TheHorns, Mobley is not running ISO. They number of ISOs have gone down. Rudy has no intention to make them disappear, and it is not something that Jackson doesn't use with Kobe, either. ISO is part of the Laker's offense. ISO will not go away, and they shouldn't. Only the high frequency will go away, and that has already started in how Mobley is being used.
I'm so sick of hearing this "look at who Phil had" stuff. If it was that simple why didn't the coach before him win the championship consecutively? Don't you find it interesting that Jordan won the championship when Phil got there, and Shaq won it when Phil got there too? If you put him on the Warriors, NO **** HE'S NOT GONNA WIN, THEY SUCK. But they sure as hell will improve. Rudy had the best player in the league when he won too, remember?
The problem I have is they are lookig iso first and IF some one double teams then they MIGHT looks to pass to the open man. Too often they try to just beat the double team. On another note, has any one noticed Francis's in ability to finish or the fact that he is a little out of control so far?
It doesn't matter what kind of offense we run. As long as our point guard has 19 shot attempts and 2 assists, we aren't going to be very successful. What happened to the improved floor leadership and passing we saw from Stevie earlier in the preseason? Last night's game was a major step backwards IMO.
It's preseason, they have had a bazillion different starting teams and combinations. When they start the true rotation and stick with it, including Yao Ming getting acclimated, then things will gel. Hell, they were up by ten on the Spurs at one point. Rudy also said he wasn't going to develop some of the offensive schemes until Yao Ming arrived and they saw how he fit into what they were trying to do and how he fit working with the other players. Give them a chance!
I swear to God, that is the unofficial motto of the Rockets. "Give us time to gel..." "We need more practice time." "We don't have enough healthy players". A new offensive system shouldn't rely on having all players healthy to work. There's no sense in bothering to install an offense then, if there is NEVER any full effort to install it. If I had a dollar for every time the Rockets excuse their offensive and defensive woes becasue of injuries or new players, I would be the Rockets owner right now. Every damn team in the NBA brings in 3-4 new players a year. Look at f'n Utah. Yes, Malone and Stockton have been there forever, but who else? Ostertag? If anything the excuses are an indirect way of saying, "When we practice, we really accomplish nothing at all."
When the season starts, the same 5 guys will not be on the floor at all times. So EVERYONE that plays should be able to effectively execute the offense. You are speaking for two of us. This team would be so much better if they moved Francis to the 2 (which is what he played his entire career before the NBA) and had Cat coming off the bench. Cat could still get starter minutes and play a majority minutes with the starters, but bringing him off the bench boosts our bench and minimizes the amount of time SF has to run the point.
kidrock rt said he was concentraiting on defence during camp. Thus he would have to devide time btw new offence and get the rocks to play D. In my opinion.
Kid, you know which excuse comes next don't you??? Be prepared for the infamous: "We are still a young team."
They were up by ten... And, it's preseason. They are going to try many different looks and schemes. Rudy said that when Yao got here they would be developing new sets designed around what they found out about him and his interaction with the other players. that's its own offense right there. They probably will have the "5M", the Yao type sets (high post, low post), and some ISO. That way as defenses switch, they have more options to force them into the Rockets game. Everybody uses some ISO in this league because in general good offensive players are unstoppable one-on-one, and if you send a double it's a wide open shot. It's just as basic as Stockton-Malone pick and rolls. I think it is as boring as anyone else, but it can be effective. I agree that we need to concentrate more on 5M and Yao sets now though. The ISO is pretty straight forward and easy to execute.
anyone who thinks they know what is going on in practice has their chance Sunday night to see a 2hour open practice. A real practice. Be there. Let's talk while watching a practice. But don't yell at Rudy during practice. I make no excuses for this offense, because I think it is trying to reach a successful medium between Francis isolations and a 5-man game. I do not mind Francis running isolations anymore than I mind Kobe doing it, or McGrady. Can't you guys see a difference in how Mobley is being used? Am i the only one. Isn't he shooting over 50% or something? Don't watch Francis tonight. Watch Mobley and see how he is picking and getting picks....all without the ball. The high pick and roll by Steve is here to stay. I actually like that play. Steve is still waving it off to isolate and try to penetrate, but he can do it. He can get a simple 18 footer off of minor separation and great leaping ability. How many times do you see Francis shoot an 18footer, under control, with the defender not even jumping. Francis's isolation can produce a nice 16-18 foot midrange jumper with equal frequency to Stockton getting a 20 foot jumper off the PnR. Francis just needs to pick his spots. But I want him to be able to take over a game in spurts, especially the 4th quarter. Do you really want a team like the Kings and Timberwolves whose star cannot take over at the end of the game??? We need a mixture of 5-man and GoTo sets. It's up to Francis to make that read.
Can't make any promises about that so I will stay home. I wonder how many people will be attending the open practice.
You're the only one... I think Rudy played around with Mobley playing the point some too. I recall him bringing the ball up a few times. It's not just how Mobley is being used, I think his mind set is a little different, he's looking for team mates more now. I think that is only natural, he has more options this year - MT, improved EG, KT, TMo, Rice, Steve is going to be there more, Yao Ming.
seriously, anyone want to meet me there, I'd like as many ears available to pick out Rudy's language. I want words to match the offense. I will wear tie dye and be carrying a notepad. Come sit with me, it will be fun and a great view into what the team is doing.
Mobley has not been hot doggin as far as I see. He blends more into the offense and does things when the opportunity presents itself. Its almost like he disappears into the team for stretchs..and then all the sudden when you need a big basket..there he is.. I look for Cat to be more team-oriented this year and try to get his teammates more invloved..
I agree that the people who are expecting to see the movement every play are going to be disappointed...and they should be. It looks like the Rockets are going to have a tremendous variety in their offense this season. We've seen Mobely at the elbow for a drive, shot, or dish to Griffin/MoT. Ming will post up, he will probably play a high post game at some point. Eddie will get to pick and roll, pick and fade, and post up for his turnaround J as well. All of this plus the movement. Now that is going to make us a hard team to defend. Rudy can milk what is working, or let Steve run it. However, it is going to take some time - so why don't we quit whining about the coach and enjoy watching Rockets basketball?
Damn. I don't think my wife is going to let me drive down for the weekend. There is so much going on... the open practice being the biggest by far. You folks should make it a great CC.net get-together. Why not?? It's one of the best chances you'll have without trying to organize buying tickets as a group for a game, which is complicated as hell. Go for it! Full reports and interviews are expected. Really!
How could nobody notice Mobley last night. Mobley ran by screens so that everytime time he got the ball, he has gotten the ball well inside the 3. He also never forced the shot, making some very beautiful passes to Eddie when he got doubled. I THINK Rudy's meaning of "Motion offense" is motion for people to get into good, comfortable iso position. We have so many players who demand double teams, and even more now with addition of Yao, if we get any of our stars in good iso position, they could make something happen, whether passing or shooting. This is just my opnion, I'm not even sure if that is right, and I hope someone who knows would clarify. (HeyP)
It's not an offense so much for good "ISO position", but to open space for the player to get a clean shot or the drive to the basket.
I started the thread upset by the number of iso's, but I have bought Heypartner's arguments. I think even Stockton runs isos sometimes just to mix it up. Stockton does this particularly in the fourth quarter or when things break down. Unfortunately Stevie has a long way to go in making the iso or not decision to be another Stockton. As Heypartner says, he doesn't have to be quite another Sockton as he has other strengths (ala Kobe and Jordan) and we don't want to take away his ability to take over a game by himself, when needed. Now when we reach the point where Yao Ming is a point center is making half the iso or not decisions we will really have something.
