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Does this team have what it takes to make defensive stops down the stretch?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Honey Bear, Dec 2, 2007.

?

Priority #1?

  1. Getting a bonafide third scorer

    92.6%
  2. Getting an above average man on man defender

    7.4%
  1. Honey Bear

    Honey Bear Contributing Member

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    With the loss of JVG and Thibodeau the Rockets have lost their defensive identity to an extent and the concept of team defense. Now the problem we face is the lack of individual defenders not playing in a system that preaches defense leaves us open to be scored at against will. This team has always had a problem stopping penetration with guys like Battier (deceptively slow laterally) and Alston on the perimeter. McGrady can be a pesky defender with his length but by no means is a shut down defender. Hayes is too small to be effective in the playoffs and Yao is too slow.

    So if this team doesn't score around 110 ppg like Phoenix, there has to be some kind of priority on making defensive stops down the stretch. San Antonio has Duncan in the post and Bowen on the perimeter. Dallas has the speed of Howard and Harris on the perimeter and now Diop in the post. Utah has Kirilenko/Brewer plus the bonus of a flopping system. Houston HAD the system of Jeff van Gundy, and now they have no one.

    Someone like Trenton Hassell or Quinton Ross has to be brought in. Maybe even a Sefolosha if we are feeling adventurous. I'm not so worried about the offense under RA --- it will click eventually. But defensively we need lateral speed on the perimeter, because as of now everyone and their grandma can blow by Shane Battier and Rafer has been everyone's b**** for a while. I'm sick of watching Houston blow close games because they can't make the necessary defensive stops, and things will only get worse in the postseason.
     
  2. blender

    blender Member

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    Actually, I'm thinking that they should've tried to keep assistant coach Tom Thibodeau from JVG era somehow. He's with the Celtics now and apparently Doc Rivers pretty much leaves it up to Thibodeau to come with the team's defensive strategies.

    Maybe the same thing could've happened here. It'd have been like having the best of both worlds: Adelman's O fused with JVG-style D.

    Plus, Thibodeau was the guy Yao relied on for his early preparatory workouts before practices. So Yao would be happy as well.

    Anyway, too late for that.
     
  3. University Blue

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    Quicker PGs will drive by RA, YM will slide over to pick up a foul.


    Instead of sending a message to penetrating guards, YM is content to whine about unfair treatment he receives from officials. Barkley would stop a game; O'Neal would retaliate; Laimbeer, Mahorn, Rodman would return the foul.


    Houston needs a PF who can provide "vertical athleticism" help defense, someone who is not afraid to send little PGs to the floor.


    Meanwhile, Citizen Shane is having a grand old time joking around with players from the opposing team.
     

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