Adelman to the Rockets (title revised 5/21)

[supamari0]

There is no way that the Rockets squad would be able to run Princeton offense. They are not that good of a passing team and I don't think that moving Yao further away from the basket would be that great of idea.
The only other option is that they run their offense through Howard and that just sounds scary.

No we're not a good passing team because our offense mitigated any real playmaking. It was a super-charged isolation offense. Either isolate Yao or T-Mac, let them try to score or kick it out for a three. Great a 5 year old could come up with something that stupid.

But in reality, the princeton is perfect for this team. Guys like Battier and Howard may be unathletic but they have high bball IQ and can pass and execute. Half of the princeton is execution, setting good screens, making good cuts, etc.. These guys are perfect. The whole point of the princeton in college is to offset a lack of athleticism by beating a team through brutal execution. A guy like Shane Battier who has a good post up game and who may be the smartest bball player in the league, was reduced to a corner 3 point shooter, ala Bruce Bowen. A guy that good shouldn't be condemned to standing in a corner, waiting for a kickout.

Granted Adelman's version isn't the same as the true system run in college, but it has many of those elements. Take a look at a team like Utah, which just out-executed us. We execute phenomenally on the defensive end, there's no reason why we can't duplicate that on the other end.

 

[Ryle]

No we're not a good passing team because our offense mitigated any real playmaking. It was a super-charged isolation offense. Either isolate Yao or T-Mac, let them try to score or kick it out for a three. Great a 5 year old could come up with something that stupid.

But in reality, the princeton is perfect for this team. Guys like Battier and Howard may be unathletic but they have high bball IQ and can pass and execute. Half of the princeton is execution, setting good screens, making good cuts, etc.. These guys are perfect. The whole point of the princeton in college is to offset a lack of athleticism by beating a team through brutal execution. A guy like Shane Battier who has a good post up game and who may be the smartest bball player in the league, was reduced to a corner 3 point shooter, ala Bruce Bowen. A guy that good shouldn't be condemned to standing in a corner, waiting for a kickout.

Granted Adelman's version isn't the same as the true system run in college, but it has many of those elements. Take a look at a team like Utah, which just out-executed us. We execute phenomenally on the defensive end, there's no reason why we can't duplicate that on the other end.

There will be no "Princeton" type offense with T-Mac on the floor. My guess is T-Mac will average about 40 shots a game next year and will dominate the ball as no one else has in the NBA(not even Kobe).

 

[supamari0]

There will be no "Princeton" type offense with T-Mac on the floor. My guess is T-Mac will average about 40 shots a game next year and will dominate the ball as no one else has in the NBA(not even Kobe).

I don't think so buddy. McGrady averaged a career high in assists last year. He's not the same guy as he was in Orlando. His shot is worse, his back is messed up, he can't drive to the basket much anymore and he's lost a bit of athleticism.

But he's a damned good passer. No, let me repeat that again. He's a phenomenal passer. The guy was playing point guard for us half the time because Rafer Alston is a joke.

Oh and Van Gundy got fired today.

 

[Bricklayer]

No we're not a good passing team because our offense mitigated any real playmaking. It was a super-charged isolation offense. Either isolate Yao or T-Mac, let them try to score or kick it out for a three. Great a 5 year old could come up with something that stupid.

But in reality, the princeton is perfect for this team. Guys like Battier and Howard may be unathletic but they have high bball IQ and can pass and execute. Half of the princeton is execution, setting good screens, making good cuts, etc.. These guys are perfect. The whole point of the princeton in college is to offset a lack of athleticism by beating a team through brutal execution. A guy like Shane Battier who has a good post up game and who may be the smartest bball player in the league, was reduced to a corner 3 point shooter, ala Bruce Bowen. A guy that good shouldn't be condemned to standing in a corner, waiting for a kickout.

Granted Adelman's version isn't the same as the true system run in college, but it has many of those elements. Take a look at a team like Utah, which just out-executed us. We execute phenomenally on the defensive end, there's no reason why we can't duplicate that on the other end.

I think Rick will appreciate and get a lot out of the smarts of Battier and Howard (and I might mention that now all of a sudden there is the chance to keep Bonzi and actually get a major player out of the deal too), and I'm sure when he was interviewing those were some of the things discussed/the attractions. But the Princeton is actually a very specific offense typified by inverting your bigs and putting them up top as primary ballhandlers, and then running cuts and screens like crazy with the rest of your personnel. I have no doubt at all that some of that will be utilized to take advantage of a guy like Howard, and I can see Yao sometimes being used ala Vlade in the post with guys cutting and slashing so he can hit them. But that's still not the Princeton.

In any case, not really that important -- Adelman is a very good offensive coach, and whatever system you end up using will score a lot of points, with Rick demanding ball movement and unselfishness. But I think the Rockets would be well advised to maybe go looking for a smart player or two who Rick has coached in the past to help make the thing hum. And Webb aside, guess which team just might be having a fire sale on just those sorts of players! (too bad you don't have many assets -- you can keep Rafer, thx).

 

[Superman]

Adelman actually ran whatever the hell he wanted to run: some Princeton, some triangle, some isolation, etc. What made it look so good here is the team was so versatile and had great on-court chemistry, so we could do whatever we had to do. Had problems when the time came for us to get a shot one-on-one, but for the most part, we never had trouble scoring.

I think it would be interesting to see Webber land in Houston after this season. The Rockets don't have a true point guard, so to see him initiate the offense from the high post, playing with guys like McGrady and Battier, and maybe even seeing Bonzi get brought back to Houston... that would be a pretty good offense, practically overnight. The Rockets would suddenly become a team that could challenge in the Western conference playoffs. They still wouldn't be better than the Spurs, Suns or Mavs, but would probably be the fourth or fifth best team in the League, and would have the ability to score 100 a night.

 

[supamari0]

I think Rick will appreciate and get a lot out of the smarts of Battier and Howard (and I might mention that now all of a sudden there is the chance to keep Bonzi and actually get a major player out of the deal too), and I'm sure when he was interviewing those were some of the things discussed/the attractions. But the Princeton is actually a very specific offense typified by inverting your bigs and putting them up top as primary ballhandlers, and then running cuts and screens like crazy with the rest of your personnel. I have no doubt at all that some of that will be utilized to take advantage of a guy like Howard, and I can see Yao sometimes being used ala Vlade in the post with guys cutting and slashing so he can hit them. But that's still not the Princeton.

In any case, not really that important -- Adelman is a very good offensive coach, and whatever system you end up using will score a lot of points, with Rick demanding ball movement and unselfishness. But I think the Rockets would be well advised to maybe go looking for a smart player or two who Rick has coached in the past to help make the thing hum. And Webb aside, guess which team just might be having a fire sale on just those sorts of players! (too bad you don't have many assets -- you can keep Rafer, thx).

Correct, running a motion offense in houston won't be like Sacramento. I suppose its just semantics, but i should refer to it as a motion offense instead of the princeton offense. The idea being that we shouldn't rely purely on iso plays for Yao and T-Mac and engage in constant motion, (more similar to Utah than Sacramento)

But the emphasis should be on motion and cuts. T-Mac already did this a lot when he'd dribble around at the top of the key and look for guys like Chuck Hayes or Juwan Howard to cut to the basket but the idea would be to expand on that.

On Yao and the high post - He actually ran a lot of high post plays back when Rudy Tomjanovich was the coach, hence the large amount of mid-range jump shots he used to take. I'd rather have him where he is now, but he's certainly capable of coming out there every now and then. He can also pass from the post, the way Chris Webber did every and now and then as well.

 

[Ryle]

I think Rick will appreciate and get a lot out of the smarts of Battier and Howard (and I might mention that now all of a sudden there is the chance to keep Bonzi and actually get a major player out of the deal too), and I'm sure when he was interviewing those were some of the things discussed/the attractions. But the Princeton is actually a very specific offense typified by inverting your bigs and putting them up top as primary ballhandlers, and then running cuts and screens like crazy with the rest of your personnel. I have no doubt at all that some of that will be utilized to take advantage of a guy like Howard, and I can see Yao sometimes being used ala Vlade in the post with guys cutting and slashing so he can hit them. But that's still not the Princeton.

In any case, not really that important -- Adelman is a very good offensive coach, and whatever system you end up using will score a lot of points, with Rick demanding ball movement and unselfishness. But I think the Rockets would be well advised to maybe go looking for a smart player or two who Rick has coached in the past to help make the thing hum. And Webb aside, guess which team just might be having a fire sale on just those sorts of players! (too bad you don't have many assets -- you can keep Rafer, thx).

Come to think of it I think Brad and Kenny would be great for that offense and Yao just doesn't fit. Perfect trade for both teams

 

[DaMan]

I don't think so buddy. McGrady averaged a career high in assists last year. He's not the same guy as he was in Orlando. His shot is worse, his back is messed up, he can't drive to the basket much anymore and he's lost a bit of athleticism.

But he's a damned good passer. No, let me repeat that again. He's a phenomenal passer. The guy was playing point guard for us half the time because Rafer Alston is a joke.

Oh and Van Gundy got fired today.

Maybe that is the problem, for the most part T-mac played the role of the do everything guy while everybody else did nothing. He should go back to his offensive mindset and i am tired of the exuse that he is not the same player. The man is only 27 if i am correct and from what i have heard a great doctor corrected his back illment, Maybe RA will light a fire under is behind.

I never heared once when kobe got his knees banged up that he was not the same player. He is still dunking on people while scoring 60 on a daily basics.

 

[Superman]

Come to think of it I think Brad and Kenny would be great for that offense and Yao just doesn't fit. Perfect trade for both teams

Yeah, but don't hold your breath waiting for that one to happen.

 

[VF21]

Maybe that is the problem, for the most part T-mac played the role of the do everything guy while everybody else did nothing. He should go back to his offensive mindset and i am tired of the exuse that he is not the same player. The man is only 27 if i am correct and from what i have heard a great doctor corrected his back illment, Maybe RA will light a fire under is behind.

If Adelman does become the Rockets head coach, I fully expect Tracy McGrady to thrive under his leadership. Adelman doesn't have to light fires under players' behinds. He allows them to work to their strengths, which we saw time and time and time again. That's one of the reasons most players love having him as their coach. The Rockets get a lot scarier IMHO if Rick Adelman is at the helm.

 

[Bricklayer]

http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4818156.html

WHAT'S NEXT
Adelman receives high praise
Van Gundy calls veteran coach 'tremendous' pick

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Had Jeff Van Gundy taken that consultant's position with the Rockets, his first bit of advice likely would have been concise and clear:

Hire Rick Adelman.

The Rockets fired Van Gundy on Friday because they decided they wanted Adelman to take over as coach. The team would not comment on Adelman other than to say it has settled on a leading candidate to replace Van Gundy.

Van Gundy, however, raved about the coach he expects to replace him.

"Rick Adelman is a great coach and an even better man," Van Gundy said.

"They'll have tremendous coaching coupled with a group of very, very good, hard-playing professional players. Hopefully, they'll break through next year."

Van Gundy likely would have recommended some other coaches for the job, perhaps including Stan Van Gundy, his brother, who is a leading candidate for several jobs, and Tom Thibodeau, his top assistant, who is scheduled to interview for the Sacramento Kings opening today.

Adelman apparently has been the Rockets' only target since he met with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey last week. Adelman has met several times with Morey since. Adelman also spoke with Van Gundy before agreeing to those interviews.

Morey would not talk about Adelman specifically, but if hired, Adelman would have the best career winning percentage of any Rockets coach. Adelman, 60, is 752-481 in 16 seasons as an NBA coach, reaching the NBA Finals with Portland in 1990 and 1992. He has a 70-68 postseason record. He also would join Rudy Tomjanovich as the only former Rockets players to become Rockets coach.

Adelman took Sacramento to the Western Conference finals in the 2001-02 season, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in overtime of Game 7. He was fired as Kings coach after the 2005-06 season and did not coach last season.

"I can say this, we have a very short list," Morey said. "With the tradition of coaches that Leslie (Alexander) has brought here, and the team we have, we believe we have the most attractive job available and we believe we can get the best candidate. I feel like we've got the best job opening available. We have an owner that's willing to spend whatever it takes to get a top coach.

"I don't think I have a timetable, except getting to the right answer and one that the city of Houston can get behind and feel confident is going to bring us closer to being a champion."


------------------

Highlighted note: And see, there is class and then there is...well, what won out around here.

Somebody really does need to get on the horn down to Houston though and tell them that Rick was the cause of all of our woes and that without him we would have been at least 3x champions, because they seem to be under the misimpression that he's pretty good.

 

[supamari0]

Ok done deal, local media are reporting that the Rockets and Adelman have come to an agreement.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/p...n=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=6.1.1

Now the other relevant question is what happens to Bonzi Wells? No one will give him a contract so maybe he stays because he did very well under Adelman. Maybe play like the bonzi we expected last year.

 

[kennadog]

Congrats Supamari0. I think you're getting a very, very good coach. He also has an excellent sense of humor, but its very dry and a lot of people don't catch it. Some of his responses to press questions (especially dumb press questions) had me laughing out loud. Not a bad thing at all.

 

[CalBears1]

I agree, Adelman will thrive in Houston with Mcgrady, Yao, and Battier...That was a huge move by the Rockets.

 

[supamari0]

Congrats Supamari0. I think you're getting a very, very good coach. He also has an excellent sense of humor, but its very dry and a lot of people don't catch it. Some of his responses to press questions (especially dumb press questions) had me laughing out loud. Not a bad thing at all.

Sounds like a Van Gundy clone in that regard.

 

[VF21]

Ok done deal, local media are reporting that the Rockets and Adelman have come to an agreement.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/p...n=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=6.1.1

Now the other relevant question is what happens to Bonzi Wells? No one will give him a contract so maybe he stays because he did very well under Adelman. Maybe play like the bonzi we expected last year.

If anyone can rehab Bonzi's career, it's Adelman. Bonzi, T-Mac and Yao?

The Houston Rockets just got a LOT scarier IMHO.

 

[Larry89]

Wow now I feel worse about the Kings letting Adelman go.

 

[RaY Z]

i hope he can win a championship with houston... if anyone deserves one or even many its rick...

 

[kingsfan916]

wow houston will be raw next year

 

[HighFlyingMonkey]

I'm listening, Houston...
*Gun cocks*
I'm listening intently...

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

i hope he can win a championship with houston... if anyone deserves one or even many its rick...

If anyone deserves a championship its us, the Kings fans, dammit!...man, this is going to suck, Rick will be coming back a couple of times each year to let his Rockets run wild on us for the next couple years until we hopefully get back into contention...but I'm sure deep down, Rick will LOVE throttling the Maloof's team...because we're obviously not going to be even remotely as competitive as Clutch City. Oh well, all in the name of rebuilding, I guess I'm still bitter over letting Rick go...leading up to the hiring of...UGH...Muss!...it's ok...over it...really...I am...

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Sounds like a Van Gundy clone in that regard.

Not even close...Rick is SO much different than JVG, its not even funny. Rick will be the 'Anti-Van Gundy' for you guys, you'll get used to his dry sense of humor, his competitiveness on the sidelines, and his knowledge of the game, both as a player and coach. He doesnt demand respect from his players, players give that to him naturally because of the coach that he is. I dont think you guys could have hired anyone better.

 

[VF21]

I wish Adelman all the best. And I believe the first time the Rockets visit Arco he's going to realize just how much most Kings fans appreciate what he did for our team.

 

[supamari0]

Not even close...Rick is SO much different than JVG, its not even funny. Rick will be the 'Anti-Van Gundy' for you guys, you'll get used to his dry sense of humor, his competitiveness on the sidelines, and his knowledge of the game, both as a player and coach. He doesnt demand respect from his players, players give that to him naturally because of the coach that he is. I dont think you guys could have hired anyone better.

Van Gundy is the exact same personality. Comes off as a little cold, but actually has some nice dry humor. Listen to a press conference of his. Don't judge him by those TNT broadcasts, he actually sounds alive in those.

In fact, I can hardly recognize the TNT Van Gundy when compared to the guy who coached our team.

 

[John Galt]

I wish Adelman all the best. And I believe the first time the Rockets visit Arco he's going to realize just how much most Kings fans appreciate what he did for our team.

I can't wait to be at that game and participate in the demonstration. It should be wild.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I wish Adelman all the best. And I believe the first time the Rockets visit Arco he's going to realize just how much most Kings fans appreciate what he did for our team.

Yeah...I'm sure it will almost bring tears to some, to see him back, with another...after the 8 years with us. It's just not right...

 

[Warhawk]

I wish Adelman all the best. And I believe the first time the Rockets visit Arco he's going to realize just how much most Kings fans appreciate what he did for our team.

Agreed. Good luck, Rick. You always were a class act. Hope you succeed in Houston (and I know they will come to appreciate all you bring), except when playing the Kings, of course.

 

[Bricklayer]

I can't wait to be at that game and participate in the demonstration. It should be wild.

Remember who owns the franchise and pays the bills, and remember the role they had to play in Rick's dismissal. I have some doubt they will sign off on any kind of ceremony or real pause -- more likely the audience will have to really be paying attention to the "Head Coach Rick Adelman" a nanosecond before the "and now your Sacramento Kings!".

 

[John Galt]

Remember who owns the franchise and pays the bills, and remember the role they had to play in Rick's dismissal. I have some doubt they will sign off on any kind of ceremony or real pause -- more likely the audience will have to really be paying attention to the "Head Coach Rick Adelman" a nanosecond before the "and now your Sacramento Kings!".

I suppose you're probably right.

Still, maybe a little class will prevail. It's possible.

 

[VF21]

Remember who owns the franchise and pays the bills, and remember the role they had to play in Rick's dismissal. I have some doubt they will sign off on any kind of ceremony or real pause -- more likely the audience will have to really be paying attention to the "Head Coach Rick Adelman" a nanosecond before the "and now your Sacramento Kings!".

I think the fans will still find a way to give him some recognition. I don't expect the Maloofs to even be there that night...