RedRedemption Quote: Lack of shotblocker = more players eager to drive to the rim, which = us getting more team fouls, which = them going to line and shooting 25-30 FT per game. Teams still drove in the lane even with Yao in the game. That the job of the perimeter players from keeping them out of the lane and with Shane and Ariza those two dont gamble as much as Ron Ron did, Yao makes a difference but not that significant of a difference in players minds when they attack the rim and see Yao. My honest opinion if I was an NBA player I wouldnt be intimidated by Yao (if it was Deke or KG even DH12 and early years Shaq I would be) but Yao not that an intimidating figure other than being 7'5". The team overall is still going to be a top defensive team in the league. Plus Yao get outrebounded by quicker and more athletic players.
We are going after Marcus Camby. Carl Landry Brent Barry Brian Cook for Marcus Camby ------------------------------------------ Aaron Brooks Tracy McGrady Shane Battier Luis Scola Marcus Camby --------------------- Kyle Lowry Trevor Ariza Chuck Hayes David Andersen
this season, we're going with what we've got. we can sign a legit 5, but still not improve. look at dallas and dampier, he's getting paid but he's not really doing anything, he's just a warm body. and we got that in anderson. we're not asking him to block 3 shots a game, we just need someone to guard to opposition, with the rotation of scola, landry, hayes, and anderson, i'm comfortable with what we've got at the 4 and the 5. we'll struggle defensively, but we won't be the worst, i mean we've replaced ron with a longer, younger stud and also still have battier. we have possibly 2 of the best perimeter defenders in the league + hayes who is underrated by everyone except the players and coaches who plays with or against him. but an entertaining read nevertheless.
Not sure what your source is, but such a move would justify my current concerns over the roster makeup. There's just no way that we could expect to have a top notch defense fielding the team, as is. Camby's reputation exceeds his actual value, but he is still leaps and bounds ahead of any center currently on our payroll (excluding those with brittle feet). kaninthy: Our defense has long been designed to funnel penetrating guards to the middle, where help awaits. Legit guards/forwards simply cannot be denied the painted area for the duration of the game. Not without help. The eraser is the last line of defense. If you believe nba players, over the last 2 years in particular, have not been affected by Yao's presence in the lane, then I have to believe you only watch Sportscenter. For every "and1" they highlight against Yao, there are at least 5 blown chipshots, 2-3 blocks, and 4 turnovers trying to get around or away from The Great Wall. Apparently, his paint presence is severely underrated and underappreciated by many here. Should we go into the season status quo, that will no longer be the case...
Shot blocking is only one aspect of defense. Considering that averaging two blocks per game is actually an impressive stat, I'd say blocks aren't exactly a huge factor in defense. But then, I could be wrong.
Camby would be one of my wishlist his season..no other serviceable C available for the Rox...but wondrin who would backup Scola at the PF position? Landry is one of the bench brigade's core..
Yeah but they can still be a "good" defensive team. A good number of "good" defensive players can make a good defensive team, with or without a goal keeper. You can also be a great defensive team no matter the personnel, a la a Van Gundy team, if you over-emphasize that side of the court at the expense of some offense. I don't see that happening here though, so the Rockets will probably just be "pretty good" defensively. But a lot of that has to do with them not having a lot of good offensive players, IMO. Like you can over-commit to defense like JVG/Thibodeaux when you have gifted offensive guys like McGrady, Pierce, Allen, etc. that can manufacture baskets. The Rockets definitely won't have that this year unless something changes soon.
two points. 1. a charge is better than a blocked shot. in many ways drawing a charge is similar to blocking someone. the intimidation factor is still there. just ask odom after he was called for that foul where he landed hard on his back. charges are as much a deterrent to drives in the lane as blocks are, if not more because there is the risk of foul trouble (which happened to lebron when he played this year in houston). the rockets have been a top defensive team the last couple of years while being near the bottom of the league in blocks. i don't have any evidence but just from watching a lot of nba games i'd assume we're near the top in charges drawn. 2. when yao went out in 07-08, mutumbo only played 20 minutes a game, and defense was really what got us wins after yao went out. did we get by 28 minutes every game through luck?
An intriguing trade. It would add that inside presence but the downside is giving up a young player in Landry. Our bench production would suffer unless one of the rookies can step up and produce. Over all, it might be a risk worth taking.
His on ball D is terrible. All he can really do is some big off ball plays. There are much better defensive players. Anderson and lets say Hayes are like Battier and Lebron. One will give you huge defensive plays and the other will give you consistent stops and consistently good defense.
According to the statistics (D-Rating, win shares, opponent production, etc), Lebron is better. According to NBA coaches (All-Defensive Team voting), Lebron is better. According to sportswriters and journalists (DPOY voting), Lebron is better. According to common sense, Lebron is better. What exactly are you basing your opinion on?
Lebron on any all defensive team is a joke. The only reason he is on those lists is because refs refuse to call fouls on him and he can get away with anything. You are seriously underating Battier. (and lol at the common sense comment)
The day I take a rookie poster in his first 2 months' view of "common sense" as reflecting anything other than his newbie-ness is the day that this board's longevity and history have no meaning. Come back to me on "common sense" when you've been a member for longer than the offseason. Lebron is all hype on D. And Rashard and Turkeyglue got their #s against him in the playoffs.
