Whatever the Rockets Have Planned for Ariza Needs to Change Now

I'm not seeing how they are hurting his mindset nor am I am following your logic. Ariza's last two games, he played decent against Philly and great against Cleveland so he was fitting in just fine this week. I am not sure why Ariza was so frustrated that he threw a punch, we can only speculate unless he tells us. Could have been a combination of his bad shooting and the officiating, could have been his auntie is sick, could have been DeRozan slept with his significant other. I'm just not seeing how this illustrates he is not fitting into the offense? Are we not 13-10 and beating everyone's expectations?

Again who ever said Ariza was signed to be some prolific or "great" scorer?

 

There doesn't need to be a "pecking order." I just think that if we need a post play then it can go to Scola, a quick shot might go to Brooks or Budinger, and just whoever is open. The only problem with Ariza is that I know that he's putting too much pressure on himself. The guy seems like a genuinely good guy that wants to do the right things and just hasn't realized the ability to do it. Maybe I'm wrong, but I like how things are developing, and I feel that today's meltdown was a good thing for Ariza.

 

agreed .. but we know he can't handle, shoot, create, and defense has been shaky, so what 'strength" can they develop.

 

Start with movement off the ball and back cutting, and shooting open jumpers and making passes.

Stop dribbling so much, NEVER try to split a double team...and go from there.

DD

 

Adelman has alluded at the start of the season that he doesn't want the tmac situation interfere with what they are trying to do with Ariza and AB. I can read inbetween the lines, one of the selling points I'm speculating that Adelman and Morey made to Ariza in coming here is the notion that he can be an even greater then the role he had with the Lakers and pretty much throughout his NBA career up to that point. If you don't think that was said to Ariza, then ask yourself why he took the Rockets over the Cavs offer.

quote from Adelman:

[rquoter] "He's going to take his lumps,'' Adelman said of adjusting to a bigger role. "He's going to be up and down but he's certainly proven he can become a much-better all-around player than he was (with the Lakers). ... He has the ability to become an All-Star. He just has to learn how to play 38 minutes a game, when the responsibilities are thrown to you and the ball is in your hands. What decisions do you make? After a year like this year, that's when he's got to take it to another level this summer and learn from what went on.''[/rquoter]

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/12/09/houstons-ariza-seeks-to-be-an-all-star/?xid=si_nba

 

Ironically, his efficiency on 3 pointers is higher than it is on 2 pointers. That really should tell you something. Take the open 3 if you got it, otherwise leave the inside game to Brooks, Lowry, Budinger, Landry, and Scola.

Is it just me or is Battier better off the elbow extended catch n shoot play?

 

So they want Ariza to essentially be Scottie Pippen 2.0

 

Then why is he taking the majority of the shots? I'm all for him playing heavy minutes but he needs to tone it down on the offensive end, you're right he isn't signed to be scorer anyways.

 

Because Brooks is being double teamed, and the ball finds itself in Ariza's hands more often than not. When that happens Ariza also finds himself open alot.

 

And that's why he is given the green light, in order to find out what works and doesn't for him. Again, a quarter of the season has passed and people are already down on this guy. Give the guy a break: it's not an "important" season and he is being asked to play a role that he hasn't before. Do you really expect him to continue to be given such leeway? I can understand if it just hurts watching the Rockets lose, but honestly we aren't nothing more than an above average team this year. I'm impressed with how the Rockets are doing, but I think too many people have too high of expectations of the Roxs and Ariza. I doubt RA or Morey are going to "reign in Ariza" in order to win a few more games this season, that is if Ariza's offense is that detrimental because some games probably wouldn't have been won if Ariza hadn't played well.

 

I've seen enough games to say that's not entirely true especially since he's tried this season to split a double team or take his man off the dribble. In addition to that, he's at times NOT taken open shots but contested ones.

 

He just had a bad game today. It happens. I think some of you are being over-analytical of him. When he was scoring 20+ and we were winning games it was cool. Now he has a bad game or two and he is killing the squad. He is 'drowning our title aspirations' by not being an "efficient" scorer. Come on man. Before this season started we all knew we were not going to be contenders. This would be a season of seeing what our roles players could do. We win a couple games and are holding our own and here come the analysts.... trying to judge the players as if we are title contenders and they are messing things up. We are only a quarter of the way into the season, a whole lotta games to play.

 

Among many factors, the Roxs want him to have a greater offensive role than he had before. My point was, the Roxs didn't sign him to be a scorer over the years of his contract. This season is a different kind of season and will be used to experiment with lineups and matchups. Of course winning is important, but the expectations for how this season will end aren't the same as a year before and next year.

 

Perhaps this is something they are working on in practice? Thankfully it doesn't happen too much, but still a glaring weakness. Would have to ask one of the coaches about it to see what the plan on that is. For the most part, I'd rather him not try it. Gotta keep from getting trapped first.

 

I dont think its as simple as that. Its the efficiency that is the issue. Folks didnt like T-Mac going 6-20 for 20 points, and they dont like Ariza doing it either. Shooting 38% from the floor is Rafer Alston range, but at least Alston took 10-12 shots per game instead of 18-20.

Aaron Brooks shot 6 for 20 today for 20 points, but he is a much more efficient shooter than Ariza. Thats why he isnt taking as much heat.

 

We can only wish he can be a Scottie Pippen (Bulls version, not Rockets Quitten version). Scottie Pippen was a PG throughout his college career, thereby him being, yes, a point forward came natural to him.

Ironically, Pippen was the quintessential supporting Robin, and he grew and flourished under the shadow of Jordan. My point in that is Ariza doesn't have to be the featured player to expand his game. But then again, sometimes you just have to have the natural talent to do certain skills effortlessly.

 

my main problem with ariza is how he plays defensively i all ready know hes gonna have his struggles on the offensive end becuz hes playing out of position but defensively hes just not getting it done his man is constantly blowing by him and hes always gambling for steals he has to pick it up on that end or its time to ship him out of here all his talents ly on the defensive end of the ball.

 

i think we've played enough games that we should take back some of the seemingly unlimited green light he's got. he can still learn and develop, but not with the unlimited green light.

his elbow swing today disappointed me a great deal, too.

 

The coach should, at this stage of the season, set Ariza aside and discuss the positives and negatives of his game so far. Ariza doesn't seem to know his place in the offense and defense as he takes too many ill advised and contested shots. This afternoon's Toronto game was, to a certain extent, a defining game for him. This game really exposed his limitations but it is up to the coaching staff to evaluate how to utilize his skills, and to also rein in his game.