I've had a hard time figuring out what's different about this year's team and just put my finger on it. The Rockets are fun to watch again because JVG is slowly developing a cure for the disease known as Dribblemania. Sure, we're 4-1 and winning cures all. However, the manner in which we are playing is far more compelling than at any time this century. Most of the time, we have fairly crisp ball movement and I attribute most of that to Jimmy Jackson, who seems to get Francis and Yao the ball in the right tempo and place. In particular, in the half court set, JJ seems to have allowed Francis to move without the ball more and to finish plays, like a shooting guard, rather than initiate them. Francis is a very willing passer, and does not look frustrated with his game. He just seems, well, more comfortable. And then there's Mobley. Although he still generally acts like Yao's invisible, he is being more decisive and quick with his move. The ball must feel lonely because it's just not being massaged like it used to. Boki, Taylor, Padgett and Cato have all moved the ball well, and Cato's willingness to take shots has actually helped the offense. There are fewer times where Cato passes up a decent shot and forces the guards to do the dribble, dribble and heave routine that we have learned to hate so much. There is actual fluidity to our offense. In my view, the Orlando game was our best game to date. Francis and Mobley played exceptionally well and there will be nights when they carry us. But, most importantly, they did not have a big night at the expense of the team concept. Yao got the ball but didn't hit his shots. If Yao gets 15 shots a night, we will be very tough to beat because that means he is getting position and touches, and the offense is running as designed. We will be operating at high efficiency on offense. I'm not ready to say that we have beat Dribblemania but the signs are encouraging. My best guess is that we will have a clean bill of health and be Dribblemania free (at least as much as possible in the NBA) in about 3 months. If not, we may have to opt for more serious treatment, like roster surgery.
As long as we have Moochie, Dribblemania will live on! Seriously, improvement is noted and appreciated.
Beside the record, games are much more watchable now. All our shots are within the flow of the offense. There is still some occasional ISO, but only when there is a mismatch to take advantage of. That's the key. Cat is still taking some ill advised shots, but more often than not, they're going in. If it goes in, is it really ill advised? When he shoots it, I say to myself "dammit, Cuttino....er, uh, nice shot!" Also, it's great watching them get after it defensively. I've never seen this team play such aggresive defense. Every single shot is contested. Even if it's a 3 with 2 seconds on the shot clock, someone is running at the shooter. Amazing. 24 seconds of tough D every single time down the floor. It's getting to the point where I hate off days.
"He actually takes quality shots. The only thing I asked him to do is to take the same shots on less dribbles." -JVG on Francis
I agre with your comments on JJ. I think he is a large part of why we are doing so well. He contributes to all aspects of the game. Says the right things also. He is the personification of vetran leadership.
TRADE PROPOSAL - MOOCHIE to the Harlem Globetrotters for one Meadowlark Lemon card and an autographed Curly Neil ball. ACCEPTED The Globetrotters would love his dribbling displays AND go crazy over his hair!
I think the big key to all this good play is that this team is practicing more than it ever has before. The players are not allowed enough time off to forget what is being taught to them over and over again. I don't remeber Rudy having the guys practice during the season so much, that was just his thing I guess, but for a young team it seem to hurt them more than it helped. But now with Van Gundy, it seems like they're have mini training camps on off days, and for a young team that has little experience with winning and success, its paying off and making a huge difference.
I've always hated off days...they are the most painful thing when just want to watch the boys play...I mean my mom laughs at me because I watch every second....tick tick tick tick are they nationwide tommorow? If not I'll have to find a computer and "watch" the game on cbs sportsline...
