I know this is preseason but in these first two games, Steve's defense has been slow to come around. 2 nights ago he was torched at the end of the game by that other guard named Steve and then last night Wesley took his shots at Steve. I think Steve needs to concentrate just a little bit harder on his defensive sliding skills or on opening night we could be watching Terrell do a repeat performance from last year where he averaged 20 pts against the Rockets. Just some food for thought. Maybe it's all in Rudy plan not to show too much in the preseason. I don't know. Somebody help me understand. ------------------
nope. i don't think it's ever part of a coaches plan to intentionally allow your point guard to be flambee'd. here's what steve's problem is (IMHO). he plays streetball defense. what does that mean? it's when you don't want to get crossed over and broken down to the point that your drawers are left on the blacktop. so you play off your man just a little bit more than necessary, so you'll have a greater reaction time. that might work at the rucker or at fonde or at run-n-shoot, where dudes (i know) will try to abuse you like your name was lupita. but in the pros, good pgs will toast you for whatever you give them - be it the shot or be it the drive. the ironic thing is that you end up looking like a bigger fool bouncing back and forth trying to cover the drive or the shot once he's got you going (ahem...troy hudson vs. steve francis) than you would if you played str8 up D and get blown by occasionally (gary "horseman" payton vs white chocolate). ------------------ Essentially the top two players to come out of college the last couple of years are Duncan, Carter, and Francis. - vince [This message has been edited by verse (edited October 13, 2000).]
Calvin Murphy had a good take on Steve's defense last night when he said Steve needs to force the opposing point guards to beat him over the top. Steve is giving up the lane, and he will hurt our big men when they foul to cover up Steve's mistakes. I think last night he felt challenged by Baron Davis, and that is when the street ball began. BTW, I was very impressed with Davis. He is going to be a very good player for a long time in the NBA. ------------------ What a slam dunk!!
BigDog: IMO Steve's Defense has been excellent so far. You have to remember that most of the points scored on Francis are off picks set by the opponents centers and forwards. And so far Steve has been reacting much quicker as to whether he should fight through or go around the pick, unlike last year when he was very indecisive in those types of situations. Now, it's up to our big men to be on the same page with Francis when put in those type of situations. They must react just as quickly. Now, so far, on the whole our defense looks to have improved greatly and our guards especially look good. Shandon Anderson is all over the place with a hellistic type defense on anybody whos in the vicinity and it seems to have rubbed of on Mobley, Norris and Francis as well. And has anybody noticed the awesome transition defense put forth by our guards these last two games? That kind of stuff you just don't teach. ------------------
