Zach Lowe with an in-depth look at the league's most fun team:

Robinson is not a 3-point shooter, and the coaches don't yet know what to do with him. Learning the playbook is not an issue, because Houston doesn't really have a playbook. "We don't have to stop practice and say, 'OK, now let's go over our plays,'" Sampson says. "We don't have any plays. During the flow of the game, very rarely do we run an actual play."

Zach Lowe with an in-depth look at the league's most fun team:


Kevin McHale takes a lot of crap because he was a terrible GM. But the guy has always been a good coach.

"We don't have to stop practice and say, 'OK, now let's go over our plays,'" Sampson says. "We don't have any plays. During the flow of the game, very rarely do we run an actual play."

No offense, Kelvin, but anyone who has watched you play already knew that.

That Bill Russell video makes you wonder if given the way the game's played now, he might not have been LeBron. Good left-handed handle, and his strides just eat up the court.

Coach K is stepping down as national team coach.

[954] Hard to say how he'd comp, growing up with more options for a 6'9" guy. I could see him pioneering the chasedown block, that's for sure.

Would he take advantage of a modern emphasis on strength training and diet, and end up the size of LeBron? Would he have extended his range to 25' and been along the lines of a Durant?

Garnett seems like a possible comp -- floor-spacing forward, defensive anchor and help-side defender. Would people prefer Russell's game or Garnett's (I realize that they probably couldn't exist contemporaneously).

It seems like the big difference between KG and Russell is offensive efficiency. KG is obviously a much better shooter by reputation, by statistics, and by what little I have seen of game film on Russell. I know that the league shooting numbers were much lower in his day, so I would be interested to see how far above/below league average he was from the floor and compare that to KG's shooting relative to league average. Regardless, it is clear that KG shot better- from distance, from the line (in comparable attempts before he stopped attacking the basket in Boston), and as an overall player. Both were good passers for big men and dominated the boards (KG led the league in D-REB 5 times and REB 2 times, Russell led in REB 4 times and they were not parsed by O/D).

Russell gets a ton of credit for being a monster on defense. We can speculate about what KG would have done defensively if he played in that era, but he doesn't get credit for what he could have done hypothetically. Russell made the most of his ability to dominate in the era and deserves the glory that goes with it. Interestingly enough, they both ranged from about 11-18 in their prime years for total Win Shares, but the breakdown skewed slightly toward offense for Garnett and HEAVILY toward defense for Russell. It is hard to imagine someone being that prolific with such an enormous split now. Howard is the closest thing with slightly more D-WS and totals around 13-14 in his best seasons (Camby only broke double figures once, Mutombo twice, Chandler once, and none with the high total or skew that Russell had).

I don't know how you can look at Russell and think he'd develop offensive game along the lines of Durante/Lebron. Russell could not shoot. His ft% only looks OK next to Wilt. His FG% was, I think, better than league average but I don't think he had any range. He was getting 20+ boards every night, and some of those had to provide him with easy putbacks. Celtics ran all the time, because that was what you did back then. While Russell is famous for starting the break and throwing outlet passes, he could obviously have beaten almost any big man down the court and likely did some finishing.

Finally, there's the lost art of post offense. Russell often passed from the post, but I'm sure he had a few hook shots thrown in as well. I kind of doubt he had any kind of jumper at all, but I never saw him play and could be wrong.

One thing that would change if Russell played today is that the Celtics could not keep as many stars as they did. At some point they'd have to pick which ones you can give a max deal to and which ones to let go. At that point Russell would be asked to carry more of the offensive load. My guess is the result would look like Dwight Howard, but with better ball handling, passing, and less bullchette.

I don't know how you can look at Russell and think he'd develop offensive game along the lines of Durante/Lebron. Russell could not shoot.

Was Russell ever really taught to shoot? It's my impression that the shooting big man is largely a recent development in the game, where in the dark ages big men fought hand-to-hand in the trenches and left the perimeter to smaller guys. I could be mistake, but I thought this was the flipside of the lost art of post offense, that perimeter skills in big men are much better than they used to be. It seems like a player like Russell would likely play more in open space in today's game than he did back in his day. The same way he had to fight coaches to leave his feet to block shots coming up, I imagine he got yelled at for playing offense beyond the post. I think the KG comp seems sound, but I really don't know how you would even really hazard much of a guess of what Russell could/could not have done in today's game. I don't know that he would have ever shot like LeBron or Kevin Love, but he could well have developed a fairly different offensive skillset during his adolescence.

The only guy who comes to mind is Bob Pettit, a slightly earlier contemporary who had a good midrange jumper.

Russell : who knows really, if he was born today there was also a realistic chance that he played more ball earlier in his life and end up being at least a somewhat better shot or that he was a inch or 3 taller because of the difference in nutrition etc.

Robinson is not a 3-point shooter, and the coaches don't yet know what to do with him. Learning the playbook is not an issue, because Houston doesn't really have a playbook. "We don't have to stop practice and say, 'OK, now let's go over our plays,'" Sampson says. "We don't have any plays. During the flow of the game, very rarely do we run an actual play."

While I love a free flow offense and the Rocket's play in general..but shouldn't they at least have 1 or 2 plays for half court sets? you know.. since they aren't exactly very good in those situations. if there is one thing that annoy you on the Rockets is that once the flow stop at half court all you can hope for is miraculous 3 shots.

Also, the Rockets will start Donatas Motiej?nas at the 4 tomorrow against the Bucks. interesting, there's little doubt that he's offensively capable enough, in fact he's probably their most talented offensive big man for sure (including the departed Patterson / Morris). but if he could defend well enough is another issue.. then again I guess that fits right into the Rockets team concept of just scoring so much that it makes defense kinda irrelevant.

it would be somewhat amusing if the Heat lose their 11 game win streak to a Kings game at home....... but they're still down 1 after 3Q . (I highly highly doubt they can't win though.)

My comment re Russell was entirely based on the athleticism, size, and his bringing the ball up the court. No one with his combination of those three today doesn't learn to improve their ball-handling and their shot. He'd be a 6'9" athletic freak with incredible bball IQ and desire to win.

What the frig, the Kings are taking the Heat into double OT in Miami.

I'm with AROM on Russell.

Jebus Christ, the Heat finally won in double OT against the KINGS in Miami.

The Patrick Patterson era isn't exactly having a good start, he played 10 min this game and did literally nothing (0-1 shooting, 1 reb, 1 TO and 1 PF.)

Jebus Christ, the Heat finally won in double OT against the KINGS in Miami.

I am not terribly familiar with the work of Marcus Thornton, but I'm going to guess he does not frequently go 8/12 from deep.

Also, another play index request: LeBron had 40 points, 16 assists, and 2 turnovers in this game. Even loosening the requirements a little - say 35 or more, 15 or more, and 3 or less - I'd predict this happens less than once a year.

While I love a free flow offense and the Rocket's play in general... but shouldn't they at least have 1 or 2 plays for half court sets?

Sampson's exaggerating. Houston may not have a ton of plays, and they may be pretty simple, but Lowe refers, e.g., to "various sets that have Harden fly off two screens on the right wing, take a dribble handoff at the right elbow, and then run what amounts to a high-speed pick-and-roll toward the middle as a shooter — usually Delfino — fades to the right corner." That's a play.

Also, another play index request: LeBron had 40 points, 16 assists, and 2 turnovers in this game. Even loosening the requirements a little - say 35 or more, 15 or more, and 3 or less - I'd predict this happens less than once a year.

Good call.

15 of these games since 1985-86.

The last one was Lebron in 2010, with 43/15 and 3 TO (and 13 rebounds), which was also the only triple double of the bunch. Iverson (who had two total) and Drexler each had games where they shot >70% while doing it.

The 16 assists were a career high.

Doug Collins gave what might be described as 'please fire me' comments in his post-game presser.

in case noone's paying attention (and really, why should you at this point), the sixers are falling apart. from doug collins' postgame press conference:

On if they don't realize how desperate they should be playing? (Bob Cooney of Daily News)

"Bob, you know what man, I wish I knew. I wish I knew. I really do. I gotta tell you. I'm sitting there. I gave my body to this franchise. I was never booed as a player. Never. I ran through my sneakers."

On if his players have become comfortable losing:

"You would have to ask them that. I don't know. I do not know. The thing about it is, I can't speak for others. Damien Wilkins -- I mean he's been one of our best players since coming back from break. I told you, I did not think our guys prepared themselves during the break to come back to play."

"And it's incredibly frustrating, yes, it is. But my job is to not put that kind of product on the floor. I'm incredibly hard on myself. I love it when the fans start yelling at me -- I'm not playing. You didn't yell at me when I played. Why are you yelling at me when I'm coaching?

“We made a huge deal and we have nobody playing a part of that deal. How many teams can give up Andre Iguodala, Moe Harkless and Nikola Vucevic and have nothing in return playing? That’s tough to overcome. That’s just the facts. I’m not looking for any outs. That’s a fact. Nik Vucevic had 19 rebounds tonight. Spencer had one, I think Lavoy had two.”

oh, and the kicker:

I say all the time ... they say it's a players' league, well then take ownership. Take ownership. That's all I'm asking: Take ownership of what you're putting out there.

I just don’t want you to think I’m up here blaming. I don’t want you to think I’m making excuses. That’s not what this is about. I’m not a blamer; I’m not an excuse kind of guy. No one takes this harder than I do. Nobody and I am a guy who, when I have coached, I’ve always been able to find some answers and I’ve not been able to find answers.

collins basically spent 10 minutes running off excuse after excuse, cop-out after cop-out, and he finishes by saying that he's not making excuses.


he talks about not having vucevic, but he had him last year, and the guy couldn't get off the bench. he talks about harkless, but without the bynum trade, he's buried behind iguodala and wright and turner and young, and he's not getting off the bench, either.

hell, they have another 1st round pick on the roster in arnett moultrie, and he's getting DNP-CDs as the starting center is pulling 1 ####### rebound in 25 ####### minutes.


this season was destined to be #### with bynum not playing until march (at best), but collins has handled this just about as poorly as is possible. how can you stand in front of a microphone as a coach and say that you don't know what to do? and as an organization, how can you not fire the guy immediately after he says it? yeah, he pulled the #### end of the stick with bynum not having any apparent interest in playing this season, but as an organization, how many times can you let your coach come out and say that he doesn't know what he's doing?



at least there is kind of an upside to this. if they continue to #### the bed for just a little bit longer, they might get a high enough draft pick to pull otto porter.

Would it matter if Bynum end up signing elsewhere though? which looks increasingly likely? The Sixers really drew the short straw on that one. at least Howard is playing most of the time sheesh.

Re: LeBron: No one at all (since 1985) had done the 40 points, 16 assists, eight rebounds part.

Luke Walton led the cavs in assists tonight. That's weird.

Hmmm, tomorrow's Bucks at Rocket seem to be the most relevant playoff implication game, though GSW @ Knicks (both team need to start some sort of a win streak, though GSW more badly than the Knicks) /Dallas @ Memphis (Mavs lost today and another loss especially if coupled with a Rockets win tomorrow would seem to put the playoffs completely out of reach) / Toronto @ Cavs have some potential implication as well.

I'm intrigued to see how a Donatas Montejunas at 4 starting rotation for the Rockets would work, though I guess he fits the Rockets team concept well enough (can shoot from corner? check, can run? check, questionable defense? check) , also that they probably have a chance to put Garcia / Robinson into the game tomorrow. I'd love to see Houston just tell Robinson to play like Dennis Rodman for the present or something.

Thinking about how Russell would be used in the modern game. Watching the game in the 1980s, I thought that a 6'9 center would not be realistic. All the great big men were 7 footers. Except that they weren't. Hakeem was listed as a 7 footer but definitely was not. Moses Malone was listed at 6'10 but reading Bill Simmons, it seems he might have been an inch or two shorter. Dwight Howard is 6'9 or 6'10 (draft express shows him 6-9 without shoes, he might have grown since then).

Of course that makes you wonder if height inflation was working in the 50's, if Russell is a true 6-9. From this picture it seems he's legit. Despite the fact that some people shrink as they age, Russell appears to be about 2 inches short of Garnett and 3 above Pierce.

Would it matter if Bynum end up signing elsewhere though? which looks increasingly likely? The Sixers really drew the short straw on that one. at least Howard is playing most of the time sheesh.

i think they have to sign him. even after all of this.


if they let him go and get nothing for him, in all likelihood the team is shot for the next 5 years anyway, so i think the only way to go is to double down on bynum, as much as that sucks to say right now.

LeBron had 40 points, 16 assists, and 2 turnovers in this game. Even loosening the requirements a little - say 35 or more, 15 or more, and 3 or less - I'd predict this happens less than once a year.

Good call. 15 of these games since 1985-86.

Re: LeBron: No one at all (since 1985) had done the 40 points, 16 assists, eight rebounds part.

Shouldn't the 2OT part give these stats a fairly large asterisk? Looks like he had 25 points, 12 assists, and 4 rebounds in regulation. That's a very good game, but it's not particularly noteworthy. LeBron has had better games this year; they just didn't coincide with his opponent shooting precisely well enough to force multiple overtimes.

Similarly, a couple weeks ago Paul Pierce (in 3OT) became the first player since 2006 to have 25+ points, 14+ rebounds, and 14+ assists. I don't think it was one of the best games of his career -- he shot 7-20 -- though it did equal his career-high in minutes played.

Would it matter if Bynum end up signing elsewhere though? which looks increasingly likely? The Sixers really drew the short straw on that one. at least Howard is playing most of the time sheesh.

If you're Houston, would you rather spend max money on Bynum with his injury history and have to figure out what to do with Asik, or spend max money on Josh Smith and plug him into the lineup?

On another note, what did everyone think of the Indiana-Golden St. kerfuffle? Lee and Hibbert did some pushing, but the only thing that seemed to distinguish it from the standard "hold me back" fight was that Hibbert kind of stumbled and ended up near the cameras under the basket (ie- not on the court). Steph Curry was strangely latched onto Hibbert's leg for some reason and Hibbert kind of flung him aside. I am biased because I have always liked Hibbert, but it did not seem as serious as the WWL is making it this morning.

If you're Houston, would you rather spend max money on Bynum with his injury history and have to figure out what to do with Asik, or spend max money on Josh Smith and plug him into the lineup?

Neither, but it's easy for me to say when I don't have to deal with an owner and a city that are probably a little anxious when the team has won one playoff series in the past 17 years.

If the Rockets do make the playoffs (and I think Hollinger's system gives them a 97% chance or something), hopefully that will take off pressure for immediate results and allow Morey to keep doing what he's been doing.

Luke Walton is a snazzy passer. I love passing big men, and in his case it's almost cooler because he doesn't do much of anything else...

this season was destined to be #### with bynum not playing until march (at best), but collins has handled this just about as poorly as is possible.

Maybe I'm not remembering the timeline that well, but he wasn't "hurt" when they traded for him, right? And wasn't he was supposed to (or assumed that he would) play well before now? Meaning, I totally understand Collins' frustrations here. Doesn't he have personnel say, too? If he assumed Bynum would be around and he hasn't been (and I did notice how Collins ####### about Bynum's first practice). Of course, doesn't mean you're wrong and I'd be quite pissed with Collins too (and am once again retroactively glad he turned down the Bulls before).

if they let him go and get nothing for him, in all likelihood the team is shot for the next 5 years anyway, so i think the only way to go is to double down on bynum, as much as that sucks to say right now.

There's a chance they're also shot with him, and with an awful max contract ####### things up even more.

If you're Houston, would you rather spend max money on Bynum with his injury history and have to figure out what to do with Asik, or spend max money on Josh Smith and plug him into the lineup?

I wouldn't want to give either the max, but I would rather have Smith + Asik than Bynum + unknown. Asik does have decent trade value though, I'd think.

I am biased because I have always liked Hibbert, but it did not seem as serious as the WWL is making it this morning.

I tend to agree with you. But I bet Hibbert still gets a game or so.

Luke Walton led the cavs in assists tonight. That's weird.

Losing at home to the Cavs without Irving is pretty bad. The Bulls are not in good shape (Gibson is out at least 2 weeks now). They almost seem like they need Rose if only for the mental boost.

I suppose, another issue been brought up in all this mess though, given that the Lakers would most likely need to reup Howard as well... that means Gasol is almost surely gonna go right? that seems like a huge possible 1 year Rockets rental if Rockets can't get any of Bynum / CP3 / D12.

I mean 1 year Gasol rental is low risk high reward .. certainly their ceiling would be higher than Josh Smith (though as others have pointed out , Smith with their current other 4 and D-Rob ? that's some crazy crazy fun . they'll literally run most teams out of the gym. ) and it would be MUCH safer than going with Bynum.

double post somehow

Maybe I'm not remembering the timeline that well, but he wasn't "hurt" when they traded for him, right? And wasn't he was supposed to (or assumed that he would) play well before now?

Yes. But, then he decided to continue his bowling hobby without telling his doctors and re-injured it. That's a lot of torque of the knees (especially if it's the lead one).

I wouldn't want to give either the max, but I would rather have Smith + Asik than Bynum + unknown. Asik does have decent trade value though, I'd think.


Agreed. Bynum's just too unreliable. He's only played 60+ games once in his career. Even when he's on the floor, last season he was showing some poor behavior that could portend him being a headache.

Smith's not a true max guy, but what is the value of his "max"? He's still a useful player who you'd be buying right in his prime. I'm not sure he fits in Houston's system. I think the last offense you'd want him in is one that encourages jacking threes.

I tend to agree with you. But I bet Hibbert still gets a game or so.


I'll say three. He started it, kept it going, and led it into the stands. Curry should get at least one, probably two.

More on Gasol, the more you think about it the more it would make sense, since if it was him that would totally justify keeping Asik as well since with his injury and age he probably also accept a reduced role for 1 year at least. they try to keep him and Asik not on the floor at the same time but that gives a totally different dimension to the Rockets game especially when Asik sits (I think the stats is the Houston is actually well above average defensively when Asik is on the floor, but completely utterly awful when he's not. which shouldn't be surprising given that their back up C was Cole Aldrich who suck so bad that they usually prefer Greg Smith or even Montejunas to moonlight at 5.)

More on Gasol, the more you think about it the more it would make sense, since if it was him that would totally justify keeping Asik as well since with his injury and age he probably also accept a reduced role for 1 year at least. they try to keep him and Asik not on the floor at the same time but that gives a totally different dimension to the Rockets game especially when Asik sits (I think the stats is the Houston is actually well above average defensively when Asik is on the floor, but completely utterly awful when he's not. which shouldn't be surprising given that their back up C was Cole Aldrich who suck so bad that they usually prefer Greg Smith or even Montejunas to moonlight at 5.)

I don't think Gasol makes the 13-14 Rockets contenders, so why bother with him? Would they want to resign him? Why would he accept a reduced role in a contract year? Why try to add a bit player with a $19mil salary for one year, when they'd also have to give up assets to get him?

I'll say three. He started it, kept it going, and led it into the stands. Curry should get at least one, probably two.

"Started it" is always dicey. Lee shoved him like he was going for a rebound when neither was in position to get the ball. You can argue that it was a basketball play, but you could also argue that it crossed the line and was a little too rough. If Lee's play was too rough, then Hibbert retaliated.

I don't think Gasol makes the 13-14 Rockets contenders, so why bother with him? Would they want to resign him? Why would he accept a reduced role in a contract year? Why try to add a bit player with a $19mil salary for one year, when they'd also have to give up assets to get him?

Because the Lakers due to cap issue would probably go as far to amnesty him or trade him to the Rockets for almost nothing? I think I'm reading that due to the tax Gasol's 19 mil is more like 40 mil for them. and they need to pay more money to resign Howard and they probably realize that they need some more role players anyway.

Yeah it isn't going to make them the favorite or anything unless 2011-2012 Lin shows up (with 2012-2013 version's health. ) but again, it doesn't seems like Bynum or Smith would be that much more likely to do that either.

The Rockets have more cap space then just about anyone else, but the problem for them is that with the bird rights and everything even if they could offer max it still puts them at a disadvantage. of course if they get a CP3 / D12 or even more miraculously Lebron or something that's obviously a no brainer, but I'm thinking more of a plan B type of situation.

Because the Lakers due to cap issue would probably go as far to amnesty him

No. MWP will have that honor.

or trade him to the Rockets for almost nothing?

Less likely. Besides, it's counter to what Morey's doing.

If the season ended today, LeBron would have, by a hair, the highest single season PER of all time, edging out Wilt.

Smith's not a true max guy, but what is the value of his "max"? He's still a useful player who you'd be buying right in his prime. I'm not sure he fits in Houston's system. I think the last offense you'd want him in is one that encourages jacking threes.

I contend that Smith will age poorly because any decline in athleticism will both seriously impact his strengths and encourage the weaknesses in which he indulges. If he can't get the high-percentage FGAs he takes for granted now and can't recover from not blocking out to still grab a rebound and is no longer a terrific help defender, then you're left with an awful lot of Josh Smith spotting up while the other team ignores him without the wonderful qualities that more than make up for this right now.

Maybe I'm not remembering the timeline that well, but he wasn't "hurt" when they traded for him, right? And wasn't he was supposed to (or assumed that he would) play well before now?

Yes. But, then he decided to continue his bowling hobby without telling his doctors and re-injured it. That's a lot of torque of the knees (especially if it's the lead one).

I wouldn't want to give either the max, but I would rather have Smith + Asik than Bynum + unknown. Asik does have decent trade value though, I'd think.


Agreed. Bynum's just too unreliable. He's only played 60+ games once in his career. Even when he's on the floor, last season he was showing some poor behavior that could portend him being a headache.

Smith's not a true max guy, but what is the value of his "max"? He's still a useful player who you'd be buying right in his prime. I'm not sure he fits in Houston's system. I think the last offense you'd want him in is one that encourages jacking threes.

I tend to agree with you. But I bet Hibbert still gets a game or so.


I'll say three. He started it, kept it going, and led it into the stands. Curry should get at least one, probably two.

I contend that Smith will age poorly because any decline in athleticism

But that's not going to happen at 28. Or probably 29-30. Maybe the fourth year of a four year deal. I believe only the Hawks can offer him a 5 year, or can they do 6? Either way, you're buying his 28-32ish seasons. Considering how few guys of his talent level actually make it to the market at that age, he's a good buy.

Maybe I'm not remembering the timeline that well, but he wasn't "hurt" when they traded for him, right?

yep

And wasn't he was supposed to (or assumed that he would) play well before now?

yep. he was supposed to be practicing two weeks before the season opener, and then around november 1, and then december 1, and then mid-january, and then the all-star break...and here we are now, and he's still not practicing.

There's a chance they're also shot with him, and with an awful max contract ####### things up even more.

yeah, but it's only a 5 year max-contract, as opposed to the 7 year max-contract that used to be a franchise killer. if bynum doesn't play, they're in the same position as if he walks in free agency, except they'll have less caproom to sign nick young and spencer hawes to multiyear extensions. whether bynum is in the trainers room or in houston, the sixers are a lottery-team, so he doesn't hinder a rebuild if he's not on the floor.


there's no good scenario here.

There's a chance they're also shot with him, and with an awful max contract ####### things up even more.

They may be hosed no matter what they do. Such is the NBA. You have to take risks to get the franchise player you MUST have, and often it does not work and you are hosed. Recovering from being hosed is pain now, pain later, or most likely pain now and later.

So I'm not the only one who fell victim to the refresh-repost fiasco. Why did the system start doing that? Very annoying. This is worse that the time we got blamed for overloading the servers with our 9 million post thread.

I think three or four days ago. Hasn't hit me yet (that I know of), but that's when I saw an uptick in complaints.

They may be hosed no matter what they do. Such is the NBA. You have to take risks to get the franchise player you MUST have, and often it does not work and you are hosed. Recovering from being hosed is pain now, pain later, or most likely pain now and later.

Looked at this way, every NBA team (except the Lakers) is in the position of the small-market MLB teams, like when the Indians eliminated all hope of success for five years by betting on Sizemore and Hafner.

Refresh=double-post is a problem I've hard for a few months with Chrome.

They may be hosed no matter what they do. Such is the NBA. You have to take risks to get the franchise player you MUST have, and often it does not work and you are hosed. Recovering from being hosed is pain now, pain later, or most likely pain now and later.

yep.

Looked at this way, every NBA team (except the Lakers) is in the position of the small-market MLB teams, like when the Indians eliminated all hope of success for five years by betting on Sizemore and Hafner.

i think that's exactly what the NBA's soft cap/luxury tax system was designed to do.