The team won 65 games in the regular season with Ryno playing major minutes most of the year. The playoffs we had an 8 man rotation which isn't sustainable in the regular season. The playoffs are a different beast entirely. There is no reason why we can't have a poor defender like Melo playing min and still have a good defense, just like last year. Also, later in the year when Anderson was injured we had Joe Johnson playing big minutes as well, and it didn't affect our team defense. Agree that this team isn't quite as good as the WCF team but it should be good enough to win around 60 RS games and it damn well is good enough to show better effort on the defensive end than the atrocity that was opening night.
Even if the rockets had their legs in the second half, they still lose. Harden don't make good decisions when it counts. He's another Westbrook, that's why cp3 is here.
Last year we switched everything and allowed teams centers to post up our smaller guards. We bet on them shooting 45% from 2 and we shoot 37% from 3. This year in the 1st game, I saw a lot of double teaming, which left players wide open for layups and a lot of confusion. Also, James and Carmelo's awareness on defense is flat out horrible. Carmelo has to play with Clint and not with James. James and Melo on the defensive end of the floor is going to be trash.
the rockets sending doubles was a big part of the scheme last year as well. The difference is guys like Ariza/LMM proven defensive vets, understand the principles/schemes on what to do, tendencies, rotations. Their communication/high iq on the defensive end significantly impacted how good the defense was. Quick, instant, fluid, decisions make a switch everything defense work. All of these things go absolutely unnoticed when people think you can simply plug a unproven journeyman like ennis and everything is going to be just as good or for some people "way better". What we do know that was the biggest issue based on postgame comments, the communication was just terrible in game 1. That should improve hopefully if defense is an actual priority.
https://www.chron.com/sports/rocket...epair-defense-despite-unexpected-13330776.php While the Rockets try to shore up a defense that ranks 25th in the NBA through three games, the challenge has become greater with the lineup changes forced by an injury to James Ennis III and the suspension of Chris Paul. Besides missing starters, the Rockets lack of chemistry and communication could be tested by changing the lineup for a second-consecutive game and then again on Friday when Paul returns. “It makes it challenging,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We have to defend much better. We’re not putting the intensity that’s needed. Also, we’re not connected yet as a team, but that’s normal. You see that around the league, when you have newer guys in and we have young guys. It takes a while to get them to understand what we’re doing, everybody connected. We’re working through that. “We’ve got to make progress. Hopefully, it’ll be (Wednesday.) But that’s probably our main, main issue that we have to do a better job." The Jazz had run hot and cold offensively, scoring 81 points in the first half against the Warriors, but just 84 in a game against the Grizzlies. The way they run their offensive, however, with an abundance of back cuts and other movement off the ball, could test the Rockets cohesiveness that has been lacking. “The Jazz have a lot of really good 3-point shooters. Maybe (Monday against Memphis) was an off night,” Rockets guard James Harden said. “We’re going to have to do a really good job contesting the 3, running them off the line and making them take tough 2s. They have really good offensive ballhandlers. We have to do a really good job of containing the ball and closing out to the 3s. “Other guys have some opportunities to come in and play some more minutes. No matter from the top of the roster to the bottom of the roster, we’re all trying to come in and focus on the same things and that’s trying to catch our rhythm and just playing well, limiting our mistakes.”
ariza shot 28% on 3s in the last years playoffs he shot average of 29% on 3s in the postseason in his past 4 years with rockets he is terrible 3pt shooter in the playoffs...breweresque!
remind everyone what melo shot or does that not fit the narrative. of course not bang bang @Reeko @Zboy @Snow Villiers @J.R. @J Sizzle
I remind myself that its only been three games and I am comparing new players under new rules, against the well oiled machine of last years team during the playoff run. I remember that last years team did not start out as the defensive juggernaut that they ended up as. That said, our defense sucks! And if somehow given the opportunity I'd trade Melo, McInnis and MCW for Trevor and Luc in a heartbeat. Its a long season. Things will get better.
One big difference is that even early last season we knew that Trev and Luc were solid to elite defenders. I dont think Ennis and MCW can ever reach that same level of defense but im trying to remain hopeful that this will all work itself out. It's hard to watch this team take so many steps forward defensively last year, just to go dropping back to being subpar again. We held GS under 95 points twice during the conference finals, and i thought we were on our way to elite level status. Now i just dont see it. Trying not to knee jerk after 3 games as well, but this aint looking good. Someone needs to send some positive vibes to our defense. Im hoping we can keep Utah under 110, and win.
I've been saying it all offseason. You can't lose Luc, Ariza and coach BizD and replace them with Melo and Ennis, and expect there not to be a big defenseive drop off. I mean, what on earth did people expect?
On paper everything looked so easy with the exception that Ennis and MCW were mediocre or worse even before the signining. Melo is just giving himself a hard time, pushing himself too hard. And MDA seems to be a tad lost without Bzdelik.
We will probably drop this game, but I’m not worried. CP3, PJ Tucker and Clint will get the defense back on track in short order. Defensive rotations take time.
