While our offense at times is still inept, I have noticed one big difference from last year... the lack or vast reduction of wasted offensive possesions due to careless turnovers, overdribbling and general inablilty to run a set play. While it's still early and there are still many problems with the point guard posiiton and (imo, a larger problem) with rebounding, some early stats show we are improving and starting to play better, especially on, yes can we believe it!? Offense (atleast some aspects of it =). 2004-2005 Rank 12th overall in total TurnOvers Houston 14.5 (turnovers) 2003-2004 Rank 28th in TO with 15.8 (turnovers) 2004-2005 Rank 15th in Assist/TO ratio 20.3 (Assist) 14.5(TO) A/T 1.40 2003-2004 Rank 28th in Assist/TO ratio 19.3(Assist) 15.8(TO) A/T 1.22 Keeing in mind that these figures have been improving as the season has progressed, i believe the offense will only get better. The negative and what i see as the main problem however is rebounding and shows no signs of improvement. We rank 26th in total rebounds per game with 39.5 and are last or near last in every category from rebunding differentio -2.8 to reoubind % .482 and offensive rebound 9.2. Last year, we ranked 13th in total rbs with 42.6 and were top15 in every category from rebunding differentio +2.9 to reoubind % .517 and defensive rebound 32.3 (offensive rebound 10.3.) From these statistics, it becomes evident that the problem with the team is not so much JVG "supposedly horrible" offense per se, but rather with our teams inability to rebound. As the moderate improvement in our offensive efficiency is more than negatively countered by the regression in our ability to rebound. So rather than scream and makes threads about JVG for his offense, we better start screaming at JVG for REBOUNDing instead!!!! fake statistics courtesy of espn http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/statistics?stat=teamstatreb&sort
I think the real beef fans have with JVGs offense is the plays he calls. Rebounding is a huge concern for this team but even if we out-rebound the other team we'd just be running more JVG style offensive sets, which is what I think is hurting the team. But honestly I think once we cut down turnovers and grab more rebounds and play more games together we will see what JVG really had planned with the plays. It might not be the plays at all, it's just we panic once our first and second option aren't availible, and in JVGs offense the shot clock will be at 3 seconds by the time that happends. Once everyone gets used to knowing exactly where to pass or move when options are denied is when we will see how great this team really can be.
