76 replies to this topic

[slick shoes]

Agreed. I've always like Jones and think he can improve. However, Rahat in many posts and podcasts expressed the same concern vonsteve just mentioned about Jones' ability (or lack there of) to defend the post. LMA is a top flight player but Rahat had broken down that Jones has trouble defending average PFs on the block. That's where I have a hard time seeing the Josh Smith comparison too. He often looks lost on D in the low post and gambles at times where he didn't need to. I think with the right coaching and practice he can come around. But those memories against LMA does burn in my mind just as vonsteve mentioned...ok enough talk about that because I really like Jones a lot...

 

The more I've read today, the more I'm convinced that this team doesn't ascend to the championship caliber we all crave until our coaching staff is upgraded. I'm not one to discredit people's abilities both on and off the floor, but I do not see the Rockets organization pursuing a coaching staff that pushes our young (or established for that matter) talent to reach their potential. Rahat once wrote that when he sees something that he does not understand going on on the floor, his immediate reaction is to assume that he is missing something. I have always given McHale, J.B., and the others the benefit of the doubt but after replaying the Portland series in my head as well as on film endlessly, I just do not see players put in the position to win/improve. Even the Texans had to part with Kubiak at some point because it became apparent that he was not the guy to lead the team to a championship. I am not calling for a firing of McHale, but maybe his talents would be best suited in post game development or something along those lines. Despite the rumors of star talent not wanting to join the Rockets because of Harden and/or Dwight, I think that those highly coveted players see our play caller(s) as more of a downside than a draw.

 

/rant

[YaoMan]

The more I've read today, the more I'm convinced that this team doesn't ascend to the championship caliber we all crave until our coaching staff is upgraded. I'm not one to discredit people's abilities both on and off the floor, but I do not see the Rockets organization pursuing a coaching staff that pushes our young (or established for that matter) talent to reach their potential. Rahat once wrote that when he sees something that he does not understand going on on the floor, his immediate reaction is to assume that he is missing something. I have always given McHale, J.B., and the others the benefit of the doubt but after replaying the Portland series in my head as well as on film endlessly, I just do not see players put in the position to win/improve. Even the Texans had to part with Kubiak at some point because it became apparent that he was not the guy to lead the team to a championship. I am not calling for a firing of McHale, but maybe his talents would be best suited in post game development or something along those lines. Despite the rumors of star talent not wanting to join the Rockets because of Harden and/or Dwight, I think that those highly coveted players see our play caller(s) as more of a downside than a draw.

 

/rant

Both Rahat and Forest Walker have echoed the same sentiments so you're not alone and I have to agree too...Bill Simmons mentioned it too about the Rockets/Blazers series. There has been some mention of possibly surrounding him with great technical and X & Os coaches...

[timetodienow1234567]

Are we just biased for our players and think they should have gotten farther that we're placing the blame unfairly on mchale? Maybe we just weren't good enough to beat the blazers.

[slick shoes]

Both Rahat and Forest Walker have echoed the same sentiments so you're not alone and I have to agree too...Bill Simmons mentioned it too about the Rockets/Blazers series. There has been some mention of possibly surrounding him with great technical and X & Os coaches...

 

I don't think the perception changes as far as free agents unless another head coach is assigned. I like McHale and think he has a lot to offer, but I'd like to see a culture change that a new head coach (along with our new uniforms) brings. This is not to say that free agent perception is a reason to fire your coach, but in addition to the more apparent flaws and given our current goals as an organization, I think its best to start the search if it hasn't already. Seems the market is rather depleted currently within the known talent pool, but maybe Cleveland is on to something bringing in an international guy. We could also try to convince a college coach to take the next step. I know it isn't as simple as saying "Hey, we need a new coach. Lets go sign one", but how many more late game misfires need to happen before the proverbial excrement hits the fan?

[slick shoes]

Are we just biased for our players and think they should have gotten farther that we're placing the blame unfairly on mchale? Maybe we just weren't good enough to beat the blazers.

 

It wasn't just Red Nation that thought we should've beaten the Blazers. We were out coached and in some cases out played in my opinion. Our shortcomings were also not limited to the Portland series. If they were, I place the blame on the players and not the coaching staff.

Edited by slick shoes, 18 July 2014 - 07:45 PM.

[YaoMan]

Are we just biased for our players and think they should have gotten farther that we're placing the blame unfairly on mchale? Maybe we just weren't good enough to beat the blazers.

You present a great question. But I do believe many thought that the Rockets would take Blazers in 5 and take Spurs to 7. Here's another interesting fact against the Blazers: The Rockets where up in the 4th quarter with 6 minutes to go in every game of the series but failed to close. That would leave me to believe that it's not the talent.  There are other things I have noticed too: offensive sets , in game adjustments and game to game management which would leave me to believe there might be some coaching issues.

Again, I am not blaming this entirely on McHale. But Rahat or Forest pointed out the game where Parsons was on fire against Memphis and being down at the end of the game, he placed CP on the top of the key for an iso, which clearly isn't Parsons strength. The thought was maybe you run CP off of a curl and have Harden drive and kick for a more open look. Or a dribble hand off from Harden to Parsons. I agree with the observation but that could be just me giving credence to Rahat/Forest...

I do, however, believe with all my heart that the Rockets team last year was better than the Blazers team.

[thejohnnygold]

I see this thread is turning into an anti-McHale party   Where's RBF???    

 

I'll stay out of it, but to respond to the Josh Smith / T-Jones thing.  I guess I wasn't clear in that I certainly am not claiming he is at the same level of post defense as Smith.  My point is the only thing stopping him is experience and know-how.  Those two things can be acquired.  Being 6' 9", very athletic, and being able to dribble like a guard....not so much.

 

Guys, Aldridge is just not a fair comparison for what is essentially a rookie PF who is giving up 3 inches and years of experience against one of the best PF's in the game.  Even Omer, a known defensive stud could only slow him down--not shut him down.  Rookies rarely come in as good defenders (part of why Parsons was so impressive)--that doesn't mean they won't get there.

[rockets best fan]

:lol:JG I was typing as you posted

 

@TTDN

it's McHale ...............JG I can't even get my point out

[slick shoes]

I guess I wasn't clear in that I certainly am not claiming he is at the same level of post defense as Smith.  My point is the only thing stopping him is experience and know-how.  Those two things can be acquired.  Being 6' 9", very athletic, and being able to dribble like a guard....not so much.

 

Guys, Aldridge is just not a fair comparison for what is essentially a rookie PF who is giving up 3 inches and years of experience against one of the best PF's in the game.  Even Omer, a known defensive stud could only slow him down--not shut him down.  Rookies rarely come in as good defenders (part of why Parsons was so impressive)--that doesn't mean they won't get there.

 

I should just wait for you to respond to people for me in the future. Well played sir.

 

Side note: Sorry for the irrelevant tangent to the thread topic. I get caught up in frustration with our inability to get over the hump at times and needed to vent.

 

Let's get this back on track. Chandler Parsons plays for the Mavs now. That sucks....

[thejohnnygold]

I do think it is a fair question/criticism/indictment of the coaching staff when looking at player development.  How fast are players supposed to develop?  Obviously, each is unique.  Still, are they showing progress?  I think so.  Is it as much as it should be?  I don't know.  Would someone else have done better?  Who knows....?

[YaoMan]

I see this thread is turning into an anti-McHale party   Where's RBF???    

 

I'll stay out of it, but to respond to the Josh Smith / T-Jones thing.  I guess I wasn't clear in that I certainly am not claiming he is at the same level of post defense as Smith.  My point is the only thing stopping him is experience and know-how.  Those two things can be acquired.  Being 6' 9", very athletic, and being able to dribble like a guard....not so much.

 

Guys, Aldridge is just not a fair comparison for what is essentially a rookie PF who is giving up 3 inches and years of experience against one of the best PF's in the game.  Even Omer, a known defensive stud could only slow him down--not shut him down.  Rookies rarely come in as good defenders (part of why Parsons was so impressive)--that doesn't mean they won't get there.

That's why I added what Rahat had broken down (in one of his podcasts) about Jones against the garden variety PFs. I will say the skill sets are there but that caliber is possible (comparison to Josh Smith) although probably not fair to Jones yet. Also Jones has better judgement with the ball.  We'll just have to see if the D gets there. Maybe it gets there with better coaching! (oops didn't mean to anti-McHale again)...

[34-33-25-11-30-10-17-7]

FWIW, Parsons never played for Adelman. The Rockets drafted him in the lockout year, McHale's first year.

Edited by 34-33-25-11-30-10-17-7, 18 July 2014 - 09:12 PM.

[Cooper]

If Harden didn't lay an egg the series goes quite a bit differently. I think Even with a good coach if both the other teams stars show up and only one of yours does its tough to win. Mchale certainly didn't help and it often looked like there was no real plan offensively or defensively but he wasn't the only problem.

[Jatman20]

Lets see, Assets: 1)Terrence Jones, DMo, Beverley, some Non-Guaranteed contracts. Rockets have a 2) Protected 2015 1st rd pick from NO
3) $8.3 mil trade exception. Greg Monroe RFA (Possible SnT), or a Jonas Jerebko, or Ilyasova/Brandon Knight deal, or Bledsoe RFA (possible SnT),
.....Atl picked up a center did they not? Perhaps Millsap can be available. Signing Ish to go along with Canaan and Nick Johnson does not bode well for Beverley who may be our greatest trade chip now.

[slick shoes]

I do think it is a fair question/criticism/indictment of the coaching staff when looking at player development.  How fast are players supposed to develop?  Obviously, each is unique.  Still, are they showing progress?  I think so.  Is it as much as it should be?  I don't know.  Would someone else have done better?  Who knows....?

 

I will say in McHale's defense (pun intended), CP grew by leaps and bounds in his brief stint here. He was pretty rough in his rookie season. As I recall, he had a lot of trouble making free throws.

 

EDIT: I also think the staff needs a "bad cop". In the "inside the huddle" shots, McHale sounds like a step father trying to win over the approval of his new step children. Too afraid to be firm the way a biological father would be. Harden is the rebellious step child who will not be convined. If there was someone that held everyone accountable (which could also be accomplished by adding Rondo but that's been discussed in other threads) and wasn't concerned about players' feelings/opinions, only that they bought in to what the staff was selling, it might help with some of the late in the shot clock/late in the game hero ball scenarios.

Edited by slick shoes, 18 July 2014 - 11:33 PM.

[thejohnnygold]

I'll go ahead and throw some more fuel on the fire.  Here is a short article quoting Dwight Howard.  He said, "It won't affect us at all" losing Parsons.  LINK

 

Lots that can be taken away from this....or it was just a poor choice of words in that moment...

[Buckko]

Maybe some of the team feel burned by parsons too as some fans.

Edited by Buckko, 19 July 2014 - 02:36 AM.

[Cooper]

He was kind of put in an awkward spot, if he says they'll be ok without him many people perceive it as a slight to Parsons, if he says oh no we're gonna blow with out him, he doesn't believe in the team and is bagging on Ariza.

[Buckko]

Oh I understand, but there was a better way to word that.

[Jatman20]

Hard for me to believe Parsons was out of the loop on the Rockets plan of signing a big fish and then adding him at a good pay raise. Poor job of conveying that message by Morey and company to Parsons. I'm guessing Morey thought Parsons might be moved in a sign and trade for a player possibly in a plan C or D. That miscommunication may have caused hurt feelings.....or Parsons just decided to chase bigger money.....or Parsons feelings got bent when we put Melo in a Lin (his buddy) jersey. So be it......time to move on. Three years is when most players start to get it. Time for Beverley and DMo and Terrence to make big strides in their progression. Hoping Canaan and Nick Johnson and Troy D can contribute sooner (this year-wishful thinking I know) than three years. Morey is thinking new CBA deal-possible lockout situation approaching.....players getting paid accordingly during that time or losing a year.