A great point guard can play both half court and full court. If a point guard isn't as effective playing half court that's on him to improve not on any one else. The playoffs aren't about running ... it slows down. This experience running the team will definitely help him improve. Biggest surprise has been Chuck's offensive efficiency for me against the trees. He's getting his shot off in the paint better than Scola so far.
So fluid I completely miss his passes sometimes. Not miss per se, but, I don't know, it seems so...effortless that it goes by without comment or thought on my part. But I'm fully aware when someone else does it...like Hayes
I am most surprised we win while letting our opponents shoot such a high percentage. We went from defensively stout to an impact defense team. Which is fine. I think...
exactly, we're an opportunistic defense. we don't shut you down (teams are shooting 47% on us). but we force turnovers (10 per game). however, when we do play a great defensive team (we haven't so far), we will struggle mightily for sure if we don't pick up our offense (and this is where you miss yao/deke or any type of big body in the paint to protect the basket). you're not going to keep winning if teams continue to shoot above 45-46%. hopefully the winning streak doesn't make the team too over-confident and we continue to find ways to mask the defensive weaknesses.
It has to be blowing out Utah. I love the Rockets and was so happy they beat Portland but I always have doubts going into Utah. Even with Yao and T-mac winning in that building it so hard. But to see them keep swinging and punching till they were up by almost 20 was amazing. And to see Chase light it up and take it to the hole makes me happy we picked him. I thought he was just going to be a spot up shooter but he proven that he is a real deal player. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
And we can't underestimate the importance of a hook shot. For a small team, it's a critical shot to have inside since it's one of the hardest shots to block in basketball.
The biggest non-suprise is that espn just said that RA gets all the credit for the rockets being 3 and 1. I guess its never to early for them to start hating.
this is probably the best poll ive seen in a while. chuck has been the most surprising either that or ariza
Great point. Aaron Brooks used to get a truckload of hate when Yao couldn't receive passes in the post. So far it is being proven that Aaron is a serviceable playmaker, at worst, and Yao being so difficult to pass to isn't necessarily his fault. I think this season, (combined with the LA series), suggests that our current offense is superior to both a TMac and/or Yao based offense under Adelman.
At least we're something. I think a gambling high-reward defense is probably the optimal defense with this team.
Brooks averaging +8 assists or more appropriately, Brooks becoming a more confident and better player.
Nothing surprises me yet. It is still too early in the season and the other teams are still in the feeling out process. The only thing that is really surprising is how Budinger was so underrated by allthe GM's, pundits, coaches, "experts", etc. Even DM did not pick Budinger until the end. It just goes to show that even moneyball is not as predictive. Anyway, at least, DM did finally pick Budinger, and the rest, as they say, is history? Ohh not yet, we'll see, but so far so good.
I picked 3 and 1,but Hayes getting 12 points was mind boggling. I'm also surprised with Aaron's 8 plus assists.He is showing signs of being able to not only score,but also to run the team which I didn't think he could do.
Little bit of all. Can't believe offense is clicking on all cylinders this early in the season. Everyone is shooting well. Ariza has a nice turn around considering his preseason struggle. Chase has couple of nice game esp. in Utah and will only get better. Only AB's progress is the least unexpected. Hopefully they keep it up and give a Fakers a beating.
I think Brooks assist numbers are the biggest surprise for me. Its not that he got 10 assists in one game. Or even back to back 8 assist games. Hayes got his 12 pts, but he isnt even averaging 10ppg. Hayes was a one time thing, and still didnt sniff his career high of 16. Aaron Brooks is making passes I didnt think he could. He is making Steve Nash passes, Tony Parker passes, Chris Paul passes. Not quite the Jason Kidd/Magic Johnson level, but hey not many are.
