The match-up zone/Switching completely put the Suns out of their game. Our communication,heart and savvy on defense was everything Jeff Gundy gave us last year,but the ability to explore new defensive possibilities was something Gundy refused to do. Adelman deserves all the credit in the world... I also love Rick's way of playing whoever is hot and riding there streaks on offense, something I dearly missed when Rudy T departed....
No the best difference was he pulled T-mac out (during the right time)when he started chucking them and not attacking the basket... T-mac was on a roll to go for another 30% shooting night. I'm glad he trusted Steve and Yao to get the confidence back up..
I have to agree...I am not usually a very homeristic fan, during the game I was saying to myself, "wow, we're just lucky they're missing tonight unlike in houston..." but the Rockets really did play a complete defensive game. The match-up zone is perfect against the Suns, 3-point shooting bastards. Felt like we really took Nash out of his game. We also overcame the the dimwits refereeing this game. Betting vs. the Rocks much? One of my favorite phantom calls was the first delay of game against Yao. Priceless.
I personally loved the no call when Barbosa chopped across Rafer's wrist on the fastbreak. Spotty at best, officiating.
Yeah, the refs had it in for Yao in the first quarter. Diaw wrestling with Yao, and then Yao is whistled for an offensive foul. Yao called for a 3-second lane violation, when it was actually 2 seconds, if you count fast. That was complete BS.
About the defense, I'll credit Steve Francis for getting the fire under Rafer. Rafer, in the first quarter, let Nash go through the paint, after being picked off on one side. Two times, Rafer stood with his picker and watched Nash turn around for an easy chip shot. After Steve came in, Rafer would later fight through those picks and try to keep up with Nash, at least be on the same side of the court with him. Rafer's body language was that of defeat early on, but he picked it up.
Good post. The critics of Adelman have been early and wrong. The guy is a great coach, with the record to prove it. We'll still have our ups and downs, but if we stay healthy, the league better look out after the break.
My only gripe with Adelman was that he didn't give Steve the chance to play until a few games ago. That seemed very JVGlike. I like the fact that he hasn't really changed the defense we played when JVG was here. He has adapted to in game situations like today, but he has had the "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" approach to the d. I think the few games we have had defensive lapses has been a result of a new roster and guys understanding defensive rotations. (Scola, Francis, James, and u could say Bonzi are all new).
Ya, I noticed that too. The switching was very effective and our guards played well when having to guard the big man. But we can't cut down on JVG for not being able to do this ... because we didn't have the type of players capable of doing this last year. though I guess you can say JVG didn't ever give some of those players the chance props to Rafer on his job on Nash. His late game denial was perfect. Steve's heart lifted our whole team. you could just feel it ... not to mention steve is playing better d than I've ever seen him play ... he really has matured ... I can hardly believe it.
He wanted Francis to be in shape and hungry, and to give the other guards their shot. I think it's worked out beautifully. A couple of members of the backcourt aren't going to like it, and I know Francis didn't like waiting, but how can you argue with the results? Yes, maybe Francis should have been in during the losing streak, but that streak showed he was needed if he could still bring it. I trust Adelman.
Yup, to be fair Jeff Gundy did not have this kind of depth off the bench, but I would have a hard time believing he could manage this type of talent the way Rick has.... Jeff has been critical in the development of Rockets, the tough D has carried over and we are finally starting to find the creativity neccessary in Rick's offense...
I agree. Van Gundy was not an idiot. Stubborn though. The Rockets can legitimately go 9 or 10 deep now. Scola played well tonight. He is still adjusting, but I think he can be a very important piece when teams start fronting Yao later in the season.
This is the kind of game that'll earn him huge amounts of respect and belief from the team, if he didnt have it already. You can go 9 man rotation when the 10th guy's a Ryan Bowen type that can hurt your team's chances. When the 10th guy is a 30 year old former All-Star at one of your weaker positions, he's gotta see floor time & gotta expand it to 10. On the defense though, was very impressed with what I saw. Total team effort and chemistry playing DETERMINED defense and everyone pitching in willingly, with the bench emotionally involved rooting the team on. Reminiscent of '04-'05 Sura-Wesley-Barry Rockets perhaps?
I think RA did what is best for the Rox regarding SF3's PT. He showed SF3 that he cannot rely on his glorious good old times and bring in his childish attitude to the Rox THIS TIME. He came to the camp out of shape, and his plays in pre-season games showed that he is still making bad decisions and only cared about scoring, not being a floor general to assist his teammates. I think RA's doghouse finally made him understand his role for the Rox team this time, which if true, will bring Rox much better value in the long run. We finally have a good penetrator who can dish out to teammates to score, creating easy bucket opportunities.
Exactly, It gives us another complete player when Tracy is out(or in) the game. he is the type of player that can have a bad shooting night and still find a way to be effective. Plus, the guy just wants to win......
You would imagine that we're likely to attempt to throw the same sort of defensive looks tomorrow aswell GSW are a run and gun team aswell, and they outdid themselves last game with 45 pts in the opening qtr. we cant get into a shootout with these kinds of teams, maybe in stretches, but not for full games...100-94 was the perfect outcome for us. hopefully more of the same tomorrow and we can be 10-7 and start looking at building from there.
