Most important are Russ and Harden. They are drivers of this system. But having elite complementary players like RoCo and Tucker that are threats from 3 and can defend 1-5 unlocks it for us. Having the right complementary roster is critical. This system is not happenstance, it was deliberate and carefully constructed.
agreed. it might be a little too early to tell, but yes, we actually are built for full-time super small ball based on all those pieces we systematicly drew in plan n equipped with. True. Thats why i used 'barely' n question mark noted in my post, cuz Its quite predictable that should any of those (a/m teams) tried to compete us with their part-time mall lineup, they got to face a cache-22 having 1-2 starting players nailed on bench who are unqualified to play small (either too small or too big), replacing with their second best but who can matchup with ours in that poisons. In that way they are gonna lost a great deal of their competitive advantage they were building for, thus in the end they might try to play small to compete us in our fashion for a while as an experiment, most possibly would not stick to it n quit half way. Lets see what gonna happened in the coming 4 critical games i.e. celtics n clippers (mar), Lakers n bucks(aprl)
Short but impressive take on our 2nd round exit. specificly you picked out one of the intriguing things that might inspire morey n MDA make their mind to stick to play mismatching small '5out' game. Brilliant.
Micro ball or small ball ? I think it’s more of a medium ball . 6’3-6’8 , no midgets or giants just skilled basketball players is all we need . Skills Win All Games
That thiccc PJ though. Also, I love when teams say like "oh we'll just counter the Rockets by going small too" THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT. They don't have the personnel to run micro ball as well as the Rockets, as the OP pointed out. The only way they can attempt to exploit the mismatches is by over utilizing their center down low on in the paint on offense. Other than maybe a few guys in the league, that is definitely not going to work and is a very tough path to victory.
While I agree about Harden and Russ obviously as they are the engine that makes us go I'm not so sure we are as successful without Tuck. Without him our defense would suffer horrendously. People unjustly hate on him because he doesn't put up stats. He is criminally underrated.
Yet Rockets do not jump up in defensive efficiency including blocks and steals until Covington arrived. It takes a village. And these 4 are critical, in different ways.
The Rockets are boy cried wolf and the rockets media narrative basically goes like this.... 1. Media pundits argue that rockets are under-rated Reality check...No Rockets are actually on the decline since 2015 wcf appearance! 2. Media pundits argue rockets are innovative with small ball Reality check...Rockets have unsuccessfully used small ball in a low key way since 2015 wcf hack a howard! 3. Media pundits argue rockets under-rated b/c Harden get ignored Reality check...Harden got mvp so he has not been ignored w/ multiple all-star appearances yet no fiba appearance ! 4. Media pundits argues rockets are hated on because they don't use bigs Reality check...Rockets have struggled to effectively use bigs since 2015 wcf hack a howard!
This small ball existed with MDA suns in mid 00's. Stoudemire was a pf that had a jumper playing center.
Do you recall Phoenix actually winning or reaching a finals under MDA? No need for research, just answer off the top of your head please.
So basically are you saying that small ball didn't get Mike Dantoni over the hump? Can I ask a question? Do you think there is anything magical that might make small ball work this time for Dantoni? Do you feel Dantoni will maybe get lucky a second time around? Do you think small ball is some irish luck, type of bullshiet that has the nba fooled?
Just wanted to thank you for the many hours of hard and meaningful work smoothieking. You've been so persuasive that most of the misguided rockets fans I've talked to have already switched over to Jazz or Mavericks forums. We would hate to see you waste your talents, come stop by and say hi!
They need to tell Dantoni that this aint the desert casino in Phoenix, and it is time out for gambling on "small ball"!
In the past coaches forced players to adapt to their system. Now the best coaches adjust their system to the talents of the players on the roster. It is en vogue right now to talk about the Rockets “going small” but really it is more a philosophy with the idea being to have skilled, versatile players that can guard multiple spots. In the case of the THIS Rockets team it is to go small but that is by default. Also the Rockets plan on adding a center this summer. It will be someone long and athletic but a real center. As far as what teams can match the Rockets small line up? The Clippers because they have the two best wings in the NBA. The Celtics as well. The Bucks can do what the Rockets do but with length.
Lakers maybe add KCP or Avery Bradley to the mix. Two catalysts in LBJ/AD surrounded by shooters (I would have blocked Markieff to LA..... Puts them at our level) ......maybe. Clippers....Marcus Morris maybe add Beverley (played KD tough last playoffs). Shamet or JaMychal Green or Reggie Jackson to mix. 3 or 4 catalysts (PG13/Claw/SweetLou/Reggie Jackson) with decent shooters around them. Bucks add Wes Matthews to the mix. Shooting 37% from 3. Plays taller like Avery Bradley. 2 catalysts (Freak/Bledsoe) surrounded by shooters. Celtics add Kemba Walker and Ojeleye (36% from 3). 2 catalysts (Tatum/Kemba) surrounded by shooters. Throw in Raptors: Ibaka Siakam Anunoby (37% from 3) Lowry Norman Powell (40%) or VanVleet (39% from 3) Smaller team with Lowry/VanVleet 2 catalysts (Lowry and VanVleet) surrounded by shooters Miami Whole team Tyler Herro (39% from 3) Nunn (35% from 3) Butler Iggy (43% from 3) Derrick Jones? (28% from 3) Crowder Duncan Robinson (44% from 3) 3 catalysts? (Nunn/Butler/D Jones.......Dragic?) shooters surrounding them. But the catalysts for the Rockets need no picks.......amazing in iso.