[ESPN/TrueHoop] Good news/bad news for the Rockets

And they are all blowing easy makeable layups. Heck, even Carl Landry blew a dunk on a play where Brooks gave him a beautiful pass. YOu could hear Bullard saying "NICE!" when the pass got to Landry but before he could finish saying it Carl blew the layup/dunk. You somehow think thats Brooks' fault? BTW Nash plays with guys that can hit shots, and they move to spots on the floor quickly to accentuate that.

 

Everybody miss wide open threes once in a while. The more easy looks they got, the better their FG% will be.

Same thing goes for PGs. The more better looks he got the ball to teammates, the more assists he'd get.

Right now, Rockets starters don't get open looks or good shots enough. It may not be entirely AB's fault, but he shold be responsible for that to some degree.

Every starter on this team except AB the "PG" is either having a career low or near career low in FG% now, I don't think it's just coincidence.

 

Totally agree on AB.

I wonder how much of that is fatigue from the absolutley brutal schedule they've played so far.

Ariza is in a new role that he is uncomfortable with (and may not be qualified for), and Battier is getting older and has the bad wheels. This schedule is probably taking more of a toll on the team than we think. When they've gotten rest, it seems Battier has shot the ball much better.

 

That kind of thing happens every season, every game. Even Yao missed a lot layups in his career.

That happens to Nash's teammates, that happens to CP3's teammaates too.

But when a PG has a habit to get his teammates good looks, it will even out, assists will go up.

BTW， a lot guys have career high in FG% when they start to play with Nash. It's not a coincidence.

Nahs consistently find them in the right spot as soon as they stepped there. AB can't. Opponents are not nice enough to let some body open for long.

I said it's not entirely AB's fault, but he certainly didn't help as I like him to for a starting PG.

 

Many times Rockets offense ran the best when AB and Lowry are both on the floor. Lowry plays like a PG, AB plays some kind of SG.

Too bad that combo also have trouble defending opponents because of the size limitation.

 

I think both Ariza and Brooks tried to do too much when it comes to scoring. Ariza is obvious, but AB is no Kobe/LBJ either. He needs to look for teammates more while he is scoring. Some quick semi-open shots is not that good for this team, especially when the game is on the line.

 

Last night I thought it wouldn't have been a bad idea to put Lowry on Hill instead of Richardson. Hill while a bit taller, isnt as explosive as Jrich on the block. But there may have been other reasons for not making that switch. Another good thing the combo does is alternate running the play at the top. Havent studied the effect it has on the defense, but something to look for going forward. I believe the best 5 man group for the Rockets includes Brooks and Lowry at the 1 and 2 with Bud, Landry, and Andersen. The defensive efficiency and overall margin is one of the best of the 5 men crews that see any kind of significant minutes. Kinda strange that one of the top defensive teams does not include any of the 3 stoppers.

 

I equate Brooks' declining assist numbers to the poor play of Battier and Ariza. Heck, if you watch enough you will see Ariza upset at Brooks even when Brooks feeds Hayes or Battier for an open shot. I really think there is a chemistry issue there and Ariza is the bad seed.

 

Agreed.

What I have seen is the indecisiveness. Passing up good open shots and then getting stuck with much harder end of the shot clock shots. Looks like a lack of confidence that I started in the 2nd half of the New Orleans game.

A few wins under their belt will fix those problems IMO. Getting back to trusting each other and themselves.

 

I'd expect that from a rookie. Not from you.

Have you missed the games? Brooks? Holy damn last game I swear all he wanted to do was raise his points to be his old record.

Defense end from Luis and Brooks? Gimme a damn break. Even Battier. Dont even get me started on him.

You guys talk about Ariza having on and off days. Battier is having off and off then a on game.

Lowry? Dude gambles on steals just as much as Ariza and guess what, shows less for it. Then he gambles on taking a foul which because he is a no name he doesnt get much of the time.

Man every one of you guys need to get real.

 

did you see how horrible Battier was scoring ytd?? Not only that but he is twice as bad as dribbling then Ariza.

Hayes, cmon now.

 

Battier and Ariza don't miss wide open three once in a while. They miss them consistently. Battier is the worst because he never moves on offense, he just camps out at the three point line waiting for a shot. At least Ariza moves every other play, but he also stands around. When you have chuck hayes (who cant shoot), trevor and shane (who can't shoot), and luis scola (who is decent at best), how on earth do you expect AB to get 10 assists per game? Do you honestly think Lowry (and I know you do, lets just stop beating around the bush and admit you have a Lowry fetish) could set these guys up to score better than Aaron can? Our starting five is offensively INEPT. Our bench is offensively explosive. You know what the solution is? Balance both out. Start Chase or Carl, and move either Shane or Chuck to the bench.

 

But but but... who the hell gives a damn?

 

When you are shooting 50% from all over the court, passing up shots is a bad idea.

Wait wait wait. You just threw Scola, Battier, Brooks, and Lowry under the bus in defense of Trevor Ariza??? Wow...

When we have a Brooks/Scola/Lowry/Battier body language problem thread, you might have a teeny bit of merit.

 

Do you want to know why our starting lineup isnt getting it done?

Battier and Chuck aren't offensive players and rely on others to get them the ball in an open situation.

Then we have Ariza who has been exposed as a terrible shooter when given the green light.

Then you have Aaron Brooks who is a shoot first point guard.

It just isn't an efficient starting lineup at all. It's no wonder when Landry comes in to the game he can get it done

 

Watch the video clutch posted, and the games themselves.

Trevor Ariza is flat out putrid on the floor right now in both attitude and play.

I think he thought he was lead dog, and is finding out he is not even top 5...he needs to be who he is, and not who he isn't.....

Seriously, the Rockets need to reign him in, quickly before it festers....Trevor is just not a good fundamental basketball player....

DD

 

This is a building season. We all know it especially with $40 million in salary not even in the arena. I think we'll be fine, but I for one would not be entirely disappointed with a lottery pick.

I really hope this McGrady situation gets resolved soon and shakes some things up. We could use a shot in the arm. My gut feeling is we'll end up just letting his contract expire.

 

So I guess cause he shooting well, that last shot attempt were he wasnt the best position for a shot was a good idea? Yeah.....no.

I brought up other players because you guys act as if Ariza is the problem were loosing. Sorry guy you and the others are wrong.

Lets see, Both Lowry and Brooks had 4 TO's as of late each, not combined. I wonder how many points that ended up being.

You same guys ridicule Arizas shots, yet Battier shot 0 percent. Yeah 0 for 4.

the only one on this team that shouldnt be ridiculed is Landry.

 

Yet the article was about guys not playing together. You want to criticize one or two shots that Brooks took? But you are going to give Ariza a pass for not running the play and making his cuts on the offense? The other problems you mention are not because they are whining about not getting the ball. They are trying to run the offense. Standing behind the 3 line when nobody is guarding you doing jumping jacks is not what Adelman has in mind for this offense. The only person I want out there shooting a 3 is Aaron Brooks. All the other guys need to get a bit closer to the basket.

Ariza is getting picked on because of attitude issues. Thats why guys who do what they are supposed to do but the shot does not go in get a pass.

 

I am more criticizing his TO to assist ratio as a PG that everyone is hyping up as a top tier west PG

I agree, I prefer Brooks to be the main 3 point shooter but only? we have almost no inside game. but if brooks is shooting while defended and ariza or whoever is OPEN then thats a mess up. big time.

did I also forget to mention Scola and his horrid defense?