I got your back heypartner. The Rocks aren't running an ISO or motion, though I'd still like to see a little more weakside movement, especially against a team with good weakside shot-blockers like SA. And I too have noticed the way Cat is being used, and I love it. He's coming off screens, running 2-man games (the play with EG rolling to the basket for the flush was beautiful!), Cat is everywhere! Like Chancellor remarked, the only real weakness in Cat's game is improving his play-making and creating. This offense will go a long way to putting him in positions to make simple, efficient reads and decisions. Fact is, Steve wasn't really on his game last night, he dominated the ball a bit too much, and was slow with his reads and decision-making. But then again, that's what playing one of the best defensive teams in the league can do to a player & offense. The fact that he didn't shoot very well compounds it. Like Kobe, MJ, and a host of other dominant one-on-one players, Steve is always going to have a challenge in resisting the urge to break off from the offense and go it alone. Some nights, he'll be successful, other nights will be like last night. It goes with the territory.
I don't live in Houston, not even in Texas. So I can't watch any of the preseason games. I have to rely on you guys' input. I had the basic concern with glynch and kidrock8. I have mentioned that the preseason should be used to familiarize the team with the new offense, not to win ball games. So far, Mobley seems to be the most transformed player (which I have predicted, yeah! ). Francis' assist number is up. No complain there. But I still hear people saying thatthere is too much ISO. I hope what HP said is true.
Easy, I think what Kidrock8 and glynch said is largely correct regarding Francis choosing to iso. I can't really say that his iso'ing has gone down. Consider this though, Isiah was often chastised for shooting too much and dribbling too much. One huge difference between Isiah and Steve is when Isiah drove to the rim he did much more dishing, but Isiah wasn't as big and couldn't jump like Steve, so Steve actually gets more shots off his drives. Isiah was more effective, though. Steve is still learning...it looks like. As a team though, imo, we are not an isolation team, and that is borne out in how Mobley is transforming. If Mobley shows up calling for the ball over and over at the wing or high elbow area and studying the defense, then we can say that there is not much new to the offense. I don't think that will happen, because I actually think Mobley is enjoying the opportunity to do something new.
to who much is given much is expected. Steve #2 pick Griffen #7 player many thought should have gone #1 overall Yoa #1 pick Nachbar #15 pick Taylor # 14 pick Rice # 4 pick Cato # 15 pick Collier # 15 pick traided # 9 pick
I agree with heyp. The thing that I noticed is that they were running much more of the motion early in the game but it began to bog down towards the end of the game. They were getting open looks but couldn't knock any shots down so they ended up simplifying. When Hakeem was here, the Rockets would simplify as the night went on going with fewer and fewer offensive sets as they found what worked. This seems like the same thing. They'll try different things in the first half and begin to exploit the weaknesses in the opponent in the second half running high-percentage plays. Like heyp, I have absolutely NO problem letting Francis run isolations. I mean, if the best player on your team doesn't have the green light to iso on offense, you better go get another best player or a new coach.
Kid, It's the same garbage from Rudy. His "playbook" is on his palm. Since he's drunk by the 2ndQ, the ink is washed away. It is ridiculous that he's fooled so many for so long. Great comparison with Phil's triangle. What about EG at the 3. SF&CM should switch guard spots.
there is absolutely no reason to chime into a discussion of Rudy's offense by saying Rudy is "drunk by the 2nd Q" unless you just want to appear stupid.
Kid, You are really on top of it. One of my first posts declared that Rudy was the only coach in NBA history to have 3 Top 50 Players and not win a championship. He did it twice. Rudy is setting up the excuses for another dismal showing. Les is hated already. He should fire Rudy and his GM. Have a fresh start with the new building. I had a chance to see Phil up close during the championship years. Rodman respected him as a man. That is why the Bulls won the last 3 rings. Rodman and Bison Dele were suppose to be head cases. Why play a crucial role and win for Phil only? Top NBA players respect good coaching. Rudy is not on that level. You can tell the players run the ship. Ask Pippen and Hakeem about Rudy. Remember Hakeem's last words, "I have lost respect for Rudy". Rudy didn't even show at Hakeem's last press conference. Dawson was there. Hmmmm.
Amen. You brought up another point that I forgot, about how Phil is able to get the biggest morons/headcases to actually make use of themselves on the team. Phil wouldn't win a title with the Cavs, but who the hell will? Phil would be able to get his team to be focused game in and game out, as well as making sure that his players know who runs the show. Phil's coaching style seems to be random. As in he really has no pattern on how he deals with certain situations. Of course, other than the fact that he doesn't use TOs that often when the other team is on a 10-0 run. Phil is smart, in the sense that he knows mistakes are ok, and will happen. Phil just makes sure that his players know not to make them again. Phil never really gave a damn during the Kobe-Shaq feud, knowing that it could be a result of stress, or whatever, and the best way for Phil to react to it, is by not reacting... As it turns out, the Lakers won the title that year. At the same rate, he will go out of his way to show public displeasure about his team. Phil's "random" style seems to have worked after 9 titles. Anyone who doubts his credibility needs to follow a more simple game, like "Go Fish". People bash Phil for what he doesn't do, and they are too stupid to realize that what he doesn't do, is sometimes why his teams win. There are too many micromanaging coaches who do too much, and impede in their team's success.
He said something to he effect that he didn't respect Rudy's coaching ability, more than Rudy the person... Regardless, it was obvious that Olajuwon didn't see eye to eye with Rudy. Hell, it seems like Mobley and Francis rarely do waht Rudy wants of them. From all those blank looks Rudy has on his face, when Francis or Mobley do something dumb.
As far as I can remember, the whole point of basketball, baseball, football and any other sport was to WIN. And they have been doing that (yes, its only preseason but still). The games i have seen so far i can CLEARLY tell a difference btwn this offense and that of last season. Yes, its not a motion offense, but its not supposed to be. Even Rudy said that. But its not an ISO offense either, and if you think it is then u must be blind. I see a lot more passing now, a lot more of the players on the floor gettin a chance to create something. And I don't believe at all the Rockets are making excuses. You just have to be patient. Its only PRESEASON. Yao JUST got here. Some players are playing to try and have a JOB. And different rotations are being used every game. So CALM DOWN. Wait till we get deep into the season and then start complaining. Until then....
KidRock...your fighting a battle that cant be won man. Rudy is the man...end of story. I had these same points 3 years ago. And I got the same excuses I hear today. Its why Ive given up pointing it out anymore. Granted it is preseason so Ive not had the chance to watch this year, so Ill Keep my mouth shut so far this year. At the beginning of last year, I heard the same arguments from Heypartner. "Its not an ISO...blah blah blah" "Wait till the season...blah blah blah" "Look at how Mobley is being used...blah blah blah" Turns out the entire season it was nothing but a renamed ISO fest. You can tie a ribbon to a rock, but in the end its still a rock. Scroll back to when Barkley was around, and you'll hear Rudy's promises to "Shake up the offense" to "Start a new one" But so far all we get is excuses why it hasnt happened. Personally Im sick of it all. The Rox have had more talent and signed more big time free agents the last decade short of maybe 2 or 3 teams. And have nothing to show for it. For me, this is Rudy's final chance. We head into the season healthy with a GREAT TEAM. There is no excuse for not implementing an NBA style offense this preseason. Ill just wait to see at the end of the season if this will be the season Rudy actually finds a way to accomplish it, or the 5th straight year I heard of the mythical offense change that does not occur.
Nineteen/Kidrock, Some times I see what you said above to be true. It's amost like Rudy doesn't want to TELL the players what to do. He hates confrontations, or rather, enforcing discipline.
We will see the biggest change in our offense in years with Yao Ming. During the SA game, we saw our center posting up and all others clear out. Sound familiar? It is completely different then the guard ISO so you better get used to seeing it...again Here it comes.
I am really beginning to think that Rudy doesn't know how to do anything but isolation. Steve Francis...had 3 assists in 41 minutes. The Team had nine assists for the game. 9 assists? Boy this is going to be a long season.
