video breakdown of the rockets defense since the trade. pretty good analysis of why the defense is better than expected, and shows our rebounding is much better against teams over .500 than teams under. (lack of effort)
Effort levels vs. non-elite teams is real. The positive is that Rockets will face only the elite teams in playoffs. However, Rockets only have ONE true rim protector in 6'7 Robert Covington (7'2 wingspan). 6'5 PJ Tucker is not just shorter in height and wingspan, he is also vertically challenged and will never be an above the rim player. Green has the length and athleticism but is old and inconsistent effortwise. Rockets MUST add more defensive minded and defensively versatile players with length, athleticism and energy that will not be liabilities on offense (5 Out). Morey should sign 6'9 Jonah Bolden (7'3 wingspan), 6'6 Justin Anderson (7'0 wingspan 43" vert 230 lbs so also thicc like PJ, Harden & EGo) and MDA needs to find minutes for DMC and 6'9 Bruno (7'7 wingspan) vs. certain opponents. Both Demarre and Bruno could be energy players vs. weaker teams. This could be their role while allowing them to build chemistry and trust with coaches and starters. This also allows MDA to push House, Rivers, McLemore and Green when their production and/or effort levels are lacking.
thx, a quality post! the narrative of our D in this video can be served as a benchmark ever since. in coming up 22 games, whenever we got lazy, sloppy and therefore bit by a L, that means we failed accordingly, our energy and mental toughness just not there. it's while we decided to play small, we got no choice but ground down like (cuz we are sweet bunch of midget): no longer do we get any chance to fall apart like these lovely creatures: p.s. sorry, I would bump his thread hard, as long as our D ground to a halt
till now no movement, guess DM have long been aware that whoever he signed (a/m), MDA's gonna have rotten on bench as he did to DMC. as AW mentioned in another post, how about Jonathan Simmons?! a long proved veteran, his only problem might be a little bit weirdo / quirky now he is playing for Santa Cruz Warriors (wiki) length 6'6'', wingspan 6'8" (not perfect according to ya maths)
Simmons would have to beat out House or McLemore convincingly to get play time this season. Bolden and Anderson would be break glass in case of emergency THIS season but would be developed for next season when Rockets could lose Green, Rivers, Demarre, Tyson and possibly EGo. Neither Tyson, Harty nor Clemons can play THIS or NEXT season, even if world was ending never mind break glass for emergency situation.
Lose 31 rebounds for the team not good at foul field goal, if we meet a good accuracy team, Houston will be blown. MDA should use warriors as reference to give around 10 mins for the center like Bogut. The advantage is to collect more rebounds and more power and energy for the bench small ball players
"Robert is a longer defensive version of Trevor Ariza," Rockets assistant coach John Lucas told InsideTheRockets on Wednesday. "Trevor could defend multiple positions like Robert, but Trevor couldn't rebound quite at the level Robert does." Covington's defense gets plenty of acclaim for his defensive excellence, and rightfully so. He leads all Rockets' rotation players with a 103.9 defensive rating, and he and P.J. Tucker are allowing a paltry 102.9 points per 100 possessions when they share the floor. But Covington isn't just a defensive stopper. He's emerged as a valuable offensive asset for D'Antoni and Co. The Rockets' trade deadline addition is averaging 13.4 points per game since coming to Houston, sporting a 36.5% mark from beyond the arc. Covington dropped 20 points (and six threes) in Monday's loss to the Knicks, and he provided a similar offensive spark in Boston on Saturday. "There's so much potential in Robert on both sides of the ball," Lucas said. "He's really become such a valuable guy for us." https://www.si.com/nba/rockets/features/robert-covington-perfect-fit-small-ball-rockets
I think we need a Looney type fixer that generally gives less than ten minutes but proves to be a difference maker in some series matchups. The **** he did to us last year confirmed their plan the year before wasnt a fluke. A six fouls goon who could spell their "aging Rockets killer" Iggy from time to time and would reap dividends if open shots were made. I bet his variance was unaccounted for... But ofc, it means Jack **** if mda don't trust him or can't remember his name when the team is down seven points or less deep in the playoffs
