True, but if they hone in on him then who is guarding Dwight and Harden? I don't think 90% of the NBA can guard DMO in the paint when he is 1-on-1...he is simply too tall and crafty and he has finally caught up with the speed of the NBA. I think the beauty of his game is that he can finesse you inside with his array of post moves, shoot over you--due to his height, hit the occasional outside 3 thereby spacing the floor for Dwight/Harden, and he has started to show the ability to hit that 10-15 ft outside shot. Not to mention he's a good passer and will have to figure out how to pass out of the double team (if they go there!). He'd be probably easier to manhandle and defend if he were the offensive focal point--but he's not, he's maybe the 3rd option now (big maybe) so teams don't have the luxury to game-plan for him exclusively or they'll pay for sacrificing their efforts on Dwight/Harden. Great position to be in.
I find it hilarious that just a couple of weeks ago, most fans here thought Dmo was complete trash. Everyone was so quick to call him a scrub. But now, he's a superstar! He's the best PF in the NBA! He's unstoppable! Anyone with true BB IQ, should not be surprised by his production as of late. I swear, This forum is full of flip floppers. It's pathetic.
of course, but the adjustments are a lot more difficult with two other superstars to worry about. Very few teams have 3 lock-down defenders and most rely on double teams. This creates mismatches that the rockets will be able to exploit. I agree that the league will study DMO's game more and make adjustments, but when he is 2 feet from the basket and his hook shot is finding the basket, there isn't a lot they can do--especially with Dwight ready to clean up and muscle his way through or DMO can find the open man on the perimeter and let Harden/Ariza/Bev make the opposing team pay with a 3. The league will make adjustments, but so will the Rockets. I'm stoked to see this team at full strength. With all the weapons we have, we will be hard to beat.
There were a lot of people who didn't see the potential, but it's nice that they've started to come around. I give them credit for making progress rather than harping on the fact that they were so very wrong a few weeks ago.
Some people don't have vision. Others do. As has been pointed out many times, there was always a vocal minority that shouted to the heavens that Mchale was misusing DMo. The injuries opened up an opportunity for DMo to play closer to the basket and he seized the moment. DMo did not suddenly become the player he is right now. He's been that guy for a while. He continues to gradually get better but the spike in production has to do with the way he's now being used. Simple as that.
That's the next thing for Dmo to work on (that midrange 10-16ft shot). If he could hit that shot consistently, it can really open up the offense. It would create a nice pick and pop game with Harden.
Also anyone under 25 on this board never really witnessed dominate post play be a factor in the NBA. The last dominate post player was Shaq in LA circa 2004. The younger generation simply does not have the track record or basketball acumen to judge a post player that those around 30 and older do.
+ He isn't getting called for ticky-tacky fouls on hedges etc. anymore any time he sees playing time.
True, to many fans,its a black or white situation. Either he's producing on the court or he's not, so they write him off quickly. Some people just don't have the vision to see the potential in dmo. Much like a friend who would often call dmo, "motietrash" or "motiescrub". As a fan of dmo since his first summer league game two years ago, it's very satisfying to finally show his potential.
Really? I'll admit i haven't watched much of AD besides a few games here and there and the highlights but the impression i had was that he seems to be a player that faces the basket more than one that plays with his back to the basket.
He is dominating for sure... well if post game is his weakness..... then a small one when he is already touted as the third best player in the league. 21 years old. All I can say. He had and has more potential than Jones and Dmo together. I hope I am wrong but Davis is in another galaxy.
Oh for sure. I'm not saying that Davis is not a dominate player. I'm just saying i don't think he has a dominate post game.
I'll eat my crow. I was one of the ones calling D-Mo a scrub. But ya know what....he was playing like one. If it took consistent minutes and knowing he wouldn't be yanked for him to get going then I blame him for that. You don't always get a chance to get a guaranteed role, but you still have to produce while on the court to give the coaching staff a reason to give you more minutes. I'm glad he is playing much better though and I hope we keep him.
How can he produce if they didn't post him up. When they did get post up for him, he didn't get a second chance afterwards. Running with the second unit, all they want to do is layups and 3s. They barely gave him any opportunities.
Funny that you mentioned that summer league game. I remember seeing highlights of that game on this board, and my expectations went through the roof for DMo. I was a DMo fan all the way through until last year's playoffs. I figured that DMo must really be trash if he couldn't get any PT when we were getting killed at his position. I wish I had kept the faith for a few more months so that I could gloat like the rest of you. It's so crazy that DMo is turning into the player I originally envisioned! There couldn't be better news for the Rockets!
