I'd like T-Rob or T-Jones to develop a corner three and they could be refashioned into an elite wing defender. They've both got the athleticism, lateral quickness, strength and length to be lock-down wing defenders.
The Rockets have an offensive system as opposed to plays/sets. They teach the players a philosophy of spacing, pace, and decision making and then rely on the players to read and react properly. It allows them to attack pretty much any defensive scheme, so long as the proper reads are made. In away, it isn't much different from wha Phil Jackson does with the triangle offense. Of course you need players with the BBIQ to execute it well.
^^ Imagine these young high-bbiq players with more experience! Is it true Cook got released because he wouldn't play within the system?
This is essentially what Texas Tech football's offense was under Mike Leach. Very few designed plays. It relied heavily on spacing, execution and player IQ. It still takes a tremendous athlete to take the philosophy to the next level (Michael Crabtree), but if you get that guy, you're golden. If the Rockets can find that 2nd star, I think their system will put them above the likes of OKC and the Clips.
Exactly. Man, some of you guys.... really show your maturity (or lack thereof) as well as YOUR BB IQ.... Look, I did NOT want McHale as coach when it became clear he was a finalist. I've refrained from commenting on the Mchale hate threads simply because I felt it was a waste of time. I almost did when the "he's lost the lockerroom" stuff started during/after the seven game losing streak, but still held out. But man.... now some of you guys want to use something Anthony Carter - think about that for a minute - ANTHONY CARTER - said EIGHT YEARS AGO (while failing to mention the article was written five years ago and Carter expressed confidence McHale, now no longer a rookie, would fare much better as an "x's and o's" coach). Others had no problem with McHale - until realizing he ran no plays!?!?!? Really? Again, I was NOT a McHale fan and didn't want him as the Rockets coach. However, he began to win me over LAST YEAR with his approach. Obviously, as with any coach, there are things I don't like - certain DECISIONS (not ROTATIONS), the occasional attitude during interviews (even though he's funny MOST of the time), etc. But, I wanted a PROVEN coach, with more of a track record. After Adelman, I wanted someone more defensive minded. It's obvious he's no Popovich or Doc Rivers, and that's OK. (if anyone remembers the early version of Pop... he was not someone who many felt would be anywhere close to where he is today, in terms of respect and perception). The fact that this team, the youngest in the NBA, is jumping between the #1 and #2 scoring team in the NBA, has been between the 6th and 8th seed for most of the year, plays an extremely exciting style of ball, has a team full of guys who obviously CARE, WANT to win, want to play together, and, regardless of what the stats say, actually WANT to play defense (there are reasons our defensive NUMBERS are what they are - but, it's not from lack of EFFORT, it's mostly due to our style of play and being YOUNG).... is a testament to what he DOES bring to the table. The team isn't winning or playing above expectations IN SPITE of him. If you truly believe that, you really haven't watched many years of the NBA. As many have already stated, the "system" or style of play is definitely hammered home consistently. He TEACHES what he and the staff and the organization wants. That's far from a great "x's and o's" guy, but we could be a LOT worse off than what we have. If you haven't seen us RUN A PLAY, after McHale calls a timeout, you haven't been paying attention. I specifically remember a timeout being called after a brief Washington run and we come out with what was OBVIOUSLY a drawn up play that allowed Delfino to get a wide open three, which he made (now, later in the game, after a timeout, we came out with NOTHING and I was like "REALLY!?!?!? After a timout, that's what we run!?!?!"....lol) Doing what this team did when McHale lost his daughter - on the schedule they had to do it on - says a lot. More than that, WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID about it and WHY they wanted to do it spoke volumes. I remember Morey saying something to the effect of "Don't get wrapped up in names" as they were searching for the next coach. Then, after McHale was named, I believe Morey talked about his ability to coach young players, to teach and to get them to IMPROVE. While he didn't specifically say "he's not Doc or some great offensive mind", it was clear that was the case. As with most of Morey's decisions, it turns out he was likely right. This team needed a coach who could do what McHale does well. I, like many, wanted a "championship caliber" coach immediately. As usual, Morey knows best and gets paid what he does for a reason. And, while many of us are knowledgeable, we need to just sit back and not only support his decisions, but support THIS - OUR - TEAM - with a little bit more of a postitive attitude. We should be enjoying this ride. Very few expected us to be where we are - even after the Harden acquisition. Chill out, guys. I'm sure Morey will know when this team needs a "different voice" or style of coach or, for that matter, a championship caliber coach.
Having no set plays has nothing to do with running fast breaks. If there are no fast break opportunities, then players themselves decide to set up in the half court. Generally using PnR, iso, etc. I don't see how they're contradictory. Also, fast breaks work in the post-season. Having lesser talent fails in the postseason. The difference between the Rockets and true contenders isn't that we're running a lot. It's because we don't have multiple stars/superstars.
I think it's fun to watch money ball in action. Centering in on "getting to the basket, free throws, bombs and offensive rebounds" equates to getting on base for Oakland and later Boston's success. When Morey says it can be a curveball all the time, I think it's from his number crunching that he gets his confidence. Will be cool to see how it works out. No real problem with McHale letting the coaches coach.
Very very good post! Repped. I also have reservations about McHale especially the in-game adjustment stuff, but players tend to improve and his teams tended to improve over time under him. And for the Rockets in this transition period, he's fine. I'm sure no big-name coach would've come here to coach a team trotting out Luis Scola, Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry as its BIG 3. McHale is guaranteed until the end of 2013-14 season. He will get to coach that out at least. I won't say he's totally won me over, but at least he's on board with Morey's advanced stats and a GM that can be frustrating for head coachs (as Adelman showed). In the end, Morey is probably the Rocket's most important building block. But this system wouldn't have worked without Lin, Harden and Parsons all being able to create for themselves and others, and being able to understand the offense and being great passers for their respective positions.
I always love JeffB's posts. And you write it so efficiently, not a word more than required to get your point across.
So is each player taught to read and react in a way tailored to the player or to the position he plays?
You're saying he's slow to adapt in a season where he had James Harden handed to him literally 2 days before the season started? This team is 31-27 after playing the toughest schedule in the NBA, ranks in the top 10 in every offensive statistical category out there, and are putting up 106-110 points per 100 possessions seemingly every single night. What about that suggests that McHale is SLOW to adapt, and is offensively challenged as a coach?? You have pretty much every other coach in the NBA admiring the way this offense runs....I think I'm gonna take their word.
