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Rockets Smallball Elevates Defense

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by D-rock, Feb 15, 2020.

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  1. ApacheWarrior

    ApacheWarrior Member

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    Each day that goes by lessens the chance Moe Harkless gets released.

    Knicks don’t need to cut salary, But Taj Gibson might be released instead.

    And if it’s true Morey wanted DeAndre Jordan at the deadline....T Gibson might be a target of Morey for a non-
    3-point shooting small ball center.
     
    #21 ApacheWarrior, Feb 15, 2020
    D-rock likes this.
  2. D-rock

    D-rock Member

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    Jordan Clarkson dropped 30, mostly with House defending him.

    The village idiot does bring up a good observation regarding the steals that House generated but this defense is focused on attacking passing lanes.

    Imagine a player who can do so but can also recover when beaten. Wingspan is important in this area.

    Wingspan also helpful to be more efficient with finishing at the rim and protecting the rim.

    House is a good rotation player but Rockets need a better starter. Marcus Morris will eat his lunch.
     
    #22 D-rock, Feb 15, 2020
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  3. RocketsFan247

    RocketsFan247 Member

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    Since we can only dream, I'd like KLove as our big and missing 3rd star. With him and nothing of significance going out, we'd be set.
     
    #23 RocketsFan247, Feb 15, 2020
  4. D-rock

    D-rock Member

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    Rockets have gone all in on offense but have also reinstated their switch everything defense that was so successful under Bzdelik.

    That was the default defense that Rockets used to push GSW to the edge. If you watch the tape, Clint was used less in that series and Luc was used more at 5 (until he broke completely).

    Ariza-Luc-Tucker were just as essential to Rockets success in 2017-2018 as Harden-CP3-Capela offense.

    Having that 3rd elite defender is critical.

    And House is not it.
     
    #24 D-rock, Feb 15, 2020
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  5. D-rock

    D-rock Member

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    The Houston Rockets’ switching defense has made them more active in the passing lanes and could elevate them to a top 10 defense post-All-Star break.

    https://spacecityscoop.com/2020/02/14/houston-rockets-small-ball-elevate-defense/

    Since the trade four games ago, the Rockets are in the top eight in steals and top ten in blocked shots. During that stretch, the Rockets have had more blocks than the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.

    Covington, Tucker, and Harden have long wingspans that make up for their lack of height.     While the Rockets are last during this stretch in total rebounds as you’d expect, they also make up for it by forcing turnovers by playing the passing lanes heavily.

    Sounds like they are describing Justin Anderson (6'6 230 7'0 wingspan 43" vert) and his sticky defense to me.



    Gets under Marcus Morris' skin with that smothering defense and length.

     
    #25 D-rock, Feb 15, 2020
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  6. kjayp

    kjayp Contributing Member

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    amazing what happens when everybody plays defense... even without a rim defender... lol ;)
     
    #26 kjayp, Feb 15, 2020
    Hakeemtheking, hakeem94, DeBeards and 1 other person like this.
  7. jeevinesh

    jeevinesh Member

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    Yeah let's hope for Otto Porter, Kelly Oubre, Michael Porter and create the best junior team in the nba
     
    #27 jeevinesh, Feb 15, 2020
  8. TheRealAllpro

    TheRealAllpro Morey only fan

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    I don’t think we can really make any statement about our defense slowing them down with 3 elite wings because Mbah Moute only played 54 mins in the series (personally I think we def win with him)

    that being said they shot 38.1% from 3 in the series vs 39.1% in the regular season. They had a 114.5 Off rating for the series vs 113.6 in the regular season. There’s not a lot of evidence our defense has any extra effect.

    However our Off rating and 3% both dropped significantly. We shot 31.4% from 3 for the series.

    It’s my postulate that these facts along with the 0-27 fiasco and ensuring narrative lead Morey to devalue a 3rd elite defender for more offense.

    As well I think the two plus off seasons and trade deadlines have made this clear as well.
     
    #28 TheRealAllpro, Feb 15, 2020
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  9. smoothie_king

    smoothie_king Member

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    If Taj is a Target of Darryl more then Taj needs to stay put because Gibson gonna be looking like Kenneth far"weed" in China after rockets and the management turns their back!
     
    #29 smoothie_king, Feb 16, 2020
  10. D-rock

    D-rock Member

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    Anyone bring some air freshener for God's sake, the halitosis on this one smells like ass.
     
    #30 D-rock, Feb 16, 2020
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  11. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Lerbon basically selected a big lineup for teh Allstar game.
     
    #31 daywalker02, Feb 16, 2020
  12. ApacheWarrior

    ApacheWarrior Member

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    In this article it speaks to Taj having a great year last season.

    https://spacecityscoop.com/2020/02/09/7-players-houston-rockets-pursue-buyout-market/3/

    I don’t understand D’Antoni. Taj gives you what Tristan/DJordan give you. Faried as well. Some 3-pt
    shooting with Taj.
     
    #32 ApacheWarrior, Feb 16, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2020
  13. ApacheWarrior

    ApacheWarrior Member

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    cont’d

    Rockets have until Wednesday to add a player. Let’s hope someone gets freed up.

    Beggars can’t be choosers
     
    #33 ApacheWarrior, Feb 16, 2020
  14. blahblehblah

    blahblehblah Member

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    It's way too early to judge how much better/effective (if at all) small ball has made the rockets defense.

    Early results are all over the map, which isn't surprising since the sample size is only 4.

    Rockets defense we're good vs Celtics and Lakers, bad vs jazz and terrible vs sun's.

    It'll be interesting to track the numbers after 10+ games... Particularly opponents orgt, ts%, paint points & rbs.

    So far though, the rockets defense do look more versatile, active and disruptive.
     
    #34 blahblehblah, Feb 16, 2020
  15. smoothie_king

    smoothie_king Member

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    Taj Gibson best playoff series was the 2nd rouns 2015 series against cavs and LeBron back when Gibson played for the bulls with rose, Gibson, & Butler,etc.
     
    #35 smoothie_king, Feb 16, 2020
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  16. D-rock

    D-rock Member

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    Agree small sample size but more than 4 games.

    Rockets were 10-1 while Capela was out injured and before the trade.

    https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/2/3/21121258/clint-capela-houston-rockets-trade-deadline
     
    #36 D-rock, Feb 16, 2020
    Patience likes this.
  17. ApacheWarrior

    ApacheWarrior Member

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    Yes, and he would have help with Harden/Westbrook/Tucker/Covington: Red94 posted earlier today the
    defensive numbers (+/-) with this lineup. Caboclo will help the defensive numbers even greater.

    Taj and his basketball IQ would be a backup plan to Caboclo if D’Antoni loses faith in Bruno like he did with House
    last season. Taj still may be a little more mobile than Tyson Chandler. Like a safety net. Little thing that could
    have big results......or end up like Joe Johnson.

    I can’t wait to see who gets cut before Tuesday (go 48 hours thru waivers??). I’m glad Lakers spent
    money on Waiters. I hope they have little to no money for another FA. They probably know Harkless will
    not be released. He wants to be in New York.
     
    #37 ApacheWarrior, Feb 16, 2020
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  18. ApacheWarrior

    ApacheWarrior Member

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    cont’d

    Oh and Westbrook and Taj were teammates at OKC before.....so Taj has that going for him.

    If the Lakers cut Jared Dudley to make room for Waiters.....do you want Dudley (also 34y/o)?
     
    #38 ApacheWarrior, Feb 16, 2020
  19. smoothie_king

    smoothie_king Member

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    You are certainly entitled to your own opinion!

    New York Knicks have a reputation for signing and paying veterans especially forwards.

    The East is wide open as evidenced by Orlando magic making noise in the playoffs. Didn't even think raptors would win championship by upsetting warriors.

    Any thing possible for Taj Gibson. 2015 bulls almost beat LeBron after Kevin love injury in 2015. Don't forget Kyrie Irving was banged up that year when Gibson and bulls almost beat LeBron : /

    Gibson had chance that year to matchup with Hawks in east final only if bulls could have beat LeBron and cavs in 2015 : /
     
    #39 smoothie_king, Feb 16, 2020
  20. ApacheWarrior

    ApacheWarrior Member

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    Don’t get me wrong, I’m hoping for better to hit the market

    But Taj is not in Knicks future......Harkless appears he may re-sign with them this summer.
     
    #40 ApacheWarrior, Feb 16, 2020
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