[Chron] Spanoulis getting chance in Rockets' rotation

He is the most creative passer along with T-mac. But T-mac tends to look for his own shot a lot more, whereas Vspan is a pass first guard. People have to understand that a creative passer will always have to deal with turnovers, but that is a result of the risks they take in passing. They see passing lanes that others fail to see. Vspan is a talent that plays with heart, that is something that I can definitely appreciate.

 

Nope.

 

The "undersized two" stuff is just annoying. VSpan is a "nobrainer" PG. Watching him in Greece, he is a great distributer, seems to energize the action, and drives to the basket with malice. So, according to JVG, VSpan is a SG who doesn't shoot particularily well. Uh?

 

This exactly what I have been trying to explain to other users:
We and especially van Gundy have to chose:
Do we want
1) a playmaker who just takes the ball, runs the floor, stops before the arc, dribbles, runs towards TMac or Yao to give them the ball from a very short distance
or
2) a playmaker who penetrates, achieves open shots, and can find Yao immediately under the basket with moderately riskful passes?

If you chose 1), your playmaker will hardly do any TOs, however the game will be one-dimensional, the opponent will concentrate solely on Yao and TMac, and generally our offence will be predictable.
If you chose one, the playmaker will create holes in the opponent's defence, Yao and TMac and the shooters will find easier shots, however you also have to expect some TOs...

 

Newsflash.....

V-Span played the two guard position in Europe. At 6'-3" he is undersized at the two guard position in the NBA where the average size of the two guard is 6'-4" to 6'-6" tall.

Turnovers do matter, a lot, the game is all about possessions in the NBA. Statistically the team who takes more shot attempts wins.

The PG position is not a place for a turnover prone player ala Stevie "Dribble the ball of his foot" Francis. He should have handles and not turn the ball over, play smart and set up the offense, and know how to get his other players involved.

I trust the coach on this one.

 

Careful. This the Rockets, after all.
He might take you literally.

 

I don't really think it matters. He generally gets the ball from the top or from the elbow. From there he can drive and dish or drive and finish as he sees fit. All this seems to mean is that when there is an inbounds on the other end of the court either Luther or TMac will bring it up.

At least, that is how they played it against the Knicks.

Obviously, with his pesky defense, he will also have chances to run the fast break when he gets (or causes) steals.

 

Spanoulis is a pg and has was playing the pg position mostly.
JVG is still not sure how his game translates in the nba because he hasn't seen him play before... He seems also intimidated by killbill's TO's but that's just an adjustment side-effect as someone else posted before.

 

i seriously doubt jvg (or any nba coach for that matter) would tell their guards not to penetrate or use their quickness. that's an aspect of the game that is understood on a base level no matter what the player's backcourt position. trust me...if vspan has the opportunity to penetrate, it's highly suggested from the coaching staff because it creates the highest % scoring opportunity.

 

that's idiotic.


how is he ruining him by saying to reduce TOs, penetrate, and be aggressive on D?

 

Why are you guys so caught up with labels? Spanoulis will play like Spanoulis. He'll drive and react to the D and either distribute or shoot. He'll take the odd spot up jumper once a while, too.

It seems to me that's pretty much all Rafer or Luther does, too with
so much of the offense going through Yao and McGrady.


The only difference between Spanoulis at the 1 and at the 2 is that he doesn't get to bring the ball up as of now. And what's wrong with that? Rafer, McGrady, and Head all do a passable job and Spanoulis TO problem is still a concern.

 

Good point, I was bit grumpy this morning, and my dislike of JVG "for the Rockets" just keeps oozing out of my commentary. I am craving more flexibility and creativity. But when I think about Ming, I realize the Rockets can't really be an uptempo team. I'm conflicted.

 

I agree 100% - On offense when he gets fully disciplined with the rock - VSPAN is definitely a Point Guard.

He wants the ball in his hands when the team is setting up.

As Yao said, he had flashes of Nash in the preseason.

But - i ain't complaining right now - at least he'll be on the floor !!!!!!!

 

...LOL, you haven't been around here much......

 

TO's matter a lot. he'll play off the ball until he gets them down.

when the time is right he will be the PG.

 

VSpan is clearly a PG, and his turnovers are overrated!

he made mostly stupid TO's that are easily correctable....

I don't see him doing 4-5 TO's each game

I bet!

 

V-Span is not a rookie what so ever. He is an experienced Euro player. All its going to take is for him to ajust to the NBA style of play & of course the rules. Other than that Billy will do just fine on the Rockets roster.

 

thus why his playmaking opportunities are limited. when he adjusts, he'll get more opportunities...

 

Agreed, and Novak is not really a rookie either, he's an experienced Marquette player just adjusting to NBA rules.

 

Why doesn't V-span start shooting the 3's in the game, so he can develop his shot?