I just watched the video of that last Tony Parker attempt. The defensive footwork, judgment, and body control by Lowry were incredible. He's the stopper we've always pined for at the 1. And Hayes with the no-sir box-out on Duncan to guarantee Scola the rebound. You put those guys on the court with Artest and Battier -- that is a totally smothering group. I don't know how many times in the playoffs we'll have the lead going into the final minute. But when we do, I'm gonna rest a lot easier knowing we have the league's most airtight defensive lineup.
Agree. Substituting Deke in for Hayes in special situations when size is need wouldn't hurt either. The best defense I have seen the rockets play this season was against New Orleans a few games ago without Yao.
well said will. i think everyone can agree with you there. the debate seems to be about who should play that crucial 5th spot. yao is a very good defender, but can also be a liability at times. depends on the match up i guess.
People ask what is this team's closer. Our closer is our defense. Mutombo Hayes Battier Artest Lowry This is our "killer instinct" rotation.
That Lowry kid seems to have a knack for penetration. And I dont expect to see that lineup after a rebound. I expect if thats the defensive lineup then a timeout will lead to Yao and Scola being put back in, along with possibly Aaron Brooks.
I loved it when Hayes was switched to Parker, he actually stayed with him, you could tell Tony was frustrated
This should be our defensive closer lineup: Mutombo Scola Battier Artest Lowry Hayes is okay defensively but he is not on Mutombo' level. This lineup provides everything you need in terms of shot-blocking, rebounding, and hustle.
Your right and during certain stretches especially at the end of games with Yao, Brooks and Scola no one can score as well.
Lowry is the missing piece of my vaunted "Iron Maiden" defensive lineup, which I presaged last summer. Edit: big props to poster Tonaaaayyyy, btw, who nailed this one months in advance: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=3814696&postcount=39
The rockets would be alittle offensively challenged, but thats why god invented timeouts so teams can switch out lineups.
When you take into account Hayes's lateral foot speed you realize how important his defense is in pick n roll situations. He has great on ball defense even better than Mutombo. Only problem is shot blocking and rebounding.
But when Mutombo is in, players are just more afraid to go inside and are forced to shoot over the top. Players drive in on Hayes all the time and he commits a lot of fouls inside.
Dream Horry Mario Mad max Kenny would have something to say about that!! A great defensive team though.
I'd love to see that line up put out there against someone in the reg season and hold a team to 0 pts in a quarter. It wouldn't matter who, it would be legendary no matter what.
A better play was Lowry blocking Gooden at the rim. Lowry did a decent job on Parker on that play but Parker didn't miss by much, we were some what lucky it didn't roll in.
JVG could hold a team like Minnesota to 7 points with those guys. Of course we might see a scoring drought and only manage 4 ourselves.
