Every quarter ending shot has been taken by Steve Francis (from what I have seen). How come JVG doesn't set up a play that the Rockets can score on instead of some acrobatic, death-defying shot by SF?
That's the way every team in the NBA does it...hand the ball to your best perimeter player, let him dribble down, and take a shot. In theory, the play gives three options, pass, pull up, or drive, which is necessary when the clock is winding down becuase you have to be able to do so quickly. If the rockets run a set play it is difficult to get the timing correct and if the defense throws a curve, then they are screwed.
Unfortunately, in our case the play only seems to have one option, jack up wild off-balance three. I hardly think that is really the best chance we can get. I would rather we run a play with 10-12 seconds left and then worry about defending for a couple seconds.
Since when did Steve knock anything down? Name the games, I have a few tapes, I'll check it out. Steve taking the last shot is not the problem. The problem is that he does not do anything other than jacking up 3 or off- balance, highly difficult shots. He needs to change up. Dribble off screen and get 15, 18 ft J or drive to the basket for a layup, or drive and dish ... After that, opponent will back off from him and he can take some 3s too if he wants.
I have 'em, too. And I was thinking the same thing. If I'm a defender and I know there's little chnace of him passing, I make him take a three or I run him into another defender who's guarding a weaker shooter. This is so obvious it has to be in an opponents scouting report.
Agreed! I really dont like how teams run their "plays" at the end of quarters. They arent really plays! They are wild isos. It seems teams are more concerned about taking the "very last shot" than taking a good quality shot with a high percentage of scoring. Like you said, how about trying to get a good shot and then play some defense.
I've never felt the topic was worth its own thread, but this one is close enough to comment. Am I the only one who is scratching their heads at the Rockets lack of going 2 for 1 and the end of quarters? It is almost a given that with 40-45 seconds on the clock, instead of taking a shot within 10-15 seconds, they run the full 24 and the opponent gets the ball for with less than 24 seconds. (And no, it's not a Van Gundy thing because they did basically the same thing under RT).
Jim Jackson is a better ball handler than Francis. Don't confuse cross overs moves with ball handling skills. Ball handling skills are inclusive of decision making. If Francis were the best ball handler, his TO's would be much lower.
When Francis is in the game, he always initiates the offense, because he can create shots for himself and teammates. I agree he settles for the 3- pointer too much. He should drive in and go for a layup or md-rante jumper.
The amazing thing was, 6 of those were in the 2nd half. If Steve could only put a complete game together. 1st half - 4 a and 1 TO 2nd half - 2 a and 6 TOs (although, those of those assists were semi-clutch and put the game away)
No, the amazing thing is Dallas didn't get their 4th TOTAL TO's until well into overtime. AND, they had like 37 assists! Send that "O" tape to JVG. Don't let him see the "allas" though
Exactly...just play a two-man game on the right side of the floor. Have Steve drive to the basket...if he pulls Cat's man off of him, dump off to Cat for the last shot...otherwise, Steve should be able to take his man off the dribble and drive to the basket or pull up for a fifteen foot jumper. Anything is better than Steve's patented Moochie-dribble-off for ten seconds and taking a jumpshot while falling away from the basket.
Running a Dallas style of offense with our personnel would be disastrous. Just because one style of play works well for one team, doesnt mean it would work well for another.
I was only talking about the lack of TO's for a team that passes a ton and has far more offensive touches over all (see 35+ assists) We should run a Dallas offense? I thought you might give me more credit than that.... so........ I see your Spurs got waxed last night...
