I'm hearing a lot of talk and worry about Mo Taylor's weak defense. If anyone remembers, the Rockets weren't a good defensive team last year but we still ended up 45-37 just missing the playoffs. The Rockets don't need to be a good defensive team, our explosive offense compensates for it. The goal (and I know it sounds ridiculously obvious) is for the Rox to score more points than the other team, if that means they allow 99 pts a game, then they have to score 100 pts a game. It's not the most ideal situation, but that's the team that Rudy has created. IMO, I think that Steve, Cat, and Mo are all going to increase their scoring averages next season and everything will turn out fine. Of course they should continue to work on their defense and rebounding (Mo Taylor) but it's not nesscessary that they be a defensive powerhouse next season.
Trying to win by outscoring the opposition MAY get us into the playoffs...but that's all. To seriously contend this team needs to demonstrate a commitment to defense that has been lacking. Look at ALL the recent NBA champs and you will see this: that's what transformed the Lakers from wannabees into winners. The same can be said for the Bulls, and the Rockets during our two championship seasons. And what I'm talking about is a total commitment to team defense every possession, every game. This is an area where I expect tremendous improvement this year as we have the athleticism, and they will have had a chance to work together. Eddie Griffin won't hurt either!! When Francis spent time at the playoffs last year watching closely and figuring out what it took to be winners, commitment to defense should be one of his main takeaways; and I think you will see great leadership from him to improve our overall defense. Shooting percentages are up and down.....hard-nosed defense is a constant!
Do you remember any championship teams in recent years that had as bad of "D" as we do? I don't Our offense isn't any more explosive than any of the top teams in the league. So how can we win with a far more inferior defense?
On a per possession basis. I don't consider uptempo good offense and a patient team good defensively. A lot of bad teams try uptempo to wear down better teams which creates a bunch of high scoring teams that don't score well per possession. See Denver early 90's. Rockets 1994-1995 weren't a good defensive team per possession. lakers 87-88 lakers 81-82 washington 77-78 not very good offensive teams per possession Rockets 93-94 Detroit 88-89 Seattle 78-79 SA 98-99 All the above teams have one thing in common...they score much easier than their opponents score against them. It doesn't matter if a team creates a scoring differential by good defense or good offense.
