Right now the Rocks are the best defensive team in the league. They are only giving up 76.7ppg, while scoring 90.3. So, even though they had an offensive stinker against Memphis, the team was still in the game because of its' commitment to defense. I am liking the direction a lot.....and we still get Piatkowski and A. Griffin and maybe E. Griffin back. This team is rounding into shape. DD
i agree...and its not just cuz of yao's intimidation...the perimeter pressure is better and they are more aggressive...its obviously JVG has had his affect on this team... last year, the Chi game woulda been close...this year, JVG has instituted a "kill" mentality in the Rockets, starting on the defensive end... I love it
Couldn't agree more, the Rockets have looked sharp on defense these first couple games. You can have bad offensive nights, but still be in the game because of defense.
Yeah, me like. I definitely like what I'm seeing. I think Van Gundy has done a great job getting the whole team to play with intensity on defense from beginning to end. We absolutely handcuffed Curry tonight. He had exactly one lousy point on 0-for-8 shooting thanks to the Yao-Cato combo. He also fouled out of sight.
We've yet to give up more than 85 points! One thing I've noticed this year is that every single shot is contested. Even when someone has a wide open 3, one of our guys is running at him. It makes a difference. We're also going after every rebound. I've never seen this team play with such a sense of urgency on the defensive end.
I'm so happy this team is finally turning the corner defensively. They are starting to figure out what a helping (shut down) defense can do to another team, and it can create easy fast break points for them offensively as well. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of Kelvin Cato and the strides that he has made in the last 3 years. I think He and Stevie Franchise have really done a good job thus far. Go Rockets!!
I wasnt a big fan of replacing Rudy, but if this is one of the byproducts....I'm thrilled. The team D is fantastic, even in the ugly Grizz game, our D was respectable....the first game and this game they were simply fabulous. Which team will show up every night? the great defensive team with a hot offense? or the mearly good defensive team with crappy offense? I'll say this much....as long as the defense shows up period...we are already ahead of the game from last year.
Big defensive test tomorrow night. New Jersey ! And on the 2nd night of back to backs. Big test to our committment to defense. DD
One thing I loved was how frustrated Eddy Curry was. It got so bad that he was just flailing balls in the general direction of the goal when Yao Ming was guarding him. I think his final stat was 0 for 8.
That defense alone can get Rockets into playoff. However, Yao needs to touch the ball more once they are in the playoff.
don't know about you guys, but i can't wait till the first Rox/Mavs game. big offense vs. big defense...definitely looking forward to see what will happen.
We've played some excellent defense this year. I'd like to see how we do against some of the better offensive teams though like Dallas, Sacramento, LA, etc. The Nugs, Grizz, and Bulls don't exactly scare people. I definitely like the effort we're getting so far though.
Before the regular season starts, I predicted Rockets to be #1 defensive team this season, allowing less than 80 points a game on average. Looks like it is holding so far.
I also appreciate the defensive intensity the Rockets have shown so far. Besides the obvious philosophical changes, I think the addition of Jimmy Jackson and the increased playing time of Cato have also been key. Getting A.Griffin back gives us another on the ball defender and Piatkowski, while not a defender, will allow JJ and Mobley to get more rest. Now, we haven't exactly played the cream of the crop so far but we've done a good job nonetheless: Denver 91.3ppg (85 vs. Rockets) Memphis 86ppg (79 vs. Rockets) Chicago 77ppg (66 vs. Rockets)
I love it, but I'm not suprised one bit. Last year the Rockets were up at the top in opponent points per game and shooting percentage for a good amount of time and ended finishing up in the top 10 in both. JVG has already made our D that much better though.
I love it, defense has always been my thing and having the Rox play nice shut down D is awesome. But keep in mind it is against some of the weaker teams in the NBA (not to say that those teams don't have decent offenses though cause they do, they usually just really suck on defense). I want to see how well they do against upper caliber teams. Great improvement on D so far though!
WOW!!! < 80ppg!! If the Rocks do that, they're a championship contender. Now, I know the NBA kinda sucks right now in terms of scoring, but who is the last team to hold someone under 80ppg since 1980. I'd be surprised to find more than one team!
Dada, are you nuts? Facts make those of us who continue to b**** that certain players on the team won't buy into the Van Gundy system, pointless.
