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A third defender? Better supporting cast for Hayes and Battier?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Carl Herrera, Dec 19, 2007.

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  1. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Member

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    As durvasa broke it down in another thread, the Rockets D during the 6-1 stretch was excellent: 99 points allowed per 100 possessions. Thereafter, it has been mostly bad: 107 points allowed per 100 possession.

    When Rafer Alston- a good team defender- was out of action, the Rockets D has been particularly bad. Battier and Hayes are still two very good defenders, but without that third guy out there helping them out, they have carried too much of the burden. Yao plays hard, but is limited by speed. TMac defends when he feels like it. Too often, Shane and Chuck have received enough help on D. The Rockets should try and have 3 good defenders on the court as much as possible, even with Rafer out, in order to keep up the defensive integrity of the unit.

    This team needs a third defender. A Chris Duhon or Kurt Thomas type would be very helpful.
     
    #1 Carl Herrera, Dec 19, 2007
  2. hermbob

    hermbob Rookie

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    I agree to a T, but Rick Adelman is the coach and to him, it's about offense. Our defensive gameplan is for every guard to swich screens on the perimeter, and that's about it.
     
    #2 hermbob, Dec 19, 2007
  3. Rasselas

    Rasselas Member

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    If nothing else, deserves five stars for the ironic gem "Better supporting cast for Hayes and Battier?"
     
    #3 Rasselas, Dec 19, 2007
  4. thumbs

    thumbs Member

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    When I first read it, I thought this thread was advocating trading Hayes and Battier for a better supporting cast. I was (and am) all for it.
     
    #4 thumbs, Dec 19, 2007
  5. northeastfan

    northeastfan Member

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    Exactly. The problem isn't the supporting cast for Hayes and Battier. The problem *is* Hayes and Battier. To give you an idea about how bad everyone on the team is apart from Yao and TMac, consider Juwan Howard. Remember him? He *started* a whole bunch of games last year for us and was our starter before that. Just a few months later, what is he doing? He can't get any reasonable time playing on the Mavs. Starter on the Rockets (other than TMac and Yao) = bench warmer on most playoff teams in the West and some players on the Rockets shouldn't be in the NBA. This is the biggest problem with the Rockets (together with TMac's lack of effort).
     
    #5 northeastfan, Dec 19, 2007
  6. weslinder

    weslinder Member

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    Best thread ever! Five stars
     
    #6 weslinder, Dec 19, 2007
  7. RocketsMAN!

    RocketsMAN! Member

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    :D :rolleyes: :p :eek:
     
    #7 RocketsMAN!, Dec 19, 2007
  8. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    Defense?

    We need players that can play both defense AND offense.

    DD
     
    #8 DaDakota, Dec 19, 2007
  9. northeastfan

    northeastfan Member

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    What a concept!
     
    #9 northeastfan, Dec 19, 2007
  10. Kwame

    Kwame Member

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    You still have to be able to put the ball in the basket. JVG tried to make the Rockets into the Knicks, but he was stuck in the 1990s while the rest of the NBA had adapted to the league's new rules. I don't want the Rockets to play ugly ball like those Knicks teams and like the Rockets teams of the past few years. Unfortunately, Hayes, Battier, and Alston are horrible offensively. There is no way that Chuck Hayes should be a starter in the NBA for any team.
     
    #10 Kwame, Dec 19, 2007
  11. northeastfan

    northeastfan Member

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    Looking at 82games.com head to head comparison by position, we see:

    Net Production by Position
    Position PER*
    PG: -3.3
    SG: +0.2
    SF: +0.0
    PF: -2.4
    C: +6.6

    In other words, Yao's effectiveness largely offset by Alston and Hayes. TMac doesn't make much of a difference (if you believe in PER)
     
    #11 northeastfan, Dec 19, 2007
  12. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Member

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    I thought it was funny too... but seriously, the team was good at D because (1) we had high energy guys like Chuck and Shane and (2) the players operate well as a unit-- they help and trust each other. Without efficient operation of the unit, there is only so much a couple of decent defender can do to hold down the fort. We need more guys like Chuck and Shane-- high energy, smart, type of guys out there.
     
    #12 Carl Herrera, Dec 19, 2007
  13. McGradySNKT

    McGradySNKT Member

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    We also need some athletes who can score a freaking basket every once in awhile without relying on another player to get him a wide open shot.
     
    #13 McGradySNKT, Dec 19, 2007
  14. northeastfan

    northeastfan Member

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    These are the Rockets. We don't like athletes, we like intangibles.
     
    #14 northeastfan, Dec 19, 2007
  15. McGradySNKT

    McGradySNKT Member

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    yes, I can see that and where it's leading us.
     
    #15 McGradySNKT, Dec 19, 2007
  16. TheFreak

    TheFreak Member

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    The only support Hayes should get is a softer bench.
     
    #16 TheFreak, Dec 19, 2007
  17. Shroopy2

    Shroopy2 Member

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    The question with Hayes is does he HELP Yao's effectiveness reach that level, or are the other power forwards WORSE in doing that.
     
    #17 Shroopy2, Dec 19, 2007
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