Bottom line, late in the game we need buckets we get stops - no buckets. Teams are going to double Tmac or Yao with Luther's or Rafer's defender. I trust Luther from the 3 point line, however, when either of them put if on the floor we're in trouble, because the decision making stinks and neither finishes - teams are letting them drive for a bogus floater. Can we say STEVE to finish - wishful thinking. Any coach with good sense is not going to let Tmac or Yao go one on one. Also, they are not going to leave Juwan open from the free line or Shane wide open for his money 3 from the corner or wing.
Alston is compete trash. When he throws up his shots its not even have a 50/50 chance of going in. I"ll take my chances with Lu
Even before the Mavs game, now way I would trust Rafer in tight playoff games. He is mentally weak. Luther, on the other hand, is an assassin. I expect him to struggle the first couple of playoff games but he will pull it together.
if Rafer's garbage, then Luther is trash too at the PG position. If we entrust him with the majority of the playing time at that spot, all it'll take is Terry or Harris to pressure him to force him into a 10 turnover game. Everyone voting for Head...have you SEEN him run the point??
Ok--if you plan on letting TMac run the point for most of the 4th, then I'd be fine with Head. But I don't see us doing that... wouldn't allow TMac to come off screens at all (at least not until late in the clock) and it'd kill his energy more than usual to face some backcourt pressure periodically. Once in a while, fine. Last 6 minutes of the game? Sure, Head with Mac running the point. But not the whole time
IF TMac and Yao are both on the playoffs, i don't think you have to worry about Rafers or Heads decsion-making because i doubt in a critical last minute situation they'll be asked to put the ball on the floor if Yao and TMac are on the floor. I trust Head more with the catch-n-shoot more than ALston tho.
Those are facking r****ded statements. I'm no fan of Skip but some of you guys go overboard sometimes.
Luther, because he is only a second year player and still capable of development. He's mentally stronger than Rafer already and doesn't shrink away or lose confidence late in games. With him, it's just mechanics.
I have a feeling that if we lose in the playoffs, you can lay most of the blame on these 2 guys. Luther is completely 1 dimensional, tremendous liability on defense. I'm not expecting much from Rafer.
I agree our weakest positions are in the backcourt. Most other playoff teams have big advantages over the Rockets at both guard positions especially PG. The Suns, Mavs, Spurs, and even Utah have solid PGs that can hit open shots. Our guards are having a better year with Head developing nicely, but it won't be enough to save the Rockets in the Playoffs. We could say Snyder could help out as a big two guard, but JVG probably won't even play the guy especially in the playoffs. Rockets need an upgrade in the worst way in the backcourt if they plan on lasting past the first round. Yao is not going to handle the Point and T-mac will wear down if he has to do it all the time.
As much as we'd like to guys we can't have 5 all stars on our team to man the court at all time. While I agree that the teams listed have advantages over the rox at PG I would also say the Rockets have a decided advantage over any of these teams at the C and whatever spot TMac is playing at the time, just how our team is built. Please remember that a team is built as a whole, not piece by piece. Would we really want Tony Parker as the point in our system...I dont think so, if you think Rafers jumper is incosistent watch TP airball a couple long two's and you'll be begging for Skip back. It's just a matter of who you have on your team. I think Skip catches alot of unncesarry flack on here. Is he the best point in the league, no. Is he the worst, far from it. He's a solid NBA player, great ballhandler, inconsistent shot, and sometimes questionable decision making. Just to prove my point I'll post a list of starting PG's i'd take rafer over in our current system: Rondo/Delonte West TJ Ford Snow/Gibson Gary Payton Claxton/Lue Jarret Jack Ridnour Smush Livingston (until he develops some kinda jumper) Stoudamire Feel free to disagree but atleast give a good reason behind it...and that list isn't including other who I feel Rafer would be on an equal level of efficiency with (A. Miller, J. Nelson, S. Blake...)
I was leaning towards head, but that ridiculous shot in the end last game was stupid. However, this is a trick question cause the answer is obviously -Vspan!
