D better without Yao? Hollinger says yes

If the don't get out of the first round than there will be no successful season Yao or No Yao.

If they can make it out of the first round then they will have set themselves up for their championship run for 08-09!

 

misleading thread title, though i agree Mt. Mutombo will at least match yao's impact on the defensive end.

 

Keeping Mutombo from wearing out is going to be important to this team's success in the regular and (hopefully) post season. It'd be good to pick up another backup big with some size.

 

I'll take that as a compliment knowing that Yao is out of the line up and all we rely on is what the team's got!

Go Rockets!

 

This was already posted in the other thread.

 

In some ways it's good that Mutombo hasn't played at all this season. Only hope he doesn't fall and break a hip...

 

Its not exactly breaking news to say deke is a better rebounder and shot blocker than yao. That's a given. Watch next time when the rox play al jefferson and carlos boozer. U will see more contested shot from deke and u will see deke contest shots at the rim. He doesn't try to take charges, he will time and jump for the blk. Everyone know deke is a great defender.

 

Deke is better Dfender at 47 than 99% bigs in NBA today.

 

I've been saying this since the end of last year's season. Our defense and our defensive rebounding is stronger with Yao Ming off the court.

 

Are you implying that Yao Ming is a good defender?

 

Dikembe Mutombo's defense is legendary.

The best big men on defense I know include Hakeem, Deke, and Rodman. Ben Wallace is a big joke compared to them.

At his prime, Mutombo was a way better defender and rebounder than Yao. IMO, right now, he is still a more efficient defender in limited minutes.

 

so its possible that we are a better team without yao ming on the court? against certain teams, quite possible.

 

I agree, and one of those "certain" teams is Utah. I believe we win that 7th game if Deke is in at the end instead of Yao.

 

where did holllinger say yes to better D without yao??

 

I really don't see why so many people hold Hollinger in such high regard. His invented stat merely skews data towards players who play less minutes. I mean, coaches generally give better players more minutes...and efficiency naturally drops with more minutes. I mean, if I took Kevin Garnett or Allen Iverson and strapped them to the bench, making them growl, hiss and drool at the opportunity to play, then released those hounds at a mere 20mpg against the 2nd string of the other team, their PERs would be off the charts..like in the 40s...I guarantee it.

His team ranking stats are silly, too. You want a good simple measurement of how to rank teams. Just use the "Pat Riley" stat. Rank everyone by their record of Away Wins to Home Losses. I'm willing to bet that's a better stat. Also, rank teams by pt differential. That is eerily accurate to actually standings throughout the year. And so simply.

But one thing is for sure, Hollinger is not worth listening to regarding defenses. You can't measure defenses as well as offenses by using stats. I like stats as much as the next person, but they are a tool, not an answer or proof. The best stats only teams can generate. The success of their plays. Not even 82games can do that, because only the teams know what they're trying to do each possession.

 

I think they play the mighty Wizards last without Agent 0 and Butler. They should have beat them down like that. I will reserve judgement on the D till the Denver game.

 

Well said. As I mentioned in another thread, Deke is a better defender, but will he play 35 minutes of defense? I doubt it. Meaning Scola/Landry/Hayes will have to cover up that gap left by Yao's minutes - Deke's minutes = 15 minutes? Almost a third of the game? Now imagine when we face up against teams w/ serious front lines...the Wizards are not the most threatening at those positions.