http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...kn/5211028.html</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> "I'm trying to do it right now," Adelman said. "I'm trying to put people together. It's important you get them out there. We need to get (Tracy McGrady) and Yao (Ming) on the floor. I'm going to try to do that. I'm going to try to put eight or nine guys together. That's why we're going to have those scrimmages, to see how they play together and how they progress.</p> "As a coaching staff, we're pretty sure about who we've seen so far of the players who have played well. You have to give them a chance to play together and see who else can break through."</div></p> So far, Adelman has only named three players who he's certain will be significant members of the rotation -- Yao, McGrady, and Battier. Now he's trying to figure out which combinations work the best with eachother, and get it down to a 9 man rotation. Assuming no trades, and Rafer is still here, the biggest question mark for me is whether he chooses to go with Luther Head or Steve Francis in the regular rotation. Apparently Head has played better in training camp, and I don't think there's room for both of them (I think its pretty much set that Alston and James will play). Some have theorized (e.g. Charlie Pallilo on 790am) that they're just showcasing Alston in the preseason, and he's not a part of their regular season plans. I don't buy that.</p> </p>
I was surprised to see Alston play the most (or 2nd most?) minutes in their 1st preseason game. I thought he was out after his "situation"...</p> I hope they stick with him, I think he's a really good player. I'm not sure he deserves being a starter, it doesn't really seem like the Rockets have a choice, since he's probably the best option to start the game at the 1, with being the best playmaking PG on the team, IMO. Even if he is the starter, it's good that the Rockets have other options at the 1, so he won't be getting real big minutes..</p> What I'm wondering the most of this team is how good will Bonzi do, and how much of a chance will he get from Adelman to play?</p>
He's been playing really well in preseason so far. He'll be in the rotation.</p> As for Rafer, he's been the best of the point guards right now and all signs point to him starting against the Lakers in the season opener.</p>
I'm not so sure anymore. Adelman is very high on Rafer now. And seeeing him in action in preseason, he by far looks to run the offense much more smoothly than SF or MJ.</p>
I'm a little confused as to why the Rockets brought in both James and Francis. Adelman's offense revolves around ball movement, moving WITHOUT the ball, and a lot of catch-and-shoot and catch-and-layup/dunk. James and Francis are more, dribble, dribble, dribble, dribble, jack up a shot. Luther Head seems to fit well. Rafer seems to have caught on well.</p> Anyways, here's what my 9 man rotation would look like:</p> Starters: Yao, Scola, Battier, TMac, Alston</p> Bench: Hayes, Wells, James, Francis</p> Against bigger C's, Hayes starts and Mutombo comes off the bench - making it a 10 man rotation. Against most teams without a real inside presence, Scola moves to C when Yao goes out. If Scola gets into foul trouble, Hayes plays C, Battier slides over to PF.</p> Harris and Head round out the 12 man active roster, Landry and Brooks go to the D-League and Butler sits on the IR.</p> I'm thinking Lucas, Snyder, Reed, Novak get the pink slip. Sura's contract gets bought out.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (johnny33)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I'm a little confused as to why the Rockets brought in both James and Francis. Adelman's offense revolves around ball movement, moving WITHOUT the ball, and a lot of catch-and-shoot and catch-and-layup/dunk. James and Francis are more, dribble, dribble, dribble, dribble, jack up a shot. Luther Head seems to fit well. Rafer seems to have caught on well.</p> Anyways, here's what my 9 man rotation would look like:</p> Starters: Yao, Scola, Battier, TMac, Alston</p> Bench: Hayes, Wells, James, Francis</p> Against bigger C's, Hayes starts and Mutombo comes off the bench - making it a 10 man rotation. Against most teams without a real inside presence, Scola moves to C when Yao goes out. If Scola gets into foul trouble, Hayes plays C, Battier slides over to PF.</p> Harris and Head round out the 12 man active roster, Landry and Brooks go to the D-League and Butler sits on the IR.</p> I'm thinking Lucas, Snyder, Reed, Novak get the pink slip. Sura's contract gets bought out.</p> </div></p> </p> ....what about Bonzi?</p>
We basically have one guard too many right now. If I had to guess, I think Francis will be the odd man out.</p> The idea behind getting both Mike James and Steve Francis was to add players who could create and finish on their own -- something we sorely lacked last year. Are they ideal in Adelman's offense? Maybe not. But if nothing else they are insurance for when T-Mac, Bonzi, or Yao go out with an injury.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peg182)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (johnny33)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I'm a little confused as to why the Rockets brought in both James and Francis. Adelman's offense revolves around ball movement, moving WITHOUT the ball, and a lot of catch-and-shoot and catch-and-layup/dunk. James and Francis are more, dribble, dribble, dribble, dribble, jack up a shot. Luther Head seems to fit well. Rafer seems to have caught on well.</p> Anyways, here's what my 9 man rotation would look like:</p> Starters: Yao, Scola, Battier, TMac, Alston</p> Bench: Hayes, Wells, James, Francis</p> Against bigger C's, Hayes starts and Mutombo comes off the bench - making it a 10 man rotation. Against most teams without a real inside presence, Scola moves to C when Yao goes out. If Scola gets into foul trouble, Hayes plays C, Battier slides over to PF.</p> Harris and Head round out the 12 man active roster, Landry and Brooks go to the D-League and Butler sits on the IR.</p> I'm thinking Lucas, Snyder, Reed, Novak get the pink slip. Sura's contract gets bought out.</p> </div></p> </p> ....what about Bonzi?</p> </div>Bonzi's last name is "Wells". johnny has him coming off the bench. </p> </p>
