| Point Guard Solution Rests On Bench? Authored by Dennis Silva II - November 23, 2007 - 3:12 pm
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Not as many problems as some have suggested, but surely more problems than a team who was considered by many to be a title contender would like to have.
As of Thursday, Nov. 22, the Rockets are 6-6.
They have lost five straight games, and only half of their wins have come against elite teams – Utah, San Antonio and the LA Lakers.
They are 0-3 with Tracy McGrady out of the lineup (surprise, surprise), and they still seem to have the same issues as last season.
Offensive inefficiency, a lack of production and the power forward spot, and even less production from the point guards.
Rockets loyalists are confident that the offense will come around sooner or later under first-year coach Rick Adelman, whose motion, fluid sets that were so successful in Sacramento have been the basis of a lifeless, mundane offense in Houston.
For the benefit of the doubt, fine. After all, it’s yet to have been even a month, though the Rockets will learn eventually that their lack of scoring punch (94.8 points per game, 23rd in the NBA; 43 percent field goal shooting; 30 percent 3-point shooting) is courtesy of a lack of playmakers and shot-makers than anything time can solve.
The power forward quandary is also hopeless at this point as well.
Luis Scola was a fine addition, but he has proven to be far from the answer at the “4” spot, which should have been known.
Apparently, Adelman and new GM Daryl Morey were content to pair Scola with the one-dimensional and undersized Chuck Hayes, whose effort and determination is admirable, but also is someone who is clearly not starter material for a team expected to be amongst the league’s best.
But, the fact remains that there is no immediate help available, barring a trade that is unlikely to occur when a team has yet to even put together a complete game.
The point guard problem, however, is perfectly solvable.
The Rockets desired point guard help in the offseason to reduce Rafer Alston’s minutes.
Alston is an above-average playmaker and controls the ball well, but his shooting is porous and his shot selection is questionable, particularly for a floor leader.
Mike James was acquired to bring some of the offensive punch to the spot, but he has been a disappointment.
James has done nothing to squelch “rumors” of his selfishness and penchant for going one-on-one at the most inopportune of times.
His 36 percent shooting from the floor (not to mention 24 assists compared to 14 turnovers) has been disappointing, and he does little to help the team elsewhere.
But, lo and behold, the Rockets’ answer to the lack of play at the point is buried deep on their bench.
With James and Alston severe underachievers at this point, and the hyped return of Steve Francis running out of fumes with each DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coach’s Decision), it might be wise for Adelman to give rookie dynamo Aaron Brooks a look.
In Adelman’s offense, the point guard needs to be able to create for himself and others, hit open shots, lead a break, and stay in front of his man.
All of which are attributes that Brooks boasts.
The 6-0, 160-pounder had a brilliant collegiate career at Oregon, averaging 13 points and 4.1 assists while proving himself to be one of the best 3-point marksmen in the game.
Yes, the NBA game is vastly different from college, but that’s not the point.
The point, no pun intended, is that Brooks has a reputation as a scoring floor leader who can shoot for a high percentage and has been a winner.
Why not test those traits on the pro level, especially this early in the season when experiments can afford to be executed?
Brooks would thrive against teams like Phoenix and Dallas; clubs that embrace an open floor attack and whose speed and elusiveness at the point positions often end up overwhelming that of the Rockets’.
If nothing else, take five minutes apiece from James’ (23.7 minutes per game) and Alston’s (28.5) floor time, and award Brooks the opportunity to see what he can do.
He has the potential to be an offensive sparkplug for an improved bench corps that includes the inside prowess of players like Scola and Bonzi Wells.
What Brooks has to offer certainly couldn’t be worse than the Rockets have now.
And while the fact that it’s still early in the season proves to be in the Rockets’ favor in regards to their slow start, they also have another advantage.
The solution to at least one of their primary problems resides on their very own bench. |
