I think our biggest problem is still at point guard position. No pg can control tempo well. I think this is the basic reason why we always lost in the 4th quarter. In the Lakers game, the last 100 seconds, we led more than 10 pts, and then Lakers had to change their tempo to play faster. Apparently, we could not slow down and almost lost. Similarly, last night the Mavs game, Mavs played same tempo 3.5 quarters, and then changed it at the last half quarter. We couldn’t control or follow it. There were lots of turnovers and finally lost the game. I think Lakers’ tempo change was passive, they had to do it. But, I think Mavs intended to do that. They have the ability to control tempo and can play well in both fast and slow tempo. Of course, the best team to control tempo in nba is Spurs. Thus, I think if we don’t make a big change in our pg position, no way for us to beat Mavs or Spurs in seven playoff series even though we can win them a couple of games in regular season. I don’t know whether SF3 has this ability even when he was in shape. We should make a trade or develop Brooks. In fact, VSpan has that ability, but, sadly he’s gone.
So let's see...Rafer played well, and he's the controller of tempo for this team. If you can't see that, you can't. Nothing I can say to change that. He didn't finish the game. This should please the "Rafer doesn't belong in the game the last 5 minutes" crowd. Mike was in instead, he had an off game. Nothing more. Steve could have done different, so could Brooks, so could Rafer, so could *fill in the blank* last night. We hung with the Mavs. We lost. We play again tonight. We got beat by their now non-starter Terry. You couldn't have done anything to stop how he played. Oh yeah, same thread here again...you aren't saying anything new,
I personally feel that that whole point guard "controlling the tempo" is overratted. As I recall a certain kenny smith who couldn't compete with the elite point guards. This team is fine. Mavs didn't change the tempo, they just hit wide open shots. Our defense was the reason we lost.
It's called getting turnovers and fast breaking for easy shots. Besides that, pace was the same as always. They just made good plays down the stretch, we didn't. Same story, and will remain that way until the Rockets play more calm BUT more focused. They sometimes play calm, but lazy. ie. Lazy passes...those are frustrating.
No, Rafter is not a good tempo controller. He maybe is the best one in this team, but he is not a good one for a championship team. If you think our pgs were only off last night, you are wrong. Simply, they don't have ability control tempo well when we play against a great team.
Sooo...how would you control the tempo differently when the PG in the game at the time throws a bad pass and they streak down the other end for a mid range pull up? In-bound the ball, set back up...get people settled down, make a good possession right? or try to catch them off guard. ANYONE can do that. Instead...another turn over, fast break the other way. You really think the problem was tempo last night? If not, sorry I misunderstood your post I guess.
I need someone to define what they think controlling the tempo is. I really feel that all the rockets did was turn the ball over and that led to some transition oppurtunities for the Mavs. Really, Jason Terry hit some wide open shots in the fourth, but there was really no change in tempo outside of a few plays. Mavs guards did no special tempo changing. They ran the pick and roll, and hit shots. Is that what u call controlling the tempo? IMHO, tempo controlling is overratted.
I mean that's what I saw too. Both teams neck and neck, but at the end we made costly mistakes. I mean it's as simple as that to me.
Having over half the replies in your own thread isn't usually the best. Rafer's a good ball handler and distributer with a terrible shot. Mike is a passable handler, poor distributer, and switches between a white hot gunner and a volume shooter. Steve is a shadow of his former self and continues to think that gameplans should adapt to him rather than vice versa. Personally, I'd like to see more of Tracy as a point forward. Adelman talked about using him as a Drexler type in the offense. I think it would be good. That in addition to using the bigs in the high post as facilitators takes a lot of responsibility off the guards. As far as Brooks, you have to balance win now with developing young guys. He needs to establish in practice that he's ready to go, deserves floor time, and then make the most of any opportunity. Spanoullis never showed that he could take his skills and display them in real game situations. Each and every time he went out in a game, he was a disaster. You can't let guys like that continue to get burn at the detriment of the team. Unless you're a basement dweller with only the future to play for. Evan
a few plays as in there were 3 plays i remember when the mavs had fast breaks. That wasn't due to the point guards controlling the tempo. It was due to rockets turnovers. Again, I think this thread is a tad bit useless and a tempo controlling PG is overatted. That's why i asked someone to define what is their idea of tempo controlling.
Tempo control is not overrated. Spurs always can beat Suns because they can control tempo and also can play well in any tempo. If we cannot control tempo well, it is not way to beat the top teams.
Spurs don't force anyone into their tempo, they adjust to other's tempo and then have their own tempo for that tempo. They have their own way to run and can use that in the suns tempo, they have their own way of half court and can use that in last years rockets tempo. The point is they adjust their tempo to the teams tempo that they are playing. So yeah, tempo control is overated
You don't think Spurs can slow down Suns' tempo? Spurs can change other teams' tempo. Of course, they also can play well in any tempo.
The spurs have their own tempo for our tempo so yeh they will play their version of our tempo.. thus making us play our version of their tempo
