I wonder if people realize it’s possible to support one player while not bringing another one down. Or maybe sports is just like politics. Either way, any one of Paolo, Chet, or Jabari is a huge win for the Rockets. Any reasonable person can see that.
That's cool and all, but are those the best defensive players or are they good defensive players or hyped defensive players on winning teams that media types see the most? A combo, I suspect. Giving the selections since 2000 a quick glance, I didn't see anyone on the 1st or 2nd team that didn't make the playoffs. Edit: You can say that's because it takes a top defensive guy to make the playoffs or you can say that only those winning teams get enough publicity to have their defensive guys noticed. I suspect there are a number of defenders throughout the NBA who didn't make this list but are equal or better than some on this list. Of course defense is important, but relying on a list provided by media types is not particularly solid evidence.
Believe me, I’m the first to discount the “media” as I find them in all aspects of our society as a sold out bunch of me first a**holes, but on all counts the defensive first and second teams are pretty fair, even if a few are left out because of their team situation. The overall testimony in this, is that defense is really important to success at the NBA level. Hopefully, the Rockets understand this and will correct their problems on that side of the ball, if not, we will suck forever.
Cannot win a championship without top 10 offense AND defense. Look it up. Top 10 defense typically requires a plus defender or more.
If the magic take Chet, I think it increases the odds that Jabari ends up in Houston. But forecasting what Presti will do is a fool’s errand.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles...en-will-sign-short-term-extension-with-sixers • Portland does not appear to be a legitimate landing spot for restricted free agent Deandre Ayton, sources said. The Trail Blazers are expected to retain starting center Jusuf Nurkic, and they are prioritizing Toronto Raptors swingman OG Anunoby in any return for the No. 7 pick in next week's draft, sources said. But there has been increasing talk about Portland potentially targeting the seventh selection to Oklahoma City for No. 12 and a package that could include Lu Dort. • Ayton's most realistic landing spots outside of Phoenix appear to be Atlanta, Detroit and Toronto, which all would present intriguing sign-and-trade opportunities for the Suns. League personnel have also whispered in recent days about a potential sign-and-trade of Ayton to Indiana for Myles Turner. Turner and Ayton share the same representation. • One early candidate to fall in the lottery: Shaedon Sharpe. After not playing at Kentucky, Sharpe has been said to underwhelm multiple teams in pre-draft workouts. His range may begin with the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 8, but Sharpe could also feasibly be the target for any team that trades with Portland for the No. 7 pick.
If OKC can get Shapre they will be really good in a few years, OKC might become our next big rivalry once we both are back in the playoffs.
portland wants a big for the #7 pick. They didn’t want Christian Wood. Whatever package they accept will include a really good two-way big. Also Presti can outbid us for any deal. I’m taking Portland off the realistic trade partners list as it pertains to their #7 pick. I do think they’d be willing to trade for EG, but not #7. Possibly their 2023 lotto protected Pelicans pick.
Have you run into any of the noise about Atlanta working on a deal for Rudy Gobert? edit: You win best avatar on this site! Brilliant!
