Rockets One of the Best Defensive Teams in the NBA

Sounds like a good foundation for a play-off team.

 

But TO,Assists, offense are not as good as a playoff team. Still A lot of work to do

 

It's amazing how much better we are than last season. Yao has had a big impact, but everyone else is playing much better than last year, especially as a team.

The only area we haven't improved is opponents turnovers, where we are dead last.

 

I think the Match-up Zone really help Houston's D to shut down one star teams like the 76ers and Spurs...Kudos to Yao for improving his D and in turn our team D...Special honorary award goes to Steve and Mobley for making the effort
Anyway, I think it's a good system to patch up our lack of individual defense.
However, our zone still gets picked up apart by teams with a good distribution of shooters and playmakers such as the Kings and Mavs. Thus, I think our zone is a good system for this year since our goal is to make to the playoffs, but the system will need adjustment in future...when our goal will be that sweet sweet championship.

 

We have offensive talent inside and outside, the picture is complete. Hope tonight's game is the turning point for the Rockets offense.

 

The problem is, this was a home game. Teams always shoot better at home. We have to learn to play better on the road.

 

Other than TO, I think our team's experience is another issue. I recall that we usually lose in a close game. Meanwhile, our team still cannot execute down the stretch. Altought I hate Lakers, I should admit that they usually win in a close game.

KH

 

Im loving the Rockets better defense, last year teams seemed to score at will, this isnt the case any more. I think some major reasons we are playing better D is:

1.YAO!! He changes so many shots.

2. The ZONE. The Rockets have started using it , and it works perfectly with YAO clogging up the middle.

3. Lets not forget about Jaquin Hawkings, the guy has been incredible for us on D. Eddie G is also playing very well getting all those blocks....

 

And the amazing thing is that the only really major change was that our center is 7'6 instead of 7'0. Yao has had a HUGE impact. Well, I suppose we are executing the matchup zone with high success this season as well...but part of that is due to Yao. I absolutely LOVE to see him actually directing the defense out there. He patrols the middle of the lane, and every once in a while when a player is slow to rotate or doesn't see their man, he will point them in the right direction. I tell ya, the guy sees the floor like no Rocket player I have ever seen before.

 

tru. though u forget Cato and... they also swat shots like crazy

and then we do good with stealing the passes, with cat, and steve, and the HAWk

 

Yes, when Yao hands up and move, our inside has limited shot space.

 

Yea but from watching the game tonight, Cato didnt make as big of a difference defense wise as Yao did. Yao would be standing there and Iverson is driving in and there is Yao oops better pass it.

 

Cato can grab rebs, but cannot make a defensive zone as Yao.

 

Isn't this awesome? Ming does not even need to do anything but just standing in the paint to make his presence felt.

But I notice (against Hornets) he would go out to the parimeter to help guard un-guarded opponent (bad rotation), but leave another guy in the paint open for an easy layup. I think the coach should make his solely defensive job is to control the paint. Forget about the parimeter. Let other rockets take care of it. Just dare them to shoot and get the rebound.

 

I know Yao is very comfortable with ZONE defense which is widely in international games.

In this sense, we must say that he brings new techs to our team.

 

I agree, but...

A large part of our problem last year was a lack of a center. I think Cato is way over bashed, but at his best, he is not a 40 minute a game player. I think he is best in the 25-30 range. That left a lot of time with KT or rookie Eddie playing center. That has to be a problem. This year we have a "real" center all the time.

 

Our defense is just as good as the mavericks for the most part, because it zone orientated, its just that their offense has been clicking, same with sacremento, they have more time to go through these adjustment then the rockets with only one year of yao as a rookie... god as a rookie, these are the beggining steps we take, god willing that Steve can get over his ego with more wins, and the team integrates a more vigiliant and bigger eddie and a white boy from slovenia... Thats why the sac and mavs are so good is that they play more of a EUROPEAN STYLE, WORLD STYLE, in which, sadly, the us placed 6th!!!!!

The Kings, The Mavs, Lakers, Spurs, Houston, possibly LAC and Seattle, not to mention maybe the Bulls... these are all world teams,

ITS A WONDERFUL EVOLUTION OF BASKETBALL
and
Yao is worth Houston Comets rings
Apocalypse Yao

 

Are these new zone rules, the same one Rudy opposed, really working for the Rockets now or what?

After Rudy finally gave in and made use of it, it's been paying off (plus Ming's contributions).

 

In the last 3 games the rockets have held the opponent (Spurs, N.O. & 76er's) to 11, 10 & 10 points respectively in the 4th quarter. They have outscored them 67 to 31. That type of defense sure reminds me of the championship defense that played good for 3 quarters then clamped down in the 4th.
Its going to be interesting to watch this team grow this season!!!!