Effort vs Talent - What on earth is Ariza lacking?

I say talent. He puts a lot of effort into his game, sometimes more than needed. He lacks talent offensively, and if he focuses too much on his offensive, his defense drops.

 

I think its a time and place for everything. I don't want him to stop playing passing lanes, but he has to use better judgement when to go for the steal. Just like in the playoffs when he made a couple of huge steals that sealed games, its ok to have that to get extra possessions or transition. Thats something the rocets haven't had in a longtime. They're traditionally at the bottom in terms of forced turnovers. I worry more about shane also because guys will overplay him and will be out of position and he doesn't even look at the basket. Thats never good.

 

Speaking of Shane, I noticed that he's slumping extremely worse recently, not only his shooting performance, but his defensive intensity. Did he injure himself the other day at practice or what.

And I agree with you on his gambling steals, and his rotation on defensive end is really the turmoil that causes us many problems. 17 games into this season it seems he still can't figure out the Rockets defense? or maybe coach A doesn't want him to pay too much attention on the defensive end so that he could concentrate his fire on the other end?

 

I think it's conditioning and focus.

He's come from being a 3-4th option to being a focal point and that changes everything including his conditioning to play close to 40 minutes. His focus needs to become more consistent for 40 minutes (he doesn't have Gasol or Lamar to clean up after he gambles on a steal).

I see flashes and explosiveness at times that are worth $9 mil. a year so His contract is o.k.

It's a long season and it's going to be a battle. Let's let these guys play before we run them out of town.

 

Lebron James: The Chosed One

I think chosed refers to getting hosed by a chode.

(And on topic, Ariza is athletic in some ways, yes, but he sure as hell looks terrible trying to dribble. It's sometimes embarrassing, and this is after a year of watching Artest too. If basic ballhandling drills that you do in basketball camp can't iron it out, then I'm afraid nothing will. I will give him credit for making it up on the defensive end, though, when he tries.)

 

Weights would definately benefit him. He is just too skinny. I saw mason jr man handle him on the defense.


Kevin Durant gets alot of hype but he would never be a wade, tmac, lebron because of his skinny frame. Too me he is just a 6'9 jamal crawford. Just plain old good shooter.

 

Shootings is definitely not the word you were looking for. I believe that would be "shots."

 

Man, can't you people see that English isn't the OP's first language? Cut the dude some slack -- if you honestly can't figure out the meaning of his post, YOU might be the one with some language deficiencies.

I've never understood why Americans are so quick to make fun of people having trouble learning English, since it's a b**** of a language to learn, and most Americans don't even *attempt* to learn a second language anyway.

</soapbox>

 

Skill? dribbling a basketball, shooting a basketball, driving in the lane, etc

 

How about the ability to stop shooting when he knows damn well he can't shoot of the dribble. Shooters keep shooting and Ariza is no shooter so why on earth is he still shooting when he was like 0-7 behind the arc. Ariza is a slasher. Stick to slashing. Aaron Brooks is ok with making plays. He did come through during crunch time so leave the ball in his hands.

 

Agreed 100% regarding how NBAers practice. Not to say some of them don't shoot 500 shots per day, as I know some that do. However, you're right that it is situational shooting. If I were helping Trevor, I'd him working on a jab step/rocker step ala Cat Mobley. Ariza's length should force defenders to respect a short drive (not one from 3pt land...more like elbow extended).

I'd also have him work repeatedly on shooting off-balance shots, since many of his shots are just that. I'm talking about shots where he is intentionally drifting to the sides, fading back, off the wrong foot, etc. He needs some "junk in his game" to compensate for poor dribbling and slow/avg release speed. He also needs to work on shooting "off-rhythm". Given that he doesn't get extraordinary lift on his J, he needs to put his defender on skates. Since he doesn't have the handle (not even close), he needs to use odd-angles and rhythms (along with a damn hard jab step/rocker shot) to gain separation.

I'd also have Trevor crosstrain in boxing. Trevor's footwork, for a SG/SF is horrendous, given his natural athletic ability. He needs to study Roy Jones, Jr, Pacquiao, BHop, et al as an example of guys that have off-rhythms and how they use(d) it and exceptional footwork to their advantage. Paul "The Punisher" Williams would be an excellent study in footwork and maintaining distance given extraordinary length.

Finally, he needs to work on his core body strength. He's incredibly easy to knock off his path (hence my suggestion to work on off-balance shots in practice). It'll take a couple of years, but there's no reason he can't get stronger in the air and on his path to the goal. Manu or Marciullonis are more of what I have in mind for Trevor's eventual core strength. Not bulky, but strong enough to absorb contact.

 

Maybe both. The thing is that he had a great shooting performance in the playoffs last year. Burt prior to that his outside shooting was considered a weakness in LA. I'm kind of impressed it has been as good as it has. His defense has been a disappointment.

He has stretches of really great defense, and then stretches of wreckless gambles that leaves the team exposed.

I commenrted before, that the first game when Houston played LA Trevor was doing an interview on local LA TV, and talking about how he missed the fans, and playing in Staples Center every night. It was disappointing.

I don't hate the guy, but he definitely isn't my favorite Rocket.

 

he doesn't use his body enough

 

seems like the media is grilling tmac for chunking too many shots and will kill the rockets' chemistry when ariza is shooting about 20 shots a game and making what, around 30% im guessing?

 

Kobe's pretty skinny when he entered the league. He's probably the strongest 2 right now. Durant with his touch and length, will be a superstar for sure.

 

my god that guy has some issues with grammar. ariza will be fine as long as he doesnt shoot 10 threes a game and drive to the bucket a little bit more, but i have no problem with him taking 15 shots a game someone has to do it.

 

You are the chosed one


Good topic by the way, yes Ariza lacks the innate ability to get the ball in the cylinder. Hes a solid athlete because of his length, but he lacks an explosive first step IMO. Coupled with his predictable dribbles he never catches defenders off balance. Hes relying on his length TOO much.

 

Kobe was skinny. He worked on his game all around. Not just on muscle memory but weight training too. If Durant gains the right muscle mass he can be a dominant player.

 

You are completly right. And usually when he misses it, he misses it badly. It is not even close. He can make few 3s, but his shot off the dribble is painful to watch.

 

this is probably the best summary of trevor ariza that i've read here. i can't rep people but if i could I would.

fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals.