What Went Wrong: a Critical Analysis of Before/After

Yep, it is what I have been saying, the team has basically bailed on running the new system.

They try it for a time but then when they get under pressure they bail...to what they used last year and that won't work this year because we are not playing 3pt shooters around the edges anymore.

They need to quit screwing around and run the system.

DD

 

An intelligent post by a rational poster,

....... apppreciated by an irrational poster,

 

Once we discover all the reasons they are not very good, will this make them good?

My suggestion is that we convert the current team into a group of goodwill ambassadors and send them on tour, funny hats and all. I think this is something they are really good at. They can hand out gifts, teach kids to read, and spread cheer far and wide.

Because now, they are making their fans miserable.

 

I can't help but get the feeling that this is all planned. Like the bad record out of nowhere. We started off great( 6-1 ), and probably the whole thing came out too well and the staff thought it wasn't a good idea, because they were aiming to kind of "go under the radar"? But even so, this record should not be rotating around .500 .
We probably stopped using the system for the other team's scouts not to learn our mechanism and not beat us when it counts(playoffs).

Take it for what it's worth, but this is how I'm feeling at the moment. I find it rediculous that we beat good teams, but cannot do the same to the lesser ones.

The game against Dallas though, we lost to keep our "bad image"? I don't know if you guys are catching me here, but yea.

Just my opinion... VERY farfetched, but probable.

 

agreed.

however, i don't think the entire team bails on the offense. there are guys that stick to it (yao, scola, hayes, bonzi, luther, rafer).

it's not shocking that steve and james don't stick to the system. what is shocking is that tmac isn't willing to do so, and even more unbelievable is that shane doesnt seem to be buying in. i can't tell you hw many times i've seen him jog around a screen rather than cutting hard to get open.

he was the ast person i expected that from.

 

Irrational? Hah !

Crazy like a fox.....it is tough to appreciate things when the masses take so long to see what us geniuses have already sorted out.



DD

 

Before: JVG
After: Rick Adelman

 

The lack of perseverance is the most troubling. There is no denying that this team is talented - especially when compared to the Rockets' teams of the last few years. I think it's too early to pass judgement on Adelman, the system, and this group of players being the right mix. However, this team needs to develop some resiliency, because as it currently stands, if things don't go their way, they (and I mean everyone) get discouraged very easily. You can't just expect to win by showing up no matter who you're playing. Moreover, the body language and lack of energy when the team starts playing poorly is extremely disappointing. I think the Rockets, in addition to physical toughness, need some mental toughness. The current type of attitude that I believe is permeating throughout the team will not bode well once the playoffs start.

 

Maybe I was watching different games, but I just don't remember the Rockets "running the system" in the first 7 games and then reverting back to last year's offense. The difference between 6-1 and afterwards is mainly one of energy and focus.

Sure, there is some resistance to the system, but that isn't the main difference between 6-1 and 6-11. It's effort and energy, which indicates to me there are serious chemistry issues on the team. And I have to believe the new coach is one of the main problems. Adelman has been a HUGE disappointment.

 

Good Post... worth rereading. THe team has some flaws but I see more chemistry problems as well.

 

It's also possible that the Rockets got off to a 6-1 start because teams were not expecting the new offense. They expected Yao in the post, instead they got TMac slashing and Yao at the top of the key.

Now, teams have had time to adjust. They are focusing more on TMac, and have pretty much shut him down.

The offense is looking mediocre, like JVG's offense often looked, but without the defense to win games.

Not to mention, Adelman has only now realized that JVG was right as far as playing guys like Luther Head and giving Rafer more minutes than, say, Mike James.

 

I agree with Mr. Clutch's assessment. Teams have made adjustments after our 6-1 start. Yao and Hayes are not triple threats at the high post. Teams know this. All they have to do is stick with the cutter and it bogs down "the system." There are also no set plays in the system. Players don't know what each is doing and thus places them at a disadvantage in spacing the floor and sometimes at a disadvantage in getting into good offensive rebounding position.

Teams also know if they front Yao, the rest of his teammates will not make them pay for it. Shaq at one time said his teammates should consider it an insult every time they front him. Well we don't have smart guards and they frequently bail out the defense by jump-shooting.

 

What Rick A described as his new offence for the Rockets is no longer in evidence, unlike the first few games.

 

Actually, what happened is precisely what T-mac and Yao have both recognized... teams have caught on to Adleman's schemes pretty quick, and the Rockets haven't made any adjustments to counter (or their adjustments have been no good... and Rafer's injury hasn't helped).

Add to that the regression of their once stellar defense...which makes sense since they still had the schemes of the past regime's defense instilled in their heads at the start of the season.. but eventually, without practicing it, you lose those skills.

And finally, the CHEMISTRY has fallen apart. Steve Francis is more disgruntled now than he was at the start of the season (mainly because they're now losing), Mike James is likely steaming about how he can't even crack the lineup, T-Mac doesn't seem like he has confidence in what the higher ups are preaching, and Yao is whining waaaaay too much about everything.

 

Van Gundyism has been gradually replaced by chaos.

 

At this point
It doesn't matter if it is with steve on the floor or not
the simple fact that HE TAKES NIGHTS OFF is pissing me off

It is not .. OH HE ON TONITE or HE OFF TONITE

it is T-MAC is TRYING TONITE and NOT TRYING TONITE
that is bother some

no matter the reason

Rocket River

 

I think it is very difficult for players of the same team under JVG, a disciplinarian
coach to change to a different style of play. Change they try but, it only ended in confusion and disarray. Given our players (the whole team) is not a very strong will type (observed from two 2-0 winning playoffs to lose in 7) , any disarray will cause the confidence to go away.

I am not sure what can fix this wrong. BUT this has to start from mentality perspective. Rockets must get professional help in motivating and bring in the will to win for these players.

When the season starts, I expect Yao to have some ups and downs due to married life stress, hopefully he'll get better of it soon.