Every year, the great players always come back with something new to add to their repertoire. I was hoping to start a thread where we can breakdown some of the things that each player is good at and also somethings that the player could work on to improve his game. That way, it would be a good thread to measure and see if players have gotten better throughout their careers and identify whether they have reached a plateau on their potential. What do you think are our players' best and weakest attributes? I'll start: Luis Scola Best motor in the NBA. Weak left hand. Goal '10-'11: remain a team player, but know when he needs to take advantage of mismatches and destroy opponents ruthlessly.
Excellent thread. I'll start with Yao. He would benefit greatly by pivoting with his inside foot in the post in order to achieve greater separation in the post. As is he pivot with his outside foot and jab steps to get space. The problem is that defenders can close put once he pulls up. If he were to pivot with the inside foot he could use his shoulders to brush the D back and gain some more foul on opposition. Aaron Brooks would benefit from endless practice sessions working on a floater. He's a midget and needs a counter to defenders waiting back at the rim. Kevin Martin wouls benefit from some extensive weight room sessions. Getting stronger would alleviate many of his injuries, considering how much be draws contact.
Scola: Use that left hand more than occasionally....don't see it happening though Brooks: Work on your defense and court vision if possible....see a slight improvement Lowry: Work on outside shot, not necessarily 3 pt shot......might see small improvement Martin: Learn how to play defense....you stink out loud on that end of the court...don't see it happening Ariza: More slashing, less shooting and for the love of everything good work on your dribbling......slight improvement Yao: Just stay healthy big fella........here's hoping
Chase Budinger: Great Shooting, Good ability to get open. Defense is not good. Ball handling is less than average (Both of these things looked better in the summer league though.) More consistent shot. Goal '10-'11: Stay consistent throughout the year and be the top scorer off the bench.
Ariza Decent all round player Developed a go to move. Either a post play, a 15 ft jumper, a corner 3. Just something to fall on to when nothing else is working. And work on the left hand. Goal. Stop forcing shots, goes with the flow and understand his the 5th scorer in the team after the likes of Yao, AB, Martin and Scola.
I'll say Ariza because he started to pour it on towards the end of the season. I see him as being the most improved. Second i will say Jermaine Taylor's good scoring and defense will finally get him some playing time. He should be perfect off the bench after Martin.
Jermaine Taylor- needs to have better handles and needs to learn to pass Pat Pat- needs to rely less on the 3 pointer and work on is inside game Chuck Hayes- needs a few post moves other than that hes ok
Valuable insight. Aaron Brooks: Pros: Elite NBA speed, average at-rim finishing ability, excellent shooting mentality Cons: Prone to mistakes in pressure situations, too small to guard larger guards effectively Homework: work on late-clock decision making (no small task) and passing-while-driving
Seriously, if Chuck was 6'10, he would be DPOY. Also Jeffries is useless as hell. Can't shoot, dribble, overrated defensively, or dunk even though he's like 7 feet tall. I swear to God, I will rip my head off next time I see him going for a layup when he's open and brick it. The only thing he does well is flop and take charges.
We should make a spreadsheet on excell or something to keep up with this as time passes. Ariza needs better dribbling. This would open up his offensive game and make him more efficient. Brooks needs better defense, but I'm not sure how else he can improve this since his size is what prevents him from being better on defense.
If Scola and Martin improved their D, Brooks worked on his court vision, and Lowry on his jumpshot, I'd think they're set
He's getting there. Only thing is he has to do is go down while dribbling. Harder for the opponent to reach. thus less TO's
Brooks needs to improve making consistent overhead entry passes into the low post. Last time he was playing with Yao, he relied too much on bounce passes. On defense, Brooks, Martin, and Ariza will need to learn how and where to funnel the penetrating player so that Yao can provide help without fouling. It was something Alston, McGrady, and Battier got down to a system, and made Houston's defense so formidable. Not sure if this can be practiced in the offseason, though. It would be great if Battier could develop an effective midrange jumper, because playing off the bench with Lowry and Miller is going to give him plenty of scoring opportunities. But at this point in his career, I wouldn't expect it to happen. I'm just going to have to be happy with Shane shooting open 3s.
Brooks will need to do a better job getting the ball to Yao while other teams front him. I'd also like him to work on his crossover move, his wind up is too slow and allows defenders to wait for it. I'd like Yao to work on his left hand jump hook. If you notice, teams play Yao to his right hand to where all he'd have to do is spin left and score. Either he can go with a left jump hook, or pivot left and dunk. Trevor Ariza needs to work strictly on ball handling. He's already solid in almost all areas. But he needs to be able to create better off the dribble. If he's able to do that the Rockets will be serious problem for the league Kevin Martin needs to work on his ball handling as well. As quick as he is, he doesnt create off the dribble very well. If he gets an iso, theres no way a defender should be able to stay in front of him.
I hope the game continues to slow for brooks. I think this year he will take control of the team and lead.He needs to use a change of speed better to keep opponts off balance. His willingness to shoot the mid range will give other teams the blues.
