I don't think I've seen a defense this good in a loooong time. Reminds me of the old Bulls teams that used to totally crush the spirit of other teams when they made their mind up to do so. Sometimes their biggest opponent was boredom. These Rockets aren't as talented but our defense may be just as good. How else can you explain: 1 No Yao 2 Tracy's shot was waaaay off. 3 We kept chucking 3 pointer after 3 pointer after 3 pointer in the 3rd quarter like there was no tomorrow, yet the Lakers didn't gain any ground because their offense was an exercise in futility. 4 We only shot 10 FTs the entire game!!!!! Most of it was our fault for shooting outside shots too much. 5 We held a decent Lakers team to 26/76 (34%). The defense took the heart right out of the Lakers. Whenever we bring this kind of D, we can beat anyone on any floor. What a statement game this way. Is anyone still focused on the Lakers? The two losses hurt but our "A" will definitely beat them. We are the better team.
Yup, you could see it in our last game vs Chicago - we had a terrible 1st half when we only managed 30pts, shooting 1-17 from 3pt, but our D kept us in the game and went on to win it... Rockets are the best defensive team in the league at the moment - just wait till Yao, Kirk and Bonz get back...
The Lakers are Number 1 in the NBA in field goal percentage This was impressive. We have 2 long perimeter defenders in Tracy and Shane with decent speed It's tough to shoot over them and they rebound the ball well preventing second chance points. We have speed at the point guard position (Rafer, Lucas) to put pressure on the ball and disrupt the opposing team from initiating the offense We have an intimidating presence in the middle with Yao and Deke We have the best defensive coach in NBA history We have all the ingredients to be succesful on defense
Yes .. The Rudy Gay lovers may not like to hear this, but I think Shane 's hustle and intangibles is contagious and motivate his teammates to want player harder on defense. I love the passion and the toughness of this team. Although our bench is not very talented, but they all play with a heart of a champion too ! ! This team is for real !!
as i said many times, give JVG some credit for our team defense. Deke was awesome, i luv this old man. another great win.
Can't ignore Rockets defense. We can slow any teams game! Can't wait to see the Rockets play the Mavs and that will put the Rockets for a big test! LETS GO ROCKETS!
Also, consider the players we have. Mutombo, Chuck, and Battier are all very good team defenders. But no one else on the team has much of a reputation at all as great defenders. Van Gundy deserves a ton of credit for how he gets this team to play defense. This season I think he's a legitimate Coach of the Year candidate.
Our defense is so underrated. We're number one in defense and rarely a thread is made about it until now.
i never thought i would say this but shane battier was a steal...the team just seem to work better when he's on the court...and the great D on kobe...all kobe's turnaround jumper magic was gone...battier was so in his face...keeping him to just 30% FGM...and this was the guy who's determined to carry his team...
Personally, I think JVG's unwillingness to play our second-round picks hurts us much more than our defense helps us.
I said after the preseason our defense would have to carry us a while until the offense came around. With all that has happened, looks like it will be that way for a lot longer than I expected.
The defense will not be as good with Yao in there instead of Deke....but it won't be far behind. If Yao wants to learn how to rebound as a slow footed guy he should watch Deke. Deke plays 8 feet tall down there. DD
Exactly. Everyone has been talking about who we should have coach Yao, and who would make a perfect coach. Well, truth is, he already has the perfect coach - Dekembe. Everything that Yao should strive to do better, Deke excells at (shotblocking and rebounding, mainly). He really is an underrated player on this team. He's played a HUGE role this year. He should stay on for another 2 years. This team reminds me of a championship team because when someone goes down, there are 4 bench players ready to step up for them and conribute BIG. That, I think, is one of the most key things in a championship team.
Not saying what will happen with JVG, but the circumstances are totally different. Carlisle alienated almost everybody in the Piston's organization, including the players. JVG has the respect of his team and they like playing for him.
The glow after this rout of the Lakers is like sippin' a fine single malt scotch. Beautiful. You make a good point, and what is really freaky is that they're playing this way with Yao out, with Snyder out, and with Bonzi doin' whatever Bonzi does. When those guys return, look out. Yes, our defense is special! He is in my book.
