He is just as bad and overrated on defense as Dwight is now, people need to stop worshiping him as some kind of 3&D player, the guy can't even do one of those things right. Just too slow and gets blown by way too easily, Ariza's perimeter defense has been extremely disappointing this season. No wonder his DRPM is in the negative territory. Maybe lost his edge due to entering age 30 this year combined with playing a lot of minutes for two seasons in a row, but who knows why, the important thing is his D is nowhere near good enough to make up for his one-dimensional offensive skill set. If you think about it, we don't have ONE single athletically gifted player on our starting 5, that's part of the reason why our defense is so subpar and seems so slow at times. We simply lack agility, and it kills us while trying to rotate and switch on defense. Dwight and Ariza needs to go, they are over their prime and are transforming into average players real fast.
I'll say Ariza's D has slightly regressed. Any team can ruin a players defense with the scheme we run. I mean, I don't think I've ever been so unbelievably frustrated with a coach in my life. We changed strategies in the first half, trapped instead of constant switching. Forced turnover after turnover, but what's JB's next move? We go to the hack a player strategy with 5 minutes left and the crowd feeding off of the defensive intensity we actually brought tonight. Completely ruining any momentum we were gaining and doubt we were filling in GS's heads. Then, he follows it up with an even better decision! He decides, well I guess we should go back to completely switching, which lead to the NBA record in 3's in a game. Any player can be exposed when you have as dumb of a coach as JB.
All the available defensive stats say Ariza is a average to below average defender this season, and I've had enough 'eye-test' results to confirm that conclusion. Just too slow and gets blown by Klay every single time who's not even that quick, I mean it's really disappointing.
I'd be happy for Ariza to go - pending on the moves we make this offseason. I think Ariza hasn't regressed as badly as people think - I just think he knows a worthless cause when he sees one - and is acting accordingly. Unfortunate to say but it's a trait in the majority of us. If we can sign a couple of guys to put us over the top - Ariza is definitely the person we need - and I wouldn't feel bad about all my trust in him returning to an elite-ish perimeter defender. If he can be playing for Cleveland right now he would be much better than what he is in a Rockets uniform.
Still earning his money. I'd be happy getting a new starter & keeping him as a backup. His contract is a serious bargain with the new cap. Maybe he doesn't qualify as a 3&D for you, but you gotta realize how rare & valued 3&D players there are. Bruce Bowens don't grow on trees. Problem I have with Ariza is he will shoot lights out for a month and then not be able to hit the ocean for two months. It's rare that you have consistent three point shooting night in night out, but you literally have a couple months where you get NO offense from your SF spot.
Unable to guard Klay's three is one thing. But consistently get beaten by Klay and letting him score easy at the rim is a sure sign Ariza's D has regressed a lot more than people realize.
I'm just talking about straight 1-1 defense situation. Klay is out-quicking Ariza every single time, I mean how many times has he scored at the rim this series? Klay is not an elite slasher, he should not be able to do that.
Yeah, I am not sure what's going on. If he is really physically declining, then maybe that the reason why he came so cheap?
Maybe he didn't read that incentive clause in every NBA player's contract. When your team lets an opponent missing the league MVP blow you out by more than 30 points in a half, you forfeit your salary for the season....That might have made him more interested....Seriously, you pay guys millions of dollars, and it's too much to expect them to try.
No, Ariza is always few steps slower and unable to prevent Klay slashing towards the basket, he's making Klay look like prime Wade for gods sake. Klay is scoring at will against Ariza in this series, 3 or at the rim.
I just see it differently. I was nothing to write home about offensively when I played. But I made state teams purely on the defensive end. And I know for a fact that when the level of players around me was better, so was my effort. I see the same thing with Ariza. Of course, it's just speculation and my opinion.
