I am a fan of Shane Battier.  Shane is a consummate professional, comports himself well on and off the court.  Unlike the responses you get from NBA players, when asked a question, with Shane, you typically can expect to get intelligent, non-inane, answers to reporter’s questions.  I think, he is one of the few players, who are completely aware of how the game looks for someone outside, while he is playing in it.  He is cerebral, and is not easily carried in the moment, and sticks to his strengths, and game plan.  In my view, Shane Battier is one of the significant advantages that the Rockets have.  I am fairly convinced that for the younger players in the Rockets uniform, playing with Shane Battier, is like playing with one of the coaching staff on the floor, and I think that is one of the secrets behind the success of the Rockets this season.  

Given all that, I was a bit surprised to read what Shane had to say about Tracy McGrady’s  in the Chronicle.

""We all look good in half-court situations, playing one-on-one," Battier said. "He has a ways to go. … When he comes back, he comes back."

I believe that this is one of the few occasions that we have had a clear confirmation of where McGrady stands in terms of his ability to play – other than the bromides that we routinely hear from Rick and Morey.  I think McGrady is yet to buy into the offensive philosophy of Rick Adelman.  In the past, opposing teams had great success in pressuring McGrady into shooting contested, low percentage jump shots.  Perhaps in half court situations, McGrady is still doing that.  He might be successful, but the team will suffer.  If you go up and down for five possessions, and see McGrady jack up five contested shots, and even if he hits three out of the five shots that will completely ruin the ‘team’ approach that the Rockets are attempting to build.  I think, we may find, that McGrady may not get on the court, unless and  until, he demonstrates that he has bought into the coaching philosophy of Adelman, at both ends of the court.  

This is a chance for McGrady to grow as a player, and I also think that he has high basketball IQ and talent to be an elite passer in the league, and a strong defender.  If McGrady really commits to the team approach and philosophy, the game will actually be easier for him, prolong his basketball career, and perhaps will be more fun with more success.  But, can he do it, and not settle for the ‘one on ones’ – as Battier alludes to in this conversation?

May be I am reading too much into this one quote. In any event, it is clear that the Rockets have thrown down the gauntlet to McGrady to see if he can adapt to the role that the team needs.

Kari

Rockets will most likely start (or play the entire) season without their three marquee players, McGrady, Yao, and now Artest.  The team is composed of a bunch of good role players, Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Carl Landry, Aaron Brooks, and now Trevor Ariza.  They will have to give up one or more of these players to gain anyone with considerable talent – something that they can not afford.  So, the prospect for the Rockets looks rather grim for the next season.

 Well, as our former Secretary of Defense, Mr. Rumsfeld, famously remarked, you go to war with the army that you have, not the army that you wish that you had.    

Rockets have decided that they are going to address the PG assignment by committee – Brooks/Lowry.  It worked reasonably well in the post-season even in the absence of Yao/McGrady, and with Ron Artest disappearing on the offensive end.  Brooks has shown that he can beat his man and penetrate.  Without marquee players, the Rockets would have to replicate that approach at every position.  The flowing offense that Adelman keeps preaching about all these years would perfectly fit a team like that is 10 man deep – even if none of them are elite players. 

If they can create a truly contributing 10-man roster, this team could be very interesting, and entertaining to watch.  Sometime ago, there was this excellent article in NewYorker (read it, if you have not read it already) which describes how underdogs can break the rules, and create havoc. 

I know well that it is nice to have a team with superstars.  But, I do think, that offensive philosophy of teams with superstars also becomes predictable, and that can be a liability.  That is why, often you find, role players such as Robert Horry, Fisher, Kerr make key shots in the playoffs.  A team without superstars can play well, if they buy into the coaching philosophy, and play the right way.

Without Yao, McGrady, Ron Artest, the rest of the Rockets can play an up-tempo game, and they can play freely.  No one is expecting them to win any way right? If I were a coach, it is an interesting challenge that I can look forward to. If last year is any indication, Coach Adelman appears to be perfectly suited for the job!

I think the Rockets may  usher in the era of ‘all positions by committee’ approach in 2009-2010, and in a few years, this will be followed by most NBA teams.  Well, that is until, Rockets can snag a superstar like James  in 2011 :-)!

For Rockets to win, they need to cobble together a line-up to plug the hole in the middle, get some fouls against the Lakers with some inside game,  play the defense that they are capable of, and keep the ball movement to keep the Lakers off balance.  All tough things to do.  So, what are the odds for the following:

(1) For Dorsey sighting? Mbenga sighting?

(2) Fisher getting benched ( or play < 15 minutes)

(3) Artest posting up more frequently, and/or taking it inside to open up the floor for outside shooters?

(4) Pau hurling to the floor more than once?

(5) Scola or Landry having a break-out game?

(6) Rockets winning game 5? (I had to put this one in)

Kari

While many have commented that Ron should have cooled it off instead of going after Kobe, I have to respectfully disagree.

The Lakers were trying to send a message that they are tough.  The fact is they are not, and were simply rattled with the 2nd quarter comeback that a bunch of lunchpail Rocket players made.  This Rocket team did not wilt, did not bow to their perceived greatness.  They simply played solid basketball.  So, in the third quarter, Lakers simply resorted to taking cheapshots.  In the past, Kobe in particular, has done such things repeatedly when things got a bit stressful for his team, and often has gotten away with it.  This time, he messed with the wrong person, and Ron simply got on his face, and called his bluff.  Most players don't complain, because they think it is futile, as the league would not suspend Kobe Bryant.  But, Ron Artest, has enough personality, enough game, to call Kobe out.  If Ron had not done that, nobody, would have even talked about the elbow to the throat, today, and Kobe would have gotten away with another intimidation.  

Now Kobe Bryant's antics in the first two games are well publicised, this puts him on a short leash, and he will be less reluctant to pull such stunts.  It is important to unmask the pretty faces of Kobe/Fisher and reveal the ugly side beneath.  I think Ron did a very good thing early in this series, to make that happen.  He sent the message that this team is not going to back down for anybody, and as Ron Ron put it, we win fair and square, and we will lose fair and square. 

The Lakers got the win that they desparately needed, but the manner in which they got it, should put some serious doubt into their heads.  On the other hand, for the Rockets, they now know that they can beat the Lakers, and the Rockets second unit is just as strong as their first.

All that trash Kobe kept talking to Shane Battier who guarded him smartly, and without any evidence of malice, only made me appreciate the professionalism and class of the Rockets.  Yao is another wonderful example of class.  I love this Rockets team!  Go Rockets..

Kari

Beating LA will be challenge for the Rockets, but I think that this group of Rockets can do it.

• Shut down everyone else but Kobe: Kobe will get his points.  Let him, but shut everyone else down.  Do not double Kobe (except on occasion to mix it up), and solely rely on Ron/Battier combo to wear him down on both ends.  If the Rockets can make Kobe shoot 30+ attempts to get his 30 points per game, then they have done their job. 
• Get Yao the ball:  This one is on Rick Adelman.  He has to come up with some specific plays for Yao.  Pau is effective, and if the Yao who showed up to play Game #6 against the Blazers can show up for each Laker game, then this series could get a whole lot of interesting - pretty quick.
• Keep your cool:  What has been impressive about this group of Rockets is that they have been fairly levelheaded despite their inexperience.  This is virgin territory for most of their players: Brooks/Lowry/Landry/Wafer are all relatively inexperienced, and this is new even for veterans such as Yao/Battier.  So, if they play within their offensive capacities, and try not to force too much they can win.  I think that this team is plenty good defensively, but on the offensive end, they have to become more workmen-like; Just run your scheme, take the high percentage shots that the defense gives and move on.
• Coaching:  If one were to rely on the history, I fully expect Phil Jackson to start whining about officiating as soon as the series gets tight.  It is going to be a lot of gamesmanship from the Lakers coaching staff.  Let us see if Rick Adelman can coach his team to a series victory against the Lakers in this series.

• Slow Down the game: 
  
  1. Minimize turnovers: Brooks has to play smart basketball and stick to a game-plan.  Rick Adelman needs to keep him on a tight leash.  Fisher can not guard him, but Fisher is very savvy.  Perhaps a small dose of Barry might not be bad idea to mix things up. 
  2. Play solid transition defense:  The Lakers would like to push the ball up quickly, and quick transition defense would allow the Rockets (in particular, when Yao is on the floor) to get set up to play Rockets style.
  The pressure is on the Lakers.. Go Rockets!

Kari

I knew this for some time, but even my optimistic blinders, can not deny this after last night's game.  Rick Adelman's offense is predicated on someone smart and mature to run it, and Brooks is not the one to run his offense.

If we lose this series, it would be because we did not have a legitimate rirst rate point guard.  I think Rick should put Brooks on a tight leash, i.e., a very tight leash.  If we deviates from the offensive plan for more than two possessions, he should take him out.  Lowry, not withstanding last nights play, is a better PG for this team, and I think, even Barry would be a better option to fill in 10-15 minutes at the PG position, and his basketball IQ is higher.  He will not penetrate like Brooks, but I think he will read what Portland is trying to do better than Brooks, and ensure that the right people get their shots.  He will play better Defense, and on the floor with Battier, he can keep the rockets under control.

Kari

If the Rockets entertain any hope of winning in the Rose Garden, they have to be ready from the get go.  The teams are fairly evenly matched, and the Rockets have eked out victories by the strength of their poise, and everbody playing within their limits - even Ron Artest, for the most part. 

They have to realize that, now that Nate has complained about officiating, the refs are going to swallow their whistle when Yao gets shoved around at the post.  I hope Rick changes some things around for Yao - perhaps coming near the top of the key every now and then to set picks. I expect at least one or two fouls on Yao, in the first quarter, for something silly, e.g., setting moving screens, or touch fouls.

The key to winning for the Rockets:

1. Tenacious Defense, did I say, Tenacious?

2. Rebounds, and

3. Good Ball Movement

Rick Adelman, should drill this into Brooks's head:

Son, stop the side-to-side dribbling show, and start the offense early in the shot clock.  We know you can outdribble Blake but can you get 8-10 assists in this game?

The sooner that the Rockets can put doubt in the collective heads of the young blazers that  this is a unwinnable series, the better off they would be.  The Blazers would not go without a fight, So the rockets be ready!

Go Rockets..

Kari

I think this has to be the year of Yao.  He has played consistently well, and knock on wood, has been mostly healthy.  This is the year, that I also think that he has a solid credible team around him.  In the combination of Artest and Battier, Scola and Landry, Brooks and Lowry, he has sufficient talent that he can feed off. 

I strongly believe that Yao can switch to another gear and take this team very far.  I think he knows that a window to win anything significant becomes a bit smaller every year, and this year he has to take advantage of it.  He does not need to do anything physical to get there, but what he needs to do is purely mental.  By now, he has to know that he can shoot over anybody. 

If his guards won't pass him the ball, he needs to know that, in the interest of the team, he needs to demand it, even if it means yelling at them. 

If people front him, double him, or triple him, he can still see over everybody, and know that he can make the right decision, and find the open man.

If people attempt to foul him, he knows that he is going to ensure that their indiscretion will be punished at the free throw line. 

If Ron dribbles around, he has to know that he has to get on Artest.

He has tried to the gentle giant for all these years, it is time to BE the giant.  A lot is riding on him, and he has the skills to deliver.  All he needs is the right attitude of doing what it takes.

Yao, over the years, has sought to make himself a better player by hardwork, and perseverance.  He is humble.  It is one of his admirable qualities.  He is his best critic. 

Now, he just needs to all that humility go.  There are no more mountains for him to climb, no new moves to learn.  He has incredible basketball skills.  A line from Tao Te Ching:

He who knows he has enough is rich

Yao has enough. It is his time

Kari