Lots of issues have been exposed in the past few games, especially in losses. But I think the biggest problem we have right now is identity, or lacking thereof. Last night, we didn't lose because of the last play, or that Parson's inbound pass, or even terrible FTs from Howard, or Harden's overdone ISOs, we lost because we don't know what kind of team ball we are supposed to play. Last year, we have a clear identity, and everyone was buying into it. Everyone pushes the ball, and we spread floor. Yes, Harden still did ISO, a few times too many in certain games; or Lin or any other players have made lots of mistakes at both ends of the floor. But they know what's expected from them. The fans, and even the media know Rockets brand basketball is about outscoring you with drive and 3s. This year, we are better on paper, and we have been winning by relying on pure talents. But what's our identity/team-ball right now? Are we defensively focused because we've got TT? From one game, it looked that way, and the TT created a no-fly zone. It was exciting to watch. Are we still driving and shooting 3s? From another game, we surely looked that way, and it was very enjoyable as well. Then the next game, we kept going to Howard, albeit not super efficient, we surely looked like doing some serious business of inside-out. It's not like we have so many tricks up the sleeves and we are able to execute them to perfection. It's also not the case, that we are so flexible, and the coaching staff study opponents thoroughly and throw out a style to counter specific teams. The real reason we've shown differently in playing styles in just 6 games, is we don't have a style everyone has bought into, or enforced by the coaching staff. We are a talented team, unlike Tmac-Yao team, who can only play one brand of basketball, but we need to make a decision on which way we are going. It really doesn't matter whose strength is fully utilized, and who needs to put in extra effort to compensate the changes. We are good enough to play together for the win. Having options is great, but you cannot go half-a$$ed on each option, then you will end up with nothing. Coaching staff needs to pick a road and have everyone go along together. Right now, we seem to rely on players' instincts, spontaneously decide how/what to play, at any given night. If we are winning, it looks fine. But if we are losing, then coach, players, fans will blame each other to no end, because everyone wasn't on the same page to begin with. When things get tougher, winning in random way could be even more difficult. The season is still young, but we'd better be hurry.
The coaching staff has to figure this out. And the problem is even if McHale DID make specific moves, Harden would most likely ignore them.
On D: TT, Harden needs to work harder. On O: Lin getting everyone involved, especially D12; and Harden finishing.
A team with a lameduck coach, slapping together wins through sheer talent alone. Oh, and ISO. Not mention the most boring and ugly basketball i've seen since becoming a Rockets fan in 08-09. If Harden can win us games by just his will, imagine how good this team could be if they actually played like a team, moved the ball, communicated with each other. 4-2 people say, well why couldn't we be 6-0 with a handful of blowout wins? Never settle for less than what talent is capable of. So its early in the season, they'll figure it out...well we said that early last season too about Harden, no more excuses. I can't even comment on whether things are working, such as the twin towers, because it doesn't look like there was any effort to make it work to begin with. You'd think there'd be a ton of movement and screens having both of them out there, but they just stand there.
Underdog mentality We played better when we had that instead of the Top 5 team or Top 4 in the West prediction
On OFFENSE: In theory, starting from Finch on down (or up?), our identity is supposed to be a non-pg centric system offense where each wing or forward should be able to bring it down and make plays, like a herd of horses running down I think he said, thereby making our offense unpredictable and not reliant on any player. Thereafter, if and when this breaks down, our offense is supposed to be a quick passing, cutting, ball sharing read and react offense with the occasional throw into Howard and Harden isos with a smattering of pnrs here and there. The problems, however, are numerous and our coaching staff is not up to the challenge of changing up our strategy when certain parts don't fit according to their ideological model. That is the sign of a good coaching staff, fitting the model to the players at hand to maximise the talent. As an example, Parsons was clearly instructed to be that third guy and to handle the ball better and to play make more often. I'm quite certain, unless Parsons went all crazy and really did let his popularity amongst everyone in Houston get to his head, that the coaching staff requested him to step up his playmaking and that they would use him as a third weapon behind Harden and Howard. In fact, Parsons got the nod over Lin enough that Lin was delegated to the bench as a Harden, Howard, Parsons triangle of offense should suffice in terms of playmaking. The fact of the matter is, Parsons with his height, weak handles and natural abilities does not have the jukes nor the speed to gain an advantage over his defender and therefore would NOT be able to draw another defender which is necessary to be a playmaker. Thus, we are relegated to Harden isos and Howard post ups/free throws all game long. What this team needed was a pg, who can let Parsons be effective without having him fake every shot to gain an advantage, lol, as that is his only way. It'll also have the impact of making Harden be efficient, which he naturally can be, but often isn't. Just look at his 3 pt stats. I think he's like 26% or something like that, and in volume! And do I even have to mention that Howard's post ups really slow down our potent offense. McHale's dislike for Lin's turnover heavy style and his non-up-in-your-face full court press style of defense is making him miss this simple fact that even Barkley could see. WE NEED THE PG TO PLAY PG! And Lin's an excellent distributor of the ball. On DEFENSE, the coaching staff's number one concern is penetration and points in the paint and we are supposed to help double down when any post play or penetration is initiated. The second primary concern is to stop the point of attack starting as close to the half court line as possible. Nearly a box and one press, to a degree. The problems, however, are also numerous on this end and most especially is OUTDATED! The league has substantially improved and increased the volume and quality of 3 pt shots in recent years and now, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TWIN TOWERS, our perimeter players should defend the 3 pt line at all cost!! Not the penetration! We have bigs that can nullify a lot of drives and plays, it's the over helping that is a big problem from all our players. Lin is a prime culprit and I hope he cuts that out. In fact, it's been pretty obvious recently that that in fact is what is causing our downfall. In summary, our coaching staff are not changing along with the roster's strengths and with the times and must go if they don't demonstrate the ability to see what even a decent regional player and coach can see without even being privy to any of the practices. And just to let them know, there are practice players and gamers. Lin, I realize, is not much of a practice player and this has been documented all throughout his life, but just look at the games. How can anyone make the assertion that Lin doesn't belong in the starting lineup with a straight face especially if Lin continues to show that his 3 and defense did really improve. It's a travesty that our coaching staff is the barrier between our championship aspirations and our current debacle. Why is everyone so blind regarding Lin, I have no idea. If everyone saw just stats and the game without being able to see the players themselves, I would bet money that 90% would think Lin is one of the best players on the squad and deserves to start and have more say so on the court for so many reasons.
I am going to shamelessly bump up my own thread, instead of typing something similar. Right out of the gate tonight, what exact game plan did we have? Wasn't that another game going with the flows whatever players decided to do on the court? I know this team needs to gel, but shouldn't there be some kind of design and strategy? There will be problems and even failure at execution, but right now I don't see any plan, or identity, if you will. For a team with high ambition, we shouldn't be at the level of simply hoping shots are falling and pray we win next game. We should plan for playoffs, and tweak our execution in the first half regular season, and peak at the right time.
The team had more of an identity last season than it does now. The experiment with TT, changing lineups etc is taking a toll on everyone. Team chemistry currently at an all time low.
Playing identities are created by the coach and his staff. They could tell the players to emphasize run and gun, pick and tolls, slow half court.setd, drive and kick outs. I think our coaching staff don't know what to do with this team.
