Shandon is very unhappy with the system because he has to spot up and wait on the three point line and is having trouble playing his game. Pippen was complaining about the very same thing, granted we changed the system, but since there are still isolations that is why someone is waiting up at the three point line. Shandon is being a lot more professional about the siutation and I think Rudy really needs to add some flexability to the system, allowing Shandon to play his game as well as have some isolation plays called. What do you guys think? ------------------ "I would like to live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were ever supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever." -Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss Universe contest
I think that after the sacrifice shandon made to join the rockets, it wouldn't be that big a deal for them to occassionally reward his hard work by giving him some plays or post ups. ------------------
DaneB, I think it is completely wrong to compare Shandon's situation to #33. If you are going to compare the two, then we could easily say they are both complainers about two teams, not just one (us). Tell, why did Shandon use the same excuse to leave Utah....more shots, bigger role? This system has flexibility, and Shandon has no patience. Maybe the ISOs and pick n rolls are necessary, because other systems require a natural scoring Shooting Guard. Shandon is no Michael Dickerson...tell me what system you'd use, before you say it is Rudy's fault. And unearned post ups by a guy who constantly gets stripped and passes the ball away when we give it to him there is NO ANSWER. Shandon overrates his offense ability. Shandon is a way below average shooting guard offensive player. Coaches don't change systems for the Shandon's of the NBA. Don't blame this on Rudy. And don't even think about comparing this #33.
Posting him up and running some sort of slashing plays now and then is hardly changing the system. Forget the "system". The system should revolve around all the players, they shouldn't relolve around the system. No patience? He's played in every game since he signed with Houston. He's been here for almost 2 years, at way under his market value, and has hardly complained a bit. And you say he has no patience? The Rockets should be putting more effort into getting Shandon involved. He is a talented slasher, capable of scoring in the low post against smaller guards. In the entire season, I doubt that Shandon has been posted up 10 times. About once every 8 games, Shandon gets a post-up play. That is inexcusable. Anyway, forget the system. The rule changes are going to wipe it out. Shandon has a right to be upset, and frankly, so did Pippen. Shandon, however, is handling the situation much better. I might not be an offensive expert, but running a few plays for Shandon couldn't hurt. I'm not talking about those threes he is always forced to shoot. I'm talking about post-ups. And, whatever else Rudy can figure out. Something other than an iso, which Shandon does not do well. ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan. [This message has been edited by ZRB (edited April 08, 2001).]
If our big men rebound and outlet, and Francis pushes the ball, I don't think this is even an issue. ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure.
ZRB, so I will write you down has someone who is quick to blame Rudy for everything...nothing new there. Face it man, Shandon has shown up being horrible in post ups, slashing and shooting. You can't compare gripes from a bench quality offensive player to #33. And ZRB, if you don't think it is a change in system to give Shandon what he wants, then explain to me why Shandon himself calls it a change in system. The entire team must practice plays to different players...this is not a video game. And, I'll leave you with this: Did Michael Dickerson want to bail for having to shoot jumpers and slash to the basket to get points. Does Rogers? Why not? [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited April 08, 2001).]
I would like to agree with you NIKEstrad. But I think he also wants to simply play for a better team. He said that he is spoiled about playing for Utah, and has tasted the fun of the playoffs, and wants it back. That is another reason I say he is impatient. Another reason I can't completely agree with you NIKE is because I believe when Shandon calls for an uptempo style in a zone league, he is asking for a secondary breaks where you look for the quick strike low post to the first person down the court. There you are right. But the one who must make the decision is Francis. So, really you should append you comment to say, Francis should run and give it to Shandon in secondary breaks. One thing about Shandon is he is often the first person down the court to set in the low post. So it is a 3 on 3 with trailers coming quickly, and Francis decides not to give it to the low post. Is that because Francis and Shandon are feuding (as rumor had it), or because the PG feels there are better options. That is the low post Shandon wants. I don't think he is asking for the half court set low post. Still, Michael Dickerson is so much better than that it ain't funny. The ways Shandon wants to score are easy to find. And we could even get a better slasher or shooter, which he isn't, for sure. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited April 08, 2001).]
I completely agree with Heypartner. Shandon has had his chances the entire season. But the guy can never hit a shot when you need one. For some reason, if shandon isn't on at the beginning of the game he won't be on at all. Rudy has given everyone opportunities. Do you think Rudy tells Norris before the game, "Dude Norris, I want you to score 30 points tonight, oh and by the way hit some off the wall shots for us to get some ESPN game recap moments" Well, "NO, FK'N way" The man just play's in the flow of the game. Shandon if you can't do that go some where else!!! ------------------
heyparty-No question Dickerson is a much better SG than Shandon. That's not even a debate (though, due to lack of defense and height he may not be as good an SF-Would you start Dickerson at if we had him instead of Shandon?) If we got more fastbreaks started by outlets, there's a better chance of Shandon getting the transition buckets that consist of most of his offense, and make him happy. If he wants to play on a better team, and can have a bigger role, more power to him. I just hope Rudy and CD have options of another swingman defensive player before we throw Shandon completely out of the boat. If we had a better SF option (ie- Walt not building a brickhouse), I wonder if Shandon would move Shandon to 6th man-come off the bench with Moochie, who seems to be a little better than Francis at this point at getting the entire offense involved, that's not a knock on Francis. ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited April 08, 2001).]
NIKE, Really, I have no problems with Shandon...as a bench player. I would pay him top dollar for bench duty and starter duty when injuries occur. I definitely do not want to dismiss the importance of the Shandon's in the NBA. About the fastbreak, you know I agree with that. The question is: Should Francis use Shandon in the low post as a 1st option in the secondary break when the defense is down, but not set. I'm in this thread, because whatever DaneB and ZRB are talking about, it is not Rudy's fault or comparable to #33. People say that Shandon was better in Utah, so it must be Rudy's fault. What kind of argument is that? Grandmamma was 20/10 for his first 3 seasons, so Van Gundy must suck by not giving Johnson more post-ups. Maybe...just maybe...there is enough tape of Shandon throughout the league that everyone knows how to stop his post-ups...let's see: ahh, he can't go left; he exposes the ball if he spins; and he has no turnaround J. It is much easier to defend someone when you know his weaknesses. The league knows; Shandon apparently doesn't.
DaneB: Despite HP's analysis, I'd be inclined to agree with you. Rudy's system just isn't conducive to slashers. That includes Scottie Pippen, Shandon Anderson, and... well, we haven't h ad many slashers, have we? I actually don't think this is a bad thing. Different coaches prefer different types of games. ------------------ I would believe only in a God who could dance. - Friedrich Nietzsche
How can you say he's been horrible in post-ups? He's been posted about 8 times the entire year. That is hardly an accurate measure of his abilities. All I want is for the Rockets to mix it up offensively. I'm sure if Rudy is such a genius, that he could design some sort of play for Shandon other than getting him three point shots. ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan.
Haven, Shandon isn't a good slasher. Drexler was a shooter/slasher. Horry was a good Shooter/Slasher. Elie was a good Shooter/Slasher. And Dickerson was a shooter/slasher. Rogers can slash and finish without the ball. Kenny can too. Rudy's system is not conducive to someone who can't slash. Period. Haven, do you really not see wide open creases for weakside players. Hell, how many times have we seen Bullard slash this year. Probably more in his entire career. Shandon is not a good slasher. nor shooter. nor post-up. You cannot compare him or this team to #33's situation. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited April 08, 2001).]
ZRB, please don't exaggerate so profusely, by saying he has posted up only 8 times. The man can't go left, spin without exposing the ball for a strip, or shoot a turnaround J when he is in the post. How many times do you have to see that before you realize Rudy and Francis are right to wave him out of the post-up. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited April 08, 2001).]
I am not exaggerating. I swear to you, I have seen Shandon posted only about 8 times this year. Maybe I'm wrong, but it certainly hasn't been more than 15 times. Shandon is a great finisher. That is his skill. I know that if he were to get more opportunities to post up, he would prove his abilities. Could it really hurt to design a play for him? With 5 practice sessions (games) left, surely they could figure out a way to better involve Shandon? ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan.
I swear to you ZRB, Rudy has designed plays for him. I vividly recall one after the "feud" with Francis, where Shandon got 4 set in a row, and failed miserably. Shandon got one last night, and threw it away. He was in front of the Rockets bench, got a baseline entry about 10-15' away. Shandon needs no plays called for him. What I do agree with is Shandon wanting to force the tempo. Actually, that is all I really hear him asking for. He does an excellent job of getting low post position early in secondary breaks. But, what I've said to NIKE about, is that is what Rudy is teaching, and that decision whether to pass to Shandon on secondary breaks is Francis's decision. Again, this thread is about this being Rudy's fault and "awfully familiar" to #33. That, I cannot understand. If anyone is to blame for not enough uptempo or secondary breaks that get Shandon low post, it is the point guard's. And I back to saying Shandon is impatient with the point guard's development, then.
If that is the case, then he should have those plays run for him more often. He has had so few plays run for him, that when he does get them, any sort of failure makes him look bad. Believe me, I'm not that eager for Shandon to get more shots. I just want him to be happy enough to stay on the team. I like the hustle and defense he brings every single night. The Rockets will need a player like that to be successful in the future. I just want him to be happy enough to stay on the team. ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan.
Shandon doesn't need. or deserve, any play calls for him. In fact, Rudy even has a play for him, where he sets a pick then rolls to the basket.They do run that for him 2-3 times a game. The problem with having Shandon post up, is that it would be completely out of the flow of the Rocket's offense. I do see Francis trying to get Shandon more involved in the offense, like making the extra pass to him in the half court set and looking for him more on the break. Shandon wants the break, and he has been getting it lately, and it doesn't have anything to do with our point guard changing his game and pushing the ball more. It has everything to do with Kenny Thomas being our power forward. With him and Dream on the floor at the same time, you have our 2 best outletters on the floor to initiate the fast break. Mo Taylor and Kelvin Cato are HORRIBLE at outletting the ball. The only aspect of Francis' game, as far as improving the fast break goes, is that he's leaking to the middle more as opposed to the sideline. ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited April 08, 2001).]
The comparison is valid by DaneB in that both Pippen and Anderson's strengths are not utilized by the Rockets' offensive OR DEFENSIVE scheme. The Rockets team defense is horrid, has been since '97. The difference is that Shandon has been quiet about it, played for far less than he could have made, and gone about his business professionally. Attacking Shandon is a joke to me. If you think he doesn't fit, fine. But to attack the guy is just a joke. ZRB is right on all counts. And Shandon is a better SG right now than Michael Dickerson, who has no in-between game and shoots 41% from the field. Shandon plays so much better D than Dickerson it's not even funny. I find it just hilarious how hp gets on ZRB for "exaggerating", when he can't talk about Shandon without doing it: "Tell, why did Shandon use the same excuse to leave Utah....more shots, bigger role?" This is untrue. He left because he didn't like the city, wanted more playing time, and wanted to be a part of a younger nucleus. He was professional about it, and exercised his option as a free agent. "Shandon overrates his offense ability. " This one I love. The only thing I can think of to respond to this is a big W-T-F ? Good luck backing that one up. Nice exaggeration. "Shandon has no patience." Yeah, he's only played for less than he's worth for the past 2 years for a team that doesn't utilize him and he hasn't complained about it. NO PATIENCE, indeed. Nice exaggeration--wait, better make that NICE LIE. "Did Michael Dickerson want to bail for having to shoot jumpers and slash to the basket to get points. " Michael Dickerson's game consists ENTIRELY of spot-up shooting. Why would he complain about having to do that? " ZRB, please don't exaggerate so profusely" Yeah, ZRB, don't exaggerate.
