(Pay attention first, then read)
NBA reporter Lachard Binkley's column:
Over the past three seasons, no one would confuse the Houston Rockets with the Bulls of the '90s or even the Rockets of 2017. Over the past few years, the Rockets have been mediocre on the offensive end. To that end, the Rockets brought in seasoned veterans and more well-rounded players.
The Rockets have gone from being the youngest team in the league to a more balanced team. With the addition of Dillon Brooks, they added a strong-willed defensive finisher to the team (no such tough player since PJ Tucker); They also brought in Jeff Green, who just won a championship with the Nuggets; Allen Holiday, who is a reliable backup point guard; Jock Randale, who is energetic and willing to do the dirty work; And, of course, there's Fred VanVleet, a former All-Star and NBA champion.
The last name on this list is probably the player who has had the biggest impact on the team. From leadership and game experience to resilience on the defensive end, VanVleet can improve the Rockets' overall performance on the court. The area where he can make the most impact is in the block demolition. Not only will VanVleet be good at blocking next season, Jaylen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. will also benefit from blocking. As a core element of offense, the Rockets have the potential to play the best blocking offense in the league in the new season.
High-level data shows that the Rockets can play efficient blocking offenses
Even last year, during the Raptors' tumultuous season, VanVleet had success in blocking, especially with the arrival of Jacob Bolt. Last season, VanVleet ranked 15th in the league in points on the ball in blocking situations. That's a full 1 point higher than the previous season. One possible reason is that he has become more comfortable as the team's main ball carrier.
As you can see in the video, VanVleet can use blocks to score or assist in a variety of ways. VanVleet scored 0.96 points per round last season, which could be the first on the team if he were with the Rockets. As I mentioned earlier, his efficiency has improved significantly since Bolter joined. Boltel is an excellent coverer, and Alperon Shenjing is getting better and better every season when it comes to offensive cover.
Bolt recently talked about how he got along with VanVleet after being traded to the Raptors.
"He was definitely a big factor in my success here," Bolter said of VanVleet. "We have great chemistry here." These numbers can indicate how good their chemistry is. With VanVleet on the pitch, Bolt could score five more points per 100 turns. When the two played together, the team scored an unexpected 1.34 points per round.
With Shin Kyung's super high basketball IQ and ability to score anywhere in the box, we can expect the Rockets to play out the same scene as the Raptors in the new season. Last season, Shin Kyung's blocking rate with the Rockets was only 20.7%, while Bolt's blocking rate in the Raptors was as high as 28.2%. It is expected that after the blocking cooperation with VanVleet in the new season, Shenjing's shooting opportunities and shooting percentage will be significantly improved.
In fact, it's not just VanVleet who can help the Rockets block the new season, Jaylen Green and Porter Jr. are also good at scoring in blocks. Last season, Jaylen Green ranked 10th in the league with 8.6 points per game, and Portley Jr. ranked 21st in the league with 7.1 points per game. Both can score from the outside and break through the offensive basket after cover is complete.
Green has improved a lot over his rookie season because he has a better grasp of what he should do to create a good shooting opportunity. As you can see in the video, he uses cover to get rid of defenders, break through to the low post, and then calmly shoot from mid-range.
Another advantage of VanVleet is his ability as a cover — something that is not usually seen in a point guard. Vivek Jakob of Raptors radio told me that's what VanVleet is good at.
'It would be interesting to work with Green, but I would say that VanVleet is a very good coverer, so Uduka should look for opportunities to release Green and use VanVleet as a cover so Green can play directly against the opposing smaller players.' The Raptors' blocking tactic is 1-4, with Siakam holding the ball and VanVleet as cover. So having Green or Shin Kyung hold the ball high and VanVleet do the blocking, it could become a tactic for them. ”
This is something that Uduka should consider in the rocket offensive. For much of last season, the Rockets didn't have the right tactics to get the ball on the move. VanVleet could do cover for Green or Porter Jr., which gave the Rockets more options.
Specifically, VanVleet could use cover to move beyond the three-point line to open up space for Green or Porter Jr. Because VanVleet has expanded his range of shooting over the past few seasons, it will force the opposing team to follow outside the three-point line to defend. Jabari Smith will also get opportunities on the inside.
VanVleet and Siakam's game footage could provide a reference for the Rockets, and he could play a similar combination with Shin Kyung or Smith. In a quick offensive round, VanVleet can bypass the cover man and step back to get an open three-pointer.
With a player like VanVleet with a high basketball IQ, you can use him to play an endless variety of blocking tactics. Add in Shin Kyung, Green and Porter Jr., and maybe you'll see one of the league's best blockers in the new season.