So, why do you think that same core group has slipped so much? Why did they lose their chemistry? As somebody pointed out above, McGrady and Battier are not the same physically so that should have something to do with it.
I agree with you. They don't have any excuse. Artest might not start, but he finishes the game. Scola never played great defense. Yao actually improved on help defense. Rafer's the same... But Tracy and Battier's defense are horrible right now. I don't know if it's their surgery, (I'm very skeptical with Tracy) but hopefully that is their problem. I know Battier has been guarding the best man every game, but man... his production is decreasing a lot.
Injuries are a definite factor but at the same time I think it's undeniable that the core group isn't meshing, i.e. they have lousy chemistry. That's part of the point I'm trying to make. The Rockets' offensive and defensive problems may share a common root. Why the bad chemistry? Everybody's got a guess. My suspicion is that all the soap opera drama from the first half of the season is still having an effect.
We weren't as good a defensive team last year as we had been with JVG. And there are some differences this year. We're playing small in the front court more often, I think. In particular, we're seeing Scola/Landry together on the floor more frequently than last year. That's not a good defensive combination. Shane, who's almost like a defensive coach on the floor, has played less, and he's been less effective with the ankle problems. McGrady has been more hobbled than usual. Brooks has played more frequently. This may sound crazy, but us not using Luther Head any more could also have a "chemistry" impact. He's not a good individual defender, but he went through a couple years of training with JVG along with a lot of the other guys. You replace him with Wafer, and the team defense may not be quite as cohesive. And I have a feeling that the team is just so desperate to break into that top 10 on offense that there's probably been less emphasis on the defensive end. Maybe they figured that getting Artest was enough to maintain their elite defensive team status.
Don't joke yourself. The defense last year wasn't even that good. It was alright, but mostly mediocre with some patches of very good D. A lot was covered up because of the 22 win streak, but outside of those games the Rockets' Defense took about 50 steps back. I'm not saying it is all on Rick, but a good 60 or 70 percent definitely is...
I think the main area we lack in is transition D, we're just god aweful in this dept, especailly whenever TMAC and / or Ron are on the floor. TMAC just cant run, and Ron is steal or bust every god damn time. Shane is just pitiful right now as well in running the court.
I don't doubt that there's probably more than one significant factor, but in terms of lineup the starting five are the same starting five from last year. How do you explain their crappy defense?
We've had our starting lineup, including Shane, for about 10 games I'll say. On top of this, Shane is a shell of his former self ( at least for now), and TMAC can't run down the court on any transition baskets. I think because of the injuries, Rick has obviously focused on offense, with quicker lineups, to win, sort of a quick fix. This has worked as we're still 10 games over .500. Obviously its easier to teach offense than help defense (one of the hardest concepts to grasp). Now, with the lineup back, he's going to try to go back to last year's defense / offense + Artest. It'll take some time.
Actually, the lineup of Alston-McGrady-Battier-Scola-Yao gave up slightly more points per possession last year (1.02) then they have this year (1.00). Our other starting lineup last year (Hayes instead of Scola), was better defensively but much worse offensively. http://www.82games.com/0809/0809HOU2.HTM http://www.82games.com/0708/0708HOU2.HTM
In Portland he was Top 3 almost every year. Few Adelman Kings years: 1999-00 Offensive Rating: 105.0 (11th of 29) ▪ Defensive Rating: 102.1 (10th of 29) 2000-01 Offensive Rating: 105.6 (9th of 29) ▪ Defensive Rating: 99.6 (7th of 29) 2001-02 Offensive Rating: 109.0 (3rd of 29) ▪ Defensive Rating: 101.1 (6th of 29) 2002-03 Offensive Rating: 105.9 (6th of 29) ▪ Defensive Rating: 99.1 (2nd of 29) 2003-04 Offensive Rating: 110.3 (2nd of 29) ▪ Defensive Rating: 104.9 (21st of 29) 2004-05 Offensive Rating: 110.5 (3rd of 30) ▪ Defensive Rating: 108.2 (23rd of 30) 2005-06 Offensive Rating: 106.7 (11th of 30) ▪ Defensive Rating: 105.0 (11th of 30) They were actually #1 in opponent FG% in 2002-03. So its not like he's never grasped the concept of defense. I think first chemistry isnt together, something's not right there. Then its the coaching not far behind. Adelman's had teams with good D, but this team seems to not even need the balanced coached but the defensive brute force Van Gundy type before they get it. OR, just get the right personnel to match the coach's style.
They've only played together for 73 minutes but the lineup of Brooks-McGrady-Battier-Scola-Yao has never been outscored while on the court. That's the only unit where that is the case and 73 minutes was good enough for the 5th most common lineup out of 20.
Amend my original post to "How do you explain their crappy defense in the last game?" Also I'm guessing that in terms of total minutes played the starting five have a lot less time on the court this season compared to last.
I only watched part of the second half yesterday, so I can't say. Maybe we could just chalk it up to lack of concentration. In the middle of the third quarter, I didn't see much of a sense of urgency on their faces. Defense is about effort and desire -- if you get too comfortable with where you're at, then it could fade. After a few nice wins, maybe they lost their edge.
really? outside of the last 2 practices, i haven't heard players talking about practicing defense during the practice sessions. all i heard is about "running the adelman offense." sure defense is about effort. but if guys don't know where to go, switch, communicate... you're not going to play good defense. JVG would preach defense every practice session.
i mean, remember when he pulled out the zone v. detroit. we rarely practice zone and yet he pulled it out. it worked for 2 minutes YET HE KEPT WITH IT. we do have a defensive system and philosophy and his right now is just not good enough. we should revert back to the JVG's style of basketball of defending the paint. and RA's refusal to play deke tells you a lot.
+1. How can it be the players when Deke isn't getting any time? We would have had horrible D last year as well but Yao got injured and Deke had to start for him
1. RA should play Deke and Hayes more in the game where Yao/Scola/Landry have trouble defending opponent's strong and agile PF/Cs. 2. Help defense needs to be improved. It sucks right now. Can't remember how many times Yao left his man unguarded in the paint after he switched.
again, it's easier to play perimeter D knowing you have a shotblocker behind you erasing mistakes consistently if you get burned. there's a reason when deke was in the game, our guys would shade their guys to the basket and dare them to attack deke. and they didn't. yao can alter a few shots, but he's not a shot blocker. mayo just repeatedly attacked the basket and disregard a 7'6 guy was even there. i'm not saying deke should get a ton of minutes. just give him 15-17 mins here and there and alter the pace of the game.
