I haven't seen this posted, but it's some interesting keys to the 8th spot: http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/carter_fred/1530731.html Editor's note: The Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets figure to compete for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference down to the season's final week. ESPN's Fred Carter reveals what will ultimately decide the race for eighth place. What the Suns need to do to make the playoffs - Who cares? 1. Get consistent play out of a healthy Hardaway. Penny Hardaway has been through the battles and has more playoff experience than anyone on the team, going to the NBA Finals alongside Shaquille O'Neal in 1995. Penny knows how to play in the postseason, which is essentially where the Suns are while fighting the Rockets for the eighth spot in the West. 2. Keep Marbury on track. Stephon Marbury has played good, consistent basketball all season, and that needs to continue. Of course he has to take good shots and shoot a high percentage, but he also needs to distribute the ball effectively and create open looks for the rest of the scorers on the floor. 3. Get production from Marion and Stoudemire. The combination of Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire at forward has to attack the glass on both ends of the floor and find a way to get Phoenix 35 to 40 points a night. If that duo can rebound and make baskets consistently, the Suns have a great chance. What the Rockets need to do to make the playoffs 1. Utilize the big man. Yao Ming makes so many things happen for Houston in terms of scoring, shooting, rebounding and getting his teammates involved. He has to be a factor down the stretch. The Rockets have to get him the ball in situations where he can make big plays. 2. Become more unselfish. The Rockets rank 28th in the league in assists at just 18.3 per game, so if they can distribute the ball more down the stretch, it will be a big help. Steve Francis is the only player on the roster averaging more than three assists per game, so guys such as Cuttino Mobley, Moochie Norris and James Posey have to be more willing to move the ball and create open shots for others. 3. Get Rudy T. well soon. The Rockets will need coach Rudy Tomjanovich's leadership and guidance during the final week and in the postseason, should they get there. Much respect to assistant Larry Smith and the job he is doing, but Rudy T. has been there before and will be a great asset once he returns.
Well if we go by these suggestions then our Rockets are NOt going to make the playoffs 1)Utilizing the Big Man more and in the correct position.Failure to do so! 2)Become more unselfish, to be shown by an increase in assists. Failure to do so! 3) Rudy T to take the Helm for the final week.Failure to do so!
Compare Rox's and Laker's game. Laker: everyone(except Shaq) runs the ball very fast to front court, they ball either goes to Kobe, or Shaq, (first three quaters), Koby and Shaq will try to scores, if not easy, ball will be shot by others when time is up. Horry and Shaq are try get Rebounds, Fisher and Fox may try some 3s. Fourth Quaters, everyone open may shot. Otherwise ball will pass to Shaq and Kobe, Shaq and Kobe always try scores if you play one on one, if they ball was passed back from Kobe or Shaq to anyone, they shot right away or they pass to next open man, and that one shot right away. This game plan has been very effective, clutcy people Shaq and Kobe always get confident in 4th. Other role player only need contentrate on last quarter shooting. There are not many decision need to made by every player at every minutes. Houston Rockets: Only SF or Cat can run the ball to front court. (I always worry about they do not get enough seconds to pass the front court line). SF or Cat decide if they want play post or they shoot themselves, plan 1: ball passed to Yao or Mo in post position, PG run to middle make it looks like a pass, 95% no pass. Yao or Mo play 1 on 1. Plan 2: SF or Cat will try themself, 4 other peoples goes as far as possible to the other side of the courts. Or, one big guy come over help bock the defender and SF will shot. One difference is, if Yao miss his couple shots, they will not get him much balls anymore, so you really do not need defend him anymore. If Steve and Cat miss some, they will try more and more. Also, when ball is come to someone's hand, nobody want release it unless they can not shot. Everyone looking for make the basket instead give to middle or back to PG/SG. This is partly because when someone got the ball, it is normally only 10 seconds left. 4th quater, when Rudy there, MoT shoot, SF dribble in for Fault, Yao made 1 lose 1. Cat and Rice made 3s when we winning, or miss 3s when we trailing, until it is too late. They can make some 3s. When Larry, we almost do not need 4th quater, we either have an easy win, or we give up ourself at beginning of the 4th.
