I don't think JVG knows how to run a fast break offense. His game plan has always been to slow things down.
During our championship years, didn't we run the fast break and dump the ball into Hakeem? We were able to gel both into the offense and it worked. Why isn't it working here?
1) You're right. But the offense is setup the same way where the PG will dump it into Yao, Yao will draw the double, and kick it back out to Ward, JJ, or T-Mac. 2) This one, you're definitely right. Both offenses are completely different.
Remember, that fast-breaks can be initiated from pushing the ball (Like Dallas or Mavs). But they are also initiated by great defense/rebounding from our center. That's what we did back in the Hakeem days. Hakeem was able cause many of these fast-breaks. Our PG back in the day were not creators (not Nash-like). They didn't run the break as part of their offensive setup. It was more opportunistic caused from our defense. Maxwell was very good at getting out when Hakeem got the rebound (or Thorpe). It was spurred on immediately after a block or steal. Now, you do need quicker guards (Maxwell was our quickest, Smith decent). But that's how we got those breaks. WE need to play a lot better defense for this to occur. McGrady, JJ and Boki are fuly capably of getting out if we do play better D. But that has to happen first.
I think he knows how, he just doesn't believe in it. He likes to use the whole 24 second clock on every possession.
Bingo. Thats why you see Lue dribbling the ball around for 10 seconds, passing it to Howard at the 3-point line for another 5 seconds, and then passing it to Jimmy to jack it up at the end of the shot clock. I hope some of ya'll aren't waiting for things to change, because they won't. JVG's teams have never been good at fast breaks or offense in general. I know its only 2 games, but judging by last season and this start so far, I'm seriously thinking JVG isn't the right coach for this team.
Another problem that I notice is that when we do get a defensive rebound everyone stays back to get the ball to bring it up court. Run up court and let the C or PF throw the outlet. It is not that hard to run a fast break. We dont have to wait for Yao to run up court to start a fast break.
True, but the offense isn't as good at getting the ball into the big man. Yao under Van Gundy is also not nearly as creative offensively under the basket as Hakeem was.
The Raptor's commentator's were even calling it: If players front Yao, which they do, play a high-low game. JVG did it a total of 3 times lastnight and it resulted in a dunk and 2 fouls. Its all about adjustments.
seriously, i kept saying there were stealing money last year and yet they come back and do the same dollar amount again (or the rockets let them). i mean damn, those orphans (or whoever they give money to) must be starving. at the rate we're going, i could fund this thing with change i pick up off the ground each day.
