solid - You're probably going to hate yourself for asking... The NBA for many years now to provide a more marketable product has "slanted" the rules to favor the offense in general and perimeter drivers in particular. The days of "backin' it in, backin' it in, backin' it in" have been long gone. The addition of an NBA zone was another aspect of how things differ between now and 1994. Playing under today's rules, the defense could have placed a defender in front of Olajuwon and one behind him before he ever touched the ball. In some respects, this is how George Karl's Sonics managed to neutralize Dream...they always tip-toed on the edge of illegal D. On the surface, and I truly mean on the surface...dumping the ball into the low post seems like an ideal theory...when Yao is doubled, perimeter shooters are wide open. And the logic is...all you need is spot up shooters to have an effective offense. But my "view" is a lot deeper for numerous reasons. I realize this is a generalization but not one without merit. The majority of spot up shooters are one-dimensional. They are not very quick, not very athletic and usually not very tall for the position they play. That means they will have to be very cohesive as a unit on defense because they can not lock down 1on1. It also means that they will be slow in both transition O & D. And equally important, when their shots aren't falling, they have no other way to contribute because they lack the quickness and ability to finish at the rim. And when their shots are falling, most of the NBA elite teams are rotating a taller player quickly back at them. The Rockets IMVHO, have built a team of spot up standstill shooters whose flaws can be hidden when McGrady is on the court. And who look very bad when McGrady is down with an injury. The Rockets’ management has totally ignored the opportunity of what the rules slant has provided and figured dumping the ball into the post and kicking it out was as efficient as they need to be. A very flawed concept as I see things. The Genesis of this was the Alston acquisition. Then came Battier over Rudy Gay and Swift…then not giving Mike James a trade kicker followed shortly thereafter. They were fortunate Bonzi Wells mismanaged his free agency and landed in their laps. My problem isn't with getting the ball to Yao as the first option. My problem isn't even with JVG's offense per se...my problem is that they have nearly a complete team of one-dimensional players who can't force tempo or create their own shots. That is the big lie that is associated with building a standstill spot up team ("role players") around two stars when you know fully well that one of them has back problems and the other has summertime Olympics/CNT commitments. As far as I know, I am singular in my opinion. But I strongly feel it is the correct view. It is almost certain I have PO’d more than one or two other posters (probably hundreds) with my ideals…putting a team of greyhounds around Yao is the way to win. Turn ‘em loose and let Yao get his shots later in the shot clock. If Yao is doubled in the half-court, send an athletic cutter/finisher to the rim to finish off the play. It is exactly what the Spurs are able to do with Parker, Manu, Udrih, and Finley. In short, dumping it into the low post as a sole source of offense in 2006-07 is a very flawed concept to me.
Gator, I think your points are well made. Obviously the rules have changed, and CD, et al are still thinking in terms of the championship years. Admittedly, their theory seems to work when TMac is in the mix, but it doesn't seem to work when he isn't. They have turned away athletic players in Swift (though dumber than dirt), Gay, and James. I think their plan has the real possiblity of totaling unraveling if TMac's problems are chronic which they appear to be. Again, interesting, but scary.
How old's Sura? and he's trying to come back How old's T-Mac? and he's talking about retirement that tells you who has heart and passion for the game.
From now on Rockets should bring more players complementing Yao rather than the so-called YaoMac combo. We can't count on Tmac.
Gater, I have never disagreed with you about needing another penetrating player, in fact I agree with you. And, yes, I think that V-Span could develop into that player, but he needs to be on the court to develop. DD
Then you have not been reading my posts or several others as we have been clamoring for the Rockets to play V-Span as a player who can create. I agree with you 100%....always have. DD
That is a good theory with the slashers. But I would say maybe a combination of slashers and dead eye shooters would be the best combo. We need plenty of half court offense options in the playoffs. Running too much will not allow us to fully exploit our greatest mismatch on offense.
