73 replies to this topic

[ale11]

Harden's PnR numbers are a bit misleading because many times he went down there with the hope of getting fouled and as the end of the season got closer, refs stopped whistling. Harden needs to improve the focus, because he won't get called every time he waves his arms, and I think this season, refs are gonna pay even more attention to see if he is faking it. But then again, now that he has Howard to play the PnR, we'll see lots of pocket passes and lobs, reducing his own attempts and increasing his %

[Mason Khamvilay]

I think Harden just got really tired towards the end of the season so his PnR efficiency is not misleading unless you think he's going to be tired all of next season. Hopefully we manage his minutes a little better moving forward and he won't have to resort to looking for the calls, not that I agree he will stop getting them--whether or not he does is pure speculation. 

Edited by 2016Champions, 20 July 2013 - 04:48 AM.

[miketheodio]

I think Harden just got really tired towards the end of the season so his PnR efficiency is not misleading unless you think he's going to be tired all of next season. Hopefully we manage his minutes a little better moving forward and he won't have to resort to looking for the calls, not that I agree he will stop getting them--whether or not he does is pure speculation. 

 

seems like him and kobe got the same message from the suits. "the offense isn't stacked, so go out there and only play offense". hopefully he dials it back a bit since he has help.

[Mason Khamvilay]

For whatever it's worth, Harden's DRAPM was -2.0 at the All-Star break and improved to -0.9 by the end of the season. Either his defense improved or McHale did a better job of hiding it. 

Edited by 2016Champions, 20 July 2013 - 01:47 PM.

[timetodienow1234567]

I don't know. But everybody says Harden was tired at the end of the season and with the eye test his defense didn't improve(IMO). Does that mean I have to give credit to Mchale? Now I'm in a bad mood.

[Mason Khamvilay]

Lol we don't have to give too much credit to McHale. All he did was switch Harden's defensive assignment with Lin's or Parsons's depending on the more favorable match-up. 

[timetodienow1234567]

I think that if Jones is as good a defender as you guys think and with the addition of Howard, there's no longer any need to double on Parsons/Jones/Howard's guys which will allow Lin/Harden to stay closer to their own man which should limit the wide open shots they get(IMO, the biggest problem for poor defense was the massive amounts of help our guards gave. We doubled EVERYBODY in the post, whether they had a post game or not). If they're able to run them off the three point line and funnel them into the paint with Howard and our rotations come quickly we can be a top 5 defensive team. But usually that requires a good defensive system(which I didn't see last year, but I'm expecting this year) and trust in each other(which might take a while to build). That's why I'm glad we're keeping Asik. By keeping Asik and improving our 2nd unit, we should be able to hold our ground or even build on a lead with our starters out. I'm looking forward to next year.

[Mason Khamvilay]

Oh, and we should give credit to Sampson too--assistant coach and defensive co-ordinator. 

 

As for Jones defense, I think it's clear I think very highly of him, but rookies in general aren't very good at rotation defense and Jones is no exception. Hopefully has a sophomore leap. 

[Rockets fan newton]

I think that if Jones is as good a defender as you guys think and with the addition of Howard, there's no longer any need to double on Parsons/Jones/Howard's guys which will allow Lin/Harden to stay closer to their own man which should limit the wide open shots they get(IMO, the biggest problem for poor defense was the massive amounts of help our guards gave. We doubled EVERYBODY in the post, whether they had a post game or not). If they're able to run them off the three point line and funnel them into the paint with Howard and our rotations come quickly we can be a top 5 defensive team. But usually that requires a good defensive system(which I didn't see last year, but I'm expecting this year) and trust in each other(which might take a while to build). That's why I'm glad we're keeping Asik. By keeping Asik and improving our 2nd unit, we should be able to hold our ground or even build on a lead with our starters out. I'm looking forward to next year.

Yep..that's exactly y I believe we will have a top 5 def this year..it sure felt that the def was designed to allow 3 point shots..I heard earlier in the year it was so we could get a head start on our fast break..which I'm hoping with a complete team we won't need to do anymore..I expect to see a well executed def set at all times on the floor..like you I'm not completely sold on Mchales coaching skills just yet..cause we simply havnt seen it yet..it really seemed watching the games the only person that tried on def was Asik..even parsons seemed to take a step back towards the end of the year..it's mostly the reason y I believe in the team so much..we added Dwight to the best off in the league last year and If we put even a small effort on team def more then last year we will be really hard to beat

[rockets best fan]

Yep..that's exactly y I believe we will have a top 5 def this year..it sure felt that the def was designed to allow 3 point shots..I heard earlier in the year it was so we could get a head start on our fast break..which I'm hoping with a complete team we won't need to do anymore..I expect to see a well executed def set at all times on the floor..like you I'm not completely sold on Mchales coaching skills just yet..cause we simply havnt seen it yet..it really seemed watching the games the only person that tried on def was Asik..even parsons seemed to take a step back towards the end of the year..it's mostly the reason y I believe in the team so much..we added Dwight to the best off in the league last year and If we put even a small effort on team def more then last year we will be really hard to beat

totally agree.

[thejohnnygold]

What I expect our offense to look like with Dwight...

 

[Steven]

What I expect our offense to look like with Dwight...

It's illegal to stand out of bounds on offense. New rule starting the upcoming season.

[rockets best fan]

It's illegal to stand out of bounds on offense. New rule starting the upcoming season.

it will be interesting to see how many times that gets called this year

[Mason Khamvilay]