The Rockets have had a losing streak this season when you're expecting from them, and when you're skeptical about them, their performance gives you hope. Overall, there has been progress, but judging from Udoka's operation in recent games, it makes people confused where the Rockets are headed?
In the first three seasons, Stone had the final say in the operation of the Rockets, but from this season's point of view, almost all the new signings were recruited according to Udoka's hobbies, and Udoka's employment was too stubborn and too biased towards the people he chose, so if the team wants to get on the right track in recent years, it must first determine the direction, and then move forward steadily, and don't rush into a temporary record.
Even if the Rockets are aiming for the playoffs now, I am afraid that it will be difficult to enter the play-in tournament in the end, and from the perspective of losing to the Trail Blazers, this goal may be farther and farther away, and their best is to set the playoff goal for the next season, this season is focused on adjusting the lineup, testing the lineup, finding the most suitable tactical system, and suitable players to stay.
1. Udoka is the key to the current Rockets
Now the introduction of Rockets players can be seen that Udoka has a strong voice, but this season from the perspective of his coaching and employment, there are advantages, but the problems are also very prominent. A good head coach can make a player like an All-Star, but a player who lacks a system can make a superstar a fringe player.
Udoka's arrival with the Rockets did raise the Rockets' defense to a higher level, but Udoka's offensive tactics were so lacking that there were almost no bright spots. At the beginning of the season, his tactical system was still effective, but as the game continued, other teams had studied his tactics very thoroughly and he had no new strategies to deal with them. VanVleet and Shin Kyung's pick-and-roll was almost the only offensive tactic Udoka had, and once he was strangled to death, Udoka was helpless.
Against the Trail Blazers, the Rockets would have been a must-win game, and even though there were defensive problems in the third quarter and the game had 1.6 seconds left, the team still had a three-point lead. But in this key defense, Udoka actually used a double-short combination, and finally was dragged into overtime by Grant's three-pointer, and finally lost the game.
The defense in the last 1.6 seconds of this game either made a three-point save, or directly fouled and got the ball back, so that the Trail Blazers had less time to win the game, but Udoka chose a way that the whole world did not understand and let the team lose the game, I am afraid that Silas will coach. Nor will I be guilty of such low-level problems.
Therefore, it is time for Udoka to abandon his stubbornness and try new tactics, rather than finding an offensive assistant coach. However, be overly obsessed with three guards, don't stubbornly use the Van Vleet + Holiday double short combination, don't just let Van Vleet and Shin Jing play two-man performances, let Smith, Thompson and other players participate more in the offense, rather than just appear as a defensive role, give more opportunities to young players, Green plays a good game, don't give it a fixed abandonment, which will hit the player's self-confidence, control VanVleet's desire for the ball, let him share the ball more, don't play hero ball, after all, he is not Durant, A superstar like Leonard, since he has the right to speak, he can suggest that Stone bring in a center to replace him.
2. Correctly train the six sons of rockets
Udoka is key because he has the absolute right to speak, because his tactics and personnel are related to the career of the team's players. And the team's six newcomers with absolute talent need the right way to guide their growth.
Shen Jing needs to strengthen his offensive toughness, improve defense and confrontation, Eason needs to increase his offensive ability with the ball, Smith needs to improve his physical fitness and confrontation ability, and gradually increase Smith's offensive opportunities, after all, his talent is only a pity to be a functional defender, Green needs to increase his offensive skills, enhance his awareness of defense and shooting timing, and give him a certain chance to possess the ball, rather than letting him only play without the ball, after all, VanVleet and Holiday are not the future of the team; play Thompson's strengths, he has defense and passing, and let him hold the ball when he comes off the bench, instead of partnering with VanVleet or Holiday every time; Whitmore is very well-roundedto develop Whitmore's passing awareness, as well as improve his defensive awareness.
3. Use veterans correctly
The team has veterans, but the veterans of the Rockets will guide the growth of young players, which is an excess, and the future of the team is still the six sons of the Rockets. Van Vliet was a good supporter, but he was not a qualified mentor and not a good leader, so it was important to position Van Vliet correctly and not let him play hero ball, after all, he was not suitable.
Holiday almost lost his contract in the offseason, which shows his talent and quality, but now with the Rockets, he has become a favorite for Udoka, who always likes to use him when it matters most, but he has to find the right position for the team.
Fourth, the long-term vision of trading
The current situation of the Rockets must not be traded for the sake of trading, if Udoka chooses to send away one or more of the six sons of the Rockets in exchange for ordinary veterans in order to achieve quick success, then the Rockets may be ruined.
The Rockets now need a qualified black-and-hard type of center bench, and the Raptors' Buche, the Celtics' Keita, and the Hornets' Richards are all very good options, but they are not suitable for giving away too many chips. And teams Tate, Holiday and Oladipo, Landale and Bullock can all be used as trade chips. However, if you don't have a suitable target, or the chips you need to pay are too high, you can be patient and look for the right opportunity, rather than blindly choosing to make a move.
Players like Edwards, Doncic, and Holmgren are impossible for the Rockets to trade, but players such as Bridges and Gafford should not easily overdraft resources if the asking price is too high, after all, there will be a transition period between the rebuild and the rise. #NBA Tucao Conference##NBA Hot Spots##NBA##I'm Going to Chat#