Something that is always forgotten it seems is defense, especially team defense. I remember when the Rockets were primarily known as a defensive team in the '90s. However, Hakeem Olajuwon played a big part in that, but you still had others like Mad Max, Otis, Super Mario, and Clyde to name a couple. Now, you look at the Rockets team and you see lots and lots of potential but no one who has stepped up to become known as a "defensive player". Certainly, Yao Ming has a chance to become one of the best defensive players of all-time but he is just a rookie. Eddie Griffin is another that could become a fixture on the All-NBA Defensive team for years, but he is entering just his 2nd season and is only 20 years old. Both Mobley and Francis have incredible potential, in my opinion, to become above-average defenders. And unlike Yao and Eddie, they have been in the league for more than 2 years. So, why haven't they achieved this? This is more of a rhetorical question than anything else, but I think one thing that you must consider is how players are taught the game of basketball these days. No one cares about making a great defensive play these days, unless of course it is a block on a shot. All they care about is making these highlight reel plays of dunking or hot-dog passes so they can make ESPN's Sportscenter or some other highlight show. In other words, playing great defense has become like setting a good hard pick or battling for a rebound....it is now like "grunt work". Superstars don't play defense right?? That is for the role players! It is this type of thinking that seems prevalent to me in today's NBA. Maybe, I am exaggerating here a little bit, but playing great defense seems to be something that is not much of a high priority for most players. So, what does the Rockets defense look like for this season? I think there will be some growing pains, but by the end of the season, hopefully, there will be some significant progress in this area. A lot depends on the play of Yao and Eddie. If they can blossom into defensive forces by the end of the season, that makes everyone else's job that much easier in playing defense. Remember, some of the best defensive teams the Rockets had were centered around Hakeem. A new guy is in town in Yao Ming and it is time for the Rockets to become known as a defensive team again in this league.
I think defense is the most important aspect of the game. I think manny you are reacting too soon. Give the rockets a little bit of time. Give Steve and Cuttino a little time to get used to Yao being in the middle. Once they realize this guy is a monster on defense, I m sure they all attempt to steal the ball a little more because Yao will cover up their mistakes. Personally I have been verry verry impressed by Cat's play. His passing has been excellent and his shot selection thus far in the preseason has been fabulous. He has played decent defense but I think it will improve when Yao gets more acclimated to the team defense. I m very disappointed with Steve's play. He seemed to have taken steps backward this year. There was about a billion times where there was an open man right next to Francis this last game with the spurs. It was very disappointing to see him try to run through double teams, take it in when four people were guarding him. I think I lost my voice yelling at the TV last night trying to tell Francis to pass to the open man. I was extremely disappointed because I am one of his biggest fans. His defense was also very disappointing, he let Tony Parker get around him several times and I can remember several point guards in the past torching us. Eddie is solid on defense although he's only 20, he's legit to block anyone's shot on anynight. I was drooling when I saw him and Ming on defense at the same time. That's just crazy for the opposing team. In conclusion Manny I think by midseason we will be one of the top defensive teams in the NBA if not the top. By the way Griffin was pshyco last night with those 7 whooping blocks.
I think the team D is going to be much better this year than in years past. 1 play in particular... 4th qtr aprox 1:30 left, Griffin fronts the post pass, spurs lob over the top, Cato provides back side support, then Griffin recovers for the block. Without the back side support from cato it would have been another dunk (like all those in the first qtr) but since cato came over to support griffin got the block. I thought that defensive stand might make the differnce but in the end the rockets came up just a little short. The combo of Griffn/Cato/Ming should stop a lot of the easy baskets the rockets have given up the past few years. *there you go a little team support from the hangout *
It's going to take playoff experience for the Rockets to develop contender-style defense. The Rockets will probably make the playoffs in the fashion of the Mavs and Kings the last few years. All offense with defense in spurts. Once the Rockets learn that it takes team defense to advance in the playoffs, I'm sure that if these players are as hungry for a title as they seem, they will dedicate themselves to playing hard on the other end of the court.
Swift, VP, and ZRB: Thanks for the responses. You all make good points, but I think ZRB hit the nail on the head. This Rockets team has so much offensive firepower like the Kings and Mavs, especially once Nachbar and Ming get going offensively and hopefully, Rice, that we may wind up winning games by scores of 110-108. That is why I am concerned about our defense; however, it will take some games in the playoffs for that defense to become "hardened" which of course, will lead to a better defense. However ever since the end of the '98 (really '97) season, it seems like our defense got steadily worse. But if Ming can establish himself as a presence and Eddie can continue to play like he did last night, then maybe this Rockets team won't need the playoff experience (although it will certainly help).
I think the defense will be fine, it sounds better in preseason. Having 3 bonafide shot-blockers helps to. I don't think it's contender defense, I think it's playoff caliber defense, that's why I think the Rockets will get in as a lower seed.
i think they will have a good defence,our guards arn't the best defensive players, but with Ming and Griffin waiting in the paint there will be alot of volleyball.
While it is true that Ming will help with shotblocking... How much can help with rotating on defense, as well as help defense? In the NBA, with so many skilled stars, you won't be able to shutdown your opponent, as cliched as it sounds, it's true. With that having been said, we must make sure to be able to double team/trap the other team's best players, without sacraficing wide open jumpers. The best defenses over the years, are the ones who have been able to virtually double team anyone on the court, without getting burned outside ie. Sea in the mid 90s, and NY in the late 90s. I want to see more of a scrambling type of defense. We are an above average team, athletically speaking, so why not use it our advantage? My only concern is that Ming might not have enough defensive quickness, as well as defensive awareness to to function well when running to the open shooter, or helping on a double team.
Francis for some reason is always floating and not being aware of his man. He should be instructed to mind his business. No one on the team is such a liability for Wink to be constantly straying. It is not like he has anything to show for it, like getting a bunch of steals. As it is, Tierre has a higher steal per minute ratio than Steve and he is not the straying type. Regarding the overall defense I fully expect the team to be in the top 6 def fg% this year. In the preseason, that is probably where we are at right now. The entire team is focused on it. Spurs lowest output of the preseason was against us.
Ming's defensive quickness is fine, but he has to learn the rotations in the NBA. I look at Ming's quickness, and he is as quick as other defensive big men like Ewing, Shaq, Duncan, guys like that. But it's a matter of adjusting to the speed of the NBA, his teammates, and shaking the nerves.
The Rocket's would benefit from a def. specilalist/ enforcer (not to mean a dirty player) KT and Cato need to fill this role, we have traded enough. I have a feeling we're in for many high scoring shootouts this season as they learn to play together. Mobley is a another key player for the Rocks who's def. needs to improve and from what i'm hearing he's getting better. Ming might cause a missed shot or two this season as well...
I think the key to our defense will be both Steve and Hakeem. I think with Ming and Griffin having the back door covered more so than it has been in the last few years, Francis and Mobley should play more tight man to man out on the perimeter without fear of their man getting by them. Its all about effort and desire.
Hey did anybody notice in the nba preview issue of si, Francis got the highest rating in terms of defense. Did they make an obvious mistake or is francis really better than everybody on this whole board thinks?
The defense should be fine. I do worry about the over-reliance on the shot-blockers. Yeah, they're going to help tighten up the paint, but the G & SFs have to do a better job keeping their men out of the paint. If\when someone steps up and starts dominating the boards, I wouldn't mind the Rocks mixing in some zone from time to time, particularly if the opposition isn't getting it done from the perimeter.
I look for a big improvement this year. Griffin has been amazing, Terence was a surprise until the ankle, Cato is "so far so good", K9 has show up in the best shape of his life and is still bringin' it, Hawkins has come out of nowhere, Cat's D is better, uh... and we got Yao. After the All Star break the League is going to look at the Rockets and go- "Woe is me". They won't be able to Hang with the Rockets.
