I don't see how JVG is apt at coaching his team in their offensive game. One just doesn't put the words "offense" and "JVG" in the same statement unless it is in negative form.
Mark Twain wasn't talking about basketball. Season averages are actually MUCH better gauges of how a player does than a handfull of games. Take any 3 games out of a batch of 50 or 60 and you can make a player an all-star or put him out of the league, particularly a role player. It isn't about too much defense. We've been in four games, three of which have had no T-Mac. The reality is that, without your best player, spacing is going to be bad. Teams are going to force tougher shots because they don't have to pay attention to him. Rotations are going to be off. Guys are going to be on the floor with other guys that aren't used to being there. Ryan Bowen was not supposed to be a starter. Luther Head wasn't even supposed to play. Wesley is going through a slump that is no doubt the result of his recovery from surgery. Will he recover at all? No one knows at this point. But, the remaining players are struggling due to a DRAMATIC shift in rotation. They aren't getting the open looks they would get with T-Mac and they are being forced to play on the floor with guys they aren't used to playing with every day. Add to McGrady being out the fact that Head is a rookie and two of our starters are new to the system and you see where that leads.
This excuse that JVG put too much empasis on defense that our offense suffers is a joke. what about last season?. remember where we destroyed the suns at there own game?. the team is going through a shooting slump. give it time.
I also feel that way. Another thing is, JVG seems to concentrate on correcting defense first. In my opinion, defense is harder to learn and is probably taking up majority of practice time. Remember last year's start, when we had new players, offense in the first month sucked, but we would see steady improvements in defense. This year we have a new team again, and I'm seeing the same trend. Just like last year, I'm not worried at all. Enjoy the ride guys, it's going to be a fun year.
sarcasm/ And then there is that steenking Yao, man! He is only averaging 20.8 ppg and a lousy 10.5 rebounds; his TO's are um, hey uh, only 1.25 per game. But he is only blocking, uh only 3.25 shots per game. Wasn't he supposed to work his a$$ off and become a 20/10 player? When is he going to get it done? Oh I guess he has! Wow, what a disappointing season so far..... I musta fallen off the bandwagon, someone give me hand, maybe I'll climb back on since Tmac is playing tonight. But only for one game. I will reevaluate game by game. /sarcasm
I remember last year when we traded for Mike James (middle of last year ) he came here and shot well especially the first week.
I'm surprised at the reaction we are having here on the forum... especially from vet members who went through this exact same thing last year and we know how it all turned out once the kinks were worked out. I'm still very excited about the season and also about all the new guys.. yes, i do shake my head at Swifts lunacy but I also know that his game will improve, as will our gaurds shooting. In JVGs system, or with any system, repitition is the key to efficiency. Once they know who is going to be where, and what they are going to do before it happens, then everything comes natural. Right now they are still guessing on offense and defense, give us more games and practice time there will be less guessing and more knowing. This group of guys aren't like the Francis clique, they are normally high IQ and good and willing passers, so improvement is a given with more time together. Let's think clearly these next couple of games and we should all know the value of Tmac on this team.
Solid poses an interesting question here. I don't think it's a problem with JVG's offensive system or an over-emphasis on defense. I think we just have a bunch of streaky shooters on this team and they currently stuck in the bad part of the streak. That's my one big concern about this team is its offensive consistency. For reasons still unknown, this team goes through periods where they struggle to score out of the 30% range and that harkens back to the Rudy T era. Now Jeff, Clutch and others appear to be hanging their hat on the fact that the Rockets are playing withut their best player and that is true but I have to agree with the point that they weren't exactly playing Detroit or San Antonio or Miami with a healthy motivated Shaq and that these were games they should have won TMac or no TMac. That's why I maintain that there are still a lot of questions about this team even with a healthy TMac. The pieces look good on paper but somehow fail to properly fit on the court. While they started out just as poorly last year, this situation is vastly different because they (theoretically) have much better players on the team this year. Better talent should produce a better product on the court and so far that just ain't happening. As such, I can understand the angst from losing but it's still too early to start fretting over their won lost record.
I was really impressed with Swift in the Miami game. He played with heart. Alston, Head, and Anderson all play with crisp passing and very good ball movement. They just need some time. Even Wesley hit a couple of shots. When you are past your prime and slow - the Rockets as a destination for a Glen Rice, Rod Strickland, Charlie ward, Sedale Threatt, and David Wesley is a shooter's graveyard. Nothing left to do.
After the Boston game this topic needs to be revisited. The guards shot 18% out of 40 attempts! That's just crazy for professional players making millions, just crazy. Church leagues have higher shooting percentages.
Derrick Anderson. David Wesley. Rafer Alston. They are the gravediggers. If we are to make a serious run for the trophy, these guys will have to be replaced somewhere down the line, or they will have a Rocket's tombstone made, brick by brick, before spring. offensivley, they just don't have it. we'll have to find replacements who do. Sura returning, would help. Perhaps Sprewell would be enough. But the goal should be to have Anderson down at the end of the bench, Wesley traded, and Alston as nothing more than a backup point who can give you a few minutes.
The team is shooting 40.4% Yao : 51% TMac 47% Rest of team : 35% (that includes JHowad's stellar 45%)
