This dude is rounding into form. I'm seeing the defensive IQ, hands and positioning for which he is known. He is showing some real fire out there. We are only a few months removed from Thabo being a major part of some great defenses in Atlanta and Utah, and he is known to be one of the greatest Lebron defenders ever. I'd love to see Mike attempt to use him similarly to how we used Luc. Always have two of Tucker, Covington or Thabo on the floor at all times. Emphasize the defense and full switching. Put him over in the corner and watch his three point percentage climb back up to his career numbers.
Imo he’s not quick enough to guard 2’s and 3’s anymore . AND he’s not quite big enough to have the same success as harden and pj vs bigger players. He will probably make the right decision on offense , but it will be at 2/3rd speed. I think it can work in the regular season , but he’s probably not in our playoff rotation.
Never thought thabo would last longer than Gerald green. The rockets bench is worst than first impressions. Shiet never thought Austin rivers would last longer than Gerald green!
MDA has basically benched which means he is buried on the bench since he already don't get in the game!
I like Thabo too but he is long in the tooth and while still a good defender, he is no longer lock down. And because he is no longer offensive threat, can only play with Harden. If MKG is bought out then we need to sign him. MKG is only 26 and still a lock down perimeter and post defender. May have to also only play with Harden due to offensive limitations. But this gives Rockets THREE elite defenders (RoCo, Tucker, MKG), where we can have at least 2 on floor at all times. Rockets have to think ahead - remove the unplayable and older players for better system fit, athleticism and youth. Starting with Tyson and Thabo.
When the playoffs roll around those guys are going to help, especially in the locker room when you have mood winging superstars. No reason we can't keep Thabo and Tyson around for their maturity, and the fact that Thabo still plays extremely effective defense. Stonewalled Lebron multiple times last night and had some fantastic switches on Davis. MKG would be a god send, because he is truly one of the greatest perimeter defenders I have ever seen. SIGN ME UP.
He aint the X factor .... thats PJ and Harden's being able to defend bigs in the paint. But PJ has to have a backup .... and Thabo's not a terrible option.
Morey & MDA just broke most assessments of basketball ... What makes this whole experiment viable is Harden and Tucker's ability to defend bigger guys .... otherwise this experiment would blow up in their faces. Imagine how many copycat teams there will be if they manage to win it all this year ....
He looked solid on defense last night. Dude just needs to hit some 3s. I agree, he’s now completely playable for those minutes that PJ or RoCo are sitting. Around 15 minutes would be big.
Yes, MKG actually played Draymond's role for the Hornets. He is essentially our version of PJ Tucker except an inch taller, an inch longer but almost 10 years younger.
I clicked this thread to say I always thought Thabo was a good rebounder for his size, and was always impressed with his ability to just hoop when everyone else has been scared to take a shot with Harden on the floor.