Is it just me, or is Alston and the team showing significant improvement on fastbreaking over the last 10 games, or so. Do you realize since TMac and Mutombo started taking over (last game of December) we are averaging 100.1 ppg? <b>How About Those Rafer Passes!</b> Rafer is showing some real confidence on the break. He is forcing the tempo (dude can dribble fast can't he) and making some incredible passes. I mean, wow. I'll say, imo, that he is the best fastbreaking PG the Rockets have had in over 15 years. The team is showing great spacing on breaks as well, and they now know to give it up to Rafer to get it back. Even Luther...who I thought sucked in fastbreaking decisions is getting better. <b>Best Fastbreaking Rockets Team since the '80s??</b> I can't remember a Rockets team since the '80s doing controlled, classic PG-led fastbreaking like this. Together with the different offense with Yao out, this appears to be contributing to are scoring increase and assist increase of late. The Sura/Wesley/Barry/James fastbreaking of 2yrs ago was great to watch but not as good. Unless it was Sura with the ball or significant numbers, we basically only got 3s out of it, albeit a lot of them. Wesley and Barry were atrocious at running a classic break.
I always believe in Rafer's PG ability. He may be off with his shooting but he always delivers at crunch time.
I like and support Rafer- hecan pass and distribute. He is a fine point guard. I liked Rodney McCray from the '86 team. He could smoothly run the break-very few turnovers. He was under-rated.
^ true, he usually (or it seems like it) gets most of bricks out of the way in the first half. im curious what his % are by half and quarter. but rafers fast breaking were always a strength of his, the difference is that he has peopl finishing this year
wow hp but watching the sonics game rafer has done a lot more in terms of pushing the ball up when the advantage is there and making good passes. he whipped some left handed passes that were very impressive in my eyes. the only real criticisms i have of rafer is his inability to finish at the basket and his questionable decision making in putting up quick shots before the offense is set up. the wide open threes he misses i get upset but i am ok, he has to take those shots so at least the defense will respect it rather than continuously double teaming yao or mac without any consequences (see: bowen, ryan)
I think you're forgetting about the way Drexler would run fast breaks the two or three years he was here. Better than anyone I've ever seen (never saw Magic, etc.). But yes, it's nice to see the Rockets actually finishing on the turnovers its defense is designed to create, unlike before when 3-on-1 fastbreaks would end up being a botched lay up or a turnover.
I think Rafer is most comfortable when getting out on the break, that is his style of game. He makes good decisions when he is running and his passes are nice and crisp and in a postion where the recepient can finish without having to dribble. I just hope when Yao gets back that the team can run with him too.....Deke is slower than Yao so they should be able to.... It is fun to watch. DD
Glide was a one-man fast break, taking it coast to coast more often than not And if memory serves.. the 94/95 team ran fast breaks pretty well, pretty often
I have always known Rafer was fast and quick but there was one break last game where Rafer took it into another gear. It is interesting with him. I think he has tried so hard to break his playground image that he holds himself back athletically so much. I hate it when people call him a playground PG because his NBA career has been so conservative. Something has gotten into him lately, though, where he is showing more of his speed, more of his spins/dribble moves, and a little more flair in his passing. It started early in the season with the Dallas game (where a blown Hayes layup ruined what would have been his best assist of the season) but then he shelved it when TMac went down and the team's psyche faltered a bit (followed by Yao going out). Since they have become so cohesive, though, he seems to be really comfortable. I agree with Van Gundy - he needs to attack and drive more because he is so skilled at breaking down the defense. He just either needs to drop the teardrop (unless he is on fire) and go for more traditional layups or pass out/in to an open or better positioned player. He is still a great point guard and can use his skills without being just a 3 point shooter...I do wish his shot was more predictable, though.
The break is running very well when Rafer is running and dishing. It's been a thing of beauty. When Yao gets back, it will only make the break better. When Yao trails the break, filling the lane, he has better hands than Deke. The Lakers of Magic, Cooper, B. Scott, James Worthy and Kareem were a very good breaking team. Kareem filled the lane on the trail. Yao has actually outrun the opposition's center on several occasions and finished in front. Probably the only center that is better on the break might be Diaw.
Lately I have been impressed with Rafer's play. His shooting still needs improving and be more consistent scoring. But, man, the guy can dribble and pass. Our TO is way down now, mainly because he has been taking good care of the ball. I gave JVG credits for sticking with Rafer when he was slumping. Low TO, good D, and fastbreaks. that's winning style of basketball.
Part of it has to do with quality of opponent's defense as well. Taking nothing away from the Rockets, but they weren't running up and down the floor against San Antonio. They have been feasting on bad teams and running with smaller line-ups, which is great, just not something I imagine them doing against good defensive teams or teams that can run as or more effectively than they can.
rimbaud, yeah, I thought he went into another gear in the most recent Phoenix game that TMac sat out. I'm sure JVG said, just play hard....go for it. Moe, man, i'm sure hoping we keep running with Yao. I don't see why not. JVG had Sura/Wesley/Barry/James doing it...why not Alston et al. Great thing about controlled fastbreaking with a smart PG (rather than relying on SG Wesley and hotdog Barry) is he'll dribble down every chance he gets but will hold up if nothing is there in order to give Yao quick hitting post up before the defense sets. Not just trailers but quick set offense....and Yao knows how to take the block quick on the run.
I don't see why not, either. Rafer is making good decisions. Yao knows what to do to take advantage of early offense. It is easier for Yao. Jeff is no Van Dummy. We keep running.
Once Yao gets back, a whole new era of Breakin will bust out! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/im...ext_0/002-6745150-0106407?ie=UTF8&n=130&s=dvd man, I wish I could post pictures, but alas, no server access from work
Well, I was going to make a sarcastic post about how JVG doesn't know how to make adjustments, but ....
Yao knows how to run a fast break. I've seen him beat the entire defense down the court on several occasions. And he's really good at trailing the PG for a slam dunk. The only thing is that the running has to be selective and controlled when he's on the court to avoid early fatigue.
