Here is what I believe the Rockets need to do against the Griz. Play Greg Smith more! He needs to get more minutes. Share the ball. Especially, with Tony Allen on Harden, he needs to give it up early and not have it stick so long in his hands. Stop gambling on defense and just play smarter. Parsons really needs to step up his defense as he'll have his hands full with Rudy Gay. Lin should have a good matchup offensively against Conley, so lets see if the coaches actually run more through him. Finally, play a lot of 3 guard lineups with Lin, Harden, and TD.
Won't be surprised if Lin goes back to his single digit scoring way this game. :-(
ReplyDeleteHarden seems to force the issue more when he can't get it going. I anticipate he will struggle against Tony Allen and then dominate the ball more in order to "shoot himself out of the slump" but by doing so he will keep the ball away from Lin and eventually a loss for the Rockets.
we need to rebound fastbreak. all night
ReplyDeleteYeah, I hope the Rockets won't go to ISO Harden mode, where he gets shut down by Tony Allen with everyone else standing around and watching. At least in the first game, Lin drew 2 critical fouls against Allen that got him into foul trouble.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Rockets bench needs to step up, they were getting killed by Jaryd Bayless and Mareese Speights off the bench.
Griz size is big. Play fast paced! Play some PNR, but Asik has to finish. Play Greg Smith more if Asik couldn't perform. Let Lin handle the balls most of the time. Delfino is a decent 3 pointers, but bad passer/ball handler. Defense!Defense!Defense! Make those 3 points shots contested. It's not foul just raise your hand to defend. Is it that hard? There were many occasions Harden just let those shots go without defense. He is a great scorer and needs to stay in the game without Foul Trouble. But Everybody has to make efforts to defend ESPECIALLY THOSE 3 POINTS SHOTS.
ReplyDeleteThose big men need to trail the ball if the shot does not go in. Often they give up too early.
ReplyDeleteBull's Noah is one of the greatest doing that.
Preview: Rox vs Grizzlies
ReplyDeleteI'm not too concerned with Lin's stats tomorrow. Conley is a very good defender, very physical, and so are the bigs in the paint. Lin is going to get knocked around if he tries to penetrate as much as he did in the last two games, and I don't really want to see Lin bleeding again.
ReplyDeleteTony Allen is freakin' badass as stopping iso/pnr perimeter players so let's hope the Houston offence is flowing tonight and not getting stagnant and relying on Harden to generate his own shots because Allen feasts on that. He's only allowing 0.5 PPP against isos and 0.48 PPP against PNR ball handlers!
Realistically, Rockets have little chance to win against Grizzlies who have too many tall, fast and skilful players in every position, only their bench is a little weak. Houston have won against highly ranked teams like Knicks and Lakers by running fast breaks against their older and slower players. However, against good, fast and athletic teams like OKL and Heat, Rockets can not match them, you know they'll pull away.
ReplyDeleteI'll be pleasantly surprised if Rockets can beat the Grizzlies, just expect the LOH's to come out like flies buzzing around cow dung.
Griz != OKC, jlin need not fear athletic shotblockers and just drive/attack. Set the tempo early. They are much faster defend the treys, rebound and fast breaks and they'll own griz.
DeleteRegarding heat... rox was spanking them all game until LeBron turned on g mode in 4th...by one basket no less.
Revisiting Jeremy's shooting technique. Apologize to some of you in advance.
ReplyDeleteShooting form is important, as basketball is about putting the ball in the basket. Lin should TRY the shooting form that "all the great shooters in the NBA use". And then if he doesn't like it, fine. At least he tried it once.
I think that because Jeremy has improved a lot in shooting by working with Doc, he is resistant to change his shooting technique to something much better. Per Nash: "If you don't have great mechanics, you're not going to have a great success"
A clear pic of Jeremy's shooting motion: It looks like his palm is close to the ball as much as possible and therefore can't fit 2 fingers in between the palm and the ball (which is a no no according to Steve Nash's YouTube video): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/chris_ballard/11/30/houston-rockets-jeremy-lin-james-harden-daryl-morey/index.html
Nash demonstrates the perfect classic shooting form that's used by "all the great shooters in the NBA, whether it's Ray Allen or Dirk Nowitzski" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdslodeCQH4 .... "If you don't have great mechanics, you're not going to have a great success". The perfect shooting form (paraphrasing the ball holding part): Hold the ball so that you can fit 2 fingers between the ball and the palm. "If the ball is too close to the palm, it's really hard to control the ball". If you tie all the parts he's shown you "and you practice everyday, you can be a consistent shooter".
I also wonder: In team drill and practice, instead of just handing players the ball (so that they can shoot repeatedly), don't the assistant coaches show them the classic and successful shooting technique?
DeleteYes ztrtra, the Rockets assistants have been working nonstop with Jeremy Lin's shooting.
DeleteI really like the way his jumpshot looks. His footwork is vastly improved because he's widened his stance a bit and is putting his right foot forward. That has resulted in a higher arc and more accuracy.
Jeremy Lin is doing just fine with his jumpshots now. He's almost impossible to stop when he's shooting the way he's been shooting.
He has been making mainly layups. I am hoping to see him make more mid range jumpers. It is annoying that the game plan seems to be take threes only. This limits the development of his mid range game.
DeleteYeah a lot of people pointed out Lin and Harden's bad shooting % in the mid range as a reason for them not to take those but they failed to acknowledge that the Rockets gameplan is to use those shots as the last resort in a broken play, hence the often bad %. I don't know about Harden but Lin definitely has a mid range pull up jumper that is seriously under-utilized. If Lin can have that pull up jumper going, that will really open up the floor for him, like Westbrook and Tony Parker's game.
DeleteTo be honest, it's a bit frustrating that the Rockets gameplan is so rigid and limited and not fluid at all and doesn't really "let Lin play".
DeleteJLin is also the most enjoyable to watch when the game plan is to just "let Lin play".
DeleteIt's good to know that the Rockets do work with Jeremy. If only they didn't try to smack down his confidence (with partial success only because of his resilience), seemingly on purpose while at the same time advising him to play without pressure!!! (;~O) (;~/). I don't believe they have been mistreating Lin on purpose: It's their biased minds (which is worse) playing tricks with them, which is why they "saw" Lin play worse than Douglas even when it weren't true. Like every team, sometimes the bench plays better than the starter as expected because of players being in and out of their zone; also the bench has more rested bodies. But what coach pulls out their starter at the first mistake when a player is having a good game..... Anyway, the disrespect should happen less because Lin showed (the Spurs game) the team owner that he's a baller alright.
DeleteI just feel that Jeremy is just as talented as the top tier players already (and I assume he practices just as hard), yet he's not recognized as such yet because of his jump shots, which is the easiest aspect to improve (because it's about a technique and practice). Accurate shooting does come with more practice and more play, so his shots will come along. But a correct technique will help accelerate the process and with consistency: Just look at the Kn-cks improvement with uncontested 3-point shooting (and by so many players), now that they've been working full time with Hopla).
Don't let Nash's video fool you. Nash doesn't tell you everything, just the basic. His shooting secret is hidden.
DeleteJeremy's problem is all mechanics. He is mentally very strong but in my opinion, there is a little hitch in his mechanics that he is unable to figure out just yet. Just like Tiger Woods, one year play good, next bad. Not that he's weak mentally, just external life issues causes him to forget details in his golf strokes.
If they are good and dedicated, eventually, these guys would figure it out.
A wide open basketball shot is just like a golf stroke, if you can repeat the exact motion every time, it should go in, barring external factors like wind.
@feltball,
DeleteYep, I'm convinced it's the shooting mechanics. Anyway, when Jeremy's shots fall in with more consistency, it will be a poison pill for the Smith, because Jeremy will be something, wow!
p.s. for feltball -
DeleteI have the feeling that Steve Nash is a special person of intelligence and goodwill. I for one believe that's all there is to great shooting mechanics. Why? Because Nash said so (;~D) and it was said in front of his baby students.... But besides that, the shooting mechanics Nash talked about has been repeated by other great shooters - including young players like Stephen Curry; great shooting mechanics are consistently repeatable.
JEREMY PLEASE READ THIS: heart to heart, from baller to baller. please let me humbly share my shooting improvement experience. considering that jlin was shooting at 70% during his offseason training, i do not think there is anything wrong with his mechanics. i strongly believe it is mental. and i don't mean that necessarily as in lack of confidence. let me explain: when you make such a huge adjustment in your shooting mechanics, you take 2 steps back in terms of progress when you try to apply that in a real game situation. you think way too much about mechanics, and don't think enough about THE BALL GOING INTO THE HOOP (visually imagining it going in, while focusing all your physical energy into making that happen), as you would when you're just relaxed playing a game of 21 with your buddies for example. at this stage, jeremy needs to first just shoot the ball without thinking about mechanics, as if shooting however feels natural. AND THEN PHASE IN little by little the mechanics he has learned. this is the best way to apply technical improvement to REAL LIFE SITUATIONS (ie actual game). the reason for this is because in a real game, the TIMING/RYTHM changes (compared to practice TIMING). that's why your shooting mechanics must revolve around the TIMING of your personal/natural game (the game/rythm that comes naturally for you), and not the other way around. it is sort of like buliding foundation based on your own personal rythm. this is coming from my personal experience as someone who was determined to drastically improve therefore change his jumpshot, knowing that shooting is one of the most important (if not the most important) part of the game of basketball.
ReplyDeleteThe key to Houston winning is for the Rockets to not be afraid of attacking the paint.
ReplyDeleteMemphis is a big physical team, but they're not like OKC or Portland with elite shotblockers that completely mess up the offense.
Tony Allen will be assigned to guard James Harden, so Harden will have to be extra careful. Allen just might be the best defensive shooting guard in the NBA.
Of course, the key is Lin. Lin has a distinct advantage on both ends over the highly rated Mike Conley.
The big men of Memphis are not defensive juggernauts rather rebounding big men (better than OKC in terms of rebounding).
DeleteBut they are not as perimeter based like OKC.
Linsanity all over Conelys face !!
ReplyDeleteToday is the day to play with Asik in 5 and Greg Smith in 4 against the Griz
ReplyDeleteProbably, but the spacing will be limited.
DeleteNot sure if Smith can hit outside shots like Morris.
I have positive feelings about this game, not sure why... it's either Rockets will win or Rockets will perform well just like last Spurs game. I pray for them to win one game vs Grizzlies and vs Thunder. Grizzlies have ZBo and M. Gasol clogging the paint. hope the Rockets won't make way with ISOs as Grizzlies are good with corking ISO, plus go for rebounds. last Rockets vs Grizzlies Rockets were seriously out-rebounded. hopefully, Lin, Harden, and Parsons have hot hands to shoot 3s.
ReplyDeleteLin needs to shoot his floaters rather than going all the way through the paint against the goliaths.
DeleteI agree that Parsons need to step up. He has been sucking the last few games.
His dad hasn't benched him yet! That day may never come as long as Mchale is still the coach. I don't hate Parsons, but I can't help, but think he will have a very good career in politics when he retired from basketball. Sorry don't mean to bash him.
DeleteI think it's completely reasonable to have a good feeling about this game, isabelijane.
DeleteMemphis is a slow power veteran team that occasionally has trouble scoring. They won't disrupt Houston's offense with athletic fleet footed midrange shotblockers the way Portland or OKC or SAS would.
The key here is for Lin to look for his own shot. We all fear him going into deferral mode, so it's entirely on Lin to stay aggressive. Everybody on the Rockets, including James Harden and the coaching staff, is practically begging Lin to attack and PLAY HIS GAME.
If Lin comes out aggressively, it is entirely possible for Houston to "rocket" past this "grizzled" Memphis team (bad puns wholly intended).
Reminiscing.
ReplyDeleteJLin 2010 - 2011 Highlights
DeMarcus Cousins just got suspended for fighting with Keith Smart.
ReplyDeleteAs wacky as Cousins has been, I still like the guy for some reason. Besides, anybody who gives Keith Smart trouble gets a pass from me since Smart totally mishandled Lin!
DeMarcus Cousins would be a good power forward for Lin, and maybe Lin would even have a steadying influence on Cousins. Kevin McHale would probably infuriate Cousins, though. On talent alone, DMC would be a good starting PF for Lin's Rockets.
Instant upgrade
Deletebad influence.
DeleteGood Linfluence
DeleteNo. I wouldn't want and think it's good for Lin or rocket to have an emotional player who can't control his temper like that.
DeleteThe Grizzlies are a good team and WC rival. If the Rockets use Lin fairly with Harden again, as they have the last 2 games, we can start getting comfortable that they're settling into an acceptably productive formula for Lin.
ReplyDeleteMixed metaphor alert: We're not quite out of the woods yet, but the light at the end of the tunnel is as bright as it's been all season.
here we go !!!
ReplyDeleteBREAKING NEWS:
ReplyDelete"Houston Rockets Guard Jeremy Lin, the first American-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent, has taken leave of absence after the world did not end on December 21, 2012. Lin claims the reason being that he is now working for the Devil. "I made the mistake of siding with the Devil, and as a result we all were not saved by God on the 21st. I'm very sorry.", says Lin with tears coming down his face.
Inside sources claimed Jeremy took a flight to Thailand early this morning after a communicating with a Buddhist monastery. It is unclear when Lin will return."
Source: Fax News
Lmao nice :D
DeleteOh..lord...amen!
DeleteHahahaha.....what a creative news!
DeleteLooking forward to this game. I did not think the Knicks or the Sixers were much of a test. Tonight will be a great litmus test for these young Rox
ReplyDeleteLin just needs to be aggressive....
ReplyDeleteThat last word Lin doesn't need is "aggressive". Period.
DeleteThey need to make sure Harden gets some rest so he has some juice left for the 4rth quarter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a game! Rox playing beautiful basketball but it's energy intensive. Mac will need to make sure the guys get plenty of rest. Harden getting way too much minutes right now.
ReplyDelete