[Nearly Every Team Is Playing Like The Rockets. And That’s Hurting The Rockets.] - 538

https://fivethirtyeight.com/feature...ike-the-rockets-and-thats-hurting-the-rockets

I'm not a fan of 538 but I do appreciate their analytics in sports when applied properly. In this case, they've nailed it.

I said after the season during the summer that we needed to take the next step in Moreyball or the league was going to catch up to us. This is a huge factor in what has taken place this season. Teams are now pursuing us at Moreyball.

Case in point: Milwaukee

They now take a greater percentage of 3's/layups/dunks than we do. Why? Because they now have a center that shoots the long ball. They are playing 5 out and pick-and-pop.

The pick-and-roll play has to become secondary to pick-and-pop and 5 out play. Just like post up play had to become secondary to PnR with shooters several seasons ago.

This is why every season it's different. Teams have all summer to diagnose the previous season and make roster/strategy adjustments to compete the next season. We couldn't beat Milwaukee today even if we were totally healthy. They have surpassed us in strategy.

We've got to move to 5 out and pick-and-pop with PnR being secondary action when the PnP is overplayed. Unless we do we aren't winning a championship.

 

Apologies. Those threads aren't on my front page for some reason.

Mods feel free to merge.