[PtR] 比赛前瞻：圣安东尼奥马刺 vs. 休斯顿火箭 ▶️

PtR · 2025 年11 月 7 日 09:00

By Tanner Bowen | Pounding The Rock (PtR), 2025-11-07 16:00:00

由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。

上赛季，休斯顿火箭队强势反弹，以52胜30负的战绩高居西部第二。今年夏天，他们更进一步，通过交易从菲尼克斯太阳队引进了凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant)，展现了孤注一掷的决心。这位四届得分王的加盟初见成效，上赛季进攻火力仅位居联盟中游的火箭队，目前已高居进攻效率榜首。而这还是在缺少了老将后卫弗雷德·范弗利特 (Fred VanVleet) 的情况下取得的，后者在赛季开始前便遭遇了前交叉韧带撕裂的重伤。尽管如此，将杜兰特融入到由阿门·汤普森 (Amen Thompson)、小贾巴里·史密斯 (Jabari Smith Jr.) 以及土耳其大个子阿尔佩伦·申京 (Alperen Sengun) 组成的年轻核心阵容中，正逐渐成为火箭队当初交易得到他时所设想的神来之笔。他们正带着一波五连胜的势头进入今晚的比赛。

与此同时，圣安东尼奥马刺队在结束了一次短暂却令人失望的西部客场之旅后，回到了主场霜冻银行中心。在那次客场之旅中，他们遭遇了本赛季的头两场失利。这无疑提醒着人们，这支球队在重返NBA强队之林的征程中，仍需经历成长的阵痛。结束客场之旅后，立刻就要面对州内死敌、同时也是联盟中状态最火热的球队之一，这无疑是一项严峻的挑战，但随着新赛季的展开，马刺队必须振作精神，全力以赴。如果他们真如专家们所预期的那样正在蜕变，他们就将准备好奋力一搏。

圣安东尼奥马刺 (5-2) vs 休斯顿火箭 (5-2)

2025年11月6日 | 中部时间下午6:30

观看：亚马逊Prime | 收听：WOAI (1200 AM)

马刺队伤病：德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox)，腿筋（缺阵），迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)，小腿（缺阵），卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet)，脚踝（缺阵）

火箭队伤病：多里安·芬尼-史密斯 (Dorian Finney-Smith)，脚踝（缺阵），史蒂文·亚当斯 (Steven Adams)，臀部（每日观察），弗雷德·范弗利特（缺阵）

比赛看点

尽管凯文·杜兰特在过去几个赛季遭遇了数次重大伤病，并步入其职业生涯的黄金岁月，但这位征战18年的老将，在将球送入篮筐这件事上依然不逊于任何人。他是休斯顿队的得分王和头号出手点，但他打出了全面的比赛，与火箭队内其他核心球员相得益彰，乐于为汤普森和申京这样的球员创造机会，并且他依然是一名合格的防守者。去年春天，火箭队在季后赛首轮历经7场大战不敌金州勇士队，很大程度上是因为他们的半场进攻时常陷入停滞。引进这位历史级别的射手和得分手，即便他已处在生涯的这个阶段，也为休斯顿带来了立竿见影的效果。

在赛季前5场比赛打出火热开局后，维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 在最近两场比赛中似乎状态有所回落。在过去几场比赛中，他不仅投篮手感挣扎，还陷入了犯规困扰，失误也过于频繁。圣安东尼奥马刺队正围绕他打造一支优秀球队的雏形，但如果他们想在本赛季赢得更多比赛，就需要文班（Vic）在进攻端打出更稳定的表现。如果他还像两天前对阵菲尼克斯太阳队时那样只得到9分，并且失误频频（过去两场共计11次失误），那么马刺队将很难在面对强队时拿下胜利。今晚的比赛同样不会轻松，他将对位申京——一位尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokic) 模板的全能型大个子。
作为联盟顶级防守者之一，运动天才阿门·汤普森正寻求在进攻端更上一层楼。随着范弗利特赛季报销，汤普森已挺身而出，成为球队的侧翼组织者，场均助攻数仅次于申京，位列全队第二。观看他的比赛，其惊人的运动能力肉眼可见，他能将普通球员的上篮机会转化为势大力沉的扣篮。跳投和罚球仍是他有待提高的方面，但汤普森年仅22岁。在上一场客场战胜孟菲斯灰熊队的比赛中，他刚刚砍下了28分、10个篮板和7次助攻的全面数据。

在输给湖人队的赛季首秀中，杰里米·索汉 (Jeremy Sochan) 的身体状态看起来非常出色，他在进攻端也表现稳健，以7投6中的高效命中率拿下了16分。不幸的是，他仅出战22分钟就犯满离场！在赛季首战就必须防守卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic) 无疑是一项独特的挑战，但第二场紧接着就要面对凯文·杜兰特？为杰里米祈祷吧。

想了解火箭队球迷的观点，请访问 The Dream Shake。

如果您愿意，也可以在我们的Twitter账号（@poundingtherock）上关注比赛动态，或访问我们的比赛讨论帖！

点击查看原文：Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets

Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets

Looking to build off a turnaround that saw them finish last season with a 52-30 record and a 2nd place finish in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets went all-in this summer by acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. Adding the 4-time scoring champ has shown early promise, as a Houston team that was middle of the pack offensively last season currently holds the pole position. This is even without the assistance of veteran guard Fred VanVleet, who tore his ACL before the season even had a chance to get started. Even without him though, adding Durant to the core of young players that includes Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Turkish big man Alperen Sengun is shaping up to be the home run move the Rockets envisioned when they acquired Durant. They’re coming into tonight’s game on a 5 game win streak.

San Antonio meanwhile returns home to the Frost Bank Center after a quick, yet disappointing trip out west that saw them pick up their first two losses of the season. If anything, it was a reminder that this team still has some growing pains to go through in their quest for NBA relevancy. Coming off of that trip and heading right into a match-up with an interstate rival and one of the NBA’s hottest teams is a daunting challenge, but one that the Spurs have to get up for as the start of this season unfolds. If they are who pundits think they’re becoming, they’ll be ready to bring the fight.

San Antonio Spurs (5-2) vs Houston Rockets (5-2)

November 6th 2025 | 6:30 PM CT

Watch: Amazon Prime | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: De’Aaron Fox, hamstring (OUT), Dylan Harper, calf (OUT) Luke Kornet, ankle (OUT)

Rockets Injuries: Dorian Finney-Smith, ankle (OUT), Steven Adams, hip (day to day), Fred VanVleet, (OUT)

What to watch for

Kevin Durant has dealt with more than a few major injuries the last few seasons as he enters his golden years as a professional basketball player, but the 18 year veteran is still just as good as anyone at putting the ball in the hoop. He’s leading Houston in scoring and shot attempts, but he’s playing an all-around game that compliments the other established players on the Rockets, deferring to guys like Thompson and Sengun and he remains a competent defender. Houston was beaten in the first round in 7 games last spring by the Golden State Warriors in large part because their half court offense stalled out more often than not. Adding one of the greatest shooters and scorers ever, even at this point in his career, has paid immediate dividends for Houston.

After a blazing start in San Antonio’s first 5 games, Victor Wembanyama seems to have fallen somewhat back to earth these last two games. He’s struggled with his shot the last games, has found himself in foul trouble, and is turning the ball over much too frequently. San Antonio has the makings of a very good team being built around him, but the Spurs need Vic to at least be solid on the offensive end more often than not if they want to win a lot of games this year. It’s going to be very difficult for them to secure Ws against the best teams with him scoring 9 points like he did against Phoenix two games ago and racking up turnovers (11 total in his last two games). Things don’t get much easier tonight with a match-up against Sengun on deck, a do-it-all big man in the Nikola Jokic mold.
Already one of the league’s premier defenders, the athletic wunderkind Amen Thompson is looking to take the next step offensively. With VanVleet out for the season, Thompson has stepped up as a playmaker on the wing, 2nd on the team in assists per game to only Sengun. His athleticism jumps out when watching him, turning what would be lay-up attempts for other players into thunderous jams. Jump shooting and free throw shooting remain areas of improvement, but Thompson is just 22 years old. He’s coming off of a 28/10/7 performance in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies on the road.

Jeremy Sochan looked great physically in his season debut in the loss to the Lakers, and he looked solid on offense as well with a very efficient 16 points on 6/7 shooting from the field. Unfortunately, he fouled out in just 22 minutes of play! Having to guard Luka Doncic in your first game of the season certainly presents a unique challenge, but following it up with Kevin Durant in Game 2? Say a prayer for Jeremy.

For the Rockets fan’s perspective, please visit The Dream Shake.

If you’d like to, you may follow along with the game on our Twitter profile (@poundingtherock) or visit our Game Thread!

By Tanner Bowen, via Pounding The Rock

PtR · 2025 年11 月 7 日 19:20

精彩评论：

由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。

spiceymeatball:

好了。我一直在思考米奇（教练）针对太阳队那种限制文班亚马的打法所做的战术布置（并不奏效）。在 chat gpt 的帮助下，我整理出了一套方案。我认为索汉是一个关键（认识我的读者对此不会感到惊讶，哈哈-:)）。顺便说一句，对于那些可能认为 chat gpt 能自己给出这些结果的人，通常它做不到——它需要你的指导，无论你的指导有多么不成熟。

为了应对那些体型更小、更难缠的侧翼和前锋的身体对抗——尽管身高处于劣势，但他们通常速度更快、下肢力量更强——同时处理对文班亚马的换防、双人包夹和三人包夹，关键在于将他独特的臂展、机动性和技术转化为武器，而不是严重依赖我们马刺所缺乏的顶级外线投射能力。因此，我们应优先采用能创造动态移动、迫使防守轮转、通过快速决策利用错位、并利用佯攻来打开突破路线或空接机会的战术。重点是强调能让他保持移动的流动进攻。

杰里米·索汉 (Jeremy Sochan) 在这里是一个完美的补充棋子——他作为连接点（传球好、球商高）的多功能性、转换进攻中的持球能力、设立强硬的掩护以及冲抢篮板的能力，都可以帮助减轻文班的压力。索汉不是一个高产射手，但他进步的中距离和积极的切入意愿使他成为短顺下战术或作为第二组织者的理想人选。我们将整合他，以便在防守向文班收缩时创造出4打3的优势。

针对瘦长型大个子的战术设计（例如，教练们为早期杜兰特或波尔津吉斯所做的调整）。我将这些战术设计为包含发起、关键动作以及应对双人/三人包夹的策略，假设阵容中有一名主控后卫（福克斯或卡斯尔）、索汉打4号位、文班打5号位，以及投射尚可（虽然不够稳定）或（特别是凯尔登）切入坚决的巴恩斯和瓦塞尔/凯尔登。

以索汉为轴的反向Flex战术（通过移动来利用换防）

发起：以Flex站位开始——主控后卫在弧顶，索汉在高位（肘区），文班在弱侧低位，侧翼球员在底角。后卫向索汉运球，准备进行手递手传球（DHO），但索汉并不做标准的手递手，而是滑入一个虚晃掩护（假装掩护然后短顺下）。

关键动作：当后卫发起攻击时，文班为弱侧侧翼做下掩护（伸缩切入），然后外拆到侧翼，接索汉的快速转移球。这迫使防守文班的小个子球员要么换防（为切入的侧翼创造错位），要么挤过掩护，从而为文班亚马打开了过顶的空接走廊。此时处于短顺下位置的索汉阅读协防：如果协防来自底线，他分球给高位要球的文班；如果来自弧顶，他则传给底角进行转移。

应对包夹/三人包夹/身体对抗的策略：这取决于文班自己——他不能像之前那样犹豫。他必须明白（至少目前是这样），他尝试交叉步和运球摆脱防守者的做法既浪费时间精力，又拖累了我们的进攻。如果他在接球前被对手用身体顶着，他应该利用臂展做出“刺探步后拔起”的动作（快速持球突破动作接后仰跳投），就像他在面对换防时展示过的那样。如果裁判会吹罚有利于他的犯规（过去几场没发生），我其实更希望看到他顶住防守者而不是后仰。对于三人包夹，索汉要坚决冲抢进攻篮板——他的篮板能力能将投失的球转化为二次进攻机会。他的打法可以通过持续的无球移动和永不停歇的能量消耗掉盯防文班的小个子球员，削弱他们进行绕前或阻断传球路线的持久力。

牛角位Floppy战术，文班外拆接溜底线（高低位佯攻）

发起：牛角站位——索汉和另一名前锋/大个子在两侧肘区（我想试验一下让奥利尼克在这里，否则就是巴恩斯，或者科内特回归后（如果索汉的三分投射确实有所提高的话））。文班在此站位中位于罚球线延长线，后卫在弧顶，另一侧翼在底角。卡斯尔将球传入肘区的索汉。

关键动作：索汉立刻传给闪现到高位（三分线外）的文班，在那里他的身高优势使得即使面对身体对抗，接应传球也很容易（而不是让文班在低位肉搏）。从那里，我们执行一个“floppy”战术：即底角的侧翼球员利用肘区（由索汉和巴恩斯或奥利尼克设立）的交错掩护进行卷切，吸引协防。文班可以选择外拆投三分，或者如果小个子防守者贴防他，他可以溜底线接空接。

应对包夹/三人包夹/身体对抗的策略：如果他们在高位包夹，文班快速传球给顺下的索汉（高低位配合），后者随即攻击篮筐或寻找切入的队友。这个战术上赛季在大家（至少是暂时）都健康的时候非常成功。对于三人包夹，增加一个“拒绝掩护”选项：文班假装外拆，然后用一个游泳式摆脱动作将小个子防守者封在身后，利用他的手臂在不犯规的情况下创造空间。这只有在文班能提升他的掩护质量时才可能实现。索汉作为掩护者的身体对抗能力能够惩罚换防，迫使对方大个子去防守后卫。

为何在此有效：牛角站位初期会使内线拥挤，但floppy战术会给防守轮转制造混乱。索汉作为低位球员的角色发挥了他的终结能力（非常出色），并防止防守方将所有注意力都集中在文班身上。我认为这在半场进攻空间拥堵时会很有效。

西班牙挡拆，索汉设置背掩护（利用层叠掩护破解换防）

发起：标准的挡拆站位——后卫在弧顶持球，文班在弧顶设立初始掩护，索汉在文班身后堆叠（西班牙挡拆变种），侧翼拉开空间。

关键动作：当后卫利用文班的掩护时，索汉为文班的防守者设立一个背掩护（迷惑换防），让文班能够坚决顺下冲击篮筐。后卫进行阅读：有机会就给文班空接，如果协防轮转过来就传给短顺下的索汉，或者如果三人包夹从底角过来就转移给侧翼。文班的顺下重力会吸引防守，即使没有顶级射手也能创造出突分机会——专注于突分为中距离急停跳投创造机会。

应对包夹/三人包夹/身体对抗的策略：如果小个子侧翼在文班顺下时对他进行身体对抗，来自索汉的背掩护（他很强壮且掩护质量很高）能够将他们挡开，为文班创造一条畅通的路径。对于双人包夹，文班“短顺下”到罚球区（钉子位）并成为组织者——他的视野可以找到切入的队友。三人包夹？增加一个“再次掩护”的选项，让索汉绕回来进行第二次挡拆，颠倒错位关系。

转换进攻中的“电梯门”战术，文班拖车跟进（通过快节奏的混乱局面来阻止对方落位防守） *这一点至关重要。 *

发起：在对方投篮不中或失误后提速——卡斯尔（或者即将复出且更擅长此道的福克斯）快速推进，索汉或卡斯尔作为第二持球手跟进，文班走中路，侧翼球员拉开到两侧。

关键动作：侧翼球员在弧顶为拖车跟进的文班设立交错掩护，主控后卫将球交给索汉，索汉再转移给穿过“电梯门”的文班，让他获得快速三分或突破的机会。这个战术和瓦塞尔配合也能打得很好，他本赛季在这类战术中表现出了进步。凯尔登也一样。如果被身体对抗，文班的身高能让他在没有干净空间的情况下也能出手投篮。

应对包嘉/三人包夹/身体对抗的策略：在转换进攻中，双人包夹更难组织——所以如果对方绕前防守，就用快速空接来利用这一点。对于持续的身体对抗，增加一个“拖曳”掩护，让文班在半转换进攻中提早设立掩护，利用他的大步幅甩开小个子防守者。

为何有效：我们避免了半场进攻停滞，因为缺乏射手会让我们在这种情况下很吃亏。卡斯尔和索汉在这里可以危险地互换角色：加快比赛节奏，而且两人都是出色的篮板手（索汉更胜一筹，但卡斯尔正成长为顶级后卫防守篮板手之一）。文班的转换进攻封盖经常能直接衔接到这个战术，实现无缝的攻防转换。

pejoweho:

大概在上周的某个时候，我想可能是在周日的比赛前瞻帖子里，我曾对某份实力榜将休斯顿火箭队列为联盟第三的排名嗤之以鼻。在仔细考虑之后，我本打算回去撤回我的评论，但博客话题已经翻篇了，所以我就在这里收回我的话。

雷霆显然是全联盟的头号强队，而且我认为掘金是所有球队中最有可能在季后赛中淘汰雷霆的，但就目前而言，我会说火箭、掘金，或许还有湖人，都有理由争夺西部第二强队的位置。东部现在无关紧要；东部两支被认为最强的球队，骑士和尼克斯，至今为止的表现都令人失望，但即使他们开始找到状态并以东部头名的成绩结束赛季，我也不会将这两支球队中的任何一支排进西部前三。

总而言之，火箭队目前有理由声称自己是联盟第二好的球队，所以将他们排在第三位是相当合理的。

即便如此，我认为马刺今晚有很大机会赢下比赛。如果福克斯和科内特能上场，我甚至可能会期望马刺获胜。说出这样的话让我感觉很奇怪；我还在适应马刺能与顶级强队抗衡的这种感觉。

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thirtynineyearfanversion2.0:

I’m trying not to be negative, but I’m getting really worried about Fox. He barely played at all last year after we got him, having the finger surgery so he’d be healed up in time for the start of the season. But then suffering another injury while recovering from the first injury, and the mysterious time table as far as when he’ll actually return… I don’t know. I was super excited when we got him, but so far we’ve barely seen anything at all from him other than an injury on the heels of a previous injury. Is he actually going to play and be healthy and help us win? Or did I get my hopes up for nothing and he’ll never actually play a significant number of all star caliber games for us at all? Sigh… Sorry, just bummed out that we’ve been waiting and waiting and…

spiceymeatball:

Ok. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about Mitch’s playcalling (not working) against the Phoenix style Wemby approach to stifling him. With the help of chat gpt for presentation, here’s an approach. I think Sochan is a big key (those readers who know me won’t be surprised, haha -:)). BTW, for those of you that might think chat gpt on its own can give you these results, they generally don’t - it needs your guidance, however misguided it might be.

To counter the physical bodying from smaller, peskier wings and forwards—who are often quicker and stronger in the lower body despite the height mismatch—while dealing with switches, doubles, and triples on Wembanyama, the key is to weaponize his unique length, mobility, and skill set without relying heavily on elite perimeter shooting - which our Spurs are lacking. So we prioritize plays that create dynamic movement, force defensive rotations, exploit mismatches through quick decisions, and use misdirection to open driving lanes or lob windows. Emphasize flow offenses that keep him in motion.

Jeremy Sochan is a perfect complementary piece here—his versatility as a connector (good passer, high IQ), ability to handle in transition, set rugged screens, and crash the glass can help alleviate pressure on Wemby. Sochan’s not a volume shooter, but his improved midrange and willingness to cut make him ideal for short-roll actions or as a secondary playmaker. We’ll integrate him to create 4-on-3 advantages when defenses collapse on Wemby.

Playcalling for skinny bigs (e.g., what coaches did for early Durant or Porzingis adaptations). I’ve structured them with initiation, key actions, and counters for doubles/triples, assuming a lineup with a lead guard (Fox or Castle), Sochan at the 4, Wemby at the 5, and Barnes and Vassell/Keldon who have been shooting reeasonably well (if too inconsisteently) or (especially in Keldon’s case) cut hard.

Inverted Flex Action with Sochan as the Hub (Motion to Exploit Switches)

Initiation: Start in a flex set—lead guard at the top, Sochan at the high post (elbow), Wemby on the weakside block, wings in corners. Guard dribbles toward Sochan for a dribble hand-off (DHO), but instead of a standard hand-off, Sochan slips into a ghost screen (fakes the screen and rolls short).

Key Actions: As the guard attacks, Wemby sets a down screen for the weakside wing (flex cut), then pops to the wing for a quick swing pass from Sochan. This forces the smaller defender on Wemby to either switch (creating a mismatch for the cutting wing) or fight through, opening a lob alley for Wemby over the top. Sochan, now in the short roll, reads the help: if double comes baseline, he dumps to Wemby sealing high; if from the top, he kicks to the corner for a swing.

Counters for Doubles/Triples/Bodying: This is on Wemby - he cannot hesitate as he has been. He’s got to decide (for now) his attempts to crossover and manoeuvre around defenders is time and energy wasting and dampens our offense. If he’s bodied up, pre-pass, he should use his length for a ‘rip and rise’ (quick rip-through to elevate for a fadeaway jumper, as he’s shown against switches. I’d actually prefer to see him stay on top of the defender instead of leeaning back if the refs will call in his favour (didn’t happeen last games). For triples, Sochan crashes the offensive glass hard—his rebounding prowess turns misses into second chances. His play can tire smaller pests on Wemby with his constant off-ball movement and never ending motor, reducing their staying power to front or deny.

Horns Floppy with Wemby Pop-and-Slip (High-Low Misdirection)

Initiation: Horns alignment—Sochan and another forward/big at the elbows (I’d like to see Olynyk in here as an experiment, otherise Barnes or Kornet when he’s back (if sochan’s 3pt shooting has indeed improved). Wemby in this alignment is at the free-throw line extended, guard at top, wing in corner. Castle enters to Sochan at the elbow.

Key Actions: Sochan immediately hits Wemby flashing to the high post (above the arc), where his height makes entry passes easy despite bodying (instead of Wemby fighting for position). From there, run a ‘floppy’ action: ie wheree the corner wing curls off staggered screens from the elbows (set by Sochan and Barnes or Olynyk), drawing help. Wemby can either pop for a 3, or slip baseline for a lob if the smaller defender bumps him.

Counters for Doubles/Triples/Bodying: If they double high, Wemby quick-passes to Sochan diving low (high-low action), who then attacks the rim or finds cutters. This was very successful last season when everyone was (temporarily at least) healthy. For triples, add a ‘reject’ option: Wemby fakes the pop and seals the smaller defender behind him with a swim move, using his arms to create space without fouling. This is possible only if Wemby can improve his screening. Sochan’s physicality as a screener punishes switches, forcing bigs onto guards.

Why It Works Here: Horns congests the paint initially, but the floppy creates chaos for rotations. Sochan’s role as the low man exploits his finishing (which is very good) and prevents defenses from loading up solely on Wemby. I think this can work for half-court sets when spacing is clogged.

Spain Stack PnR with Sochan Back-Screen (Layered Screening to Beat Switches)

Initiation: Standard PnR setup—guard at top with ball, Wemby setting the initial screen at the arc, Sochan stacked behind Wemby (Spain variation), wings wide.

Key Actions: As the guard uses Wemby’s screen, Sochan sets a back-screen on Wemby’s defender (confusing the switch), allowing Wemby to roll hard to the rim. The guard reads: lob to Wemby if open, hit Sochan popping short if help rotates, or swing to wings if triples pull from corners. Wemby’s roll gravity draws bodies, opening kickouts even without elite shooters—focus on drive-and-kick for midrange pull-ups.

Counters for Doubles/Triples/Bodying: If smaller wings body Wemby on the roll, the back-screen from Sochan (he’s strong and sets nasty picks) dislodges them, creating a free path. For doubles, Wemby “short rolls” to the nail (free-throw line) and becomes a playmaker—his vision hits cutters. Triples? Add a “re-screen” where Sochan loops back for a second PnR, flipping the mismatch.

**Transition Elevator with Wemby Trail (Fast-Paced Chaos to Prevent Setups)**This is crucial.

Initiation: Push tempo off misses/turnovers— Castle (or soon and better, Fox) advances quickly, Sochan or Castle trails as a secondary handler, Wemby in the middle lane, wings filling wide.

Key Actions: wings set staggered screens at the arc for Wemby trailing behind the lead guard who hands off to Sochan, who swings to Wemby popping through the elevator for a quick 3 or drive. This can work well with Vassell as well who has shown improvement in these actions this season. Keldon as well. If bodied, Wemby’s height lets him shoot over without clean space.

Counters for Doubles/Triples/Bodying: In transition, doubles are harder to organize—so exploit with quick lobs if they front. For persistent bodying, add a “drag” screen where Wemby sets early in semi-transition, using his strides to outrun smaller defenders.

Why This Works: We avoids half-court stagnation where lack of shooters hurts. Castle and Sochan are dangerously interchangeable here: speed the game up and both are excellent rebounders (Sochan the better but Castle is emerging as one of the top guard defensive rebounders). Wemby’s transition blocks often lead right into this, turning defense to offense seamlessly.

Veggiedelite:

Reading artificial intelligence thoughts on this blog makes me feel like an old man yelling at people on his porch.

pejoweho:

Sometime in the past week, I think maybe on Sunday in the game preview thread, I scoffed at somebody’s power rankings that had Houston rated the third best team in the NBA. After thinking about it some more, I’d planned to go back and retract that, but the blog had moved on, so I’ll issue a retraction here.

OKC is the clear #1 in the whole league, and I think Denver has the best shot of any team to knock OKC out of the playoffs, but right now I’d say Houston, Denver, and perhaps the Lakers can all make a case to be the second best team in the West. The East doesn’t matter right now; the two presumed best teams in the East, the Cavs and Knicks, have underwhelmed so far, but even if they start clicking and finish the season on top, I wouldn’t rank either of those teams in the top three in the West.

Bottom line, Houston has a plausible claim to being the second best team in the NBA at the moment, so ranking them #3 is pretty reasonable.

Even so, I think the Spurs have a decent chance of winning the game tonight. If Fox and Kornet were playing, I’d probably expect the Spurs to win. It feels weird for me to say that; I’m still getting used to feeling like the Spurs can compete with top-tier teams.

via Pounding The Rock