The D is so horrible at this point, I truly believe there is a tank plan on. Similiar to the San Antonio plot to obtain Tim Duncan. Who are we tanking the season for Jason Williams or Chris Marcus the center from Western Kentucky. We do not need another power forward or Guard. The wouldn't see the rock anyway with the 3 headed 4th Qtr guard monster, that shoots everything in site. Moochie looked ridicoulus trying to shoot a layup over 6'9" forwards. Please check the stats we played D better than this last year. I think the lose of Coach Berry (our defensive coordinator who moved to Chi-town) we lost a lot of our strategy on D. Rudy and Larry look lost. Plus for all his talk, Rudy was very average on D in his career. We played D during Hakeem's area because Robert Horry and Hakeem were awesome and had nothing to do with our strategy. Funnel to Hakeem and let him block the shot. Cato is not capable.
OR Its entirely possible that we've lost two of our 5 starters to season ending injuries, our best player has been in and out of the lineup so much that he isn't even qualified to lead our team in assists, rebounding and scoring, our second best player has been hobbled with ankle injuries all of which has resulted in the Rockets playing 11 different starters.
You have to admit our lack of hussle on D is very evident through out the game. I think they play harder at Fonde than game night. Moochie goes so far under the picks, he's under the basket.
I love the Rockets, however, this teams D is no where near the caliber of D offerred by Mario, Horry, Dream, Clyde, OT. This team is trying to hard to showboat on O and get's lit up on D. In addition, we watch as a point guard or 2 guard continously beats our guards down the lane for easy scores or assists. What was our game plan for Darrell Armstrong, let's see if can hit a couple. How's 5 for 5 on 3's, is that enough.
Pued, Take off the rose colored glasses, this team is 2nd to last in FG%,and last in steals....how can you honestly say they are hustling on defense? Our best defender is a 19 year old rookie...and that is an insult to our "supposed" leaders Cat and Franchise. DaDakota
Hustling on defense and sucking at it are not mutually exclusive. We don't have anyone on this team who can defend the taller wing-players like Mcgrady, no amount of hustle is going to change that. Griffin is good defensively, but he sometimes gives up the post too easily because of his limited size. Perimeter defense is a myth, especially if you don't have a big intimidator behind the guards. Moochie just sucks - no amount of hustle will change that. He's got the defensive instints of World B. Free.
Yao Ming! There's a lot of competition for last place, though. I think steve needs to rest while they check out his headache. Maybe Cat too. I'd still like Griff to play and develop, but not get hurt, please. Also time for KT - xtra trade value. Let's see what T. Brown can do! p
We dont hustle on D and therefore our D SUCKS! But by the same token, I think even if we hustled our D would still SUCK! Cat and Francis just dont give a crap about defense unfortunately. Moochie is in the same boat. KT, Eddie and Cato our the only ones that look interested in playing D.
This is the point I've been trying to make, although not quite so bluntly, as I think perimeter defense can exist somewhat, but doesnt really have much of an effect on the game. Regardless, as I've stated in a number of posts recently, I think if you put either Francis or Mobley, or both, on a team with solid interior defense (say a San Antonio, healthy Lakers, etc) you would be surprised at how good their defense is. Defense starts on the interior. If you dont have that, your guards have no chance to continually impact the game from a defensive standpoint.
If defense <b>starts</b> in the interior, why not just let the opposition go to the hoop everytime and stop 'em there?! Defense starts on the perimeter and ends at the interior. Defense is determination, good footwork, good insticts, and a heady game. Every player on the floor has the opportunity to impact the game on defense by frustrating their assigned player and helping out when needed. Complementary players on offense are told to "just stay out of the way," it would seem. I know from experience. I'm a great defensive player and a mediocre offensive player.
the idea that perimeter defense is a myth is merely an excuse for lackadasical defense. I used to criticize Kenny Smith for playing defense like a bullfighter-- letting his opponent go right by him because he knew Hakeem was down low to help him out. The fact is, the Rockets don't really have that kind of help down low just yet (though I think Griffin will be that)...so if they're gonna win games now, they can't pretend they do. watch old films of michael jordan playing defense and tell me perimeter defense is a myth...watch films of Vernon Maxwell...watch films of Joe Dumars...these guys played great perimeter defense...they checked their man up top, fought through picks and didn't play lazy waiting for some big guy to bail them out. the current rockets backcourt plays lazy defense...and yes, 90% of defense is hustle! quick hands are nice to have, too...but for the most part, if you'll get your butt down and commit to playing defense, it's all about hustle..
Our interior defense would improve if the big men knew which way the guards were forcing the opposing guard. For instance, Phil Jackson w/Bulls & Lakers always pushes the guard to the baseline with Shaq defending in a trapping mode. This forces the opposing center to shoot jump shots consistently, if the center moves into the paint, Shaq and the guard recover nicely, which leads to a shot clock violation. The key to this defense is the guard staying close and trying to recover from the high pick and roll option. We do this with success, with Cato and Steve, however, when Moochie enters the game, he seems to forget what the option is on defense. We cannot let guards into the middle of the defense which leads to 3's or easy jumpers. Great reply on V-Max, Max played defense with an attitude all game long. I don't see any of that among the 3 headed small ball monster. Also, Mario Elie and Robert played D and got upset when someone scored on them. They took it very personally. By the way, Terrance Morris and Eddie could play D on Tracy and forced him to take off balance fade aways of leaning back on the jumper. He killed Kenny because he tried to front him and let him vulnerable to the baseline move. I'll give a guy a jumper all night long instead of easy layups.
