The problem with defensive precision is you need court time together, watch this series and you see how many communication errors occur. For the most part half of the team hasn't really played with the other half. It's not like our defense just got awful in the playoffs either, it was pretty bad after we lost beverley and dmo down the stretch too (our defense was ranked #2 when those 2 went down, it ended at about 8 or 9 if i remember).
Is Brewer going to be a part of this team long term? He was completely taken advantage of in this series. Questionable shooting and decision making in the half court. Same story for Josh Smith. I don't know if I want either back.
I agree with this, but before you grow the team unity on defense, you have to make sure you have the right ingredients. It will take time. Hopefully, they will have a significant improvement in this area by next year's playoffs.
Brewer will get more money and sign with OKC. Billy Donovan will take him. Josh Smith won't get paid from anyone. He will take a small 1 year deal to better his game and stay with Dwight. Jones or D-Mo will be traded on Draft Night.
rockets need to get better on defense not worse. somehow, someway add lull, wesley mathews, and aldridge without losing ariza.
I'm looking forward to seeing Llull as a Rocket, assuming he signs a contract. He's a 3s and FTs guy. Great complement to Harden.
Not sure whether to blame this on McHale or not. If yes, we need a new coach (I doubt that happens) and of course, as always, 3 and D players. You cant run that "Analytics" offense with players who can shoot 3s.
You can teach defense much easier than offense. That said, two steps. 1. Acquire great shooters/scorers. 2. Hire a great Defensive coach.
The thing that concerns me is that Howard and Harden have developed no discernible chemistry on the offensive side. Their 2man game is rarely run and even when it is, it rarely leads to an easy basket. I just don't think their games compliment each other well - Howard is best when he can stick within 5ft from the basket while Harden needs that space to maximize his ability to drive to the basket. So as a result, opposing teams can pack the paint and essentially neutralize both of them. Maybe adding a third guy who is an elite shooter would help, but it still won't improve the interplay between Howard and Harden. So if management were to decide they aren't a good match, then who would they keep. Harden was the entire offense during the regular season but folded in the postseason (for the 2nd year in a row) while Howard played poorly in the regular season but showed up and played hard in the playoffs. Harden has been an iron man in terms of playing every game while Dwight has missed large amounts of time due to injury. I just can't say who would be the one to keep if the team were to split them up. I also think this team needs a disciplinarian as a coach. our guys are too lackadaisical and unfocused.
Fire the man that acquired two superstars for our team while we didn't have to suffer through countless losing seasons. C'mon now. I do agree though that if Morey wants to maximize his systems of threes, free throws and layups he better get some players that fit the system. Brewer and Smith just don't fit in it. I have faith that Brew can improve his shooting in the offseason now knowing what in game shots he'd get, but I'm pretty much done with Smith.
We can bring him back if he's cheap. No need to over-extend for a guy who's one-dimensional at best, and a big time offensive liability.
