As a team we have the number 1 scoring defense, and number 1 field goal percentage allowed defense. But there is a good chance no one on our team makes one of the all-defensive teams. I think Battier has the best chance, and he has been one of the better defenders i have seen playing in a long time, and he does it without being dirty. After that its just team defense, but its crazy to think that no one gets on the team, thats like no Mavs going to the all-star game.
That's a good point actually - the best one I've heard to date. We don't have any defensive monsters and have the lowest fg%. But what's more impressive of late is the surge in offense. However, I think Deke has been a defensive gem and worthy of first-team consideration. Shane is a good defender, but not first-team. He does get beat off the dribble and has trouble at the 4. But yeah, the Rockets play team defense.
If Deke started on another team and was able to start every night and play significant minutes...I think he'd have a great shot at being all-defense. That being said I don't think he's played enough to warrant much more than an honorable mention.
if it's anyone it's going to be rafer or shane, but iono after the abuse tinsley put on rafer last game. I think rafer's done a good job on the 1 spots defensively. He's got the toughest job trying to slow down the quick NBA pgs, but i think he's done an admirable job this year.
Tinsley burning us last game had little to do with Rafer. They ran the pick and roll to death and Yao didnt step up to stop the jump shot, because then Tinsley would just go around him. That play is very hard to stop with Yao in his current state because of his decresead mobility.
Why didn't we have Rafer go under the pick if Yao couldn't step out? Tinsley isn't exactly a lights-out shooter.
The All Defensive Team seems to be very "stat heavy" with regards to their selections. That hurts Battier's chances. Shane Battier has to be considered in terms of the SF position. I mean, look what he does on a nightly basis against other team's wing players? Battier doesn't rack up "defensive stats" but he makes a difference. He is better than Bruce Bowen in my opinion. If Battier doesn't make first team, then he has to make second team for sure.
If they are truly using stats, then Yao has to be a lock for the center position (not minding injury). He is clearly the best defensive center in the league by the numbers, contrary to popular opinion.
If Rafer went under the screen, he'd get an open jumper anyway. That's what it gives up. That why no one goes under the screen when Tmac and Yao do the pick and roll. Tmac would just rise up and shoot. They forced Tinsley as far from the basket as they could. He shot pretty much where the pick was set; he wasn't getting easy layups or penetrating much. Honestly, I could live with him shooting all those off-balance 15 foot floaters/jumpers. He just happened to convert on a really high amount of them. We held them to under 80 points total, so we did something right.
tmac is actually a very very good man on man defender.. doesn't take many charges, but he bothers the offensive player just as well as bruce bowen. long arms and fast hands
I agree. I think Battier ought to make the All-Defense Second Team. If nothing else, he should make it for the same reason that people think Dirk should be MVP. Personally, I don't think Dirk is the most VALUABLE player in the league at all. But he is the best player on the best team. Same with Battier. He is the best DEFENSIVE player on the league's best DEFENSIVE team. Plus, don't overlook Battier's defensive stats. He has been one of the league's top shot-blocking small forwards throughout his career. He gets a decent amount of steals. Obviously, his rebounding stats don't reflect the 4-5 tips per game that he gets to teammates that really amount to rebounds. But don't think the league doesn't look at "Charges Taken" as a stat. I think Battier should take Bowen's slot in the All-Defensive team allotment.
We have alot of size and we know where to go on defensive rotations. But no one on our team deserves 1st or 2nd team All-Defense.
http://www.nba.com/hotzones/ Check out Tinsley's hotzones...he's ice cold from 3point land. I'd rather go under the pick and force him to shoot a 3 pointer on the move than follow him behind the pick and give him the chance to drive and maybe draw a foul or score.
