Probably one of the central defining characteristics of the Rockets was their lack of creativity. Before I go deeper on this subject, let me first say that while creativity is important on offense, discipline is more important on defense. The Rockets had plenty of discipline - especially on defense - and that's why their defense is so good. Anyways, here are my two cents on the Rocket's lack of creativity: 1) The lack of creativity starts with JVG. Don't get me wrong ... JVG is great for defense, and that is his specialty. Unfortunately, he is a poor offensive coach. As Yao mentioned in Pryuen's translation, the Rocket's offense was too "uni-dimensional." Ironically, the "uni-dimensional" offense is the result of JVG's system. I do think that JVG is a decent coach ... but unfortunately, he loathes any sense of creativity. That JVG is unwilling to develop VSpan and Novak during the regular season but instead, focus on the "proven" veterans. I disagree with this on many levels because in any team sport, the team that usually succeeds always has a combination of veterans and youth. It is quite tragic that JVG refuses to take the risk to develop young talent and it has come back to bite him in the longer run. 2) Yao Ming has become so predictable that after game 1 and 2, the Jazz easily figured out how to guard him. Remember during his Rookie year, Yao replicated the Dream Shake? It is sad to see he has lost his arsenal of moves since then. More sad is that he has become a soley low post player. Again, some of this comes back to JVG because that was the role that JVG envisioned for Yao. To an extent, Yao's loss of his arsenal of moves can be partly blamed on JVG. 3) TMac's loss of his jumpshot. Many on this forum criticized TMac for attempting any jumpshots at all. Thus, in the series, TMac primarily drove to the basket on many possesions. Well, Utah realized this and they decided to crowd out the paint on specific Rocket possessions. If you noticed, by game 6 and 7, TMac was forced to beat multiple Utah defenders at the basket, and he missed on many occasions without the ref calling a foul. This is because Utah realized TMac had lost his jumpshot and thus, TMac became that much more predictable for Utah to defend. If we make the playoffs again, TMac definitely has to find his jumpshot back or he becomes "uni-dimensional" as well. 4) Rafer and Head's inability to drive to the basket. Pretty much, Rafer and Head were ineffective the entire series at the basket. The defining moment of the ineffectiveness was the 2 on 1 break where Rafer and Head kept passing the ball back and forth to each other because neither one were confident of laying it up. Definitely, the Jazz knew this and it made them that much more easier to defend. Anyways, while I thought JVG did a decent job this season, I also don't mind if we go with a new coach and a new direction. In some respects, I wish the Rockets can maintain JVG's system when they are on defense, but they definitely need somebody else when it comes to offense. And whoever comes in to replace JVG, I hope he is willing to develop the younger talent on the Rocket's roster. Rocket Zoom
