Guess I could also add that I've seen Shane on the blocks as well as Bonzi posting players up, and I notice Yao is still fresh by the end of the 4th qtr. Sane posting up didn't happen under gundy Bonzi had that type of game but didn't play, and as you can see its invaluable. I remember the last game, the Rockets couldn't hit a shot, and I posted in the game thread, Post up Yao and Bonzi!" What did Rick do, put Bonzi in the post and that's when he just went off. Same for Yao, he was the first one to get us some points with that nifty hookshot. It's not so much that it's the exact same as last year because it isn't but everyone is learning a new role, even the coach is still learning. You only see flashes now, but it'll come together. I love seeing the coach pick the players spots though. They can succeed that way.
Rockets still do no have an identity, that being said, I can not say anything about their new offense, cos so far, they are playing like its a pick up game. Sometimes they wanna run, sometimes, they wanna slow it down like JVG was still the coach. its like they are still caught between JVG and RA, and until they clarify that position, they don't have a steady offense, they just follow the wind of the game just like Golden state
Yes, exactly. Rockets is similar to last year with a way better bench and a much physically and mentally healthy T-mac. last year, head is the sixth man played about 30mins. This year, he is 9th man played like 10 mins.
Great thread & sharing, love your view jopat. It is all here, and my memory under JVG was teams that took until Xmas to really jell and hit their stride. I am hopeful that it happens even quicker under Adelman but Xmas would be fine - Several vets getting their shot back, and if ALston cannot then start playing Francis if he loses some weight (Bonzi share your slimfast with Steve). Scola gets more comfortable with his teammates, shooting, rb's, and the refs and then really comes alive. Bonzi, Hayes, Luther, James all get better at cutting and driving. Looking forward to more Head dunks - he has some vertical. I love the board crashing and ORB's. Used to drive me mad seeing everyone release back on D under JVG - but hey the medications took care of the stress. And keeping Yao fresh. He used to look like Rocky training by chasing a chicken. Thank you Les. I can watch this product and enjoy myself. And we are already winning. Now if we can get the Celtics to hire JVG for something other than driving the RV we should be set.
The ROckets averaged 98 points a game last year, and even more impressive, they did it with Rafer and Chuck and Deke logging HUGE minutes. I don't even think we average more points this year than last. I think a JVG coached team, along with an in-shape Bonzi, Franchise, James, and Scola can easily average 100 a game and give up 94 at the same time. Hayes hurt us because he had no offensive game. And Scola and James would have helped our bench too.
Our bench: Bonzi James Scola Head James and Head are shooting like Rafer last year. (And Rafer is doing what I thought was impossible: shooting worse than himself.) Scola is not a big factor at this point. So far, the only difference maker on our bench is Bonzi. So actually, the bench is not as good as we hoped, not yet. They haven't got the timing down yet. It takes time to gel in this offense. So it is not great at this point. But I am not worried. We have the talent and intelligence to get it by mid-season. Like I said in another thread, we already see some benefits from this new look, mostly with Yao and TMac, but other players too. Yao: He is less fatigued being not having to bang down low all the time. And as someone pointed out elsewhere, it gives Yao more room to get the offensive board. Some people worried that he would get fouled less at the high post. So far he is shooting lots of fts. T-Mac: He is playing loose. I think it has something to do with him not having to shoulder the whole play making responsibility. This is a very subtle difference. Looking back, I think being the sole play maker probably had negative effect on his shooting. Now he doesn't have to worry about making plays for his teammates all the time. He can concentrate on scoring. T-Mac is a natural play maker. When he scores well, he also makes play for others. So ironically, not concentrating on making plays makes him a more dangerous play maker. Battier: He rebounds better when he doesn't park outside the 3pt line. He is capable of scoring in a variety of ways closer to the basket. He still gets good 3pt looks. Bonzi: Bonzi is made for Adelman's offense. He is great cutting to the basket. He is great getting offensive board. He is great posting up, punishing smaller guards. Rafer: Rafer still can't shoot. But he doesn't shoot that much anymore because the offense does more than just kicking out to 3pt line. Scola should be good in this system too. He just needs to adjust to the NBA. I think he will.
The offense got better after Adelman realized after the Dallas game that McGrady jacking up 30 shots was not the way to win and put the ball in Yao's hands, especially in the low post.
When I see the NEW offense, I'll probably like it. Right now I'm seeing the same basic offense with some new wrinkles and a deeper bench. I thoroughly enjoy what I'm seeing now-much better offensive play with a defense almost as good as JVG's. I can't wait for the new offense to be fully implemented, probably sometime next year.
