http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4344454.html Now, they are quicker now with Head, Snyder, Battier, Hayes (when healthy) than in the past with the older cast, but this year, like the last two, I notice a pattern of quick midgets killing the Rockets. Battier, McGrady and co did a respectable job on Wade (helped by Wade's own bad shooting), but the team got lit up by Ben Gordon. The bigger SF/SG just don't matchup well defensively against someone half a foot shorter and signficantly quicker. Head and Rafer have also not impressed defensively. Spanoulis may be the answer eventually, but playing D under FIBA rules is different than doing it under NBA rules (no touching perimeter players). Bonzi is strong, but not exactly quick. I think Rockets needs someone who can defend the PG/combo guard types.
I thought Luther would be a better defender on quick combo guards than he has been. I think Spanoulis might start getting phased into the rotation more. I agree, having Battier/McGrady at SF/SG is simply going to be at a speed disadvantage most nights. I never expected Van Gundy would use them much at those positions, but that's what has happened. With Chuck Hayes in the lineup, we have enough quickness spread out between the PF/SF/SG to make make the overall team defense pretty good, I think. With Juwan or Padgett in there, it becomes more problematic.
Our team speed is terrible because we have a front court of Yao, Howard, and Battier. Two very unathletic big men, and a small forward that is below average athletically for his position. Not to mention a natural small forward (Mcgrady) that has self-admittedly lost a step playing the 2-guard spot. The problem as see it is Van Gundy doesn’t know where to play Battier. If he plays him at the 3 (which means Mcgrady slides to the 2), our team speed takes a big hit. If he plays him at the 4, we’ll get killed on the boards.
Agree with you. I remember reading awhile back that Chuck Hayes runs a 4.6 or 4.7 forty yard dash. He has to be one of the fastest powerforwards in the league.
Battier is smart enough to make up for his lack athleticism on the perimeter while guarding 3s or big 2s (Ben Gordon and Dwyane Wade are a different story). I think the problem has more been with McGrady, Luther, and Alston. Plus, Yao's pick and roll defense has been inconsistent at best, and that's also messed us up down the stretch of games. I think we should give the Yao-Battier-McGrady-Snyder-Alston lineup more of a chance (not necessarily to start, but during the course of the game). Yeah, we got outrebounded by the Jazz in game 1 -- but guess what? The Utah Jazz has been killing everyone on the boards this season. They're 2nd in offensive rebounding% AND 2nd in defensive rebounding%.
so we need Howard out... and Chuck back... sounds about right to me... atleast Howard is fouling his guy out before he lets him by him... but I don't think it is even Howard... yes our front 3 are slow or undersized... but if our guards are so quick and defensive minded... why are they getting toasted every other play rather than...Howard every 3rd play... seems to me Yao and Bat are picking up more fouls... on not their own marks... but the opposing guards... sure we a talking PnR defense.... but why is it... most every other team... when a PnR is done on their guards... the guard fights through it....and stays on his man....
My hope of McGrady playing at 2 guard and doing well has not provided much pleasing effects. From the fact that he is much too old to play effectively anymore..... Juwan slows down the team but there is not much option there with Hayes being out. Perhaps they should look past the first Utah game considering that a loss to a very good team and try the lineup of Yao-Battier-McGrady-Snyder-Alston again, with Head and Spanoulis subbing in at the guard spots.
There are plenty of options. Battier at the PF, McGrady at the 3, Snyder at the 2, VSpan at the 1. That would be a very good perimeter defensive unit. Especially against a perimeter oriented team like Detroit who has a slashing 2 guard and a PF that likes to stand outside and fire the 3. Then you spell those guys with Head and you spell Yao with Deke and you keep Howard off the floor except to back up the center. Howard singlehandedly turns us into a .500 team.
I think Van Gundy has pretty much given up on the idea of playing Battier at the 4. If he’s too afraid to have Battier matched up with a perimeter oriented power forward like Wallace, I don’t see any other situation where Battier will get PT at the 4.
This is illustrative of how clueless JVG is at this point. The Rockets need some creativity and some offense. Reefer and JHo contribue virtually nothing on either D or O. Why do they play? I'm losing hope for this year, and I thought we hit the bottom last year.
Ummmm, I think JVG is not going with Shane at the 4 because he says our perimeter defense is too awful without Shane out there. In other words, McGrady, Snyder, Head, and Rafer aren't cutting it defensively. Obviously, Rafer is the weak link defensively. But I'm also disappointed in Snyder so far. He isn't giving us very much offensively. Yeah, he can finish at the rim, but every game he throws up 2 or 3 junky shots that do not have a chance of going down. And since Bonzi isn't giving us anything either, I sure hoope we are looking into a trade for perhaps a player like Mo Pete. And obviously, Van Gundy should be looking to give Billy some minutes to see what he can do defensively for us.
It is very time for V-Span to play his game as Head's defense is terrible. Billups got 23 and Hamilton got 30. Where is Rox' defense??? Why does Battier always has to defend PF at the 4th period? If he guarded Hamilton, I can not believe Hamilton could score 30. Even Battier has to play 4, V-span or Snyder is definitely more tough than Head. What are you thinking about, JVG???
according to Gundy, the Rocket's defense stinks. they're too slow and can't get to loose balls. hmmm... that's right, blame it on the players' effort and desire. if he knew anything about roster management and timely substitutions, maybe he wouldn't have these "lack of speed" problems. it seems he can only get stellar defense some of the time and predictable offense most of the time. the one who is most inconsistent is none other than Van Gundy. he's the stinker.
gundy is right. the statistics do lie. we do hold our opponents under the least amount of points but that is a fake stat. our halfcourt offense runs down the clock creating less possessions for us and our opponents.
"Our team speed is problematic," Van Gundy said. "Our perimeter defense and pick-and-roll defense is obviously something people are picking on. WHY DONT YOU PLAY VSPAN AND BONZI Then... geez they have good perimeter d.. but no.. lets stick the the "no-offense" kirk snyder and the "streaky shooting" luther head. not to mention, "make 3's 3 in a row, then miss 5 in a row" alston.
