The Rockets and the Use of Screens

I said it in another thread just yesterday... I'm not really a fan of the Rockets' half-court offense. Too much standing around. Their offense is predictable.

The center initiates the offense by setting a high ball screen, the player with the ball penetrates and scores or passes out. That player pump fakes and attempts to drive. Rinse and repeat. If they can't get a shot off before the clock starts dwindling down, they'll pass to Harden and he'll make a move and take a step-back jump shot.

They score because they have good players. If they ran a better offense, they'd get easier shots.

 

Great post. I agree about the screens, especially in the slower half court offense. We all know what happens in the playoffs and I for one am concerned.

Regarding WHY they don't run many screens? No clue. McHale and/or the coaching staff doesn't key on it? Maybe they're just trying to "out athlete" guys to get open off ball or around their man one on one? Player youth/immaturity not utilizing every facet of the game? I wonder if the question has ever been asked in a media session?

It's odd though, because when players do set screens (good screens, thanks Asik) we can really break down defenses by forcing switches and rotations. You'd think they'd go to that well more often.

 

Dwight Howard.

 

Well, to be fair, Gasol is utilized in the high post which is perfect for getting him the ball and setting off ball screens so he can pass to open guys off of screens.

 

Don't miss the forest for the trees. We have one of the best offenses in the NBA which is the only thing that really counts.

These numbers don't mean much because as an offense, we want to run get early offense as much as possible. Between the early offense and the post ups, we aren't going to use a lot of screens as a percentage. A screen usage percentage number only in half court sets would be more useful.

 

It would be helpful to order the teams

 

Actually Howard and Donuts are the only who does screen's and play PnR

 

Numbers don't surprise me. It doesnt' seem like rockets set many screens or at least it does not stand out.

Here's a question for you: How about the quality of screens? I notice that Lin and Bev both have trouble fighting screens, while when we set a screen for them, the opponents have no trouble going around our screen and doubling the ball handler. And I notice that OKC/Clippers always set great screens.

Thoughts?

 

Who needs screens when you can just pump fakes?

 

Not speaking for Raynesis, but I think he was referring to Dwight's stated preference not his ability to posting up rather than running PnRs.

 

I think this is a product of having a read-and-react system type of offense with young players. While the system is very good and can produce good results, it highly relies in experience and basketball IQ - both of which we are severely lacking. :\

 

Our system is similar to Miami's. Miami is also near the bottom and they don't have a post threat. Ergo, nothing concerning about the number of screens in our offense.

 

Yeah, a player like James Harden lacks basketball IQ, that's why he doesn't call for a pnr