When the playoffs start we are going to be asking why did MDA use Thabo and Tucker for defense against Jokic.
https://www.si.com/nba/rockets/news...ter-rotation-amid-rockets-defensive-struggles Two games is of course a tiny sample, but D'Antoni noted his concern over Houston's defensive struggles to open the season, specifically at center. "[Clint Capela] needs to get better," D'Antoni said. "Be a better rim protector." Capela's minutes to start the season have dipped compared to his 2018-19 figures. The 25-year-old played 31 minutes against Milwaukee on opening night, sitting for stretches in the fourth quarter even as Brook Lopez took control of Milwaukee's offense. Capela played just 24 minutes in Saturday's win over the Pelicans. D'Antoni attributed Capela's extended time on the bench largely to "matchups," though he mulled additional options if Houston chose to embrace small-ball lineups, including using Thabo Sefolosha at center. Sefolosha is likely to be used only sparingly at the five if D'Antoni turns to the super-small lineup. P.J. Tucker is the far more viable option. Houston leaned on Tucker at center for significant stretches last season–known as the Tuckwagon lineup–and it doesn't look like D'Antoni will scale those lineups back 2019-20. Tucker will turn 35 in May. He played the fourth-most minutes in the West last season. D'Antoni doesn't seemed concerned. "P.J. is a warrior, he's fine," D'Antoni said. "If we go small, he's going to have to go extra minutes, so we'll see how it goes. We're aware of everyone's minutes. ... but he's the least affected by it of anybody."
Guys...I understand what y’all are saying, but guess what?? DAntoni is gonna be watching film with the staff and team (even if he isn’t prone to making a ton of in game adjustments) to see what went wrong. 1) it was the first game of the season against a top team 2) D’Antoni is our best available option currently ...especially with our two mvps ...sit back and chill
It's no secret this team desperately needs more defense. Putting pj/sef at the 5 is a joke though. Those two have NO business playing that spot. With that said though, Clint needs to get better at his position.
Tyson Chandler is on the roster, willing and able to smash alley oops, block shots and set big screens and Mike D'Antoni is telling Thabo he's going to play the backup 5?!?
PJ at the 5 almost won us a championship and that is just a fact. A major part of our Playoff Death Squad. I am more disappointed that we let Bzdelick leave, and that we have abandoned the massive success that was the full-time switching defense.
