Jerry West Chimes in: defend Eddie with a SF, KT with a PF

Any insight on whether we actually reverted out of the new offense after the first quarter/half "because the old stuff was working" like Rudy said or simply out of habit?

The NBA isn't like football, there really shouldn't be any reason to "hide" an offense that you're going to be using all year anyways. That each west. conference team is going to see multiple times. Might as well go ahead and see if it is actually:

A) going to work
B) going to sate Steve/Cuttino's need for the ball

And one thing's for cetain...I need more cowbell...errr....Nachbar.

 

too funny
Why does everyone just see Nachbar as ALL WORLD???

He can shoot. . . I got it. But hear some folx tell it
He and Ming should lead this team . .. and francis and mobley
should be shipped out. . .

Rocket River
I will reserve my opinion on why til later . . . .

 

Sorry if I'm repeating something here, but this is from the Rockets summary in the Chron:

Opening it up

The Rockets broke out only a small segment of their "five-man" offense Tuesday in part because it worked too well to do much more. With so many open shots in the first half when running the offense, the Rockets did not have to move on to the next options in the offense.

There was one example of a reaction to the defense when Steve Francis cut down the lane to take a pass near the rim.

"Our cuts, those are the kinds of things we're looking for," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "We haven't put in all the things -- one time you're cutting left, one time you're cutting right, one time you're setting a back pick, one time you're setting a double. When we get to that, that's when it's really going to be fun.

"We're putting in new sets. A lot of things look good. There is going to have to be tweaks with personnel, putting guys in different positions. It's going to take time."

Funny how they mention that Francis cut down the lane for a pass but didn't say what happened. Did he have an open layup or what?
And I really can't imagine that they put away the brand new stuff because it was working too well? Huh? I mean, sure, it's important to develop the counters and reads and reactions, but hell, if all you're getting is good shots, why bother doing anything else?

HP- you're disappointing me, man! You've got a tape of the game. I appreciate the breakdown of the fast break up there, but aren't you going to give us a breakdown of new offensive sets that you saw? I thought for sure you would chime in on that.

 

RocketRiver -- that was a tongue-in-cheek reference to what you're describing.

And I agree, why revert back to the old one-on-one iso's when the new offense is working "too" well. Why not let the guys improvise or draw up new variations during the game?

This is the preseason isn't it?

 

This thread shows why we need Maurice Taylor till Griffin grows up. Put Shane Battier or Wesley Person on Taylor and Maurice will punish them.

KT and Eddie are our two best defensive forwards, however. KT in fact is thequickest forward on the team.

 

This thread shows why we need MT and Rice...

 

I wasn't singling u out. . just that it is prevalent on the BBS

and TELL ME . .. WHO DOES NOT NEED MORE COWBELL!!!

Rocket river

 

We won, isn't that all that matters?

I do agree that the way the Grizzlies guarded the Rocks is probably how many teams will attempt to play them.

Mario Ellie used to play 2 guard and then on D guard the other teams 3, and Horry played 4 and did the same.

It is just about matchups.

I think the Rocks come out ahead either way against the Grizz....


DaDakota

 

Tape of EG's positioning and play last year probably led to that. Plus KT's offensive game is a power forward type of attack. Could be they wanted their SF's to be able to release off EG standing on the 3 pt. line? In any event, it worked to our advantage.

In the end, it could have only been experimentation, bad coaching, or the fact EG hasn't proven himself inside. Like I said, with Mooch, MT and Rice it would have been a different ball game. But then, with Gasol and Yao Ming it would have been different too. I'm not too enthusiastic, it was the 1st preseason game, lots of sit outs, and it was the freakin' Grizz...

 

Hey I'm not trying to preach anything here but "switch offs" is an adjustment to a prevailing (read that as an incidental positioning within the game) as opposed to an "assignment" in in which a pregame set ... a la " ... you got so-and-so and he's got whats-his-name" has been drawn up.

Maybe semantics. Who knows?

Basically I was contending that both KT and Eddie MADE the defenders move to where they were ... that is - they played their game and Memphis had to adjust, as opposed to playing a game in which the defense chose who they were going to defend against.

I think with the different bench we have (read that as: the options that RT will have this year)... will allow - for example - placing EG or KT at the four, or three, or two/three (watch for it) ... or quick changing to a three guard set, or stepping up with a tall 3,4,5 which will call for defenders to adjust to our weird game (neo Rudy Ball) and will confuse the hell out of a lot of teams early...

Transition was faster, and as polished as mid year last year ... but ....

.... frankly I have always been more concerned with production on transitions. Last year and this year (any year?) we seemed to look good coming out then died at execution.

Last year, and the first game this year did very little to bolster my confidence that we could produce on the offense end ( take 4 out of 5 times to the hole with AUTHORITY, from almost any position) or defend (barrier blocade to a penetration, or collapse at the strong side offense entry) consistently to STOP an agressive run.

I will reiterate though that I liked what I saw defensively (barrier/blockade, slipping the few screens/ picks I saw- and the late period collapse/weakside help) at times last night. It shows proper direction at the least.

Like I said they moved well initially, faltered at the end, they defended well at times from the weakside, they challenged at the arc superbly at times ... I just would like to see them get comfortable on defense as much as they seem to get as comfortable on offense.

As free wheeling, passing ...

I know ... just a first game ... but you did ask.

Cheers, HP.

P.

 

Do you guys think Eddie or Taylor is the starter at PF? I was having a spirited discussion with ricerocket earlier. We both made good points. My thought was, with what Eddie showed last year defensively and rebounding and coupled with the drug suspension, Griffin is definately starting the first 5 games. Assuming he holds his own the first 5 games and doesnt stink it up or get hurt, is Taylor the starter come game #6? I think the job is Eddie's to lose.

 

HP

I would be happy with and liberally accept a definition of "finish" on the fastbreak as - any time that they got SOMETHING out of it.

Not necessarily a basket, but an improved threat stance, a slowing of an advancing momentum from their opponent, a foul, or something as basic as just setting up, passing to the open man and even if he misses - they got to do what they wanted with the rock.

I guess I want to see Francis and company hold it a little longer at times, to quick pass it more at times, pass it to the free man in motion more, or drive to the ring to take advantage of poor defensive reaction .... anything ... but to do it when it is advanatgeous and appropraite for us to do so.

... but I see Francis carry, then Francis holds , then Francis passes, then Mobes threats to iso, then a low percentage inside pass by someone, then more Francis holding it, then another Francis drive into the mess, then Francis passing to Mobes who is out of position ...

Hold, hold, hold it when we are well covered and four other guys go in motion waiting for the weak link.

Drive when we got them beat three on two, or they're caught looking for their assignment.

Move, move, move, pass, pass, pass and be patient.

I just get so frustrated with the "hold it" when we have them out gunned. "Pass it" when the motion is not there. And "driving it" when the middle is as boxed as a Sear's tv.

I know ... first game ... finger excercises is the only cure ...

PS: I am much more optimistic than I sound ... LOL

Cheers.

 

I didn't get to see the game but I'm encouraged to hear that the ball movement did improve to some extent.It sounds like they went back to the Iso's which got them in trouble ihn the 2nd half.
The isolations should only be used when there is an obvious mismatch which can result in a easy basket.
I was worried to see that the Grizzlies came back so strongly and the margin of victory was only 8 points.
The guys have got to tighten the defense when opponents are making a run.Defensive rotation must improve and the zone should should be applied quickly when our players are having trouble matching up with bigger and quicker guys.
We also need to counter attack when the other team is scoring points on us and better ball movement to players where they can either score or get to the line can make things easier for us.

 

Actually Saleem they didn't use the ISO very much at all.

When they did use it, it was because they stopped doing what was effective previously - i.e. movement, seperation. and a constant activeness on the weakside. They then slipped into the old ISO, held too long, passing inappropriately, etc... possession patterns in which I was criticizing.

You'll also notice they had a couple oif 3-in-the-key calls in the game. That is a sure indication of a slowed ghame and poor movement.

The Grizz coming back had more to do with the level of players on the court than anything else. RT put some strange combos out there, and second tier Rox, in odd configurations couldn't hold the resurgent first tier Grizz.

Even when he stuck three first tier (Francis,Mobes,Griffin) back in the Grizz were pushing the ball real well.

Also, I think the Grizz will be a hardy team with good legs and exceptional talent this year. They will improve on their two dozen wins from last year easily IMHO. So, I would caution some people from maligning the Grizz too quickly. They may hurt some teams badly this year. They are athletic as us certainly, and what they lack in outright "super talent" they will more than make up in exuberance. They will have a pretty darn good showing.

 

i question Eddie's Toughness day in and day out. Not his talent, but his toughness. He has a long way to go. Hopefully we have an all-star i don't know. I know when he played against tough guy Kenyon Martin last year he kind of backed down. Maybe, it was because of his youth..i hope so. I love his ability.