Our offensive set up, if it's not taking right out of Spurs and D'Antoni's playbook, then it looks eerily close. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/G9bnMUR6dAo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Initial set up: It's also one of the most difficult to defend against IF the ball handler can create something out of the initial PnR at the top of the arc. The purpose to have two players standing by the corners is to create space and wating for the open 3's, but in order for this to work, EVERYONE has to be able to knock down the open 3's. Otherwise defenders can 'cheat' off players and creep closer to the paint. Another factor for this to be truly affective is the ability of each player who, giving a little opening, can penetrate to the basket. After two games Rockets led all teams for points scored. Imagine if we could knock down some open 3's during Blazers game? It couldve been a blowout win for us! Spurs switched to this offense two seasons ago and this is one of the biggest reasons they were so successful for the last two seasons. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this high power and high scoring offense. I absolutely love this system and actually started a thread calling McHale and Morey to start using it.: Why were Spurs so Successful? (click here) I give mad prop to McHale and Morey for using this offensive system!!!! Please have a little patience and give time for players and coaches to adjust. I have no doubt that, by switching to this offensive system, we will be one of the top scoring teams in the league. BTW, what failed against during Blazers late in the game was Asik who had "rolled" too fast after the initial screen for Harden. Blazers double-teamed Harden and rendered him ineffective after the initial screen at the top of the arc. The solution to this is to make sure Asik keeps on screening the small defender until the ball handler free himself a bit then rolls to the basket.
We have a Ginobli, now we need a Duncan and Parker. I'd like to see a stretch 4 out there. Dmo would be perfect if he develops.
thanks for posting this kuku. I hate to call this a Popovich or D'Antoni invention, though. I would say that is disrespect to the entire profession of NBA coaches. Everyone uses this set. It's a matter of players. And you are right to say that Coach has chosen this for his team, although you deleted out the Harden/Ginobody plays where they work from the wing instead of the top. Regardless, Coach needs to play off his guards and spread the floor. But the one thing missing in this is we are getting a ton of transition and quick-set points. We need to look at the defense to truly understand the full game and the full plan of Coach. He is getting a ton of transition points. Don't forget to watch the defense.
What I saw this past game was Lin giving up the rock immediately, and standing off to one side, while harden went one on one.
Lin should be the one running the ball and then pass to Harden on the wing for him to shoot if open or drive the basket as he is doing now IMO
or let Harden cut and Lin find him Let Lin create. Right now Lin is not being used properly, according to his strengths
There are still lots of kinks in our current system. Lin is definitely better than Harden at running it. He ran the same system with D'Antoni. I don't believe Brooks ever used it at OKC. I noticed that Blazers always came out off high screen with double team on Harden. If Harden didn't pass out to Asik right away, it rendered the attack useless. Then Harden will just pass around or go for an iso play. Any iso play you see off this system is considered a "busted" play. I gave credit to Terry Stotts for making the game adjustment at the half time. McHale didn't make further counter-adjustment. What he shouldve done was to tell Asik not to roll out and keep screening until Lin or Harden got an opening. Either that or have PPat set another screen, one on each side of high arc. This way Lin or Harden could dribble around either of the screens to get himself free.
Ehh... our offensive really is nothing like Popovic's. Yeah, we run a lot of pick&rolls, but it's out of totally different formations, off different motion, there aren't nearly as many (secondary) options, the spacing isn't quite the same, the screens are set at a different angle. It's just not the same at all. Those little things like screen angles make a huge difference. If the Spurs don't run their p&r out of horns formation they usually set a back screen for the ball-handler, so the defense won't be able to hedge and stop the penetration. I believe Pop was the first to go this on a regular basis and a few smart teams have started to implement since. The Spurs motion has like 3 or 4 secondary options that are just as good as the first option. If the first or secondary option of anything McHale runs breaks down, it's freelancing. In Pop's offense even freelancing is structured.
I said before the season started that I thought the Rockets might lead the league in 3pt shots taken. Last night we shot 5-26 from beyond the arc. We will probably lose every game we play when we shoot under 20% from long range.
