Defense first, second and third. I'd put offensive scheme second but we really don't have one. Like noted, high tempo offense is countered by tough D which is why you don't see as much run and gun in the playoffs. At this point I just want to see the games though!
Lack of length, athleticism, and skill in the front court. Lack of experience. Porous defense. bad decision making. In ability to handle pressure well. Some of these things are related. But all of them are why we will likely get swept by Denver or go down 4-1 to OKC or SA.
Here's the problem: Think of the playoffs like a boxing match. The Rockets are a lighter fighter, the sort of extremely quick fighter who relies on jabs, constant jabs and counter-punches. We can land a haymaker if we get lucky, but we lean mostly on finesse, quickness, and a constant barrage of jabs - definitely more of an offensive fighter. The problem is, while this style of fight can lead to plenty of wins over a career, when it comes time to step into the ring against the heavyweights, the top-ranked fighters, their power and defense tends to be anathema to the quick jabbing counter-punchers. Doesn't mean we have no chance though. The thing about the heavy-hitters, they don't have the stamina we possess, and if the cards fall just right, we can wear them out, and let fatigue become our ally. Bottom line though is this: we rely more on shots from 25 feet than from <10 feet. As long as our shots are going in, then we can win, it's as simple as that. Can our speed and accuracy overcome the toughness of the opponents' defense and strength? Personally, that is why the last team I want to see in the playoffs is Denver, because they are more like us than we are.. Give me San Antonio, or even OKC or Memphis.
we have budding talent. this playoff will be a good experience for these players. im pretty sure the talent that people are looking for will be their in a couple of years once our players gain more experience. imo, they already have talent, but its just gonna get better
The thing about the playoffs is... teams adjust to your game and take away all your best options. When this happens, we will need to rely on set plays and isos to open up our game again. In the meantime we need to play heavy defense until the game is open up and we get our pace back. And so both teams often battles it out like this until one team runs out of idea or loses morale or energy from the constant pace changers. Now knowing that, what does our team lack for the playoffs? Lol pretty much everything at the moment.
We have multiple Achilles' but youth isn't really one of them. We've got great bball iq and Harden and Lin already have big game/playoff experience. Your last option, no superstar numero 2, is probably the all-encompassing option that fits best. We do lack both defensively and offensively in half-court action specifically. DEFENSE Every team is going to attack us defensively by running clock and forcing us to move. And they are going to attack the rim relentlessly. That is by definition playoff basketball. So, the first problem is when/if Asik gets in foul trouble. He's done a good job in the regular season of avoiding foul trouble for the most part. But teams know we do not have any defensive answers when he is parked on the bench. So, they're gonna go after him early and often. Surrounding Asik is only one real defender (Parsons) and even he has regressed slightly on the defensive end this season. So, expect teams to run clock on us and to make multiple forays into the paint to challenge Asik. OFFENSE Secondly, we are very, very one-dimensional offensively and we have not grown out of it this entire season. In the playoffs, Harden is going to be going against guys like Iggy, Barnes, Thabo, Kawhi, etc. They are much better defenders across the board than he faces on a nightly basis during the regular season. (Iggy has already proven he is more than up to the task of watering down James efficiency to the point that James becomes inefficient.) If we run Harden from the top for 85% of the time that he is on the floor, like we have during the regular season, expect teams to collapse on him even worse and force guys like Asik or others to beat us at the rim. While I am not a LOF, I do like Lin and I think he is an extremely good player that has been underused while Harden is a great player that is obviously being overused. I have waited all season to see if we would actually develop more offense than running James down the lane until he's about to collapse and then park him on the wing and let Lin run the action for a couple trips before we go back to Harden. That ain't gonna work in the playoffs. We simply are going to have to become more imaginative offensively before we can really play with playoff teams. Harden grinding down the clock to 10 and then starting the pick and roll....that's a recipe for disaster in the playoffs. In my opinion, and I know most of you won't agree, I firmly believe Lin is the better, more efficient playmaker. When you give Lin the same possessions to use as Harden he won't turn the ball over near as often. While Harden has been hugely successful for us this season running pick and roll, he has to add the ability to work off the ball more effectively and learn to play off Lin. Harden is the better shooter by far and obviously the better scorer. Lin is the more imaginative ball handler and playmaker who is just adept at finding the best scoring play for his team, whether that be him running PnR to the rim, or pulling up for his little FT line jumper, or finding someone else wide open for the 3-ball, or throwing the ball up to the big for the PnR finish. Lin doesn't force plays nearly as often as Harden. So, you can chalk this up to inexperience. Those two guys need to spend a lot of time on the floor together, like Zeke said. They're not ready right now to dominate. Too one-dimensional and not sophisticated enough to continue to play winning ball against playoff defenses. However, Lin has already proven that he can play at a superstar level. He proved it last year and he has proven it this year in stints where Harden was out. -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- The reason I really wanted to play the Clips is because their Achilles' heal is so obvious. I really think we can beat them even though Morey claims that CP3 would be the best player on the floor. I don't think we can beat Denver nor Memphis...and Harden will probably be the best player on the floor for those series. Memphis' defense is just too good. Their defense is so good that they dictate tempo with it. And Denver has better D to go along with great fast-paced O that is very similar to us. Yeah, they're dinged but they don't have superstars. They just plug in other guys and keep coming. It's a foregone conclusion for me that we can't touch SA and OKC. We may be able to stretch SA to 6 games but I have trouble seeing us winning more than one game against either of those teams.
If the Rockets bring defensive intensity in the playoffs they could be a load. Run and gun won't work, the playoffs become a half court game.
I'm talking about during the playoffs. This team has not BEEN to the playoffs. But we know historically that the playoffs are slower, and more half-court-oriented, pound-the-paint style of game. And because this team relies so heavily on the 3, more so than just about anyone else in the playoffs, our chances depend most heavily on whether or not our 3's are going in. So, no, not false. I know we have a high percentage of shots at the rim as well. But if the 3 is not going in, there won't BE enough shots at the rim, especially since the 3 will not have opened the lane for those drives.
Weakness= Youth but thats also a plus cause there getting better every game for a bunch of guys being thrown together and making playoffs has been a fun experience i feel like ive been growing with the team.
run and gun wont work?! there is exception to every rule and world is changing before our very eyes for years now...then why think that something as trivial as the rule of how playoffs game are being played will stay the same:grin::grin::grin:
McHale. Running our offense too much through Harden instead of Lin. Bringing Beverley in to defend Westbrook or Parker when nobody can guard those guys. We should beat the Spurs. Defend the corner three and let Asik play Duncan straight up. Help on Parker but not off the corner 3. But they are better coached. We have no chance against OKC. Better at every position except 2 and maybe 5. But a huge gap for OKC at 3. If McHale could make adjustments we'd have a small shot since Brooks is awful. Also, I predict Jeremy Lin has a playoffs that cements his place as an elite point guard. Ever since high school, he has only played his best during big moments. Him and Harden going to go nuts.
Lack of a trusty veteran. If teams were going on runs, a guy like Scola on this team makes all the difference.
