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What can the Rockets learn from International ball?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by pcheung, Aug 15, 2004.

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Given what's happening to Team USA, what (if anything) should the Rox change?

  1. Outside shooting: McGrady, Lue, Ward and Sura >> Mobley and Francis. Good enough.

    30 vote(s)
    18.5%

  2. Outside shooting: Additions are solid, but we'll need better.

    31 vote(s)
    19.1%

  3. Defense: Trapping man, JVG's purpose in life. Don't mess with a good thing.

    13 vote(s)
    8.0%

  4. Defense: More zone. Forcing players to think dulls their game and aggression, even a Tim Duncan.

    31 vote(s)
    19.1%

  5. Everything: Sign the entire Italian team. Trade Tmac for Arroyo. Let's get it on.

    16 vote(s)
    9.9%

  6. Can't learn anything from Olympic ball, Duncan and AI might as well be playing soccer.

    41 vote(s)
    25.3%
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  1. pcheung

    pcheung Member

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    Humble pie has been served. Puerto Rican and Carlos Arroyo style. Ouch.
    (btw 25 y/o Restricted FA Arroyo 4 yr/16 mill vs 34 y/o Ward for 3 yrs... hmm...)

    Can the Rockets learn something from the dismantling of Team USA by PR and Italy?
    Imo, it's too easy, simple and plain wrong to say, "It's a just a different game over there." When any Carlos Arroyo-fronted team can violate a team starting Tim Duncan, Iverson, Odom, Marbury, and Marion playing ANY version of basketball, you can learn something.

    We all know the excuses and legitimate weaknesses: No perimeter shooting, no prep time, rule/ref differences, etc. The diagnosis is the easy problem.

    I'm not proposing a solution to Team USA's problems. I'm asking what can the Rockets learn and copy from the incredible effectiveness international teams have negated these NBA star/superstars with a "different" blend of basketball talent. (I don't think anyone can say "inferior" any more.) The poll is just a starting point, I'm sure there are many other issues.
     
    #1 pcheung, Aug 15, 2004
  2. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    If international basketball had much relevance in the NBA, Mehmet Okur would have led the Pistons to a title instead of Rasheed and Rip, we wouldn't be talking about Peja as a playoff choker, the Mavericks would be going for a threepeat -- etc.

    Gonzaga can learn a lot from a bunch of guys who can shoot 20 foot jumpers and foul more athletic teams. The Rockets? not so much.
     
    #2 SamFisher, Aug 15, 2004
  3. PhiSlammaJamma

    PhiSlammaJamma Member

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    Uh, draft more of 'em :)

    Now, how come when UH went international for like 10 years we still stunk! Maybe UH was just slightly ahead of it time.
     
    #3 PhiSlammaJamma, Aug 15, 2004
  4. pcheung

    pcheung Member

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    Sam,

    Definitely valid historical points (except the no D/no heart Mavs).
    Now looking ahead, do you think Team USA going down will affect the way the NBA plays?
     
    #4 pcheung, Aug 15, 2004
  5. pcheung

    pcheung Member

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    Maybe the players stunk. Maybe the coaches. Maybe the fans ;)

    Don't tell me it was the wide lanes and goaltending rules. :p
     
    #5 pcheung, Aug 15, 2004
  6. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    Not unless they change the rules to mirror the int'l game.

    If the US plays Puerto Rico with 6 fouls, 23 foot 3 point lines, and an NBA level of contact is allowed -- today's game get's a lot closer.
     
    #6 SamFisher, Aug 15, 2004
  7. pcheung

    pcheung Member

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    So fouls and a further 3-pt distance makes the game closer?? Sorry, I just don't see that.

    Jack-a-three Jalonda was lighting up the US out to 25 ft.

    NBA contact is a definite difference. But they actually allow MORE loose ball contact in the paint in International ball.

    NBA rule changes in the last 10 yrs: No more hand checking and no illegal D jump out to me. Someone wants us to play a more international style.

    Think Sacramento/Dallas offense + effective team defense that negates athletic advantage.
     
    #7 pcheung, Aug 15, 2004
  8. Texas Stoke

    Texas Stoke Member

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    They can learn to play a brand of basketball made for p*****s.
     
    #8 Texas Stoke, Aug 15, 2004
  9. pcheung

    pcheung Member

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    Bottomline: Before these Oympics, I could not fathom ANY set of basketball rules that could result in Puerto Rico and Italy beat a team with Duncan and AI.
     
    #9 pcheung, Aug 15, 2004
  10. pcheung

    pcheung Member

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    Funny... how come MJ, Bird and Magic didn't come back saying, "The gold medal and the point difference (52pts!) didn't count, the rules forced us to play like p*****s." ;)
     
    #10 pcheung, Aug 15, 2004
  11. RunninRaven

    RunninRaven Member
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    Spanish.
     
    #11 RunninRaven, Aug 15, 2004
  12. gucci888

    gucci888 Member

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    If you don't put the best team on the court, you can't win against the best.
     
    #12 gucci888, Aug 15, 2004
  13. pcheung

    pcheung Member

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    Back in Rockets terms, IF NBA basketball is going to take a more international tack, I want us to be ready. IMO, our 1994 championship team DOESN'T win with 2004 NBA rules: Dream gets mobbed with a strong side zone, we've got no other star to create.

    Think the US automotive industry when the Japanese started making cars: "Hehe... them funny fellers, we got Henry Ford!!!"

    What do you drive?
     
    #13 pcheung, Aug 15, 2004
  14. Clutch

    Clutch Administrator
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    Off topic but...

    The funny thing is Arroyo no doubt wanted to sign before playing International ball because of the risk of injury. He wanted some security. Probably no big deal to him either since he's probably happy with his money. BUT, if he waited a little longer in free agency he would have gotten more. Had he waited even longer than that, until after this performance today, the Jazz would be sweating bullets and paying one hell of a lot more.
     
    #14 Clutch, Aug 15, 2004
  15. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    That's a rather one dimensional assessment. First off, their percentage goes down as a simple function of physics and mathematics.

    Second, and most importantly, the longer line helps the US on offense too -- Int'l players have to cover more ground and the lane gets less clogged for Duncan & co. -- they still have to run at US shooters.

    more loose ball contact if you're playing against the US...

    Don't get me started on the rule changes -- allowing the zone to encourage more scoring is simply one of the dumbest ideas of all time.

    Sacramento, Dallas, and almost any NBA team this side of the Bobcats would crush Puerto Rico under NBA rules.
     
    #15 SamFisher, Aug 15, 2004
  16. pcheung

    pcheung Member

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    Watching the game today, I almost pulled MY groin watching that move he put on Stoudamire. ;)
    That kid is good. But the Rox front office had 70+ NBA starts to evaluate him.
     
    #16 pcheung, Aug 15, 2004
  17. SmeggySmeg

    SmeggySmeg Member

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    don't forget tech fouls not counting as personals, no travelling rules, palming allowed and preferential treatment for star players then the US would have a level playing field
     
    #17 SmeggySmeg, Aug 15, 2004
  18. KaiSeR SoZe

    KaiSeR SoZe Member

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    International traveling calls are ridiculous
     
    #18 KaiSeR SoZe, Aug 15, 2004
  19. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    Yeah, Darrell Garretson & co. can't match the principled neutrality of those FIBA refs....
     
    #19 SamFisher, Aug 15, 2004
  20. SmeggySmeg

    SmeggySmeg Member

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    must be terrible having referees who don't bend the rules depending on who the player is
     
    #20 SmeggySmeg, Aug 15, 2004
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