First off...I love the trade for Lawson and think he at the very least brings us closer to the overall talent level of teams like the Warriors..Spurs...Clippers and Cavs. The question I have concerns DEFENSE.. We all saw Harden improve defensively last season and he deserves credit for giving the effort needed to make that improvement, but I use to live in Denver and I know for a fact that Lawson is not a good defender mainly because of his size. We could possibly have one of the worst Defensive back courts in the NBA. What do you guys think? Can we hide our guards defensive issues or are we going to have to try out score teams?
You do remember us playing Terry and Pablo in the whole playoffs against Mavs, Clippers, and Warriors and I believe we played good defense. We will be alright and when we need defensive matchup than we play Bev more minutes.
Yes, I remember playing Terry and Pablo, but I don't remember that good defense you speak of. I recall giving up some of the highest scoring playoff games in recent memory. Before everyone anoints Bev as our defensive savior I ask that you please review the Orlando game tape from last season. Elfrid Payton says hi...
Lawson has to be better defensively than Lin, and old men Terry and Prigs. Not hard to do, I don't think. I really think it makes perfect sense that Bev starts and Lawson comes of the bench. Let Lawson have starter minutes and control over the 2nd unit. I don't see it happening unless Lawson say he will be willing and happy to do so, but that would great help the balance on our team.
Lawson is actually a decent defender. Remember Chris Paul is the premiere perimeter defender (statistically speaking) and he is not that tall. Lawson is 195 pounds, so he can push guys around and prevent them from getting to their spots. Lawson's issue is that he stopped caring about playing D, also he is carrying 10 pounds of alcohol weight. He has already wasted a good portion of the off season drinking and going to rehab but it the long run this is hopefully the wake up call he needs. Lawson can defend, if he wants to.
I understand that everyone is pretty antsy to see the team play at full strength, but can we get through at least 2-3 games before we call ourselves the worst defense in the league? Until Lawson visibly buys into the system on both ends, I reserve my opinion to ridicule our defense before opening day tip-off.
Sharing the offensive responsibility for both Harden and Lawson will give them enough energy to be average defenders.
In addition to what everyone else said I think we'll see a lot of harden and bev/lawson and brewer or kj together than people think. No matter which way you spin it despite beards defensive improvement him and Lawson are not gonna be good together
I think it had a lot to do with Beverley's role last year. With Lawson Beverley can go back to doing what he does best.
Actually, our defense should technically improve from this. Logically, our team becomes deeper and with another year for our young guys, they become better as well. That means our starting unit should be getting less minutes in general. Harden could afford to take more plays off offensively, which should help him focus more on defensive possessions. He was noticeably better defensively last season, but near the end of the season he dropped off a little bit after putting the team on his shoulders for so long.
