My vision for Cat is to play like Ginnobli...they both have a knack of getting to the cup... although Ginnobli passes and what I like most is that he moves without the ball and his Argentine teammates find him...Cat has a better 3-ball though...I guess what I just said reflects more about what passing does to a team rather than the merits of Ginnobli's game.... I know Cat is really trying...I've recalled tv and newspaper interviews talking about maturing and passing more... Clutch, Could you ask him when he passes does he expect the ball back? First convey and reassure him that he is a deadly weapon and we have faith in him...If he's playing with guys who understand the game, he should expect a return pass back(if he makes a quick cut, or fake a cut). It's just as effective as a crossover dribble. It will make certain defenders out of balance. Just listening to Clutch's report, it seems that Cat wants to make the pass that reaps direct fruit. Ball movement, ball movement, ball movement. It really needs to be explained to Cat and Moochie...I think Steve understands it a little more....again, sometimes a pass doesn't reap direct benefits, pass then move, then get the ball back, then either do it again, or fake a pass then shoot or dribble drive. It's beautiful to watch ala Argentina, 86 Celtics... In fact, somehow carefully hint to the team to learn to make the EARLY pass then MOVE and expect the ball back if they're open...if one player doesn't adhere to this, then everyone will lose faith and won't make the cut (or fake a cut) but will stand and watch.
WOW!!!!! Rudy and CD need to sign this guy up now. I'm sure that Rox management NEVER thought that moving without the ball is an effective way to play the game. The ramifications of that alone could completely change the way basketball is played. Pass, then move. Wow! The possibilities are endless!! Just imagine what could happen if players would pass, move, AND set a screen! I have to go now, I feel like I need to scribble some plays down on a napkin or something....
a WTF? response is what you'll get from fans who have been brainwashed by watching the likes of Francis, Mobley and Moochie play in Houston the last few years. I think I may though. the notion that players on this team(Rockets) rarely pass the ball after receiving the first initial pass for each offensive posession because they dont expect to ever see it again in that same possession seems to be a true one. The Rockets players over the last two years have become a one pass and shoot team. If Mobley, Thomas, Francis, or Griffin knew that a ball passed to a teamate had decent probability of coming back to them then they'd probably pass more often and much quicker after that first initial pass. it also makes sense to me that for this to happen there must be motion by the player who just dished the ball. Hopefully Rudy will preach motion to this team, and once Yao Ming arrives, forcefully demand it. crossing fingers.
Although Yodels is a little kooky, over-all he's just saying pass more. Yodels might underestimate Clutch....I don't think that Clutch has a "black phone" directly to Rudy office. I hope you are right Texax Stoke...The Rockets are a pass-once, shoot team... sigh....let's see some team work this year, plu-eezzee!
I know it was only one game, but in that one game I saw more out of Ginnobili (with an injury) than I have since day one with Mobley. I am sure u all saw the game. That is just what I believe. I believe Mobley is a great 6th man who still needs to grow up. A lot! He's perfect as a scorer off the bench. I care less who he hangs with off the court. When he's on the court, he hangs alone. He needs to branch out a little. Learn to move without the ball. Most of all, PASS... They should have given Redd the full exception!
I couldn't be more pleased about all this talk about motion offense, right after I posted this....At least now I know the team is trying. And on the subject of Cuttino, he's a good guy and he plays with heart. He is also willing to listen... I think I heard an interview with him talking about how Barkley thinks he and Steve aren't very smart...and they need to start listening to older vets...the good kids that Mobley and Francis are (from the reports that I'm reading) they are trying to soak in knowledge from past greats of the game...Francis seeked advice from Jordan, "the logo" Jerry West, and John Lucas...you've got to give Mobley props at least for considering what Charles said to him has some merit... (of course I still think CB has a chip on his shoulder for Cuttino not passing to him on the last offensive possesion of our last playoff run...the Cat tried to chunk it over Shaq when he could have made a more savvy (smarter) play and dumped it to CB who was right under the basket)
Cat didn't try to dunk it over Shaq. Shaq caught him from behind. That was a beautiful, gutsy, play call by Rudy, imo, and it nearly resulted in a layup. To this day, I still can't believe Shaq got it.
I don't know why I remember it as a blockable shot by a shotblocker of the Olajuwon, Mutombo, Shaq ilk...I also seem to recall Cuttino driving from the left side of the court as Shaq was eyeing him while standing in the paint...you may be right...I guess my point is the more shifty, crafty play would have been to dish it off with that kind of shotblocker in the paint... Rudy usually solicits his players on what the best way to attack is...I think Pip was the one who encouraged that play to happen as most of his teammates wanted the ball to go to him. Scottie preferred to not have that kind of pressure on his shoulders...
Passing the ball BECAUSE you expect the ball to come back to you is not the right attitude. That's selfish. That's not team ball. You pass BECAUSE that makes somebody on your TEAM (could be yourself, but not necessarily) get an easy shot.
You're right Easy....it's just that you need a psychological tool when trying to communicate this to someone who hogs the ball...if there is a chance they'll get it back, perhaps they can be encouraged to share the ball...
Thank you!!! That is sooo true. A player really shouldn't care if he shoots. As long as they win. Also, some nights it's "your night" and other times it's "another players night." Although my sig only shows one boxscore. Some nights Francis might get 30, others Griff gets 30, others Mobley get 30....and maybe Yao!
