can we stop giving Ariza the credit for the defense now ??

Yep.
Imagine when JB is permanently back after thanksgiving!!

 

Ariza I think would be more effective and efficient here if he came back because unlike last year, he'll have competent backups in Ennis, Clark, and I'm still holding out hope on Edwards. We'll probably grab another vet before the deadline like Kyle Korver too.

 

The funny thing is that carmelo actually has better defensive stats compared to ariza this year,its laughable

 

this

In the first 10 games, we were a little bumpy going last year, too, integrating PJ and Luc. But once we locked in, it never ceased...barring injuries.

I have similar faith again with Ennis and Clark, and the full-time return of Bzdelik. The defensive role players know their livelihood depends upon fockass, and they are responding to the opportunity to show it. I don't think defensive fockass will be a problem, especially when led by a Captain Fockass Bzdelik and his court commander, PJ Tucker.

Spoiler

 

as usual, Will with the Truth. good post.

 

Need to stay healthy and need to get other fringe players who can limit minutes. PJ Tucker is playing way too much right now. Crazy that money is going to limit us from now until December 15th because we can't just outright cut Melo.

 

That is absurd considering how easily even mediocre teams are going off for 120 on a nightly basis...

Imagine if we played on this level from the get go..

 

I mean he did leave and now we suck. You still in denial

 

Don't ask me that again

 

With that logic, Tarik Black's departure torpedoed this team.

 

Over our last 7 games, we're 3rd in defensive rating, trailing only the Mavs(!) and the Thunder.

Over their last 7 games, the Worriers are 25th in defensive rating, trailing damn near everyone.

 

Shoot, on my phone ... Should of said. He did leave, and now we don't suck.

 

Have you grown to HATE TREVOR ARIZA???

 

We are closer but we gotta get at least one more lengthy, defensive minded wing who can nail 3’s. If we can get that “guy” and the defense keeps improving, this team can still be dangerous.

 

Yup completely agree. Media and others are taking this and running with it. Ariza and Luc were lockdown defenders and could guard the best of them and shut them down.

Ariza's defense was decent/good and that's all that he had going for him. His offense has been on the decline yearly for the most part. Luc, great defense during the regular season but wasn't worth a da*n during the Jazz series and feel out of rotation with the Warriors.

What we have here are two players with decent/good defense who are being made out to look like glorified ball stoppers by the media and regular joes who watch the NBA take that and run with it.

I won't disagree that we did loose some defense but I'm not going to agree that our team is now done just because those two aren't with us anymore.

 

that guy never held nobody...

 

Honestly, if going 1-5 to start the season is what it took to get their asses in gear, then it was worth it. They put themselves in a little bit of a hole, but if they keep playing like this, that will quickly evaporate.

 

OP talks about the pundits / media being crazy and giving credit solely to Luc and Ariza, yet titles the thread "we," as if he's calling out CF.

Pure clickbait. Soooo I'm going to make this a Melo thread. You're welcome.

 

Good post, Will.

Everyone loves the "black and white", the "either/or."

It is shades of grey.

Ariza and Luc were good role players and good defenders. Ariza's on court communication was very important. We see that with PJ.
And this team rises and falls with CP+Harden+Capela and role players.

We don't know right now how Ennis/Clark/{Player X} will factor for this team in the playoffs. So we'll see.

 

THIS... i like ariza like an icon but he never shut down nobody important