I think this team, has a lot of potential for the playoffs. I think Rafer Alston is a solid NBA player. I am aware of the fact, that the starting lineup of YAO/chuck/shane/mac/alston is statistically dominant. BUt at this point, I would really like to see McGrady just help a bit more, and Luther start. Head has improved a lot fyi. He is still no finisher, and has doesn't do a lot outside of of the 3.... But he does hit that three, and the league will not consistently endeavor to double off of him. Hayes becomes the only liability in our offense. Remember that he and Mac have great chemistry, coupled in with his mental offensive game and he makes up for his shortcomings. We then get to run our current starting lineup in bench times.. Mutumbo Howard Wells? Snyder Alston Especially considering, that minutes with neither of the big 2 on the floor will be limited. So you have to figure one of them in that lineup at all times (considering this is the 2nd unit/lineup. Even if we go small, with no Deke or Yao, we should be ok. I can live with Alstons shooting.... But I have begun to notice, that he really is not creating that much. He is also a bit worse than Luther on D. Maybe Alston can really turn into a solid 6th or 7th man. I know he makes an ok entry pass. But so do Battier and McGrady. His shots are the kind that should come from a bench scorer, not a starting point guard. And I think that is the overriding factor here. Good player, and if he was a defensive stalwort, starting would be justified. But not that many Attempts, and minutes. Not when we just need someone to give our stars room to operate, and play d. Maybe it would not work, but I would like to see if for a few games. That or lets hope that Rafer knows it is about time to scale his offensive game way way back.
i wouldn't want Tmac to get tired bringing the ball up the floor and i certiainly dont want to see luther getting full-court pressured and turning it over. Start Vspan? but seriously having luther start would be ok as long as TMac sits more and JVG plays Snyder to relieve him luther could defend the opposing point guard while Mac could defend the lesser of the two remaining backcourt players.
http://www.jazzhoops.net/articles/article60.htm I'd like too see them take another direction. Instead of asking Rafer to shoot less, make his shots easier. That is try to use Kirk like how the Bulls use Duhon for the 10 mins so Gordon (Rafer) comes out against easier or tired defenses.
head at the point is the last thing this team needs. that guy should never handle the ball, and i mean never. maybe the occasional fastbreak. but if he's doing anything but shooting a 3, he's probably hurting this team. t-mac running point with head on the floor for shooting might be ok.
It's a bigggg risk if Head doesn't improve on how to pass. Rockets can be blown out quickly in the first quarter against teams with high speed or high intensity.
Luther's passing is far too poor if only we could combine his ability to hit the open 3 with Rafer's ball handling
Yea, but Luther will really just need to throw the entry pass, and learn to swing the ball. I just think, I want him shooting all those threes, if anyone.
Well, he can't even do that. This has been discussed so many times, and it never has been a good idea.
I would really want to see Kirk Synder to back-up Rafer Alston if he is really "a true point guard". that way both Bonzi Wells and he will have play time lineup: C: Yao / Deke / Jake PF: Chuck / Juwan SF: Battier / Bonzi SG: Tmac / Luther PG: Rafer / Kirk BRILLIANT!
Luther doesn't have the handles to play big minutes at the 1. It just puts more pressure on McGrady without Rafer on the court handling the ball. The last 6 minutes of the game... more realistic (although Head and Rafer both have weak bball IQ's).
neither Luther or Tmac are capable of running the PG position for an entire game. ANYBODY can do it for 5 possessions, you can't just stick anyone who can dribble at PG. heck LeBron could be PG, but would it be smart to start him there, NO.
I'm sure you're joking when you said start V-span. But I still cringe a little. Talking about not wanting Luther to handle the ball because he'll turn it over - and your solution is V-span. Hilarious. Good joke. I would also like to see Kirk play point. I'm not sure if he's a real good ball handler because i've never seen him play point. Against pressure defense - I don't want to see anyone handle the ball beside Rafer and Tmac.
Did anyone else notice that the only time we looked competnet last night was with Mac and Snyder on the floor, driving to the hoop? We need Snyder to get some serious minutes, I dont care at what position.
