So much for the "keep JVG's defense" theory Rockets clicking on defense Team learning the nuances of Adelman's system By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle In the jubilant visitors locker room in Cleveland, after the Rockets' defense took apart the Cavaliers for the second time in a winning streak 11 games long, it was mentioned that Jeff Van Gundy would have loved the defensive performance of the evening. Rafer Alston turned to Tracy McGrady, and in his best Van Gundy bark, snapped: "Take away the middle. Don't let him go middle!" McGrady giggled. "I still hear that voice." "I heard it during the game," Alston said. Yet as the Rockets have maintained the defensive mastery they developed in four seasons in the JVG Defensive Finishing School, some of their recent defensive success has come in the few ways the defensive style has changed under Rick Adelman. That was never more evident than in Friday's win in New Orleans when the Rockets' pick-and-roll defense took away the lane as it rarely has as effectively. And as much as the notion has been repeated that the Rockets have won with the Adelman offense and Van Gundy defense, the parts of the defense are not carried over. "Jeff's not here," Rockets assistant coach Elston Turner said of that popular theory, though he said he had never heard it. "This is our defense. This is what we did in Sacramento — times two." The multiplication, he said, comes from doing those schemes with players particularly adept at executing what he, Adelman and fellow assistants T.R. Dunn and Jack Sikma want. "We've got some defensive-minded guys here," Turner said. "They execute the game plan and the coverage. Once you give them the game plan, you get people covered, but once you get them covered, you got to make the stop. We've got talented people, people who can move. That's what makes the stop." Against Chris Paul and the Hornets, the Rockets shifted to what Turner called "more of a containment, protect-the-paint type of coverage." Making right adjustments Where the Rockets once had preferred to trap high screens, they have left Yao Ming in the lane. On Friday, they allowed Rafer Alston to sag into the lane to meet Paul, and to use his discretion about when to mix that up by occasionally going over picks. "We defended them really well," Adelman said. "I have to give my assistant coaches (credit). They each take a game, and they prepare the team and they come up with a game plan. They've done a great job in this whole streak of coming up with something that makes sense that we can follow. These guys do a great job of following it. Elston, he really had them down." All coaches tailor defensive game plans to fit the opponent, searching for ways to send help to defend opponents that create the greatest matchup problems. But they make those adjustments to varying degrees. Van Gundy leaned toward certain philosophies and preferences; Adelman is more pliable based on opponents' strengths and weakness. Where Van Gundy's defenses excelled through a disciplined adherence to the preparation and plan, Adelman's allows for more interpretation and adjustment during the game. "The more you do this stuff, the more you get better," Turner said. "There's a certain pride on the defensive end with this group. They really pay attention to detail." More of the same In the previous four seasons, the Rockets were second three times, first once in opposing field-goal percentage. This season, they are second, allowing opponents to make 43.6 percent of their shots. In the previous four seasons, the Rockets were between third and fifth in opponents' scoring. This season, they are fourth, allowing 92.5 points. After three years as one of Van Gundy's most ardent believers, McGrady praised the way things have gone with his successors — even if he did not offer an Elston Turner imitation. "I can't say enough about the guys on this team and the coaching staff, how well they have us prepared going into games," McGrady said of the defense. "We have a great bunch of guys. More importantly, I think the chemistry is there. I think we're getting that from the first guy to the last guy, the veterans to the rookies. We all get it. We all want to do well for one another."
Haha...I just read this on the chron and thought about posting but you beat me to it. Don't you sleep?
I do give JVG credit for getting the players that were here last year (about 67% of the roster) to be so dilligent about defense. But it sure looks like the theory that they kept JVG's schemes is just flat out wrong. DD
good read and very interesting. it used to be chris paul or deron williams would kill us with the pick and roll. now its different.
JVG never adjust. his main thing is to pack the paint, regardless of who we play. so teams that can shoot would just destroy us. adelman is different. he adjusts the defense depending on the team we play. that's why he's better.
Why did you paste the article, but you changed the title. This is not the title of the article. You made it up. As a matter of fact, only Turner boasts about his defense. Rafer and Tmac say their core defensive princliples come from hearing the inner Van Gundy
This article was written for you, DaDakota. You must have been grinning ear to ear while you read it. Adelman and his coaching staff made Sacramento a very good defensive team a while ago, so they obviously know what they're doing on that end. The defense has been good pretty much throughout the season (there are the usual ups and downs, of course). It's the offense which has really taken off the last month.
Good read. It seems that JVG is great at making players PLAY defense. And play it the correct, smart way. The problem is that his philosophy does not adjust to matchup problems. Specifically with Boozer and Williams picking us apart. JVG basically paved the way, giving Adelman a roster filled with guys who knows how to carry out defensive assignments and plans. Adelman's staff just has to figure out the right plans.
Actually, the spurs copied the rockets' PnR defense tonight. In JGD's time, the rockets always had trouble to defense the hornets' PnR. I agree that the credits should be given to the new coach staff.
It may be different philosophies, but it's still because of JVG that the players have great defensive fundamentals. They still take away the paint most of the time, and that attention to detail on the defensive end certainly didn't come from T-Mac. Lots of credit goes to JVG for the impressive D, no way it would be this stifling if not for that lingering voice in the Rockets' heads.
Nah, that's not Adelman's defense. That's Turner/Dunn's defense. Adelman leaves the defensive scheme to his assistants and only makes adjustments to the scheme if necessary.
there's no doubt that van gundy's constant preaching of defense is the reason why the players now have so much intensity on that end. it doesn't matter if it's different schemes or strategies, there's no way we're this good on defense if van gundy hadn't been here the year before. i speculate that battier being the on-court leader of this defense helps a lot as well.
I agree. After going through JVG's system, these guys know how much defense can be the difference in games. And I love how Adelman and his staff seem to be keeping and developing what was good about the team before and at the same time revamping what didn't work.
I actually give some of the credit to McGrady. Even if he does take some plays off, he seems to be more vocal on court since coming back from the injury, particularly towards the new players. I even recall a few possessions where he kind of got after Scola after missed defensive assignments.
