My beloved Rocket's are a shambles. I had hoped JVG would bring toughness to our defense and team work to our offense. There has been a flash here or a dash there, but overall the game we're playing is just plain "ugly." I can't take seeing our guards miss Yao again inside because we throw a pass he simple can't get. We have no touch on our passes when he has inside position and the defenders on his hip. Our ball movement is awful. We need to do something...trades are the popular/unpopular subject most often mentioned. Santa...all I want for Christmas is for the Rockets to play team ball and use the talent they have.
This is a major bummer. I hope it's a temporary set back, because frankly these crappy games are getting old.
I agree that we are not a good passing team ... but there is the other side of the coin also. Yao can't seem to catch any pass except the perfect ones. His legs seem to be buried in cement once he gets in post position. Anything a few inches beyond his reach is lost, he just can't go after it. This has never been more apparent until I saw him last night not going after a loose ball in the corner when he was the closest one to it by far. He resigned to the fact that it was not his ball to have, he hesitated for a second but no one else was remotely close enough to take it from him so he lumbered 1 step over and grabbed the ball. I think this has to do with his foot work and positioning. It's amazing but it seems Yao does not know how to transfer his weight properly so he can get off his feet. He would lower his stance pushing against the defender and gets stuck in that position. When your whole weight is leaning one way, it is impossible for you to move in the opposite direction or anywhere else for that matter. This is the similar problem to cause him not to jump after rebound if he has to tangle for position.
After watching last night here is my thought about the ugly ball the Rox are playing. During the first quarter the Rox played good fundamental basketball. They made good passes, got in the paint and even made the extra pass now. There was one early play that was a beautiful example of what they can do. Francis was driving got to the edge of the paint and threw a bounce pass to Cato who was streaking down the middle. Even though Cato didn't get the dunk he got fouled and went to the line. That was shades of Stockton to Malone. WHen they started falling behind in the second quarter they switched to their classic iso and throw up desperation jumper game which only dug them into a deeper hole. Ironically it was only into the 4th quarter with the subs did the Rox switch back to playing good smart basketball. IMO there is a problem of discipline among most of the starters to stick to fundamental sound basketball. Its distressing that JVG who is supposed to be a disciplinarian can't instill that into the players.
If you review the tape, it was actually worse. Piatkowski repeatedly was open -- waving his arms and jumping up and down -- with no pass to him. When he did get the ball, he sank some sweet shots. No one on the team is recognizing the open man.
This is exactly why the ball should be in the hands of a legit passer. If Piatkowski is open, I want him to get the ball. If Andre Johnson is running a route over the middle of the field with his hands waving to signal he is open, it is the responsibility of David Carr to get the ball to him.
You're just another whiner, and I am just another homer. I refuse to comment on your assessment of what "ugly ball" is.
Regarding your sig: If one does a 360-degree turnaround, that person is going exactly the same direction as before. To do an about face, one needs to turn 180 degrees. This is another one of Cooper's malapropisms.
Oops. I hit the send button too soon. My real point is that the vast majority of posters here are "homers." However, to not recognize that the Rockets are playing "ugly ball" is to bury one's head in the sand. We are all jumping up and down and waving our hands in the air for the "fix it" ball.
Ragin' - Agree Yao does look like he's in cement sneaks, but as a player you have to recognize each teammates strengths/weaknesses. He doesn't do well when we try to lead to far. I agree he needs some heavy footwork and agility training to improve his inside game. Thumbs - Agree, we need a true point guard. We also need to make the extra pass and then maybe Pike gets better looks. Swo - Whiner or homer...I prefer disgruntled fan.
I think the problem maybe making Yao being the 1st scoring option. I think we all can agree that Yao needs to dominate more and be more aggressive on both ends of the court. Dunno when that will come or ever come, but SF has the desire to put up big numbers. JVG needs to give SF the green light to penetrate to basket and get the opposing team in foul trouble and maybe this will create more opportunities for Yao & Co. Yao has not created as much opportunities for SF & Co. like predicted.
