The Houston Rockets may have been eliminated from the playoffs, but Mike D'Antoni still believes his small ball philosophy works. In fact, he said in a way that only he can.
Speaking after the Rockets’ 119-96 loss in Game 5 of their Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers, D’Antoni was asked whether he still thinks his small-ball playing style is effective in the postseason. The 69-year old mentor responded by saying that they should ask the Lakers.
Mike D'Antoni asked if small-ball works in the playoffs: "Ask the Lakers. That's what they beat us with."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) September 13, 2020
Small ball did work in the playoffs, just not for his team. Mike D’Antoni was referring to Lakers head coach Frank Vogel’s adjustment of using smaller lineups as the series went on.
Los Angeles gave D’Antoni and the Rockets a dose of their own medicine, as the team played Anthony Davis mostly at center. Meanwhile, their traditional big men JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard did not receive a lot of minutes.
The Lakers’ reliance on small ball was evident in their 110-100 win in Game 4, when McGee and Howard didn’t even play while Vogel relied on Markieff Morris and Davis as the big men in their lineups with LeBron James, Danny Green and Kentavious Caldwell Pope.
After another playoff exit, D’Antoni’s future with the Rockets might not be certain, especially since the two sides failed to come to an agreement to a coaching extension last year. In four seasons in Houston, D’Antoni has a combined 318-217 win-loss record — including a 28-23 record in the postseason.
Follow Us
Subscribe