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Martin knows he must get in the flow of Rockets’ offense

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by daywalker02, Dec 27, 2011.

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daywalker02 Member

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I know I bashed this guy....but I will give him the benefit of the doubt.
Way to improve Kev!

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...s-he-must-get-in-the-flow-of-rockets-offense/

Kevin Martin blamed himself, calling his performance “horrible.” His critique was harsh, charging that he had played as if the Rockets’ 104-95 loss Monday in Orlando was the first game of his career rather than the belated season opener for one of the NBA’s most reliable scorers.

Rockets coach Kevin McHale was not nearly so critical. Martin had made just one of 10 shots, but McHale said they were good, open looks, the sort he wants Martin to launch.

When they spoke to each other Tuesday, they agreed about what needed to be done.

“My game is not necessarily calling plays; it’s moving without the ball and keeping defenses on their toes,” Martin said. “It’s a new system. I’m getting used to (McHale); he’s getting used to me. That was a prime example last night.

“I was too much playing like Kyle Korver and Jason Kapono, those types of players. That’s not really my style. I didn’t even know that player I was (Monday) night.”

During the Magic game, teammates repeatedly urged Martin to keep shooting, and when it ended, they were certain his off night was a one-game blip.

“He just missed shots,” Rockets point guard Kyle Lowry said. “Nothing is wrong with him. He will be fine next game. He didn’t get his usual free-throw attempts, which is where he could have got going. He will be fine.”

The adjustments, however, might involve more than spending two days in the gym working on his shooting touch.

Though Martin was unconcerned with his 2-of-12 shooting in the preseason, his place in the Rockets’ offense on Monday was similar to the games against San Antonio. He was generally stationary on the perimeter, in position to catch and shoot.

“We have to get more ball movement,” McHale said. “I have to do some stuff, and we have to do some stuff as a staff to make sure that Kevin gets comfortable. I’m learning him, too — where he wants the ball, what he wants to do with it. We have to get him rolling. He’s a really good offensive player. We’re going to need him at a high level.”

‘Just keep on moving’

As with the preseason, though many of Martin’s shots were open Monday, he often got the ball with too little time on the shot clock to do anything to get out of his shooting difficulties. Instead, he had to let fly.

“I’ll take a look at that,” McHale said. “I remember four or five wide-open looks. When K-Mart gets a wide-open look, that’s usually a good shot. I don’t remember saying Kevin took a really forced shot.”

Of Martin’s 10 shots, six were 3-pointers and one — the shot he made — was from just inside the arc. He had one drive that Dwight Howard swatted and another runner that missed. They were his only shots on drives in the game.

Last season, 32 percent of Martin’s attempts came from beyond the arc. In addition to taking six of 10 shots from long distance against the Magic, seven of his 12 attempts of the preseason were 3-pointers.

After leading the NBA in free throws made last season, Martin went to the line for just six free throws in the two preseason games and for just two in the season opener.

“Just keep on moving,” Martin said of his remedy. “That’s how I played in the past. I have to stay in the flow, stay in the rhythm.”

The Rockets generally ran the same offensive sets as last season but with different distribution. Without Chuck Hayes or Brad Miller at the elbow, their corner series — by far the most frequently used part of Rick Adelman’s offense last season — made only brief appearances Monday.

Voided deal not a factor

The offense shifted to a point guard and low-post emphasis with good results. Lowry and Luis Scola combined for 39 points, though they were forced to take on much longer minutes than McHale wanted and went 0-for-4 in the fourth quarter.

Martin did not attempt a shot in the fourth quarter, returning to the game for the final five minutes when the Rockets went with a small lineup that included Courtney Lee, Terrence Williams and Lowry to match up with the Magic.

The easy conclusion that Martin is still somehow troubled by the negated trade to New Orleans is natural but inaccurate. He has been clear in words and actions that he is unconcerned with that. Coaches have praised his effort and intensity at practices.

Martin’s concern is far more unexpected, with his offense — as close to a sure thing as the Rockets have — off to a struggling start.
Click to expand...

#1 daywalker02, Dec 27, 2011

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The Rockets generally ran the same offensive sets as last season but with different distribution. Without Chuck Hayes or Brad Miller at the elbow, their corner series — by far the most frequently used part of Rick Adelman’s offense last season — made only brief appearances Monday.

Voided deal not a factor

The offense shifted to a point guard and low-post emphasis with good results. Lowry and Luis Scola combined for 39 points, though they were forced to take on much longer minutes than McHale wanted and went 0-for-4 in the fourth quarter.

Martin did not attempt a shot in the fourth quarter, returning to the game for the final five minutes when the Rockets went with a small lineup that included Courtney Lee, Terrence Williams and Lowry to match up with the Magic.

The easy conclusion that Martin is still somehow troubled by the negated trade to New Orleans is natural but inaccurate. He has been clear in words and actions that he is unconcerned with that. Coaches have praised his effort and intensity at practices.
Click to expand...

This is pretty much the answer as I posted in the game thread.

Our offense is a bunch of garbage ISO ball.

#2 larsv8, Dec 27, 2011
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Hopefully this little slump he's in ended with the Magic game, and the 20+ ppg Kevin we all know is back for Thursday.

#3 tokenbk, Dec 27, 2011
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I thought Finch was going to run the Adelman offense?

#4 JoeBarelyCares, Dec 27, 2011
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I was never concerned about Kevin's shooting slump. He's a good shooter. He'll get over it. What bothered me most was his body language and apparent apathy on the court. THAT was my pet peeve. It seemed like he didn't even want to be out there.

#5 Rockets111, Dec 27, 2011
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That's just the kind of attitude that makes you want to root for him. It's nice to hear the coach recognizing he needs to do work.

#6 Dei, Dec 27, 2011
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I think it's just denial that he is saying that the deal hasn't affected him. From the "assets" comments of last season to his general personality and demeanor, it seems like he is the sensitive type of person who would let the vetoed trade affect his game.

#7 iconoclastic, Dec 27, 2011

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Martin knows he must get over his b****assness and do so fast.

#8 J.R., Dec 27, 2011
daywalker02 Member

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I never knew he was a 26th draft pick....that says it all....
I don't have any high expectations any longer......

#9 daywalker02, Dec 27, 2011

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larsv8 said: ↑

This is pretty much the answer as I posted in the game thread.

Our offense is a bunch of garbage ISO ball.
Click to expand...

I noticed the same thing watching the game. The offense centers much more around the PG and low block. I already miss all the cutting and passing from Adelman's offense. It was a beauty to watch and at times, unstoppable.

#10 plates300, Dec 27, 2011
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Our offense is without a very, very important piece. Chuck Hayes at the high post throwing crisp passes to cutters or gobbling up space with the dribble. Hayes was a very good fit offensively under Adelman, believe it or not. There is no way we can rely on Dally or Hill to give us that. And we need Scola in the low post. That's why we were trying to get Pau so bad. He would be the perfect high post for the passing/cutting offense.

#11 jopatmc, Dec 27, 2011
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kEVIN mARTIN sUCKS

#12 TheBookOfOlu, Dec 27, 2011
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jopatmc said: ↑

Our offense is without a very, very important piece. Chuck Hayes at the high post throwing crisp passes to cutters or gobbling up space with the dribble. Hayes was a very good fit offensively under Adelman, believe it or not. There is no way we can rely on Dally or Hill to give us that. And we need Scola in the low post. That's why we were trying to get Pau so bad. He would be the perfect high post for the passing/cutting offense.
Click to expand...

Dalembert's passing from the high post was OK last year with SAC and he has a decent mid-range shooting so I think he's fine.

#13 ashleyem, Dec 27, 2011

DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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larsv8 said: ↑

This is pretty much the answer as I posted in the game thread.

Our offense is a bunch of garbage ISO ball.
Click to expand...

Yep, the old dump it in to the post offense, punctuated by the Francis dribble drive and dish offense.

Ugh...I really liked Adelman's offense, loved it, but alas, it is now gone.

On the plus side the Lakers junked theirs too and are having similar results.

DD

#14 DaDakota, Dec 27, 2011
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I miss Adelman's offense.

#15 tehG l i d e, Dec 27, 2011
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I wouldn't normally be concerned with a single bad game, but this one was particularly abysmal.

Martin has never scored less than 5 points while taking at a minimum of 10 shots.

In that sense, it's not a stretch to say that this was Kevin Martin's worst professional basketball game ever. Combine that with his terrible (albeit short) preseason, and I'm thinking this ship might not get righted as quickly as we'd like. Especially with the ever-changing rotations, and lack of practice time this schedule will afford.

#16 ClutchCityReturns, Dec 27, 2011
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Like i said, if everyone plays like they are supposed to, we can go on a little winning streak.

#17 coachbadlee, Dec 27, 2011
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After watching Kevin Love shoot about 50 free throws tonight, can you imagine what Martin would do up there? Those games would last 4 hours between him and Love going to the line all the time.

#18 jopatmc, Dec 27, 2011

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TheBookOfOlu said: ↑

kEVIN mARTIN sUCKS
Click to expand...

You Suck

#19 Billionzz, Dec 27, 2011
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daywalker02 said: ↑

I never knew he was a 26th draft pick....that says it all....
I don't have any high expectations any longer......
Click to expand...

Nice.:grin::grin::grin:

#20 coachbadlee, Dec 27, 2011

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