Decent hiring. Dunn is a solid defensive coach. Not an amazing hire, but much better than leaving the defense in the hands of McHale.
For now, our better showing on defense can be attributed to the defensive-minded players we recruited. It'll take a month or two before Dunn's team defensive principles are mastered. I like it already.
...or that its preseason and generally easier to guard 2nd 3rd tier players that are getting majority of the minutes. also, since they generally mess up more, the defense looks better than it is
Our defense will be very good this season as long as we do a better job defensive rebounding. I'm still worried about our offense in the half court. It just seems like a bunch of headless chickens running around when it isn't an ISO play.
I said at the time, a solid defensive coach could be the biggest pickup of the offseason. This guy has done really well. Although we got Ariza who has really solidified a defensive weakness, it's crazy to think we are likely to be one of the best defensive teams in the league when we were just the best offensive team in the league. I'm far more worried about offense and Harden maintaining his defensive focus all season.
Think the summer forced him to really look at the criticism he received. And as he begins/enjoys easy baskets off deflections etc...he will get better as player overall. Harden has truly taken a huge step playing great(at times excellent) defense this season.
McHale is coaching the defense this year. On 790 this morning they talked to Joel Blank, he works for the Rockets as Director of Brodcasting. He said last year kelvin Sampson coached defense, but this year McHale had taken over coaching the defense. I was surprised to hear this, as I had not heard this before. Dunn may be doing a good job, but it sounds like McHale is the coach in charge of defense. I have to admit I am really surprised at the improvement defensively.
