Has Adelman Solved Houston's Problems

I wrote earlier this summer about my interest in watching the Grizzlies this season. However, as the season nears, the team I want to see play is the Rockets.

With Van Gundy gone, Houston may finally maximize the offensive potential of its stars and the addition of Luis Scola is equally interesting.

Last week, the Houston Chronicle had a great article about Adelman's offense. I have long been a fan of Adelman's style of play and am still confused by the media types who credit Phoenix with starting the "new" (old) style of NBA basketball. Adelman and the Kings never received the credit they were due because they ran into Shaq and Kobe and never won a ring (which, of course, has not prevented the Suns-lovefest).

Elston Turner explains the Rockets' offense:

"Basically, it's a series of three-man game and two-man game," said Rockets assistant coach Elston Turner, a six-year assistant with Adelman in Sacramento. "If the three-man game doesn't work, you flow into a two-man game. And at the right time, it's one-on-one.

"As a general rule, we allow our players some freedom to show their skills. We believe the spontaneous creativity, things that happen in the spur of the moment based on what the guy in front of you does is the hardest to guard because you can't prepare for that.

"It's exciting to watch and it's exciting for the guys to play in. If you have the ability to play, we allow you to do that."

With apologies to Larry Brown, I believe that describes the right way to play basketball.

I don't understand acquiring Steve Francis, nor do I like Rafer Alston and Mike James fighting for the PG duties, or the drafting of Aaron Brooks as insurance if these three somehow fail to run the show. However, McGrady, Wells and Battier on the wing with Yao and Scola in the paint makes for an interesting team to watch, especially in Adelman's flowing offense.

All the hype is in Boston right now, but Houston will be the breakout team this year, both in terms of wins, play-off success and entertainment. If they get consistent PG play and stay healthy, there is no reason why the Rockets cannot win the championship and give Adelman the elusive title which would establish him as one of the era's best coaches.