And you know that for a fact? Or are you just wanting to vent? Let's see TR Dunn was a defensive player...Deke is a defensive...yep, obvious conclusion they HAD to be talking offense.
I think this is a legit point to make. Although I wish it were not true, it is completely possible that we simply don't have personnel to run a motion offense. Adelman may have to scrap that plan this year if this is the reality of the current team (which is an option that is hard to swallow). I assume that having 4 guys on the court who function well within the offense would be enough to make it click. I think these guys could be part of that: McGrady - unmotivated right now, but if he can't play in a motion offense, no one can Wells - has already proven he excels in this style of play Scola - no inspiring play yet, but he has a good mid range shot and moves well so I think this will come naturally with more time I think the biggest question mark for this offense EVER being able to work is YAO. If Yao can do it, then the team can make it work. If Yao (our first/second offensive option) can't be involved, then it willl NEVER WORK. If Yao could get into the offense, then I could even see it working this year with the guys listed above in the starting lineup. That said, it is getting to a point where we need wins to keep our playoff chances alive. Whatever it takes to do that is obviously a priority.
That's the problem. Everybody, including Rick Adelman himself just assumed that this was going to work for the Rockets. But the problem is he's never had a dominant low-post center like Yao is. He's completely taken away from what Yao does best. Now that he has Yao, he has no idea how to utilize him. Last year before he got hurt, Yao was by far the best center in the NBA. He wasn't really ever able to recapture that when he came back, but why was he so dominant under JVG? The answer is that he's not getting the ball in the right spots to be dominant. He's at his best when he's moving from block to block, getting screens and catching the ball as he comes across the lane. He has absolutely no business being at the high post. He's not a Brad Miller or Vlade Divac. He's f-ing Yao Ming. He's 7-6. Even though he can make outside shots, he's at his best IN THE LOW POST. He gets to the line when he's at the low post. Yao doesn't need to be playing the stretches that he is playing. When he gets winded after 6-7 minutes, his efficiency goes way down. Yet Rick lets him play a quarter and a half before taking him out. And when he does take him out, he takes him out at the same time as McGrady. JVG never did this. He'd very rarely go strecthes with both McGrady and Yao on the bench at the same time. Even the most novice of fans can figure out that this isn't a good idea...yet our coach...
I think He's right. If you watch the games, you'll see that most of the time they go for the pick n roll, they end up with nothing. They either turn it over or throw it to Yao. They need more set plays.
That is a 10 page thread unto itself, but the quick answer: JVG was the most dominant personality of all players/coaches, so the team reflected his personality. Someone should have photoshopped an image of the team with dark bags under all of their eyes last year. Adelman is not a dominant personality. He is letting the players lead the team. This isn't a bad thing for a coach, and most coaches aren't the alpha personality on their teams. That includes Rockets legend, Tomjanovich. Translation: by example if that is what you want to do.
One other point to make... a huge part of any sport is fundamentals. JVG was phenomenal at teaching defensive fundamentals and team defense. Clearly, that has stuck with the team. I assume that if the team was capable of learning defensive team ball, they should be capable of learning offensive team ball. JVG may have left Adelman a little high and dry when it comes to offensive fundamentals. Outlet passing, running when appropriate, driving when appropriate, etc all get you easy baskets and have nothing to do with the "system". With the hiring of Adelman, it was said that fast break points would be a goal. We are dead last in fast break points in the league, and that has everything to do with basic skills. Adelman has some offensive teaching to do, not just play calling and diagramming.
hhhmmm . . . Do we still seem to have problems coming out of half time seems we lose alot of momentum at half time Rocket River what is going on in that locker room?
There's an offensive system out there that has won 9 championships in the last 15-20 years, and has been proven to work with all kind of personnel, but especially with dominant SG/SF, and with dominant big-men. It's called the triangle offense. If Luke Walton, Jordan Farmar, Ronny Turiaf (just from this year's group...see BJ Armstrong, Horace Grant, Samaki Walker, Devean George...the list goes on and on) can be successful at it, why don't more teams run it?
The coach shows little understanding of Yao Ming's game or the efficient use of his talent. Yao should never play more than 36 mins a game!
Agree. I also think that RA needs to settle on a lineup and define the roles he expects out of players like battier, hayes, scola, james, and bonzi. JVG was excellent in that regard. Whoever was in the lineup at a given time last year, they knew their role and what was expected out of them. As such, there was accountability. Every game it seems there is some sort of rotation change. There is no system yet in place which results in guys running around like chickens with their heads cut off. For example last year, we would run sets that would free up Juwan for the 15 footer. Juwan's role was to knock down that 15 footer (granted he often missed, but the shot was there). We could run that play 100 times in a row last year, and he would be open in the same spot. Why not run that play for Scola when the D tightens up on MAC and Yao. We know Scola has the range to hit it. Last year, we would run the post play that would free up Luther on the perimeter. I have not seen that play once this year. Every shot Luther takes this year, there is a man within 2 feet of him. Luther knew his role last year. What is his role this year? Guys like Francis, Head, and James play better in a system with structure. To run the motion offense or to be a up tempo team, I believe you need either a Top tier PG, or 5 offensive players who can score without needing to be set-up. Suffice is to say we are lacking in both of those categories. This is a half court team. As long as Yao is here, we are always going to be a half court team. There is a reason why this team matches up well with the likes of San Antonio and Detroit. They are both primarily half court teams. We need to draw up an offense that takes advantage of our half court talents.
The problems with the Rockets are not tactical. The problem is Disgracy. If a "set play" were drawn up - would McLady actually run it? Basketball isn't rocket science. It's not like some coaches know things that others don't. All coaches are trying to get basically the same things done, it's a question of whether or not they're getting through. A set play is not going to help when Disgracy gets the ball in transition with numbers and STOPS at half-court, as we saw last night. Adelman was visibly disgusted, as anyone should have been.
It's hard for us fans to know what's going on behind the coaching scenes in practice and with game preparation. But regardless, I absolutely HATE Adelman's manner and demeanor during the actual games. He sits down expressionless nearly the entire game no matter the score with his hand on his face like he's OD'ing on valyoom or however it's spelled. This team shows lackluster effort, emotion, and interest on the court and it starts with our comatose coach.
By changing the culture of the place. And it all starts from the top - from the coach and your leaders. Playing hard, extra practice etc. all has to be the norm of doing things, and anyone who differs has to be the exception not the rule. This requires the implementation of policies, discipline etc with regards to dealing with all employee's and management's behaviour, expectations and attitudes. There are plenty of consultants out there specialising in developing effective workplace culture - sounds like the Rockets can use one of those. If Lou Gerstner can do it for IBM (and I would argue that is a much harder task), can Daryl Morey and RA do it for the Rockets?
Actually PJ's one of the biggest whining coaches in the league who complains and works the refs nonstop, so umm....no, he doesn't do the same thing. But the other part of your reply, informing that this is the NBA and not high school or college - that part was correct....thanks for that..
