IMHO, would enjoy other viewpoitns. Offensive Strengths: * Ball movement * Tmac one on one on the block or elbow - unstopable when he's on. (free throw line area for non hoopers) * Tmac off a pick, curling into the middle the jumper is automatic * Battier 3 from the corner * Bench production from Luther, Landry, Bjack and now AB Defensive Strengths: * Shane "Batman" Battier * Weakside D and paint D * Talking on defense Offensive Weaknesses * 3 point accuracy (when Rafer is off and he keeps shooting) * Free throw shooting * Chuck - the dude scares me with a wide open layup * Standing around watching Tmac go one on one w/o weakside picks and player movement * Low post scoring from C and PF position (lack of Yao, even though he shoots a higher number of fade aways) Defensive Weaknesses (very few) - mostly second unit * 2nd unit understanding of how to handle pick and rolls * Less communication with 2nd team * Defensive rebounding with 2nd unit
Since we are in the Western conference, an important thing is 'Big Man D' and that is one of our defensive weakness. Amare, Brand, even Powell last night had great games against us. When Deke is out, our big man D goes downhill.
from a different angle. weakness. our superstar needs heatcheck shots. strength. Scola's energy. nuff said.
that pick n roll defense is just as bad in tha first unit as tha second unit, mainly dued to tha fact that Scola is almost as bad as defending tha pick n roll as yao.
shotblocking presence with deke out is a HUGE weakness. Good teams can drive on us all day with Deke out.
We are great when we are playing with energy. When we do the ball is just moving, every player is agressive and 3pts also fall
defensive strengths: Deke's finger wag. defensive weaknesses: Lack of size of front court. - could be fatal IMO.
Strength: HEART Weakness: HEART When we play with heart we can beat every team. When we play with low energy, no hype, no hustle, no sense of urgency, we lose. Remember, "Never underestimate the HEART of a Champion."
You make a good point there too. So much of our defense depends on hustle plays and hard-nosed defense. Which is also the reason why we struggle in the couple of games after the run ended, because we just didn't have the energy and the same heart on defense.
A lot of good points. I would add this to our defensive weaknesses: * Closing out on perimeter shooters and this to our offensive weaknesses: * Penetrating, finishing around the basket and getting to the FT line
getting easy points, stopping big players, and stopping perimeter shooters are our biggest weaknesses. Our biggest strengths is our tenacious penetration defense that forces teams to take jumpers, our unselfishness, and rebounding. The problem is that all of our strengths are based on luck and effort. If a team tries just as hard as we lose, no matter what you think tmac or scola or anyone else should have done thats what it comes down to. The rockets don't have alot of talent so if a team like the lakers puts forth a big effort on D and plays unselfishly we lose, even if everyone of our guys plays spectacular. We will do good if we can steal some games early in the playoffs because the other team underestimates us. Then we have to hope we get hot.
Finishing at the rim, dependent on the long ball, FT shooting, lack of playmakers/creators, and frontcourt length/height are our weakness. Everything else is a positive. We hustle hard, play tough D which always keeps us in games. Rarely turnover(using Head like Novak will completely eradicate this), rebound very well despite our lack of size, and even though we depend on the 3 too much we are very capable of giving teams a new hole with our deadly shooters.
By the numbers. Yao Ming: 22points/10.8rebounds/2.3assist/2blocks This is what the team is trying to replace by picking up their game. This is the indication of what each player has improved on the most the last 5 games to replace what Yao Ming brings. All these guys have put up their season average and then some to make up for the loss to Yao Ming. Who has picked up their game in the last 5 games? McGrady: 1.7more points/0.8more rebounds/0.2more assist/0.3 more blocks Scola: 3.5more points/0.9more rebounds Mutombo: 4.5more points/0.7 more rebounds/0.3 more blocks Brooks: 5.6more points/1.6 more rebounds Jackson: 1.3more points/0.1 more rebounds Battier: 0.7more rebounds Head: 0.8more points/1.4 more rebounds/0.3 more assist/0.3 more blocks Landry 0.2more blocks Total: 17.4points/6.2 rebounds/0.5assist/1.1blocks Yao: 22points/10.8rebounds/2.assist/2blocks In other words its a good sign to see even McGrady picking it up since there is now way he can put up his own numbers+make up for the loss of Yao Ming as everybody expects him to average 44points/16rebounds/9assist/2.8blocks just isnt possible and nobody can average that in this league especially when Rick emphasizes on team not no individual shows me they would do jack squat for this team in his position anyways. People who need to step it up. Hayes <--- will help Landry <--- the most Alston <---- Injured Who needs to turn it up. McGrady Who has picked it up the most. Scola Brooks Mutombo If McGrady picks it up to 7.1 more points/1.3 more assist this will put him at 29pts/7.5 assist17.4+7.1=24.5points/1.3+0.5=1.8assist Im only guessing if McGrady averages 24.5points and 7.5 assist from here on out starting with the next game we could possibly get past the first round. This will show sign he is likely to produce this in the playoffs. Because with everybody's pick up and McGrady turning it up it will be like playing with Yao Ming all though its alot easier said then done. This is more than enough to cover for Yao Ming's absence if those 7 other players can maintain their level of play. Or If Landry decides to give McGrady help. McGrady needs to average 29points/7.5assist we should get past the first round. Is he capable? He has done it before last 2 seasons without Yao. Can he produce this in the playoffs? Yes. I still believe even without Yao Ming there is only 2 teams that can beat us. San Antonio Utah I believe Yao Ming is just enough to get past those 2 other teams and everybody else is very beatable without him.
I should have added turnovers are down. It's the one thing I appreciate about Yao is the fact that he admits he's horrible at turning the ball over. Dude averages like 3 per game. With him out, that number is going down. Scola however, is another issue. Slow down and take look no one is there, stop pump faking and shoot the layup please.
Strengths: Depth - 9 rotation-worthy players, 3 at the PF position Unselfish play on offense Good rotation and effort on defense (most nights) Weaknesses: Extreme lack of size at all positions off the bench Lack of reliable/consistent scoring threats behind (including?) McGrady Lack of a go-to bread & butter play - a crucial need in the playoffs Inconsistent effort/focus/energy night-to-night Evan
