Cat did have so bonehead drives to the basket. But it certainly didn't cost us the game last night although it may one night. Should Yao be getting the ball more? Absolutely. Could he have gotten the ball more last night? On a few occasions. Was the strategy against the Celts last night the right one? Yes, because we reacted the right way to Boston focusing on Yao. I do wish to see Yao get the ball more inside, especially since it'll be key for the long run. But he was a magnet for the Celts. Having watched a lot of Celtics games, it was very very clear they were giving him a LOT of respect throughout the game. Every Celtic player was positioned to cave in on Yao should he get the ball. It seemed like Yao was going to draw triple/quadruple-teams if he were to receive the ball inside. On several occasions, it looked like there were five Celtics player ring fencing around Yao... all within 3-4 feet from him while the Rockets were circling around the perimeter.
Some good posts in here. A few highlights : * Lob pass - high and back instead of at the numbers * Entry to 4 and over to 5 - need practice, better hands than Eddie. * When doubled back and front, Yao should clear out and open the drive, so it's not all jumpers * Steve and Cat deserve some props for following the game plan, for the most part, to victory when tempted to jack at will. * Hawk moves the ball. Passing works best with players that move, rather than just swing it standing still on the perimeter. Not noted - Posey, Hawk and Cat all brought the ball up a lot last night, instead of Steve. I thought that was positive. They got it up fast and to the wing or top quickly. The second pass was confusing them, (esp. with Yao erased) but still an improvement over walk dribble dribble cross cross clank. Still need help for Steve's d. How'd that scrub pg get 20?
This is one of the reasons why I don't think Rudy is Right for this team. Why isn't he correcting Mobley? This team has the potential to be a dominant team, but with the right coaching. Rudy let's to many things slide by and that is not good.
This is what kills me. I've noticed our guards pass up many opportunities to swing the ball to the open man because they seem more concerend with executing a particular set play. Steve said in last nights game recap, "we're good when we get the ball up court before we can set up" . Statements like that lead me to believe that sometimes the set plays do more damage than good. Francis, Mobley, and Yao may be suppressing those natural basketball insticts that allow them to "improvise" or react quickly, without hesitation, to what the defense is doing because they are totally commited on properly executing a set play. I'd like to see Rudy get out of the drivers seat for a few games and let the players steer. Just for a few games I'd like to see the instructor not yell which way to go. Maybe then the offense will ignite and the players will peel out and burn rubber and never turn back.
i like Cat, but i agree w/ the Boston anouncers that we do not utilize the big men in pick and role as much as we should. This team is a good team w/ SF and CM scoring jump shots but will be a better team w/ Yao and even Eddie more involved in the half court offense. Soon they are going to get tired of playing D and running up to the court only to have cat jack up a selfish shot, when was the last time he has passed it up the court in a fast break to anyone other than his buddies, Steve, and Posey? Watch it next time if it is Edie or Yao he will not pass to them>. Which brings me to the next point, I think someone needs to lay down the law to Cat that he is not the star of this team and a supporting player> this is Yao and steve's team and those two should be the primary oprions. People that do not understand this should be diesiplined. Even if that heams trading one(yes even cat) to make an wxample of them for the rest of the team, if you do not listen to the coach you will go, no matter how good you are! One more thing, I have noticed recently he hasw been being burned by other gaurds, I mean how many times is he going to allow rookie gaurds burn him for >20 pts w/ wide open shots? ihE USED TO BE GOOD DEFENDER, what happened?
It's ok. But there is EDIT button... I agree with you. Like the boston said " Rudy needs to find a way to calm down his guards."
I hope you mean Francis, the "star" that has been getting burned. As bad as you "hatas" claim Mobley to be, there is no question he puts in at least twice the effort Francis does on defense. Doesn't make him great defender, but he is definitely not bad, especially considering he is usually guarding the best player who most of the time, has a height advantage.
Wow, back to back posts: Rudy has no control of the players. And . . . Rudy is controlling the players too much. I guess being the coach is kinda like being the President of the US. No matter what you do, someone's not happy.
Yeah, and it's a good observation. I was noticing the same thing. With all of our criticism and bickering, we should not forget how lucky we are and how happy we can be that our team is where it is now.
I get your point but I think this is an oversimplification. I mean, would you go to your job if they didn't pay you? What if another company offered you more money, better benefits, better hours? Would you turn it down? I never truly understood basketball from a "purist" perspective. What exactly is pure about a league that is strictly in it for the money? If you want purist basketball, head to a high school gym or a rec league at the YMCA. That is purist basketball. This is pure, unadulterated entertainment, plain and simple. I agree with selfish play and how players may view it in relationship to money or fame or respect. But, that is just the reality. It isn't going to change. The NBA isn't suddenly going to be loaded with players and coaches and teams doing it just for the love of the game. So, we may as well accept that fact and try to find a way around it rather than wishing for something that just doesn't exist.
I was listening the Golden State Warriors fans on a local show ( in CA) after a game and they appreciate a good effort and show almost as much as a win. I'll admit to being spoiled after the Moses run to the finals, the Sampson/Akeem runs, and the Hakeem championship years. But I still hate seeing the slow improvement displayed by Cat and SF.
RM95, how were you misquoted? You implied that a Rocket loss would be interesting to point out weaknesses of Cat. So you put in an <b>almost</B>. Still, you brought it up and thats bad form. Especially when Cat had a season high in assists, defensively played very solid, and helped to solidify the win down the stretch with big buckets. Sorry, but you get zero credibility on this one. I see your point that he didn't make some passes but Yao was triple teamed. Why force the ball in when he can swing it to the weakside and get an open J? Also, ready the article from the Boston Glob where a quote from Rudy describes this exactly. So Rudy obviously was asking Cat to throw it weakside instead of the entry pass is the double team was there. So blame Rudy instead of Cat on that issue. <can of worms>
True. My reasoning is definitely oversimplification. I know on the floor there's a matter of reflex and instinct, and a whole world of factors that goes into a player's play. Just like in any workplace, there's always competition among peers. You're right...reality exists everywhere even on the court. It's obvious though that $$$ is directly proportional to pts, rebs, blks, and assts. I just hope players realize that to win championships and acclaim, which hopefully will lead to greater $$$, a mature and complete team is needed. A team that plays team ball. I hope that's the "way around it". Hope...
