I predicted that too. It was the same rant with Sacramento and the only reason why we won 22 in a row was because of defense.
Any team that gives up an average of 100+ PPG is not anywhere close to being defensive. We're a passive team.
I remember seasons ago, when the dream if Yao and T-Mac was still alive and when opposing teams looked at their schedule, saw a game at the Toyota center and grimaced b/c of our defense.
This team had severe problems before Landry went out via trade, I think Lowry is the most needed right now... AB has nil basketball IQ, and is a defense liability as a plus....so, no matter how cool are AB numbers in the boxscore, the team is severely hurt with a total lack of a PG without at least decent court vision in the whole roster. That's why I don't understand having Temple activated instead of a PG available (Conroy or something better).
The larger question is, are we an offensive team? Actually, I don't think we are an offensive team or a defensive team, which means we aren't a very good team. In fact, I should have not used the word, "we" because I'm not playing and I don't have a mouse in my pocket.
JVG himself inherited a Rockets team rated among the top five in defense. In the season that preceded Yao's rookie year the Rockets were the second worst defensive team in the league. JVG isn't the miracle worker you're making him out to be.
I'm okay with us being a mediocre defensive team if our offensive players are dominating (actually, I'm not but I can live with it).
The Kings defensive efficiency actually increased while he was there. It dropped after Weber had microfracture surgery and demanded minutes that he wasn't ready for. Adelman had a top 5 defensive team in Portland, anchored by 7 ft Duckworth The defensive efficiency went from 4th to 2nd in the NBA, last year. Only after losing 7'6" Yao and 7'2" Mutombo have the Rockets dropped in defensive efficiency. They dropped to 13th. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/adelmri01c.html
That's a little unfair to JVG. Defense rating progression went like this 2002, Franchise era, 29th, Rudy 2003, Yao drafted, 14th, mostly Rudy 2004, 5th, JVG I say being a top defense team takes commitment from both the coach and the players. Yao and JVG used to set the tone. Nobody is picking up the slack right now.
No, the defense did not deteriorate season by season. Adelman's Rockets have consistently been top 5 since he has been here until this season.
I agree, I know Jeffries played ok last night, but I have like Armstrong for a couple of years now. Would like to see him get a shot. DD
Unfortunately he may not play because of his lack of offense. Adelmans been known to have people on the floor that can score. Yao is a bonus because he can do both.
I see what your saying. Battier is not that bad on the offensive end. Though I just know when deke was playing that year he had deke out a lot in the fourth quater. Maybe I just don t like adleman don t know love the players on our team just hate the fact we have no identity. My bad!
I was begging Adelman to bench Mr. Intangibles and BrickWagon Chuckwagon for Budinger and Landry with Scola sliding to C. Battriza and Hayes were shooting 4-20 and he still wouldn't bench Ariza,Battier or Hayes.. Rockets were playing 2-5 all game. Landry would added some much needed offense with Hayes on the bench. Budinger would have allowed Ariza to slide to the 3 and limit his shots.
