Mobley's Defense: Good or Bad

I have to say inbetween. He definitely could improve, but he doesn't suck, he's too athletic and talented to be a bad defender.

 

I've always thought he had the tools to be a "much better than good" defender. I don't think he'll ever be an adequate post defender, but he should be getting steals and disrupting plays with ball tips, etc.

 

i would have to say average at best. he was a little better that that sometimes in the fourth quarter last year, but he hasnt shown the tenacity on the defensive end on a nightly basis like he has on the offensive. maybe that was because he was trying to save energy on the offensive end since he was the man last year. but that should not be the excuse next year as he will have plenty of help

but like i said, he did show some signs last year of actually pretty good defense, specially on the perimeter, when he wanted to. so i dont see why he cant go from average to good next year.

 

He's GOOD all around!

 

Decent on occasion, poor often, and exceptional from time to time.

Funny thing is... I though he was a good defensive player his first year. Having support D from you teammates helps quite a bit also. Mostly it's about attitude, and with a few exceptions, most players in the NBA could careless about playing good solid D night in and night out. When Cat puts his mind into it, I think he can be a well above average defender.

 

Perimeter defense is too dependent on interior presence.

Give him a center and PF who can play defense behind him, and he'd be damn good.

 

There is nobody on the Rockets that is committed to playing solid D (I hope Ming and Boki will change that).

 

He?s average at best, I?m afraid. His reasons for poor defense are varied, but here?s a couple obvious ones:

1. Maintain the Offensive Threat to Gain Defensive Presence: Cuttino?s game forte (and coach instructions) is to hold the ball in iso, then threat to drive past his defender. This is supposed to pull an inside forward defender to him in support, opening up the option to (a)blow past and take it by the slower forward, or (b)pass off to a weakside teammate.

Well, his game is so centralized (read that as - predictable) at times, that the second defender(s) can collapse on him from outside, and/or offer up to him the open option to pass, which he has an agonizing penchant for ignoring at the most opportune times, or excercising to the most unavailable teammate.

I know, that is an offensive scheme not a defensive factor you say. But Catman?s defense should be in controlling the possession of the ball, in which he captures the essential ingredient of defense ? keeping the ball away from his opponents.
Making these same opponents do everything they can but fail to stop you from scoring. Every successful scoring possession makes the game open up more for you on defense. It makes you look like genius on defense. Your defender opponent has got to commit even more. They now must risk low percentage passing/higher risk scoring sets to stop the bleeding. Prediction: If Cat concentrates on his offensive team game, becomes much more selective and proficient in involving his teammates he will hear media attention to how well he defends his matchup.

2. Learn the Basics of Defense: He has a great first step in defense (and offense) but if you watch his game he is a ?ball player?. That is, he plays the ball not the ball carrier. The best defenders, hell even the average defenders in this league, learn by year four that body positioning and retrieval angles is what gets you tagged as a defender.
To go where the ball carrier is going to be, and preventing him from getting there. Deny the position (when he?s your man), play the lanes ( when you?re off the ball carrier) and disrupt the set while playing with your back to the rim. Meaty forwards do that in the key, but speedy gazelles (like Cat) are supposed to do that in the open court. He doesn?t even come close. Lateral pursuit. Everytime. Watch him.

3. The Court Prince Syndrome: In every rough paved courtyard in Jordanville (Cuttinoville?) the ?goats of past? are applauded for hanging it out and flashing the ****. No glad handing for the guy who stopped the guy who tried to hang it out. Unfortunately that carries over to HS and NCAA too. Very few get promoted to the rolls and ranks by being a stopper. The guy with the flash gets the ink. Behavioral conditioning. How many national stories were written about Doug Christie?s defensive skills last year during the regular season? How many stories about Jordan?s latest trophy-scoring display were broadcast nightly? What lost it for Washington last year ? lack of defense. What got Christie?s raiders through the rough rounds ? great defense when everything else was failing. Does anyone think Cuttino doesn't know what sells the bobble heads?

 

Better let Steve know Defense doesn't get his shoes and bobbleheads sold or get him on the ESPN highlight reels

 

Mobley's Poor Defense is the reason he is not an All-Star

 

Damn...we agree on something.

 

You guys are all wrong.

Except for the fact that we need a better inside presence.

 

A few points:

- Ming is very smart, and knows how to cover when his teammate is defending on the perimeter. His presence will help our guards, big time.

- Griffin is a natural shotblocker, but I'm hoping that, like Ming, he plays smart and knows when to bail his teammate out.

- The combination of these two things will make Cat look very good on D, and Francis will lood AT LEAST decent. When he tries to steal and misses, and Griffin swats it into the stands, no one will remember that Steve screwed up.


The more and more I think about it, the better the Rockets look in my mind. There's no doubting the multiple offensive weapons we have. Tons of scorers. But with quickness and speed, and now shotblockers, I think our defense will look quite good.

 

Yao will take 2-3 years to adjust to NBA play.

The upcoming year the Rockets might make the playoffs, but it will be totally because of Steve, Taylor, and Mobley if they do. Don't expect Rookie of the Year awards for Ming. In fact, he'll look downright awful a lot of times with a lot of encouraging signs.

Remember, he will walk in not knowing anything, it will take him weeks to learn the plays, months to get comfortable, and years to morph his body and play to the NBA level.

 

making Ming or Griffin have to cover a guard because he blew by Cat does not make Cat look good on D...

 

Cat?. Defense?. Talk about your oxymorons!!!

 

Thanks for ruining the whole surprise of the coming season for us! By any chance, do you rent out your tarrot cards on occasion??