Extra Practice Time and Correcting Our Deficiencies

Given our recent struggles (hey 2-2 is not THAT bad) the schedule makers have built in a period practice time just when we need it. We have used our first 4 games as a barometer of where we are as a team and can use that knowledge to work on the weaknesses in our game.

The current stretch has only 3 games in a period of 10 days. Following this we get back to the grind of games every other day, back to backs, etc. Hopefully all these off days will have been put to good use, building chemistry, emphasizing defensive rotations, and further implementing the 5-man offense. If the recent practice time doesn't show up soon, we will be having to do it on the fly in the near future.

I have not been able to personally see any games yet this year, but I have been able to pick up on the following observations (based on others opinion, stat sheets, etc) of the Rockets to date...

Offense --
1 Stretches where it seems to be working fine and scoring points seemingly at will (note multiple 30+ point quarters)
2 Stretches where there is absolutely no continuity and we are struggling to score period (note multiple >15 point quarters)
3 The only consistent treats are Francis and Mobley... they need some help.
4 Francis has erased all doubt that he is capable of dominating the game every night. The question is should he?
5 We need to play "hot potato" with the ball and get it moving around
6 We need to get out on the break and let those horses run!

Defense --
1 We have more of a shot blocking defense than we have seen in a while
2 We continue to get outrebounded
3 We seem to be capable of playing "clamp down" defense, but the intensity level needs to be HIGH.

I should get to SEE my first games this week since I will be vacationing and visiting family in Houston until the 17th. Hopefully I will see a team growing and improving it's weaknesses while holding on to the positives.