who has shown the capabilities or fearlessness to throw a lob pass) then we pull him. Kenyon Martin has still not shown an ability to shoot.....so probably safe to play him. So still glimpses of tanking will remain. Players that are only 6'6" and only dunk or only get layups 5 feet and in rarely make a significant difference in the NBA. Usually not good enough ball skills as a point guard and not good enough to warrant being guarded on the perimeter because of poor shooting. You can take away the football analogy if you like......use the dancing analogy. If one person is in rhythm and the other is off. Both look like trash. If both are moving in sequence and rhythm........both can look good. Back to football, the Texans went to Erhardt-Perkins read and react offense......often the quarterback looked like a jackalope because the receiver read the coverage wrong or didn't see the blitz and needed to cut their route short. Warriors run a read and react offense......I'm guessing Rockets and Silas now do as well (at least after we are done tanking). If the Rockets try to cater to Silas after the March 25th deadline.....then there is hope. If the Rockets favor Oladipo-type guard predominantly heavy roster by way of Stone / Patrick Fertitta....then we screwed.
