TMAC the point forward? (rafer the backup playmaker?)

Luther started every game as a senior and 24 of 33 as a junior. He even started 13 games as a freshman. He was a third option after Deron Williams and Dee Brown, but he consistently started.

 

Again, why change what is statistically the best starting five in the league, by a WIDE margin?

 

even though rafer isn't adding much to the team, he is still moving the ball well and keeping TO's down.

we're 9-4. it's not a good time to change the line-up.

 

Is it just me, or does Rafer seem to be more apt to excel in an uptempo offence? Run and gun seems to suit somebody so quick and wiry. If we aren't going to haul arse to suit Rafer, why worry about sitting him to see if something else works. Rafer is our best PG. Period. But who in the NBA really uses a PG anymore? I think about 10 of the 30 teams. I would like to see a 3-guard set against the Suns with Rafer, Luther and T-Mac, Battier and Yao against the Suns, with Hayes spelling Yao when the big fella gets winded.

 

its really not about "can Tmac be a point guard"
with Tmac's passing game is up, he will get more and more open lane when he goes to basket all the way, because ppl is concerning his passing to yao/open 3-point shooters.
and im so happy to see tmac try some layup and dunks last game , the defenders were just frustrated, they have no idea what he would do, going to basket or pass.
IMO, in order for rockets to win , we need Tmac score 20+ points per game, but we DONT need him to assist 10+ every night. the passing game just a way to open up his scoring game.

 

I'm not sure you understand what +/- means. What that means is that the Grizzlies essentially have no depth, so outside of those seven guys they basically flat out suck. What our starting five's +/- rating means is that when those guys are on the court, we basically dominate other teams. It means that is, by far. the best starting five WE can put on the court. And hence the question, why would you want to change the lineup?

 

Based upon my observations of the team this season- 13games- I conclude that we have several players who can bring or pass the ball down court.
These guards are not playmakers.
The only true playmakers on our team are T Mc and V Span. These two have the court vision and ability to pass to the open man almost at will and can make this their primary goal when needed . The other Guards seem able to pass the ball but at the same time are looking for a potential shot for themselves or are expecting the ball back for an open shot.They also have trouble passing the ball over a taller defender.
Mc Grady can fall into both camps as the game dictates. It is most fortunate for the Rockets to have Tracy as the primary playmaker as he is one of the best in the NBA, something that the team has been lacking for many a year. If this is the Rockets future it makes the importance of a third strong scorer all the more important. If Bonzi is unable to be this scorer this season then possibly by trade this or next season we can find this player. Steve Novak is another potential high scorer if given the chance to truly intergrate into the team.

 

Two simple reasons why anyone who watches the games will tell you Rafer has to start.

1) Head CANNOT run a fastbreak if his life depended on it. No sir. His idea of a fastbreak, is just to get the ball and run like his life depends on it. When his teammates are lagging, and if his teammates run with him, he often passes the ball to them late.

This is where Rafer shines. He runs the fast break as well as any point guard in the league and he generally gets the ball to the wingers at the right time. Sides, you want Tmac to finish breaks, not be the one running it with the ball.

2) Head + Starting + Press defense = TO.

Luther Head has no off-hand dribble. He is strictly a right-handed player. Defense know this, which is why he often gets overplayed to his right. When he does try to go left, he usually has to pick up his dribble after 2, 3 bounces max.

Comparatively, Rafer is a one-man press buster. His handle is so steady, teams don't even try to press the Rockets when he's in the game.

Tmac? Not sure what you're watching, but we definitely don't want him to be bringing the ball up every single possession. He's a playmaker, and a damn fine one at that, but he's no point guard.

 

The thing is, as sad as it may be, Rafer is the only player on the team capable of bringing the ball up the court besides T-Mac. We havn't seen enough of V-Span but i doubt he's got a better handle than Rafer. Yes he doesn't bring offensive energy but he can bring the ball up without turning it over. All we need from a PG is to give the ball to T-Mac and Yao, athleticism is a plus. That's why V-span's been seeing some minutes. Rafer is decent enough to have the job but I still think we could use a better PG.

 

uh he never said he thought that tmac should be coming off the bench. i suggest you read the post again.

that said, i think taking rafer out of the starting lineup would be foolish. tmac should not have to bring the ball up any more than he has to, and with head in the lineup instead of rafer, you better believe tmac is going to bring the ball down the court...head, while he is an amzing shooter, is not a good handler of the basketball, which puts a lot of pressure on mcgrady to handle the ball, and create at the same time. also, i've been impressed with the way rafer breaks presses and starts the plays. head would not do anything rafer is not doing already, so it would be useless

 

I'll repeat what the man said: We're 9-4! That's pace for some 56-57 wins.

Why on earth do some ppl consistently advocate unnecessary changes?