Over the last two, games, I've seen Scott Padgett play some pretty good basketball. Against, Memphis, when the Rockets went small, he had a dozen points in the first half, and played pretty well in half-court sets. Last night, against New York, he pulled down some tough boards and overall played pretty effectively... In that game against Memphis though, I noticed that the Rockets slow down thier game when Yao Ming is in, so here's an option...we don't play Yao with the starters. C Cato [inside defense] F Taylor [inside scoring option] F Jim Jackson [midrange scoring option/3 point threat] G Mobley [outside/inside scoring option] G Francis [number one scoring option] 2nd Team: C Ming [number one scoring option/inside defense] F Weatherspoon [inside defense/inside scoring option] F Padgett [midrange/inside scoring option] G Nachbar/Piatkowski [3 point threat] G Wilks/Jackson [traditional point guard] This way, Yao becomes the focal point of our offense, and has a point guard with whom he can develop chemistry with. Come on, you know that Mark Jackson was brilliant in getting Yao the ball against NY. Plus, Yao automatically becomes the number 1 scoring option, so we can use his abilities to score more offense. Then you have Mo Taylor, who has much more scoring capability than he is given credit for. He averaged 17ppg with the Clippers, and he could average that with sufficient playing time, as a starter. So now, Mobley/Francis/Taylor/Cato/Jackson can be a quick running team, and the 2nd team a slower half-court set team. Then you have the option of, late in the game, when the opponents are tired, to throw out this lineup: C Yao F Cato F Jackson G Mobley G Francis This is by far our best defensive lineup, so late in the game with a lead, its perfect, and gives the opponent a different look. We would essentially be two completely different teams, making us that much harder to defend against. What do you guys think?
Yao with the second team. I don't think so. Teams would be able to swarm him since there will not really be another decent scorer on the court.
I'd rather Yao develop chemistry with Steve Francis, not Mark Jackson. Jackson is just a veteran brought in to teach everyone some basics, he is not a long term example, he's ancient Making Taylor a starter would make sense, but having him come off the bench to provide energy and scoring also makes sense. Many teams have a quality scoring 6th man who plays weak defense.
When you've begun to find chemistry with a set of players and a rotation, you don't make changes. The Rockets have played very well over their last 10 games with only a couple exceptions. Padgett and Boki receiving larger roles, Taylor being the spark plug off the bench, Yao's agressiveness, Steve's increased assists and now a rotation including Jackson have helped. You don't bail on what is working.
Yeah, these guys have started almost every game together, and it's beginning to show/pay off. Guys are learning their roles. Guys are learning where other guys migrate to on offense. Guys know how/when to help on defense. Besides, Cato/MoT doesn't make people afraid to drive to the basket like Yao/Cato.
The only changes needed is to put Cat on the 2nd team, I'm sure he and Mo can make some spark from the bench.
Its an interesting idea and I dont want to tweak the lineup too much right now while we are winning.. but an ideal lineup in my opinion and this depends on player development SF / MJ JJ / Cat Boki / Pike MoT / Padgett Yao / Cato You might be thinking WTH?!? but let me explain Sf is continuing to improve sure he makes boneheaded decisions here and there but who doesnt. His defense has improved and he is always a scoring threat whether he shoots or not he has to be honored. MJ will be a reliable backup showing SF a thing or 2 about passing and finding the open man. JJ gets the starting nod from me because he can handle the ball and plays tough defense and his 3 point shooting (while streaky) but makes good decisions and would be the veteran leadership on the floor and his size would be a better fit as a 2. Cat is still young and is probably the quickest guy on the team who also happens to be our most consistent outside shooter he is needed to spread the floor and knock down those open 3 pointers. I just think JJ gives us more size and decision making while Cat would be a real spark off the bench. I like Boki's size at the 3 and im hoping his confidence picks up. His defense now is improving but I think offensively he is still learning and developing.. Pike would be the obvious backup since his minutes have been taken by Boki anyways (I feel this is our weakest position) MoT gets the nod here because he brings the midrange game im pretty torn about this since I would miss MoT's points off the bench but Cat could probably provide that spark.. Padgett I also like him starting since his shooting range could open up the floor for Yao but im trying to think what would be best for the team.. MoT would make teams pay for doubling Yao but hitting a bunch of midrange jumpers.. (main beneficiary) Yao hopefully develops or sustains his current level of play and Cato is an awesome backup the 1 /2 punch of last season and can spend some time at the 4 against big teams with big PF. I dont think we are at that stage yet to use this lineup and theres alot of if's .. but it seems ideal to me.. I could flip flop MoT/ and Padgett pretty easily since I like MoT's play off the bench ... what do you guys think? this would depend on Boki's development and confidence. I think he has such a sweet stroke but not the confidence.. J
If we take Yao out of the starting lineup, where would we get offence? We're playing Steve and Cat against the other team's starting lineup. We found out years ago that ISO ball doesn't work. Steve's not even consistent this year. On the other hand, Yao is the only scoring option on the second unit. Whoever we play can just double/triple team him all night long.
In general, we can use Cato+Mo frontcourt to play against up tempo team. This line-up provides higher mobility to run the floor. We can try this occasionally against teams like Dallas and Memphis when Yao is ineffective. But this can only be done some time to fool the defense of the opponent. Once they find themselves don't need to double team the center, our shooters will have no open shot at all.
