I don't start many threads or post much anymore, but I've been giving this some thought for some time. Two parts to my post: Part I: What we know The season is not quite young anymore, nor has it run its course. However, I think there are some things that look a lot like "knowns": - Steve Francis has lost his athleticism and cannot finish around the rim. At all. On a "good team" (read -- 4-6 seed), he should be no more than the third guard that plays periodically. Personally, I hate to admit this because I was encouraged from the Phx game and wanted him to continue to improve. At this point, I think we have more to gain by letting Brooks take this role. - Luther Head is a spot up shooter, and that's it. He cannot run an offense and is incapable of making quick or accurate passes. We need to trade him to a team that needs perimeter shooting. He has value in this league. - Chuck Hayes is very limited, and may be regressing from last year. His role as defensive specialist should be limited to slowing down the premier PFs in the Western Conf like Boozer, Dirk, and Duncan. He needs to be used to make sure they dont' get off to blazing starts, then periodically to disrupt their rhythm. We'll need Chuck for key stops down the stretch but his minutes must go down. The rest of the team is in a complete state of flux. Part II: Tempo - We have consistently looked more energetic, fluid, smooth, when we "go small" and play two players out of Alston, James, and Francis. With my observation obout Francis above, I would favor playing Alston and James together a lot, to see if they can develop some synergy. Failing that, I would be eager to give Brooks a look in this role, likely alongside Alston. - The other key to going small is Tmac plays one of the forward positions, which means he is less likely to dominate the ball, more likely to be the finisher of a set. - Some might say that we are setting ourselves up for abuse on the defensive end. I disagree. The small lineup seems more energetic on defense, "dig" for loose balls, "dig" for balls fed into the post, and that seems to be contagious to the others on teh floor. What's more, our offensive problems cause us to lose focus, energy, and get frustrated on teh defensive end. In short, our defensive intensity can only last so long, and if we continue to fail to score, the other team eventually has to go on a run. It's like football, we cannot keep putting so much pressure on our defensive performance. Its not possible to sustain high levels of defense when you are clueless on offense. With tempo in mind, our best lineup is to play - 2 small guards - Tmac - Scola or Bonzi (depending on matchups) - Yao (or Scola as a sub) If we can establish some core fluidity and tempo on offense with a 2 PG set, perhaps we can then parlay that fluidity into a more standard lineup.
The sad thing is, not only we suck on the floor, but locker room chemistry is at stake here due to some not appropriate press con comments by players. eq. Yao, we're soft.
How many chances we give Alston to prove himself? Francis played well in the Phoenix game and got injured. Now he is sick, he can't get a break. Before you throw him into the fire for kindling, I'd like to see him get a few more games and minutes before you say he can't finish around the rim at all.
Not a bad conclusion. Another conclusion you can make since you didn't mention Shane Battier once in your post is that he probably should be moved for a more athletic wing player. Your post is advocating increased speed and that's the way the league is going.
One big question I've had is: What does Chuck Hayes work on in practice? Does he work on his hustle??? Does he see how far he can dive to get a ball bouncing on the floor? Serious, what does he work on? I've coached 2nd grade basketball. We work on dribbling. Um, Chuck, can you drive to the hoop? Have you ever considered working on that part of the game? You know, you would be a much better player if you could do something with the ball 15 feet away from the basket other than standing there like a frozen statue desperately hoping that someone will break free from their man. 2nd graders work on shooting. Um, Chuck, 8 years olds that have never played the game of basketball have better form than you after a few weeks. Maybe you should consider working on a JUMPER? You know, a PF with a 12 to 15 jumper is almost mandatory in this league. Can you explain to me what your range is? No, I want the answer in feet, not inches. How long have you played basketball? Don't you think this is a basic skill? Your free throw is a league wide embarassment. I mean you earn hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. You probably want that to continue so you can't count on the stupidity of the Rockets forever. Sooner or later, they'll discover that they need someone with BASKETBALL skills. Maybe you should develop some to keep that paycheck coming.
I don't like quoting whole posts usually, but I pretty much agree with everything you said. As much as I hate Alston, I can see why he plays so much. But I don't understand why Battier or Bonzi are playing so much. If T-Mac was healthy, and against the right opponent, I wouldn't even be opposed to some 3 guard, T-Mac at PF, Yao at center lineups out there.
northeastfan, apparently, you are a preacher of "practice makes perfect." If that were true, we'd all be great in bed. But is that a fact? yes or no. And why are you trying to teach that to 2nd graders, anyhow?
Believe me, I want SF to be a part of this for sentimental/illogical reasons. I base my conclusions on having watched his play, both on TV and the chances I've had to see him in person (once from courtside). I'm no bball savant when it comes to X's and O's, but it is very clear that his athleticism is eroded, particularly when you're up close (it's bizarre how much of a difference that makes). The thing that made him special was his ability to out-athletic everyone else. Father time is undefeated and has taken that away from him. He does not have savy play to fall back on, and his passion and competitiveness, while important and valuable, is not enough to make him a rotation player (on a good team).
I don't think we can go 2 PG all the time. I'm advocating it as a way to get motion/speed ingrained into the offense. To be a good team, we're going to have to run some traditional sets. Battier can be a part of that (but only after we get the motion/fluidity down). I'd be ok with keeping Battier for the more traditional sets. He is a good fit with Yao.
I don't get the practice in bed! Practice makes better. No practice means no improvement. Yao has practiced himself into a decent shooter and ball player. He is not at all athletic. Nash has practiced himself into a world class shooter and playmaker. I coached 2nd graders because my son was a 2nd grader and the team needed a coach. I taught them dribbling, passing, and shooting. About half of them understood the correct form and could shoot that way (as opposed to the two handed heave). Why can't Hayes learn to shoot? Why can't Hayes learn to dribble? I mean I can do it and I'm not 1% of the athlete the Hayes is.
can you read an offense going at NBA speed when standing in the middle of it. Can you teach defenders how to read that? JVG had a very difficult time trying to teach Yao that. JVG had no trouble teaching Hayes that. Watch both sides of the court. Hayes is never out of position on defense. He knows where the playing is coming from. From practice makes perfect. From watching vids. You will never be able to read an offense like Hayes can, and you teach it, no less. You teach offense. That's your problem with Hayes. Go ahead and argue with me though...practice makes perfect.
Practice does NOT make perfect. That is nonsense. Just explain to me why Hayes can't shoot. Is Hayes a good defender? Yes. There is no argument there. Is Hayes a good shooter? Um ..... We don't seem to be connecting here. Shooting, dribbling, and passing are basketball fundamentals (of course, I neglected defense both one on one and team). But why can't or won't Hayes learn these. He is obviously physically capable of these.
explain to me why practice has made Tim Duncan's FT % worse over time. allow me to correct you. Hayes is a good *NBA* defender/rebounder. Hayes is not a good *NBA* shooter. If Hayes where a good NBA shooter like, say the guy who JVG benched to start Hayes (Howard), then we would only have Alston, James, Francis and Battier to b**** about. Think about that. Oh, and btw: Battier can't dribble worth a damn either. Neither could Shandon Anderson. Neither can Bruce Bowen. Neither could Dennis Rodman. Are we connecting now?
Yeah, we should trade Luther to a team that has lots of talent, but is underperforming so far this year because they continuously struggle to hit those outside shots. Now just where do you think we could find such a situation? Surely there's a team out there that fits that description. Hmm....
I never thought I'd see the optimist in me start to die a slow, painful death ... Here's what we know. This team sucks. They flat out suck, period. The reality that they could be lottery bound is growing larger and more obvious with every brick. Rafer Alston doesn't suck. Sure, he is a far cry from an all-star point guard, but the dude knows the game of basketball, and his value to the team is far more than meets the eye. He is also quite possibly the only player on the team who has actually improved his game since last year (ZOMG Rafer can finish around the rim now!). What else? I don't know. Personally I'm really getting sick and tired of Mike James and Bonzi Wells (last night's 4th quarter hustle points notwithstanding). They kill the team defensively and just haven't brought nearly enough to the table on the offensive end. And as someone who has supported T-Mac through thick and thin all these years, his act is wearing on me as well. He's different this year. The desire is not there. The intensity is not there. Something's wrong with his head again. Finally, I miss JVG. I know it's spilled milk, but I still miss him.
Hate to hi-jack the thread but...doesn't anyone else find it curious that with all those defensive skills, Chuck Hayes didn't get a single vote on the 2006-07 All Defensive team? You can't vote for your own players, but wouldn't you think if defense were your "calling card"...one of the 29 other NBA coaches might have taken notice? Hmmmmmm....also makes me wonder...with all this emphasis on how fast the NBA game is...does that really affect you at the FT line? Other players receiving votes, with point totals (First Team votes in parentheses): Shane Battier, Houston, 17 (6); Shawn Marion, Phoenix, 15 (5); Chauncey Billups, Detroit, 13 (5); Ron Artest, Sacramento, 12 (4); Gerald Wallace, Charlotte, 11 (2); Alonzo Mourning, Miami, 9 (4); Devin Harris, Dallas, 8 (2); Tyson Chandler, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, 8 (2); Josh Howard, Dallas, 7; Emeka Okafor, Charlotte, 6 (1); Luol Deng, Chicago, 5 (2); Rasheed Wallace, Detroit, 5 (1); Dwight Howard, Orlando, 5 (1); Andrei Kirilenko, Utah, 5; Josh Smith, Atlanta, 4 (1); Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 4 (1); Richard Hamilton, Detroit, 3 (1); Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana, 3 (1); Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia, 3; Deron Williams, Utah, 3; Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers, 2 (1); Dwyane Wade, Miami, 2; Trenton Hassell, Minnesota, 2 (1); Tony Parker, San Antonio, 2; Caron Butler, Washington, 2; Chris Duhon, Chicago, 1; Allen Iverson, Denver, 1; Udonis Haslem, Miami, 1; Richard Jefferson, New Jersey, 1; Chris Paul, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, 1; Andre Miller, Philadelphia, 1; Joel Przybilla, Portland, 1; Francisco Elson, San Antonio, 1; Chris Bosh, Toronto, 1; Gilbert Arenas, Washington, 1.
We are ok when we play fluid small ball at times. We absoultely have sucked at half court ball right now. Our record right now is a reflection of success of Tmac's heroics mostly and that cannot continue. Tmac and Yao have to be coporated into the system, i.e not one aginst five and others just standing. If right now, we are at the rock bottom of things, i think I can live with it. I am not watching for winning right now, I just want to see transition to Adleman's system and improvements.
Most curious thing about that list is Gilbert Arenas and Allen Iverson getting votes. I guess as long as you play big minutes and gamble a lot, some NBA coaches think you're a good defensive player. All Defense voting by coaches is notoriously unreliable. Coaches are going to pick players with reputations as good defenders. If you're a great offensive player and a solid defensive player, you're elevated to being a great defender. And young players who don't play big minutes or get a lot of media attention will rarely get any All Defense votes. I think scouts would offer much more useful insight into individual player's defensive abilities. They get paid to study other players much more closely, while coaches are usually concentrating on their own team. Actually, Feigen has said on a couple occasions that when he spoke to scouts, they've been pretty high on Chuck as a defensive player. I recall him saying on the radio last year that one scout told him that he considered Chuck to be one of the best defensive PFs in the league. Rudy T(now a Lakers scout) apparently loves how Chuck plays on defense as well.
