[video] John Lucas' take on the Rockets

Some much-needed optimism. Doesn't go into too much detail but pretty much, Deron is abusing us on the pick n roll by either getting his guys open shots or making them himself.

T-mac has been absolutely useless with it. As soon as the second defender steps out on him, he backs off, making the whole pick n roll just a waste of shotclock.

Maybe we need our other players to cut hard to the basket when Yao/mac are running the PnR which would at least leave him open on the perimeter. It's better than just walking around at the top of the arc, and he'll be able to catch some cutters with a pass. Plus, when Utah adjusts to that, he will have the open mid-range to take all day.

All we need to do is adjust Mac's shot selection. That's it. That's all we need. The jazz are not murdering us. Taking contested long-range shots is ridiculous at this point. Go to the basket hard, and if they've done such a good job that you can't drive (which they've done at times) then go ahead and take the wide open perimeter jumper, or pass it to a more efficient 3-pt shooter.

Luther and Battier are really not seeing any quality possesions in this series.

 

Nice find. I've always liked John Lucas.....we could really use his heart and hustle right now. Too bad he didn't really pass his shooting touch onto JLIII, that would have been nice. I really think everything revolves around Tmac penetrating. If he drives in, that sucks the Jazz defense into the lane, and that opens up things for our shooters....then all of a sudden, it isn't 2 on 5.

 

John said it plainly (a friend of mine I haven't seein in five years btw...), our two guys are supposed to beat their five guys.

That more than anything else is what this series has come down to: 5 on 2. Simply put, the Jazz are daring ANYONE in a Rox uniform not named Yao or TMAC to do ANYTHING with the ball.

Does Rafer, Luther, Juwann, Shane, anyone have a pair of balls enough to fake a three and drive to the basket over and over and over again? They have to take the punishment, make the foul shots and get the Jazz in foul trouble because Yao and TMAC simply cannot play 2 on 5!!

 

Jeff never developed bentch.

 

the problem isn't about those guys having balls...it's about those guys having the skills too. rafer is simply a horrible finisher...but he is the only one with the ball handling skills and quickness to break down the defense but it is rendered useless by his horrible, horrible finishing.

 

I watched a couple of possessions in slo-mo (thank you DVR!) & was just watching "why isn't TMac penetrating?" The ones I saw had 3-4 Jazz in the middle . . . IN THE PAINT. They'd shut down the lane, but we've gotta get some penetration SOMEHOW!

 

I saw Shane do it a couple of times, but each time, he attempted a shot. We need the attack, but he should also look to dish some too!

 

very well said

if you don't play the bench duiring the season, do not expect them to play well in playoffs

 

Agreed! Just what I have been saying all along the way!