This team has been pretty much built except for our young players and even when JVG was here contract wise. They would get players on other teams with no or very little playoff expirience from teams that had these players who would pay these players just to help get a team to he playoffs and bring excitement to their city. Teams like the Spurs are quite different they look for guys that can fit in as well as guys that gives them flexability for the next season but then they will get guys with playoff expirience and pay them accordingly on what they do in the playoffs and not the regular season because for some if not most players in the league are paid this way especially most teams out East. Playoff payroll and expirience is one thing and you need the right core to get you there. Payroll during the regular season is another and you need players to provide the boost.
adelman's system is not bread and butter. it is not like jvg... he will adjust. problem is, he adjusted the rotation that won them 22 games in a row
We only need a penetrator off the bench because with Yao on the floor it clogs the lane and not enough spacing. But that is next season could Alston be that man to penetrate with Yao off the floor and we go small? Alston is the type of player thats is in the wrong fit at this moment. Mutombo isnt a finisher and Yao clogs the paint i think he plays alot better with Scola and Landry on the floor but that is just me. Alston is the type of player who's contract tells me is built for the regular season but has alot to prove in the playoffs. Then again he was paid what Toronto paid him because maybe they thought he was there PG who could push a team to the playoffs and bring excitement to that city. At this point a little not too much over paid but is ideal for back up role just my opinion.
Also at this point in Alston's career he is best suited for back up role matter fact he isnt the unproven point guard who is going to come off the bench and turn the ball over. I think he is better than any other back up out there. The problem is not having both Scola and Landry on the floor because Yao and Mutombo clog the paint. Mutombo and Hayes are not known as finishers. When we go small he is very good with Scola and Landry combo. He is capable of setting up a offense too this is why i like him as back up. Moving him in a package wont solve our back up issues. I think its more safe to have Brooks on the floor when Mutombo or Hayes is on the court. If we move alston than makes it to me seem as if landry is more exspandble i think its a bad idea to trade Alston. He is underrated as a starter and would excell off the bench with the likes of Francis beside him and Scola/Landry up front.
When ever Adelman adjusts to the defensive line up or match up i truely do believe though that Brooks has the speed and excelleration along with finishing abilities and range to start a transition break. Mutombo will block a shot or Hayes will strip the ball and they will pass to Alston/Jackson/T-Mac what we dont see is Brooks turning on after burners when this happens. Alston is about setting up the offfense. T-Mac is about creating for others. Jackson is about finsing the right location and time to shoot. This is just what i have noticed with this team. Alston is a very good defender as well and alot of times we dont get to see a transition break after a blocked shot or striped ball.
Rafer is out?!?!?!? If so, that's just Wow! Could be an extreme turning point tonight if so, and that turning point could go up or straight down. One part of me hopes it is true and we get to see Brooks. The other part of me hopes it isn't true because if Brooks don't cut it, we are totally screwed.
Yeah, but on the bright side, we still have B Jax. Hopefully AB can produce with the minutes he's given.
Sorry, somebody has to take Rafer's minutes. BJax is already playing. He ain't gonna cover all those minutes. It's either Head or Brooks. And I sure hope we don't have to see Head for 30+ minutes tonight.
I remember we were struggling last season playing without Rafer, he is just quick and runs the offense well. I hope Bobby and Aaron can contribute well tonight
I'm aware, I was just saying that hopefully AB can produce with the minutes he's given. B Jax will get the majority, but I agree, either AB or Luther have to step up tonight.
I hope we don't see luther running the offense. Start brooks, bring in jackson. Just grow some like popovich did and play the young guy.
aaron brooks (passing pg) > rafer alston (shoot and miss pg) sure, brooks only had 3 assists, but he and luther really gave much needed movement on the court. opened things up for tmac... brooks should be getting more time. at this point, this season is about the future.. invest in it!
Brooks did an exceptional job tonight, but im not quite ready to say he is more valuable then Rafer is...but i agree he deserves more playing time Mehdi
What works. Alston/Scola/Landry/Battier/T-Mac = good numbers alot of points in the paint = key to mis match problems for small ball. Even Francis and Jackson can produce but Adelman rarely runs it he will run Head lately and has failed do to Head shooting off the dribble and the lack of Francis attacking and the lack of Scola and Landry together. Alston/Jackson/Scola/T-Mac/Battier = good numbers = small ball catch and shoot situation. Jackson is basically playing the roll of what Mike James and Steve Francis was supposed to be. Jackson is a better shooter off the dribble then Head. Alston/Yao/Scola/Battier/T-Mac = good numbers period. Our real starting 5. What Adelman has not tried and will work or should go back to. Defensive rotation key for the playoffs. The best defensive line up without losing production on offense. Mutombo/Hayes/Battier/T-Mac/Brooks = Brooks will step up with after burners. Alston does not fit in with this line up because he is not good enough to sink a jumper or is Mutombo/Hayes good enough at finishing causing Alston to brick a floater. Brooks/Mutombo/Scola/T-Mac/Battier = Brooks has the range and speed to finish the transition break off a blocked shot or striped ball and in catch and shoot situation after T-Mac creates the shot for him. This is where Alston should be on the bench because he does not play well with those 4 players. If he does he needs to change the playbook to find T-Mac off screens. Mutombo and Hayes are not known as finishers. Brooks shoots off the dribble better than Alston. Scola/Hayes/Battier/T-Mac/Alston = Alston should be on the bench in favor of Brooks. Its the same as above anytime Mutombo or Hayes is on the court Brooks should be playing. T-Mac picknroll or picknslip works with Scola craftiness and Brooks as the speed up high and range. What works well tonight in the backcourt. Brooks/Head = Much better shooting. Alston is best suited in small ball situations with Scola and Landry or even Yao and Scola in the starting line up just what i have noticed. Will make the right pass to Scola/Yao or Feed the post/high-post Yao/Scola. All of these combinations worked during the streak or Pre T-Mac/Yao Injury. Basically Alston is the bad fit at this moment and next season should come off the bench.
