Rotation concerns and the conundrum of backup SG

BaYBaller · Post #1 » by **BaYBaller** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:27 pm

First off I want to point out that I like that Adelman experimented with the rotation and found players who could produce, especially among the rookies. But the season is slipping away and Adelman needs to right the ship, and I'm very surprised he hasn't done it yet (considering his history).

My issue is the current 10 man rotation is hindering our consistency. Our current rotation is:

PG: Alston 30-40/Brooks 8-18
SG: T-Mac 35-40/Luther + Bonzi 8-13
SF: Battier 35-40/Bonzi 8-13
PF: Hayes ??/Landry/Scola
C: Yao 35-38/Scola 10-13

PG, SF, and C I have no problems with. Brooks pushing Alston for time and also gives a different look off the bench at the position with scoring and speed. I'm hoping Brooks can be our poor man's Tony Parker/Devin Harris i.e. the 1-man break. SF & C we have no other choices defensively.

The issue with SG is that with T-Mac back in the line-up the first thing I noticed was that Luther is not productive in limited minutes and the only way he will get more will be at PG which we know won't work.

My suggestion is to cut his minutes at SG and give them to Bonzi. This gives us a post-presence and/or second option with T-Mac or Yao on the bench. Bonzi may not be a legit "3rd-scorer" but he can be the go-to guy in terms of playing off him which we desperately need because when T-Mac or Yao pass it and the player who gets the pass is not open the offense stagnates, often just trying to get the ball again to T-Mac or Yao with a dwindling shot clock.

The other issue is at PF. I see absolutely no reason Hayes should be starting. He isn't an offensive player so he doesn't need his rhythm to be effective. He should be out of the rotation in the sense that we only use him when we need him defensively, like special plays in football. Scola starting would IMO help him a lot in terms of consistency, just like how Juwan played much better as a starter last year.

MaxRider · Post #2 » by **MaxRider** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:37 pm

my concern is the 2nd half
he only used 6-7 men rotation in the 2nd half
sometimes Yao, T-Mac, Alston played the whole 2nd half

cosinostra · Post #3 » by **cosinostra** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:01 pm

Speaking of Bonzi, what the hell happened to his skills? His offense has been horrendous since he's joined the rockets.

dontel · Post #4 » by **dontel** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:31 pm

cosinostra wrote:Speaking of Bonzi, what the hell happened to his skills? His offense has been horrendous since he's joined the rockets.

jvg

MaxRider · Post #5 » by **MaxRider** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:39 pm

cosinostra wrote:Speaking of Bonzi, what the hell happened to his skills? His offense has been horrendous since he's joined the rockets.

Wells needs the ball in a fast pace game
Yao slow down our offense and T-Mac is hogging the ball

jove9 · Post #6 » by **jove9** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:32 am

Has it been two weeks already?

It doesn't seem that long ago when we were praising Bonzi.

BaYBaller · Post #7 » by **BaYBaller** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:59 am

Bonzi hasn't really actively been looking to post-up, even with Yao out. I can only imagine his shoulder is still bothering him, or some motivational issue.

And yeah Adelman has tightened his rotation in the 2nd halves lately, but that's mainly because he just lets people who are playing well stay on the floor. I'm speaking more in terms of getting a general rotation so players can get a rhythm.