The more I review last year's games the more I am convinced..

There are so many good points people make on keeping or getting rid of players. Posey, overall impressed me with his speed and defense but the Rockets needed someone like Eric and Eric needed someone like the Rockets. What I am saying is the Rockets need someone who is an excellent shooter and who is flexible which is exactly what eric provides. Eric had a .398 three pt percentage last season aloneoverall (.402). Eric wasnt exactly the star of the clippers and didnt get as much recognition as he should have which is why here he has that oppurtunity to show whats he's made of! Eddie showed much tremendous potential his rookie season but did not try last season, with some development and more commitment to the game he will be fine, but honestly why doesnt he play in the lower post more often? Im also glad Ewing is on the staff, he can be a huge help to Yao !Rockets made bad choices contract wise which is why we are paying for it now. Regardless of who or what, this Rockets team will make playoffs for sure and they will become excellent as the years pass. Excited for the season to start!!! I for one want to see what van gundy can do to this team.

 

Shaq is interior defense but he was teamed with Horry.

Vlade + Webber was suspect.

Still top contenders.


SA was the only real contender with 2 solid defenders in the post.

Maybe Portland, with Randolph in there.

You know I want another banger pf. Or try Cato if he can play. But it's possible EG can work with Yao to make a solid interior defense against the West's jump-shooting pfs. The interior threats are Shaq and Duncan and Brand and maybe Amare. Who else is a bull going to the hole? Not CWeb or Novitzki (sic) or Sheed. We need a little more flexibility. Locking down the inside is a Yao/Cato type assignment for 15-20 minutes, most nights. It's only Shaq and Duncan that are going to foul out Cato, EG, Taylor and Yao.

On the other hand, we don't need both EG and Taylor. Move one or the other. EG is too light to stand up against a bull; he's a help defender. Mo is a foot-shuffler and just gets abused. They should try to move one or both for more pressing needs, like a tall, rebounding wing threat to move the ball from Steve to Yao.

 

Up to this post I would consider much of your 14 thousand whatever posts garbage. And from here on after please don't try to pass your post count as basketball knowledge.

So I will continue on....

Not once did I even remotely consider "perimeter defense" as what you would say, "the anchor" of the Rockets, let alone any team. That, I would consider NOT up for debate! Defense on the perimeter will in fact keep Yao or any other center in the NBA for that matter, out of foul trouble. Prime example: the Lakers. Derrick Fisher- great defensive point guard. Bar None. Kobe. Need I say, 1st Team Defense All-NBA. Rick Fox. Maybe top 5 defensive SF in the NBA. With out these perimeter defenders Shaq would be in some serious foul trouble. That, I would also consider NOT up for debate!

As far as the players whom you said "Griffin let blow by him" must not come without scrutiny.

Duncan: There is not a power forward in the league that can compete with Duncan let alone stop him.
Webber: I don't think I need to say anything more. But I will. Chris Webber is possibly the weakest most overrated PF in the NBA. He play's almost zero defense and almost NEVER takes it to the rack; prefering to shoot "unharmed" from 17 to 18ft. When the Kings first played the Rockets I watch CW recieve the ball and move towards the baseline calling all of his team to back off. The reason: He was going to solo up and try to take on Yao Ming. Too Big a Task! He tried to dribble between his legs and cross Yao but Yao didn't flinch! The result: Webber ran into the "Wall", threw up a lame duck shot only to get partially blocked. He never tried to pull another stunt like that again. He should just stick to mid-range jumpers.
Nowitzki: Dirk's ability to run the floor did put EG at a disadvantage, but in EG's defense Dirk did not have an cake walk posting up.
Garnett: Now this is the matchup in which EG seemed to play his best. Nevermind the numbers, Garnett will still get his numbers.(as great players do) But Garnett seemed to struggle against Griffin relying more on his outside shooting than his back to the basket game. In this match-up EG is of similar size and weight and did a terrific job of slowing Garnett down and eliminating his back to the basket game. And in the words of DearRock "check the tapes"


Yao's height and presense in the paint is defense alone and will result in fewer opponents scoring in the paint. But it will not stop teams from attacking the rim! Perimeter defense will cut down on players getting to the paint and drawing fouls and can also disrupt the outside shot.

Bottom Line: The Rockets need to play good team defense, help defense and improve our man to man defense. Simply put: we need to improve in all phases of defense.