new found respect for rick bucher. this guy is really knowledgeable. this was a great commentary by the two. described my feeling towards the rox completely
McGrady as a facilitator is fine with me. I'll be honest: I would rather have McGrady handle the ball than Rafer, Luther, or even Brooks. But the drawback of that is that he can't be a facilitator AND our primary option at the same time. I can't pinpoint the EXACT reason, but over the course of the season, you need a true point guard to run your ship and let McGrady and Yao worry about scoring. How has Yao regressed? He's putting up nearly identical, if not better, numbers across the board. His Achilles' Heel is pretty much Al Harrington or any fast PF fronting him. The problem with finding the open guy is that, when they're open, it's always a 3 pointer. Chalk that up to JVG or Adelman's lack of creativity or what not, but it's hard to get into rhythm in a basketball game by shooting 3s. If the past few games have taught us anything, it's that if you let players like Rafer, Bonzi, Battier, Scola, Luther, and the like get some easy layups and try to get themselves warmed up, they shoot A LOT better than they were when it was just them camping for the perimeter shot. I honestly think Adelman has gone away from having Yao out so far since Tracy went down. He realized it's better to just leave Yao down low and have the other players rotate and move around Yao. Rafer, as much as I hate to say it, is doing a wonderful job at getting to the basket and finishing. Wells still misses his layups but he's getting easy baskets. Hell, I even saw Head knock down an 18 footer against Boston. When you let the players get comfortable IN-game, it's easier for them to score. You can't just wait around for McGrady to create for them--they need to be active and create for themselves. Otherwise, this team would be too predictable and another 1st round exit would be coming. The one thing we ALL need to look and observe is how McGrady adapts to this team and not the other way around. This team has lost some tough ones but we almost had the GS game after blowing a huge lead and almost took one from the best team in the NBA last night. The rotations, the passing, the defense (praise Aaron Brooks),...it was actually good basketball to watch. I just hope it doesn't revert back to the "old way" when McGrady comes back. He needs to believe that his teammates can play. He also needs to realize 23 ft. heat-check fadeway jump shots should only be taken if one were actually hitting shots.
Nope, all Les has to do is pin the blame on his head coaches who end up taking the fall for his organization's ineptness. It's worked for him twice now (Rudy T & JVG) and as I see it, Rick Adelman is on deck.
It just cant be measured by regular season anymore. I dont think you fault many fans or the coach trying some thing different when this core (Yao and Mac in 1/2 court) has had no post-season success. Again, you are talking about trying, not even committing to it if it fails. Adelman will have to adjust his system if it does not work, but T-mac has to try running the system. But you tell me, have you see him running to get down the other end of the court for easy buckets? Maybe I am not seeing something, but I havent. I'll look to see how he plays when he comes back as we started running the system alot better while he was injured. and No, I am not implying there is any correlation there because the rest of the team hasn't really ran the system that well prior to the past couple of weeks either.
While I agree with you that Tmac is probably not faking his injury, I have to disagree with you about what Buecher said because a lot of it is simply damning. I believe him because I hear the same things from a close friend that works in the Mavericks organization. But even then, I could see a problem this year with Mr. "It's On Me" because the offense simply bogged down whenever Tmac had the ball in his hands. Despite what he's said to the contrary, I'll believe that he's bought into Adelman's system when I see him prove it on the court. You may not like hearing this because you probably blamed JVG for everything that went wrong last year. As did Les, who needed another coaching scapegoat. As I see it, Mr. "Its On Me" was able to slip away without taking responsibility for his disappearing act in Game 7 because it was JVG, not the players, who took the fall. Well, JVG is gone now but the problems we saw last season are still here and the biggest problem of all is that we have a so-called superstar around which we've built this team who has failed us in the clutch on more than one occasion. In terms of ability, Tmac can do everything that a Kobe can do but that's where the similarities end. Kobe is a cold-blooded killer on the court whose will to win is so great it threatens to engulf his team. When the game is on the line, he wants the ball in his hands so he can do everything in his power to win. Sorry, but in no form or fashion can that be said about McGrady. And that's a prime reason why this team is listing along right now.
What's new there in the interview we haven't talked about on this board? Both TMac and Yao are half court players; TMac likes to dominate the ball; TMac hasn't won a playoff, nor has Yao; TMac is talent enough to dominate but not tough enough to do it nightly; Yao is willing to dominate but not good enough to do that every night; The reality is we have two very good players, maybe "superstar" in someone like Bucher's book, but you need a good system to help them since they are not capable of dominating consistently, as Bucher pointed in the interview. I don't think you can expect TMac or Yao to change their way to fit whatever system at this point of their career, it should be the other way around, namely it's all in Adelman's hands.
Prime example: How the Rockets execute the past few games without McGrady. There's just a fluidity to their ball movement and everyone looks like they're shouldering the burden together. The ball movement has been exceptional, especially when Scola and/or Brooks is on the floor. Everyone is chipping in with scoring and from different ways--lay ups, dunks, 3s, midrange--you name it; we probably did it. What happens when McGrady comes back? My bet is that things will fall back into place where the offense becomes stagnant and it's McGrady dominating the ball.
I would give this to t-mac, if he doesn't get motivated by this, he just flat out simply doesn't care.
Have you watched any of the games with McGrady out? Honest question. The team is thriving, although not getting victories due to being undermanned. The "system" is working fine (and it's not "run and gun" - where do you get that?), and can work with this personnel if EVERYONE buys in. If you've watched all the games, there is clearly ONE player not playing the way the rest of the team is trying to play. This is hilarious. He's versatile enough to adapt to anything, I guess as long as it's something that has proven to work, win playoff series, play in NBA Finals multiple times, etc. Meanwhile he hasn't won anything in 11 years.
the running stuff is starting make sense.........we would always see JVG running the sideline and waving his arm to indicate to push the ball up.........
The offense looked fine in Chicago and with Detroit before t-mac got injured. They were pushing the ball and everything. I think you're making a mistake here in saying it was only t-mac resisting Rick's style. It was the whole starting line-up. This is why we've seen the bench adjust faster then the starters, who are so programmed to play JVG ball. Rick's been very patient and it's beginning to show of. I think people need to be just a few more weeks patient and they'll be happy.
Well, this team hasn't had a true PG who was also a true leader since Bobby Sura (even though he was gimpy, he quarterbacked this team to perfection). I agree that the PG position is very vital to any elite team... and while Rafer is ok, he has deficiencies in decision making and shot-making that are problematic, and force T-mac into more responsibilites than he should have. Maybe Brooks can help this. You're kidding me, right? The guy is averaging 21.4 ppg with INCREASED minutes, is shooting under 50% for the first time in his career, is shooting off-balanced/uncomfortable shots rather than being the guy who's entering his prime getting his shots, he's having ticky-tack spats with the refs again (which comes from lack of respect due to his inability to dominate lesser players)... and the fronting defense is effective again. When T-mac went out in late 2006, Yao finally showed he was developing into a pure dominating low-post center. He carried that over into the following year up till the point he broke his leg (he was certainly in the top 3 for MVP of the league till that point). The fronting defense was no longer a concern... and Yao's career path looked pretty damn good as it seemed like he was close to mastering the low-post game. Now? Much like the team, Yao's game looks to be in severe flux... he doesn't look confident, doesn't look all that comfortable, and is playing a helluva lot of minutes to do so. Ironically, every single elite team would KILL for wide open looks from the 3 point line. San Antonio, Phoenix, Boston, Detroit, Dallas. Hell, we won 2 championships with a distint reliance on the 3 point shot. Likewise, Adelman's past Sacramento teams were filled with shooters who could hit it (Bibby, Peja, B-Jax, Christie). Of course, the fact that we have guys who are inconsistent at shooting the 3 ball means its not working out as well for us. Also, this team definitely does need guys like Bonzi or even Brooks who can create their own shot, and don't have to settle for the spot up shot. But in the end, we still need to make our wide open shots... even if they are 3's. I understand what you're saying... but you have to realize that we likely only have two true other players who can create for themselves (Bonzi, Brooks), and one who can create with mixed results (Rafer). The rest of the team needs a guy to get them the ball in the best position for them to score. And looking back on last year, its startling how badly they had to rely on T-mac. Head, Battier, Alston, and Hayes couldn't dream of any offense if it wasn't for a set-up, and don't get started on Mutombo's contributions. Bonzi, now Brooks, and some semblance of Francis/James are that vital this year because they possess more offensive talent than the players above... they are the ones who will be active and create for themselves, while T-mac can still remain to be a playmaker. Again... you can stop referring to the "old way" if you're simply referring to the Toronto and Philadelphia game. T-mac has had 4 years of basketball here... enough to show you that he has the ability to have faith in his teammates, and lead this team to wins. Yes, he can be a chucker at times... and you have to realize that those frustration shots get less and less when this team actually develops into a cohesive unit (much like they did in 2005). Then again, he is a special enough talent to be granted the type of shots that lead to 13 in 35... from time to time (or if its a blowout). Regardless of it all... this team simply needs to re-find its way... something that will largely be on the coach, front office, and any sort of stabalizing influence some of the veterans may have.
And likewise, the "system" with T-mac in place last year worked just fine as well during the regular season... with a far worse supporting cast. Looking at the recent stretch... the two games where the "system" has been most fruitful was against a lost Chicago team (and that was with T-mac, playing within the "system"), and a Denver team that played ridiculosly awful defense. It had mixed results versus Boston, looked pretty bad against Toronto (even though it was a win), was exposed late against Golden State, and was clearly overmatched against Detroit. Yes, we beat Memphis... whoop-de-damn-do. That being said, there is a place for guys like Bonzi who can create his own shot, there is a place for more aggressiveness from Rafer to penetrate (and Brooks to continue to evolve into an emerging playmaker), and this offense CAN be effective if it involves a healthy mix of everything (T-mac being the playmaker, Yao being the confident/cocky/"You cant f***ing stop me" low post threat, Bonzi being the versatile mid-range banger, Alston/Brooks being true leaders as PG's, and Head/Battier/Hayes filling out the rest (rebounding, defense, and three pointers).
I think, as much as I REALLY REALLY hate to say it, that this "new" Rafer we're seeing the past few games CAN be that capable point guard. I'm hoping Brooks will get increased minutes to get more experience. I can honestly see him being a Cassell-circa-1994 for this team. Okay you got me here but of course I think that's with the shift to Adelman trying to put Yao at the elbow. I think, from what I can see, Yao is back in the post and I think he'll stay there. My reasoning would actually sound the same as your 2nd paragraph. The reason why those teams would love to have our open 3s is because 1. they have the personnel to knock them down and 2. they don't get those open looks we get because of reason #1. James was pretty good early on in the season but now the only place we can find him is during halftime doing skits with Clutch the Bear. The only true perimeter shooters we have, IMO, is Brooks, Novak and Head. Battier and James would follow. But this is a far cry from the 3 point shooters other teams possess. I think once Luther gets it through his head that it's perfectly okay to take a good shot, he'll help us more. He's been scared ****less to the point where he's scared to take a shot for fear of god knows what. Gotta have some confidence. That cohesiveness needs to come from McGrady himself. Saying that he's imposing his will on a game lacks merit if he only does it for a "13 in 35" game or a "Game 2 in Dallas". That's why Sura was held in such a high regard--he brought that toughness. Toughness is overused but it's something that we needed then and need now. Sura was always game for anything and everyone seemed to come aboard (hence, that magical run couple of years back). I can honestly see Bonzi being that kind of player. He's player into shape and is getting better inch by inch. If our two superstars can't bring the team together, someone needs to step up and do so.
Quote: Originally Posted by GATER McGrady controls the tempo of the Rockets' offense and it's far too slow to be championship-level successful. I'm sure "Dream" is rolling around in hysterics over that one. The New York Knicks fell into that trap too.... I wasn't a big Kenny Smith and Maxwell fan back then, but they could shoot the lights out compared with this sad bunch. At least when their shots didn't go down, they had the sense to take the ball down the lane and and stuff it. Come to think of it, Yao is a bit like Dream was on the court. Strong and silent. His team mates picked up the slack when it came to talking trash and dishing it out (Madd Maxx & Mario Ely). We have a bunch of near sighted choir boys who go out of their way to help the other team up after they've made a hard foul on one of their own teammates.
buecher basically agree's with what most of the board has been saying about tmac. good to know we're not all nuts. i like his idea about moving him for a second tier star. i'd rather have a guy like richard jefferson for 80 games than a guy like tmac for 60. one thing is for sure, the rockets will adjust the supporting cast first. moving defensive specialists for some offense (to better suit adelman rather than gundy). next year should be a tell tale year for tmac. adelman's offense will be up and running. will tmac fit or will it be time to trade him?
First round and out. All this team has to do is make the playoffs to equal that. "Far worse" supporting cast? Good one. As is typical of this type of post you downplay the success. I don't think McGrady even played 30 minutes against Chicago and the best moments were when he wasn't on the floor. Of course Denver played 'awful' defense; it had nothing to do with the Rockets' offense. "Mixed results" against Boston? The game went down to the wire without the 20 million dollar man. Looked "pretty bad" against Toronto on a back-to-back again without the 20 million dollar man, and holding them to 79 points. "Exposed late" against GS; I guess them throwing up everything and having it go in in the 4th means they were "exposed". "Clearly overmatched" against Detroit, while on the road against the best team in the East on the 4th game in 5 nights - of course. And then beating Memphis by 20 on the road is nothing - typical.
