Could be bc he is being guarded by 5s now instead of 4 so he can get a better look. Could also be bc as a 5 his guy is cheating more often so he is getting better looks. He also seems to be on a roll so that helps.
Because of the spacing Mathews and Brooks provide Take Wood out of the equation and insert Theis and the team would still be successful. What you don't realize is that Tate is a paint player. Only one basketball for Porter, Green, Wood, Tate, Sengun all trying to force their way into the paint. Rockets have to decide if Porter/Green continue as before or Tate get more touches. ALL FACILITATORS want the ball in their hands as much as possible. To get a feel for the game. Not all will eat the same as before. Someone has to make 3's to open things up. It's called spacing my friend. Do you honestly think, Tate bringing up his average to 28% from 3 scares teams. If teams would realize Tate is left handed and you take Mathews and/or Brooks out of the game....bye-bye spacing. Back to paint clogging for the opponents defense.
So YOUR solution is to start THEIS over WOOD??? Wood is a proven 20/10 player who is better from 3 than Theis. Wood is also the better rebounder, finisher and rim protector. There is no way that Theis can provide the same production, especially offensively. I'm really askance on your position if so because I do value your insight. Or if you believe replacing Tate with Theis would produce same success then I'm really not sure how we can continue this conversation. It's not about who's right, it's about getting wins.
So you are telling me that centers shoot a higher 3-point percentage than Power Forwards? So when I play Wood at Center he shoots 47%; but if I play him at PF I should expect him to shoot 30% every time? Is that all centers and PF's? Should I look up AD as PF....as Center?
Are you not understanding that Theis hurt the Rockets spacing and having Wood play stretch 4 hurt his rebounding, finishing, rim protection and roll/lob opportunities??? I do agree with you that Mathews, EGo and Brooks have allowed Rockets to better space floor which also limits turnovers. Replacing Mathews for Theis and EGo for Green added TWO snipers that shot 40% or better from 3. But it all started by removing Theis and giving the 5 responsibilities to Wood. Now all 5 starters (exception of Tate) are actual THREATS from 3. And at least Tate is not timid with shooting wide open 3's like Theis. And Tate has added ability to playmake or put ball on floor and take it to rim (same as Wood) which Theis just does not have.
You are not Understanding that other teams manage. Rudy Gobert (Jazz are succeeding as 3rd seed) Rudy doesn't shoot 3's. Evan Mobley shoots 33.3% from 3 on 1.9 attempts. Theis was 33% from 3 on 4.7 attempts in 9 previous games before streak. Coincidentally without Brooks/Mathews getting hot. Other players pick up the slack What I'm saying is, if Tate got hurt, the Rockets would be fine with Eric Gordon Mathews Kenyon Wood Theis It's the 3-point shooting of Mathews/Gordon and only shoot good 3's while playing center Wood. That would supply room for the Pick-n-Roll between facilitator and screener (Theis).
You are not comparing Daniel Theis to Rudy Gobert or even Evan Mobley. Crazy talk man. Are you not understanding the skill discrepancy between these players??? Theis is not even as skilled as Wood for Pete's sake. Theis is a 1 dimensional role player, he will never lead your offense in points AND rebounds and it would be unreasonable to expect him to ever AVERAGE 20/10, never mind putting up those numbers even multiple times in a season.
I understand that the Dallas Mavericks were the most efficient team in 19/20 while playing significant time with Marjanovic (not a 3-pt shooter) WCS (not a 3-point shooter) and Dwight Powell (19/20 shot 25.6% from 3 on 1.0 attempts per game. Theis shot better than- recently over 9 games.) That's proof that a non shooting center can be in a high efficiency and fast pace scheme and work. Where is your proof that Tate and Wood can succeed at PF and Center respectfully without Mathews and Brooks. We may find out.
Oy vey!!! *Points at WIN column* The best coaches fit scheme to their best players, not try to shoe horn players into the scheme. Theis is NOT one of the Rockets best players, no matter how much you want to argue it. Mathews and Brooks do not have the same space with Theis because he is not a 3 level scoring threat like Wood or Sengun. FACTS ARE FACTS.
Strength of schedule is not top notch playoff teams from last season as before. on the road....I might add
@D-rock I give up on you tonight. You must be drinking. Warriors didn't have to have a center shooting 3's in the form of Bogut, JaVale MeGee, Looney. They weren't 3rd level scoring threats. They set screens to open guys up. Theis could set screens for Mathews and Brooks all day coming around screens and things would be just fine. As Klay and Curry do it. Good night. Sleep it off buddy. Brook Lopez won a championship shooting 24% from 3 in the NBA finals. You manage as a team.
Again, Wood is at least TWICE the talent at the 5 than Theis is. If you are unable to recognize even this then it is you who are intoxicated. And throwing out all those examples of teams is ridiculous - the personnel, systems and coaching are completely different from these Rockets. Get some rest AW.
Wood (21/22) First 9 games: 38.0% (3P%) as PF. Complained after game (Denver- see post game interview, wanted offense to be run thru him) Next 8 games: 19.4% (3P%) again as PF Next 5 games: 47.4% (3P%) as center. How convenient.Wood got his wish after comment from Denver post game interview (eventually forced it) You may not believe in conspiracies....but something fishy in Denmark. You can fool some of the people some of the time; but you can't fool all the people all the time. And I ain't no dummy. There is a difference in position change creating success....and just applying oneself. I see thru the smoke.
