ClutchFans Game Thread: Mavericks @ Rockets 12/11/2004

Until the Rockets gets a coach that values the outside shot as a primary weapon, the Rockets will lose in today's NBA. I suggest the Rockets get a young european coach who wants to coach in the NBA.

 

I can gurantee you that JVG values the outside shot... its the FIRST thing he mentions after every loss where we weren't shooting well... and if you can't hit a wide open shot in his system, the system breaks down.

JJ, Sura, Gaines, Howard, Lue, Ward. Mo-T... all below average jump shooters.

 

However, I think there is a Harry Spilman on the Rockets. I don't know who it is, but Harry Spilman's spirit is in a Rockets' coaching assistant. Rockets need to get a Gary Gaetti because I think this team for the Rockets may be the worst outside shooting team in a long, long time.

Yes, the draft picks the Rockets have sucked, but the coaching assistants seems to practice everything except for shooting the ball. I think the Kings and Mavericks' approach is the best. Shoot the ball in the practice as the #1 priority. Then everything else comes after. Rockets may go through some of the worst offensive drills in the NBA.

 

Practice shooting.... honestly, is this what it has come to?

Most NBA players have been shooting basketballs their WHOLE LIFE! The Kings, Mavs, or any other good shooting team aren't sitting there practicing shooting... they're practicing ball movement, picks, spacing, and maybe fastbreaks... but they're all naturally good shooters who don't need to be "taught" how to shoot.

The Rockets are working at the same thing... spacing, pick and rolls, passing, etc. Also, you watch them in warm-ups... and they hit every shot. This is just a case of not being able to hit them in the game... which happens if you're not a good natural shooter.

Hell, I can go out there in warmups, or even in practice (where there is not a defense breathing down your neck) and hit a good number of shots... because I feel like I'm a good jump shooter if I'm wide open.

You work at your own shot... otherwise you don't last in this leauge.

 

JJ is a big blackhole for this game. He missed Finley in defensive side, and missed open shot in offensive side. If Bowen is in the game, he will keep the shot chance to yao or TMac. That's a huge difference.

 

Finley makes 4 3 pointers in a row. Talk about busting the game open.

This is why the Sonics have won and won big.

How many teams can guard the Sonics when they have Ridnour, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, and Vlad playing on the court? All these guys can shoot the 3 point at a 40% clip, and there are all those handchecking fouls which means they can drive into the paint when the defender trys to rush over to defend the shot.

Yao's shot is a zero. TMac has flashes of brilliance, but he's still a dud from the outside. Mo has lost his shot. Juwan is a zero on the offensive end.

Take away the baskets that are layups and dunks, and the Rockets would be down by 50 now to the Mavericks.

 

Yeah F*** THE MAVS.

Hmm yeah omg we can't shoot

 

I think the coach puts emphasis on certain aspects of the game. JVG does not put emphasis on shooting. The Mavericks are shooting like they are at home while the Rockets are shooting like they are in Beirut looking over their shoulders for guys with bombs on their backs. This is a team-wide affliction. No Rocket is good at shooting now. Every single Rocket has to score on layups and dunks. That's the most predictable offense in the NBA. This is why the Sonics have the best record in the NBA.

 

19-62 FGM/FGA

This is embarassing.

 

Doesn't Shaq and Wade have the same problem in Miami but they are winnning? Haslem is a undersized pf that's similar to Weatherspoon.

 

I think someone needs to fire Harry Spilman. He's masquerading as a Rockets' coaching assistant now.

 

Why does JVG keep on playing Reece Gaines? He would rather put Boki in his doghouse despite the lack of outside shooting. Ryan Bowen did bring energy and hustle to the team, but how about Gaines? Put him in IL and play Boki!

 

No Rocket is good at shooting now?!? Tell me when any of these single players, save Yao Ming, was ever good at shooting... regardless of who was coaching them.

Also, they're not looking over their backs when they're missing WIDE OPEN shots. Dallas is not a good defensive team... they'll always leave one, maybe two, guys wide open around the perimeter, because they're small inside and have to double down.

If you make just half those shots... you win, or keep it close... but the Rockets barely made any.

To say JVG puts no emphasis on shooting is to say that breathing is overrated. He's said it EVERY SINGLE TIME this team loses... "We can't shoot... we can't shoot... we can't shoot."

 

King Bowen made a short appearance.........where'd the King go?

Boki might be able to hit a shot......sheesh.

 

Rockets -please don't lose by 30 pts!!

 

Yes, they are missing wide open shots. The outside shooters are hitting zero. The low post guys are not hitting anything too.

To say the coach has nothing do with this is a mistake in my opinion. I think there are tangible differences in how the Kings train their players compared to how the Rockets train their players. I remember an article that said Bibby and Bobby Jackson practiced their jumpshot for many hours after practice when they were slumping. I have no doubts Rick Adelman encourages this. JVG probably encourages the Rockets to rotate defensively after practice.

Ray Allen would probably be shooting 30% from the 3 point arc under JVG. It's really a shame to see Harry Spilman on the Rockets' bench.

 

This game ruined my weekend...poor JVG

 

After a miraculous win against the Spurs, we lose by 30 points??? I don't think it could do anything to boost the players' confidence at all. It's just not really the "turnaround" of the season.

 

Hey all of you on this board explain this to me, we were doing well the past 3 games with JJ out of the line up, Bowen, Barrett, Padgett, Sura all played with hustle and intensity. JJ came back to the starting line up, same old Rox plays like before the mini winning streak.

Why Grumpy insists on starting JJ for the life of me I can't understand, it's not like JJ can light it up , far from it , he's a liability from so many aspects.

Why mess with a good thing? Sometimes when it's not broke don't fix it, and one more thing , if the camera keeps zoomed in at the Rox coaching staff on the bench, I am going to hurl, we need a new coaching staff ASAP!

 

Pathetic.