Anyone else notice that JVG has gone to smaller quicker lineups and it is paying off? At the end of tonight's game it was Rafer, Wesley, Tmac, Baxter, and Hayes.... Tmac was the tallest one !! However, the team is a LOT quicker and younger and their play a lot crisper. Players like Hayes and Lucas add a lot off the bench when they play that hard.... I hope Yao can come in and add some power to this team, although I worry that he will clog the lane and that little David Wesley runner will dissappear. DD
Hayes and Baxter have been doing great in the front court for us rebounding and being active. The only thing that worries me is that there lack of hieght is going to be a problem vs teams like Dallas and SAnantonio and Phoenix. However with Mutombo playing well and Yao coming back soon we should be fine. Go Rockets!!!
JVG should use this plan exclusively when Yao is sitting on the bench. And this small lineup will match up Suns and Mavs very well.
When Yao gets into foul trouble and on the bench, this is the perfect scheme to run. Too bad we lost last night. The team looks so much better with TMAC on the floor. Go Rockets.
That little David Wesley runner can go take a flying leap if we get back Yao's jump-hook and turnaround jumper.
I think TMac probably has as much to do with the difference we're seeing on the court as do the younger players. Still, can't say I didn't love what Hayes and Baxter did tonight, especially in the 4th. Stro really is going to have to step something up to get his minutes back. Wesley played like a young man tonight... on the second night of a back-to-back! There's no quit in these Rockets!
I loved watching them play. (But don't be too surprised if it gets a bit tougher after there's some tape on this squad)
I like the smaller lineup, but what I'm wondering is what they're going to do when Yao gets back. I noticed that tonight they played Juwan Howard at center quite a bit and had Chuck Hayes playing power forward. I'm not sure how Hayes or Baxter can get a lot of time with Yao back. Clearly they've earned some playing time, but between Yao, Deke and Juwan, it seems like Hayes and Baxter will be fighting over the back up power forward minutes.
It want be Chuck Hayes, because some team will snatch him up(Bulls). That leaves Lucas as the man to be cut.
Height of course is always important....but in the NBA these days it seems it is ALL about "quickness". Being quicker to rebounds and being able to be quick enough defensively to protect dribble penetration into the lane. That lineup we had out there was quick. But being quick isnt enough, there has to be that hustle and that "toughness" which we got from Hayes and Baxter.
It's a good problem to have, but I don't know how we'll go small ball much once Yao is healthy. Yao and Juwan both play a lot of minutes, and I can't imagine Deke is going to be pushed entirely out of the rotation.
^ As you say its a good problem to have. A small faster lineup is a good change of pace and hopefully when Yao gets back JVG will still be willing to use it situationally. As I've said before we could use a smaller lineup plus Yao or some other big man. The big guy's job would be to pull rebounds, clog up the lane on zone D and when the faster game bogs down provide the post punch for half court offense.
I think JVG is going to use small ball a lot more in the regular season in order to let Yao and Deke rest up for the playoffs.
Not only quicker, younger is also an important part. We just have too much senior players! Quit doing that, JVG!
Things look great for the future !! When Yao Ming returns we hope that Hayes and Baxter will still be able to make their contributions to the Team. Remember Howard is not a Triditional Power Forward, he is only 6'9" and his main asset is that he is a spot up shooter of good ability[a role player]. His limitations are made up by Baxter who has POWER and Hayes who is amaizing under the basket, both are effective in the defensive mode. With slightly reduced minutes Howard can have more quality playing time. considering his age and limitations If Wesley and Howard combined are able to contribute 25points per game we will still be in great shape and like Howard, Wesley will play more quality time on the court. Mutumbo will be able to go back to playing in short bursts giving us his great assets without becoming over exhausted as he does now,playing so many minutes and will mainly be used to give Yao Ming his rest periods.
NBA is about matchup. small ball doesnt mean good basketball at all! the spine of a team is their star-players, like TMAC and YAO. the team need build around them and find suitable players for them to be able to win the champ, not a couple of games. stars need to be stable and role-players need find their owb role. If so, this is a good ball club
