When I can't sleep at night, I like to review Rocket's tapes and tell my dog what Rudy's doing. She feigns interest. Last night, I couldn't stop thinking of the glorious win (wasn't there a football game yesterday as well?). I must have watched that game 3 times already. Does anyone else asks themselves why Bullard is still starting? And apparently not hurting us with his defense or strapping us with one-dimensional offense. I think I have an answer now. Bullard looks like the smartest player on the court when it comes to knowing the offense. He is never out of place, sets the best picks, and uses picks the best. Watch him. Rudy nearly always has him strong-side. Plus, something I could see only on tape is they are doing plays where Bullard must decide whether to set a pick or use one, depending on what the d is doing. He is very quick at making up his mind and making the right decision. These are reads without the ball, just as important as reads from Francis with the ball. Bullard looks very comfortable in this new offense. I think we can say he's not the one-dimensional player the league pegged him as. Now I see why Rudy dropped MacLean and Mack in favor of Bullard. Rudy must know Bullard has great court-sense.
Heypartner, I definitely agree with you on Bullard's court sense and savvy. He is a smart player who does not make many mistakes. What he lacks in athleticism, he makes up for in mental strength. There is a reason he is still around and getting PT. The downside is that he is not a good defensive player. He is a less than average rebounder for his size. Bullard is not a liability though. I can think of many instances I have been glad he was a Rocket. He can flat out shoot the ball!
Very astute observation about Bullard. I don't know about the rest of you, but I sure hadn't noticed it, and it certainly challenges the prevailing wisdom about him on this board. But that's not even half as interesting as your schedule, HP. Replaying game tapes to cure your insomnia? Three times? Analyzing the new plays? Scrutinizing how the role players set and use picks? If you're not on the Rockets' staff, they'd better start paying you anyway.
Will...I get plenty of ribbing from my girlfriend for my fanaticism. But she allows me this one since I've stopped watching all other sports (including college bball). I definitely had to give up something to fit this in. I must admit; I replayed it once during super bowl commercials and halftime. I higly recommend a Sony VCR with jog-shuttle as well. You can review a game in under 48-minutes. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited January 31, 2000).]
HeyPartner I remember hearing during the game that Francis and Bullard get along real well. They commented that it was because Bullard gets Francis alot of assist by standing at the 3 and buring them. But maybe you hit on the Real Reason Bullard sets nice picks and rotates off them very well esp. with Steve w/ the ball. Maybe he gives steve the Most Space and the edge he needs to make other plays. sometimes it's not the Quarterback or the Running back . .. It's the Line. Rocket River since there was some football game on yesterday
I am glad to see people are finally giving The Bull some credit. He is really having a good season. He is only averaging 7.26pts a game for the season but in the past 5 games he is averaging 13.4pts a game and if you take out the Minnesota game where he played badly and averaged the other 4 games out of the last 5 his average is at 16.75pts. Matt is finally coming on as the great player that I always knew he was. <A HREF="http://www.clutchcity.net/playerinfo_current.cfm?PlayerID=30"> Clutch's Stats On Bullard.</A> ------------------ ~John~ The Bull Is Back!! JohnyRocket's Fan Site
I think they like using Bullard to pick for Francis because Bull has the slow power forwards on him, who can't help out on Francis that well. This helps. Not against Minnesota though...ugh.
Bullard needs to learn how to hit clutch shots. I've seen him miss so many shots for game winners, last minute, etc. He does not shoot well under pressure. If he did, he would be a much more feared player.
Air Frances, I disagree. From my memory, I remember Bullard hitting many key shots for us. However, I do think Bullard can't hit shots when he is rushed.
Bullard can hit shots when he's "rushed". Notice all the quick shots with him coming off of picks? After years of watching other teams do it to us, I'm so glad to see it used in our offense with Bull and Wiz - almost automatic from the free-throw line.
Although we're obviously running a new offense these days, it can't hurt that Bull has been in a Rockets uniform for most of the last decade... He understands how Rudy coaches, and surely a lot of elements of Rudyball are going into this new offense that were also characteristic of the old "dump" offense. Not the obvious ones, the subtle ones... the kind you have to watch during Superbowl commercials to catch... Keep it up, partner... wish I had the luxury... ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
No, not yrt. I'm not convinced about Bull. I've watched him on two tours with this team, and for every game I've said, "well, thank god at least Bullard knows what to do with the ball", I've had times when I've said, "Bullard, you idiot, don't swat at the guys elbow, either foul his butt and stop the layup, or get the heck off the court." I go crazy when I see those "floating" rebounds just slip out of his hands and into the other teams. Too often he punches at the ball instead of truly fighting for it. I think I'd prefer a little bigger body who can set those picks and clean up the boards. But hey the guy's a monster with the 3, no doubt. Just don't know. A Rockets connundrum.....: )...
The one thing I have noticed along those lines...is that it seems when Bull and Stevie are on the court at the same time they just run pick and roll with the two of them.
How about his defensive game vs. the Hornets? I mean DEFENSIVE!!! He had 3 blocks! Also altered several shots! If he's going to play like that night in and night out, are we talking playoffs? Champs?
playata, Yeah, that's largely what we did to the Hornets. Here's my take, 1. We start with the pick-n-roll to see how they defend it...Rudy said in Monday's Chronicle that if the opponents to not play it properly, he's fine with that being the only play of the game...opps must stop it first. 2. Next option with Bull is the double pick for a ft-line jumper. Walt and Dream get this call, too. 3. Next option with Francis once the pick-n-roll is stopped is the wing clear-out. We did this against the Lakers often. Here, Bullard helps get Francis double-picks coming from the weak side, at the same time if they try to clog him in the lane so he can't get to Fransics, he flashes to the top of the key for a shot or pass option.
Heypartner -- I'm still trying to clean the coffee off my keyboard and monitor after reading the thread title -- I never thought I would read the words "Bullard" and "Evolving Game" in the same sentence. Curiosity led me to read your post and, I must admit, you have a point. I have been shocked to see steals and blocked shots show up in Bullard's box score and I hope it continues. Bullard knows his place in the offense and plays with his head. That I like. But let's not kid ourselves. Bullard is about as one-dimensional as it gets. He is still the below average defender he has always been. He is a poor rebounder. He's not going to be winning any battles for loose balls. Driving around Bullard is only slightly more difficult than driving around an oak tree.
Kissofdeath, sorry about the coffee!! we agree. none of my points were about his defense. In fact, I remarked "who else is surprised he's still starting". meaning, including me, giving his poor defense. the "evolving game" is a look at his new offensive role. I guess I should retract and say, "evolving role". [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited February 02, 2000).]
I always knew Bullard could play. Even as a little kid growing up on 43rd street in Des Moines, Matt was a good bball player. I used to kill him at Marbles though. I am surprised he is such a heady player, as I took all his marbles. Des Moines boys can hoop it up. DaDakota
