Ik you were joking about wasting time on more videos like this, but seriously, I would love more videos like this. As a basketball nerd, this is the stuff I live for.
The 2018 Rockets had a 44-5 record in the regular season games that Cp3 and Harden both played in. That says a lot. I know people hated them because their style was all about iso ball and mismatch hunting but you can't argue with results. #1 offense in the league and it took a stacked GS team 7 games and a Chris Paul injury to take them out.
It is so sad that this team need to run against GSW, one of the greatest and probably most unfair team to play against. I would argue this rocket was one of the best team ever that build around 2 star, non superteam.
@@Jay-qb9gi They surely have a chance to win that series, and may even win it all. However 3-2 isn’t a sure win, being the most unfairly good team that GSW was, it is still a 50-50 series. And this already tell you how insanely good this Rocket was at the time.
"Morey ball" was originally more a term to describe the close relationship they had between basketball and analytics. It really started around 2006-09 with his Sloan conference. The first two teams to embrace analytics were the rockets and warriors. Primarily promoting the 3 pointer. The rockets and warriors build in opposite ways. In the rockets case being because of their owner at the time refused to allow Morey to lose while rebuilding. Which is insane but he did do it. And because of the personnel they leaned into their respective styles. Perhaps having the guy who really got the ball rolling in the analytics revolution. As well as the coach who directly inspired it in dantoni, who had his own history. AND a player that perfectly lined up with the results of their lives... They took it to extremes. The rockets and warriors were really a historic perfect storm, that has really impacted the NBA. That rockets group doesn't get the credit they deserve, but they were critical to the evolution of the game.
The most interesting part of Morreyball is that despite breaking down the most fundamental concepts in basketball the Rockets came extremely close time and time again to defeating the most incredible team in NBA history. Even with the problems with injuries and teams scheming against them properly, a Finals win would have been very likely if it were any other team. Honestly I’d love to see a documentary made about this era of the rockets more than any other team because of that
It was their defense more than their offense that bothered the Warriors. They were tough, forced a lot of turnovers, and switched everything, which makes the Warriors' motion offense and off-ball screens less effective than they otherwise would be.
The A’s have been running this same thing in baseball going on 20+ years. It seems the sports goods don’t like GMs trying to cheat the game with nonsense like that.
As a Houston fan this video reminded me of my favorite and saddest season at the same time. This team was special man, maybe because of the simplicity but it was because of Moreyball I started to learn more about strategy, not just mindlessly watching games and box scores. Great job on the video, havent seen a better breakdown of that Houston squad anywhere.
Subtle mistake was actually trading for CP3, not because he was wrong, but because they needed CP3 from 2 years prior. The increased iso responsibilities you mention are probably the thing that eroded CP3's hamstrings. Note that Harden later also developed nagging hamstring problems. Good work. More please.
Super interesting break-down. I think an important note to add to the "what went wrong" section is that they were up against one of the greatest teams in history. Of course they had flaws in their system, but the fact they took a 3-2 lead over the KD warriors is a serious achievement.
this rockets team had such a defined identity. I feel like it's rare in the modern nba where every team tries to do everything at least decently/well. It'd be fun to see other videos about teams with strong playstyle identities
Why aren't you on NBA TV, ESPN, and Inside the NBA on TNT? Your analysis is second to none. You even get down to the finest details. You understand what you're watching. You leave out sensationalism and add a little humor. You articulate very well.
I was def a believer in this Rockets era. Literally took a top 2 team of all time to beat them in 7. If CP3 didn't get injured in game 6, and that historic meltdown (27 threes missed in a row lol) didn't happen, results may have been different. Rockets would have won the finals too, cp3 and harden would be hunting down & abusing anyone who wasn't named LeBron. Although things do happen and injuries are a part of the game, it makes me think if Harden, CP3, and the Rockets' legacy would have been different in a kinder world 😮💨
Great video, a nuanced take on these Rockets teams. It's easy and cheap to just go off that missed 3's stat, so good job breaking it down. Also, don't think I missed you including AD in street clothes lmao. Keep up the good work!
Despite your joke on Booker a couple videos back I'm still glad you're now doing longer videos. I've been following you for two years now so your videos are always appreciated.
I like the different types of videos, short breakdowns from an in-game moment, or long form videos like this breaking down an entire topic. Keep it up !
The concept of Golden State offense is to leverage the shooting prowess of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to enable high percentage scoring opportunities for otherwise average players. It requires players who cuts, screens, and passes, and when the machine is humming, it's beautiful basketball that pleases the eye. But the machine doesn't work as well due to failures of individual parts, or any various reasons, that's when Kevin Durant comes in, takes his iso post and gets a decent shot, or at least that was the intention. However, KD never really bought into that completely, or GSW would have won 70 games every season. Similarly for Houston, Harden and Paul were great iso players, but they could both save a lot of energies involving teammates to do some of the creative work. It's not a coincidence that Paul gets hurt the further he's into the playoffs, and Harden's production tapered down as well.
I believe you missed one of the constraints Morey was operating under: Rockets did not want to pay the luxury tax. To contrast, the Warriors pay the most luxury tax in history. 170 million in tax last year, which is why I'm doubtful Kuminga or Weisman is getting traded. They need rookie scale players to lessen the bite.
I also think they needed a reliable 3rd option if CP3 and Harden aren't doing well, like a 6th man who has the same skillset of Paul or Harden or maybe a big that can work in the post and can also space the floor or can do lobs.
chris paul as an excellent post defender was also an underrated aspect in terms of their team's scalability into the playoffs warriors would try to isolate KD in the midpost against him thinking it was a positive matchup but it wasn't an assured 1.1+ PPP proposition, which you would need to beat a team as good as 2017-18 rockets
Great video! I do think that there's a lot of outcome bias here though. The 2018 WCF could have easily gone the Rockets way and I think it'd be just as easy to describe a story of how their offense was optimally designed to beat the Warriors. I do agree with your main assessment of the problem though: if one of your main guys goes down, you're toast, because your whole offense is designed to be run through those guys
Fantastic video. I wonder what happens if you replace Harden with Lebron. Just a thought. You should consider doing a follow-up video on the Warriors and how their offense evolved to where it was
You cant talk about the 2017-2018 Warriors series without talking about the absolutely lopsided officiating. Moving screens, fouling 3 pointers, fouling lay ups and calling off made 3s. It was disgusting
I don't get how you guys finally notice warriors illegal screens, they've been doing that since David Stern stepped down, their whole "beautiful ball movement offense" involves illegal screens, watched it with my own 2 eyes in the 2022 finals, disgusting, if we eliminated illegal screens or called it more, I wonder what kind of teams would truly win championships
A very good analysis, but just because Paul's "shot" was back by the playoffs does not mean Harden could responsibly abandon his ISO carry. I probably don't have to tell you after going through so much film, but any Rockets fan remembers Paul unable to beat even Looney off the dribble.
It's not the Rockets that could've beaten the Warriors. I do think the Spurs would've crushed them if not for that Zaza Pachulia stepping on Kawhi Leonard's ankle. Kawhi would've destroyed the Warriors like he did in Toronto
Golden State and their style of play just sent a message to Rockets' "unique" style of play that Basketball should be played the right way by sharing the ball around teammates and not by an individual alone cause basketaball is a TEAM sport.
Bottom line Houston had a championship stolen from them in the game 7 where they were fouled on 27 straight 3's and had one taken away, that game was as fixed as any sporting game i have ever seen. Pretty much turned form being a dedicated fan.
Regarding the intro - just dont. you dont want to watch this team. they looked premising at the start of the season, but what Chauncey, nurk and ant are cooking up right now is even more unholy than what Terry stotts ever did.
I'm still optimistic. The team is better than the record. I think part of it is not having gp2 until now, missing other guys (who aren't huge but still have value (Winslow, nassir)), most games this season being on the road, and also a personal view of mine is theirs been changes with coaching and style of play that the team is still adjusting to. It explains the turnovers too, they're moving to a pass heavy style which can be good but I don't think they've figured it out yet. I feel like they can bounce back and make a run for the playoffs
In a sea of trash ass RUclips channels who don’t know ball, we were given them gem. I will now be checking out the rest of your video bc clearly you know ball. (And are hilarious as well.)
Great analysis! Rockets system back then was one of a kind and very interesting with but it didnt take long for GSW or teams in general to figure it out.
no one really figured it out in the cp3-harden era, they just kept missing their open 3s, but the system in the harden era was figured out in like 2020 by lakers
what people never mention about the asthetic of the houston offense is diversity. I think the league as a whole would be more fun to watch if there are a lot of difference teams with extreme difference in playstyle. It is much more fun to watch difference playstyle clash with one another then having every team running similar styles.
I'm so glad this offense doesn't work well any more. It was incredibly boring and frustrating to watch Harden jack a 3 or drive, flop, and get free throws.
Despite their flaws they gave GSW a run for their money in the conference finals. I don't think their offence "didn't work". Getting to the Western conference finals and going to toe to toe with one of the greatest teams ever in my opinion is very much doing it right.
Kobe was just flat out wrong for saying this way of basketball couldn’t win a championship. It almost did; the rockets had to face the KD Steph warriors and still took it to 7. Many other years they would have won
Ik you were joking about wasting time on more videos like this, but seriously, I would love more videos like this. As a basketball nerd, this is the stuff I live for.
Ong banger vid this is what always wanted 😭❤️✊🏽 I thought 7 min+ generous for Daniel but he pulled through like the goat 😤
YES! MORE 10,20,30MIN+ VIDS BRO
agreed
Fax
The 2018 Rockets had a 44-5 record in the regular season games that Cp3 and Harden both played in. That says a lot. I know people hated them because their style was all about iso ball and mismatch hunting but you can't argue with results. #1 offense in the league and it took a stacked GS team 7 games and a Chris Paul injury to take them out.
It is so sad that this team need to run against GSW, one of the greatest and probably most unfair team to play against.
I would argue this rocket was one of the best team ever that build around 2 star, non superteam.
@@iamkailong they were up 3-2 against GSW before CP got injured
@@Jay-qb9gi They surely have a chance to win that series, and may even win it all. However 3-2 isn’t a sure win, being the most unfairly good team that GSW was, it is still a 50-50 series. And this already tell you how insanely good this Rocket was at the time.
Been saying this ever since. The biggest threat to the Warriors wasn't even Lebron, it was the Harden led Rockets.
how come people dont hate luka's iso ball then?
"Morey ball" was originally more a term to describe the close relationship they had between basketball and analytics.
It really started around 2006-09 with his Sloan conference. The first two teams to embrace analytics were the rockets and warriors.
Primarily promoting the 3 pointer.
The rockets and warriors build in opposite ways. In the rockets case being because of their owner at the time refused to allow Morey to lose while rebuilding. Which is insane but he did do it.
And because of the personnel they leaned into their respective styles. Perhaps having the guy who really got the ball rolling in the analytics revolution. As well as the coach who directly inspired it in dantoni, who had his own history. AND a player that perfectly lined up with the results of their lives... They took it to extremes.
The rockets and warriors were really a historic perfect storm, that has really impacted the NBA. That rockets group doesn't get the credit they deserve, but they were critical to the evolution of the game.
The most interesting part of Morreyball is that despite breaking down the most fundamental concepts in basketball the Rockets came extremely close time and time again to defeating the most incredible team in NBA history. Even with the problems with injuries and teams scheming against them properly, a Finals win would have been very likely if it were any other team. Honestly I’d love to see a documentary made about this era of the rockets more than any other team because of that
Always came close but never got there. Which is why Kobe said Harden/Morrey’s style would never win a ring
@@BigA678 it can in the right circumstances
It was their defense more than their offense that bothered the Warriors. They were tough, forced a lot of turnovers, and switched everything, which makes the Warriors' motion offense and off-ball screens less effective than they otherwise would be.
@@BigA678 Kobe also probably said this helicopter ride is safe
The A’s have been running this same thing in baseball going on 20+ years. It seems the sports goods don’t like GMs trying to cheat the game with nonsense like that.
As a Houston fan this video reminded me of my favorite and saddest season at the same time. This team was special man, maybe because of the simplicity but it was because of Moreyball I started to learn more about strategy, not just mindlessly watching games and box scores. Great job on the video, havent seen a better breakdown of that Houston squad anywhere.
don't be sad about the team, still one of the greatest teams ever to play in the sport, just unlucky with injury timing
Subtle mistake was actually trading for CP3, not because he was wrong, but because they needed CP3 from 2 years prior. The increased iso responsibilities you mention are probably the thing that eroded CP3's hamstrings. Note that Harden later also developed nagging hamstring problems. Good work. More please.
Super interesting break-down. I think an important note to add to the "what went wrong" section is that they were up against one of the greatest teams in history. Of course they had flaws in their system, but the fact they took a 3-2 lead over the KD warriors is a serious achievement.
this rockets team had such a defined identity. I feel like it's rare in the modern nba where every team tries to do everything at least decently/well. It'd be fun to see other videos about teams with strong playstyle identities
go Grizzlies
Why aren't you on NBA TV, ESPN, and Inside the NBA on TNT? Your analysis is second to none. You even get down to the finest details. You understand what you're watching. You leave out sensationalism and add a little humor. You articulate very well.
20:36 Everybody always shows Steph making CP3 stumble but no one shows Steph "floating" on the floor from CP3's ankle breaker!
I was def a believer in this Rockets era. Literally took a top 2 team of all time to beat them in 7. If CP3 didn't get injured in game 6, and that historic meltdown (27 threes missed in a row lol) didn't happen, results may have been different. Rockets would have won the finals too, cp3 and harden would be hunting down & abusing anyone who wasn't named LeBron. Although things do happen and injuries are a part of the game, it makes me think if Harden, CP3, and the Rockets' legacy would have been different in a kinder world 😮💨
Great video! The Rockets were definitely an interesting experiment and team to watch. Would like to see more deep diving videos like this!
those '18 and '19 Warriors-Rockets series have done irreversible damage to my mental health.
The night they missed 28-30 threes in a row cemented that entire style
Great video, a nuanced take on these Rockets teams. It's easy and cheap to just go off that missed 3's stat, so good job breaking it down. Also, don't think I missed you including AD in street clothes lmao. Keep up the good work!
i love that ur adding more of your personality into these videos with the jokes lmfao
Despite your joke on Booker a couple videos back I'm still glad you're now doing longer videos. I've been following you for two years now so your videos are always appreciated.
Great video. You’re getting better and better at this.
Great video man. Love seeing you put more of yourself into your work. Keep it up
I like the different types of videos, short breakdowns from an in-game moment, or long form videos like this breaking down an entire topic. Keep it up !
Ok bro i see you with long vids 😤
Keep it up bro
You forgot to mention that there was a lot of bad calls during that game 7, the commentators were even pointing it out during the game.
I can remember requesting for this vid about 2 yrs ago in one of your Google forms! Those Rockets teams were trend-setters!
Much love bro!
The concept of Golden State offense is to leverage the shooting prowess of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to enable high percentage scoring opportunities for otherwise average players. It requires players who cuts, screens, and passes, and when the machine is humming, it's beautiful basketball that pleases the eye. But the machine doesn't work as well due to failures of individual parts, or any various reasons, that's when Kevin Durant comes in, takes his iso post and gets a decent shot, or at least that was the intention. However, KD never really bought into that completely, or GSW would have won 70 games every season. Similarly for Houston, Harden and Paul were great iso players, but they could both save a lot of energies involving teammates to do some of the creative work. It's not a coincidence that Paul gets hurt the further he's into the playoffs, and Harden's production tapered down as well.
I believe you missed one of the constraints Morey was operating under: Rockets did not want to pay the luxury tax. To contrast, the Warriors pay the most luxury tax in history. 170 million in tax last year, which is why I'm doubtful Kuminga or Weisman is getting traded. They need rookie scale players to lessen the bite.
Good vid, keep making more and I keep watching
I know you were joking about waste of time thing but this is the best basketball video I've watched for a little while now. Great stuff!
Minus the occasional date mistake this was a masterpiece
I also think they needed a reliable 3rd option if CP3 and Harden aren't doing well, like a 6th man who has the same skillset of Paul or Harden or maybe a big that can work in the post and can also space the floor or can do lobs.
more like this bro i was sad to see u don’t have more in depth vids like this
as a rockets fan this was a little painful ngl but great video man
chris paul as an excellent post defender was also an underrated aspect in terms of their team's scalability into the playoffs
warriors would try to isolate KD in the midpost against him thinking it was a positive matchup but it wasn't an assured 1.1+ PPP proposition, which you would need to beat a team as good as 2017-18 rockets
Great video! I do think that there's a lot of outcome bias here though. The 2018 WCF could have easily gone the Rockets way and I think it'd be just as easy to describe a story of how their offense was optimally designed to beat the Warriors.
I do agree with your main assessment of the problem though: if one of your main guys goes down, you're toast, because your whole offense is designed to be run through those guys
babe wake up, daniel li posted
Your the man Daniel! Keep em coming
This may not be your style bit could you compare how era dynasties would match up against each other, score, schemes and things like that?
Great video man
I just saw DeAaron Fox & Sabonis on ESPN explaining their offense I would love to see you break it down a little more
Once them calls went down... his productivity went down... man will lead in All Time FT
Great work Daniel, thanks and keep it up please!!
22 minute Daniel Li video?!?! fuck yea
that into 😂😂👍
into
@@lebumjames1373 LeBum James
into
The cutoff at the end haha. You’re great though, very thorough
1:06 the Barry McCockiner quote LMFAO
Fantastic video. I wonder what happens if you replace Harden with Lebron. Just a thought.
You should consider doing a follow-up video on the Warriors and how their offense evolved to where it was
7:22 i fuckin cracked up out loud lmaoooo
Need a video to breakdown Luka-ball and what do the Mavs need for competiting❤
please more long videos.
love the content
Very nice video
Another masterpiece thank you brother
Bro actually funny as fuck lmaooo
Love ur videos man
"they couldn't guard a traffic cone" 😂
Awesome video, I loved the jokes too ! Thank you :)
Yo you gotta cover the donovan mitchell 71 points! Coming from a fellow Daniel here
My favorite offense of all time. Those Houston teams were averaging 40-50 3’s a game!
Yesss long form content !!!
Bro finally a long video , thank do more
You cant talk about the 2017-2018 Warriors series without talking about the absolutely lopsided officiating. Moving screens, fouling 3 pointers, fouling lay ups and calling off made 3s. It was disgusting
I don't get how you guys finally notice warriors illegal screens, they've been doing that since David Stern stepped down, their whole "beautiful ball movement offense" involves illegal screens, watched it with my own 2 eyes in the 2022 finals, disgusting, if we eliminated illegal screens or called it more, I wonder what kind of teams would truly win championships
2:08 You are not slick putting AD in street clothes 😭
A very good analysis, but just because Paul's "shot" was back by the playoffs does not mean Harden could responsibly abandon his ISO carry.
I probably don't have to tell you after going through so much film, but any Rockets fan remembers Paul unable to beat even Looney off the dribble.
i could be imagining it... but that sounds like pink guy in the background music
Edit: That definitely is stfu. I love it lmao great song choice
Just so you know, your video got cut off at the end, we can hear you say "please let me know, besides" and it gets cut
Great video
is that stfu by pink guy in the background?
I didn't even realise that was 20mins
It's not the Rockets that could've beaten the Warriors. I do think the Spurs would've crushed them if not for that Zaza Pachulia stepping on Kawhi Leonard's ankle. Kawhi would've destroyed the Warriors like he did in Toronto
i just know all them legs were cooked by game 7 with that small bench they always used
2:10 - nice touch having AD in street clothes
man so many unfortunate Steph Curry defense clips in this compilation, poor guy 😂
Manboob era rockets were elite people sleep
long video let's goooo!
Mike D'antoni greatness can maximize any offense .
we only lost cus the warriors injure players everytime theyre close to losing
7:17 relatable.
Golden State and their style of play just sent a message to Rockets' "unique" style of play that Basketball should be played the right way by sharing the ball around teammates and not by an individual alone cause basketaball is a TEAM sport.
Nice vid
I like that you put AD in street clothes for that graphic 😂😂😂
Daniel, how is the Houston's offense different than Read and React?
streets will never forget the 2018 rockets
Hopefully the Mavs see this
I love this
Bottom line Houston had a championship stolen from them in the game 7 where they were fouled on 27 straight 3's and had one taken away, that game was as fixed as any sporting game i have ever seen. Pretty much turned form being a dedicated fan.
Regarding the intro - just dont. you dont want to watch this team. they looked premising at the start of the season, but what Chauncey, nurk and ant are cooking up right now is even more unholy than what Terry stotts ever did.
I'm still optimistic. The team is better than the record. I think part of it is not having gp2 until now, missing other guys (who aren't huge but still have value (Winslow, nassir)), most games this season being on the road, and also a personal view of mine is theirs been changes with coaching and style of play that the team is still adjusting to. It explains the turnovers too, they're moving to a pass heavy style which can be good but I don't think they've figured it out yet. I feel like they can bounce back and make a run for the playoffs
Probably would have worked if it wasn’t for chemistry the best players for this system
In a sea of trash ass RUclips channels who don’t know ball, we were given them gem. I will now be checking out the rest of your video bc clearly you know ball. (And are hilarious as well.)
LMFAOOO had ad in the street clothes
when you allowed to "step back" bout 4 or 5 steps...THAT what makes the system work...
Great analysis! Rockets system back then was one of a kind and very interesting with but it didnt take long for GSW or teams in general to figure it out.
no one really figured it out in the cp3-harden era, they just kept missing their open 3s, but the system in the harden era was figured out in like 2020 by lakers
i see. thanks.
losing to the most unfair team ever assembled is not failing.
exactly
what people never mention about the asthetic of the houston offense is diversity. I think the league as a whole would be more fun to watch if there are a lot of difference teams with extreme difference in playstyle. It is much more fun to watch difference playstyle clash with one another then having every team running similar styles.
one of the greatest teams ever
2:08 street clothes Davis xD
I'm so glad this offense doesn't work well any more. It was incredibly boring and frustrating to watch Harden jack a 3 or drive, flop, and get free throws.
Rockets iso ball could of been so cold had Melo was healthy, they would could of been a warriors big 3
Despite their flaws they gave GSW a run for their money in the conference finals. I don't think their offence "didn't work". Getting to the Western conference finals and going to toe to toe with one of the greatest teams ever in my opinion is very much doing it right.
lma nah AD in street clothes is hilarious
Pull a gurl HAHAHA
Kobe was just flat out wrong for saying this way of basketball couldn’t win a championship. It almost did; the rockets had to face the KD Steph warriors and still took it to 7. Many other years they would have won