I think the Rockets will be ok The funny thing is IMO an NBA ZONE is a deterrent to passing. With guys like Payton playing the passing lane . . .cheating up . . the only 'safe passes' will be skip passes and if they 'float' they are not safe or they fly over your man's head. The Rockets who have great one on one players will force the paytons to cheat even more. . . .. and maybe the skip pass won't be so hazardous maybe a crease will be better Rocket River ------------------
One positive about the zone defense is that we can help Bullard a lot easier on defense. The opposing team will no longer immediately iso on Bull the second he comes into a game. His 3 point shooting has always been a plus but, just barely out weighing his defensive liability. Now with "team" defense we will be able to cover up his liability and he becomes more valuable. ------------------
Don't you wish we had these rules when Hakeem was younger. He'd probably have double his block stats by now. Anyways, my 2 cents. I agree with the school that this will help the shorter teams more than the bigger teams. So what if Shaq, Duncan, and Robinson can now camp the rim. That also means we can deny the ball even before it gets to them. We can finally force their shooters to beat us. (I really hate Sacramento with all their European snipers.) Steve and Cuttino are worried about not getting into the lane anymore... stop and pop. Old school players made a living out of that strategy. Just learn how to shoot a higher percentage from midrange. A wide open 15-18 footer to me is almost like a layup... and I'm only 5'9" and play basketball only on the weekends if I'm lucky. Steve and Cuttino are a bit over 6'. Of course you will still need heart to win. New rules won't change the winners. It only emphasizes the losers. ------------------
