This is a copy and paste from BR report: Coach Kevin McHale and the Rockets players were pretty unhappy with their offensive performance on Wednesday night, when they defeated Charlotte in the season opener 96-83. McHale compared watching the team’s offense Wednesday night to “a trip to the dentist.” “It wasn’t us,” he said. In practice Thursday, McHale said he saw the team he knew back on the floor. “It was a team I recognized today,” he said. “We pushed the ball, we ran, we didn’t just stand there holding the ball What is the meaning of such comment? Last year's up tempo offense was often initiated by Lin leading the fast break with lightning speed and passing the ball to open shooters or Asik. Is it because of the twin towers that we slow down? Or because Harden/Bev couldn't push the ball? His last sentence seems to suggest he doesn't like ISO ball or what?
It is a combination of twin towers, injuries that lead to bad performances. Harden didn`t play as well as he could, Parsons tried to prove he is a star, Casspi wasn`t good. It just wasn`t a good offensive game overall. No reason to question the twin towers or the Lin benching after the first game though - let them play off the rust and then we can see what to do.
I like how the narrative has gone from "Lin doesn't do anything but sit at the three point line" last year to "Lin did everything and was the reason we had a good offense last year. Harden won't even survive the season without injury without him." now.
It's because we weren't quickly swinging the ball and hiring the open man. There was too much one on one and isolation. I don't think it had much to do with the Twin Towers. It continued to happen even when Asik went out
There is no need to be a sour grape on any discussion. Take Lin out of the equation, what can the starters do from here to make McHale happier with the offense? Just assume that Lin is hurt or has been traded. How can they prevent people from ISOing? ISO is not bad if Harden is on fire with it. But when it isn't, what do you suggest the starters should do? Bev is not a penetrating type of guard. He will bring the ball up & pass to Harden, who has a good tendency to hold the ball to see if he can ISO his guy. If not, he will pass the ball after holding the ball for quite a while. How should Bev and Harden change and adapt if the ISO balls are not falling?
I will attempt to reply my own questions if the ISO balls are not working: Bev - he should not pass the ball to Harden as a first option. He should try to penetrate even though it is not his strength. Harden - he should either attack the rim or don't hold the ball long if he doesn't want to attack. He should set up pnr with Howard fast and not hold the ball for too long. Howard - should be more vocal about pnr when ISO balls are not working. He can come out more aggressively to screen, or demand the ball for post game which he can always pass out to shooters especially if Garcia is the gunner. Parson - should not attempt too many ISOs yet as he is not as polished as Harden on that. He should work with Howard more by passing to him, then cut to the basket for Howard's pass when Howard gets double teamed. Asik - should set screen more if ISO not working. He can still finish with pnr even though Howard is the better option. I think that the team should be more vocal about each other if people are holding the balls too long and offense is stagnant. With better communication, they can remind each other of their faulty tendency.
