[The New York Sun] Has the T-Mac & Yao Show Learned a New Act?

Has the T-Mac & Yao Show Learned a New Act?
Basketball

By MARTIN JOHNSON
November 8, 2007

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Bill Baptist / Getty


Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, once virtually the entire Rockets’ offense, are now joined by a deep supporting cast.

More than a few local hoops fans might wonder what it takes to get a regime change at Madison Square Garden. Last summer, it was something of a shock when Houston gave coach Jeff Van Gundy his walking papers after the team had gone very respectable 52–30. But the firing of Van Gundy, the man who took the Knicks to the 1999 Finals, wasn't the impetuous move of a meddlesome owner. Instead, the move was seen as the work of a very good team trying to become a great one, as Houston hired Rick Adelman a few days later.

So far, the early returns have been positive for the Adelman regime. The Rockets have won four out of five against a tough slate that has included wins over San Antonio and Utah, and a close loss at Dallas. Much of the credit has gone to Adelman and his new offensive system. But the team is really winning on the collection of talent that preceded the new coach's arrival.

For the last three seasons, the Rockets have lived and died on the strength of their big two, center Yao Ming and swingman Tracy McGrady. The team has struggled to cobble together a supporting cast for their stars and that's been crucial, since both Yao and T-Mac are prone to injury. In the last five seasons, McGrady has missed 67 games with injuries, mostly to his back. Yao rarely missed a game in his first three seasons. He was then out for 25 two years ago, and he missed 34 in 2006–07. When both are on the court, the Rockets are a formidable team. Twice in the last three seasons, they've won 50 games.

But the playoffs have been a different story for the Rockets. Each of their recent 50-win campaigns came to crushing ends in Game 7 defeats. Their opponents, Utah last spring and Dallas two years ago, simply held every other Rocket in check, and Yao and TMac weren't able to win four out of seven while playing two against five.

That's why there's a different addition that is so important to Houston this year: new general manager Daryl Morey, who is known for his facility with advanced statistics. It doesn't take a genius of a GM to get a Kevin Garnett or a Vince Carter if they are available at an affordable price. Morey's challenge is different. The Rockets' nucleus is set and it's as good as any in the league. But he'll have to create a supporting cast from the marginal revenues left after paying the stars. Morey's first off-season looks like a success, as many new faces with good histories of productive play dot the periphery of the roster. They are deep enough that former Knicks player Steve Francis, who was signed on the cheap, failed to make the eight-man rotation.

Adelman was known for his extremely efficient offenses in his previous gig with the Sacramento Kings. Typical of a Van Gundian team, the Rockets played stellar defense last season. It reasoned that if their offense became top notch, then they'd be a threat to go all the way. (And our John Hollinger is one believer: He's picking Houston to win it all this year).

So far, much of the credit for the Rockets' fast start has gone to Adelman's revamped offense with Morey's additions. But a closer look suggests that the Rockets are still in transition in regards to their blueprint for offensive design. They are winning because their big two are healthy and playing well. McGrady went for 30 points, six boards, and four assists, and Yao added 25 points and 12 boards against the Lakers. T-Mac had 47 points against Utah. Yao had 21 points and 12 boards against the Blazers and McGrady had 20 points. And Yao led the way against the Spurs with 27 points and 13 rebounds.

For the most part, this seems like the same old Rockets. Last year, Houston finished 14th in the NBA in offensive efficiency (points per 100 possessions) and they were third in defensive efficiency. So far this season, they are 17th and eighth. Those numbers will likely improve as the schedule softens, but this doesn't look like a revolution in progress.

Nevertheless, it's early. Adelman has said that he will implement the new scheme gradually and that he has some basic plays that they will use when the new plays are faltering. He employed that strategy against the Lakers on opening night. When the new offense bogged down, the Rockets began using some simple pick and roll plays to free up Yao and get McGrady some open looks.

Adelman is also expected to improve the team over his predecessor in getting production from reserve swingman Bonzi Wells. Wells was glued to the bench last season despite the fact that he kills San Antonio. He uses his size advantage to post up the Spurs' wing defenders and that wreaks havoc on the vaunted San Antonio defense. When he and Adelman were together in Sacramento, they made the Spurs sweat out a hard-fought first round series. On Tuesday night in Houston, Wells played the entire second quarter and scored seven points while grabbing seven rebounds. The Rockets outscored the Spurs 25–11, en route to the 89–81 win.

It's too early to give Adelman's new offensive design much credit for the Rockets' hot start. They are winning in ways that they've always won. But there are signs he could have a lasting positive impact as the season wears on.