After watching our beloved rockets fall into the 9th place and out of the playoffs, I would like to use some hindsight to influence our future. 1. Last season, Stevie played the point for about one half (the first half) and usually during that time he accumulated about 75% of the assists total for that night. I would like to see him play the point about 3 and a half quarters and then start to dominate the ball and create something for someone or for himself. A good example of this was the Lakers Game that went overtime. Steve basically let the game come to him for most of the game. He then broke down LA's defense time and time again in the 4th and overtime. I have complete confidence in Stevie's offensive game, but he could keep a little energy in the tank by playin the point most of the game and when we need him to set it up, he's got energy to finish the opponent off. 2. Yao Ming needs to DUNK. I honestly believe if he threw down a few more dunks last season, we would be in the playoffs. He dunks, and we get 2, maybe plus one or we get two free throws. If he went up strong he would maybe draw some fouls on the opponent big man and get to the line. Even at the line he's not a liability like shaq, ben wallace, and even Duncan. 3. Under Van Gundy's regime, I agree with what Macbeth once said about having a defense that would just funnel the guards into the lane. If we could just lit a fire under Stevie to get up on the guards and not worry about letting whoever he's guarding to blow by him. This will create a few more turnovers that will turn into fastbreaks and then fastbreak points. If we got 2 more fastbreak opportunities per game last year, again, we would be in the playoffs. 4. Cuttino Mobley. I would like for Cuttino to start using the screen and get a wide open jumper and take more often like reggie miller. We got a 7-5 Center that sets a great pick, but he likes the break the man off the dribble spectacular exhibitions. He could also stand to tweak his shot selection 5. The pick and roll on offense. Almost everytime down the floor someone sits a lazy pick (griffin mostly). And when it's not Griffin, its Ming who rolls to the hoop to only be ignored for the easy layup or dunk (steve, cat). 6. Give Tmo and Boki some playin time. Tmo had some nice shooting games last year. Tmo plays decent D, has a nice touch. All of these points could've been corrected last year and I think they are only minor tweaks to the games and not complete roster overhauls like some are suggesting. These suttle differences can result in being 9th place to 8th place, 5th to 4th place. As Dennis Miller says, "These are just my opinions, I could be wrong".
Yeah haus, you're a little quick on the trigger. The guy made some pretty good points. Congrats, you are the first on my ignore list.
i cant wait to see how JVG addresses these issues. over the last year i have become sick of steve francis and his play. however, i think that JVG might be the guy to get him to play smart and like a real PG. that is, if steve's ego allows him to actually LEARN. i too would love to see more t-mo. i think having rice here held him back. rudy likes to play the vets like rice. i bet JVG gets some of the younger guys out there more and relegates rice to 10-12 minutes of pure shooting a night. we have to hope that eddie steps up too. a defensive minded-coach like JVG could have a dramatic impact on this guy. im all for standing pat w/ what we have. the quality is there...they just need discipline and direction.
Good post. I would like Steve, Cat, and Rice coming off more screens. Why play one on one when you can get open jumpers?
