Also, the Rockets are the 4th best team in opponent FT% (i.e. lowest opponent FT%) The Rockets were 2nd and 1st best in opponent FT% during Yao's last 2 seasons. They were much worse in Yao's absence. It seems like Sammy D may be brining back the awesome FT defense that Yao used to bring.
"The main victim of the trend: Kevin Martin, who hasn't gotten to the line often. On the other hand, he's been shooting from the field at a high rate (except for game 1) so it's not been all bad for him." I noticed this too and that's a big deal. KM's value comes from getting to the FT line. Hopefully these 4 games are just an aberration and he will pick this up soon. If not, he has less value to us as a player to a trade piece.
Thabeet is averaging 54 & 18 per 36min on 100% FG shooting. I think he is a modern day Wilt Chamberlain.
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Even then you need good defensive role players. Perkins and Rondo were young when KG came to the team but already had a reputation for being ahead of the curve defensively. Paul Pierce always had the ability to play great D he just had so much pressure to be great on offense. Ray Allen still isn't a great defender but he can pressure guys knowing his teammates will rotate and help when he gets burned. The rockets need to get more two way players on the court to cover for guys like Scola and Martin so they feel comfortable applying adequate pressure on D.
