People say our backcourt is undersized defensively, but I don't know if it should be necessarily considered as weakness in JVG's system. The most times I saw a guard taking full advantage of the smaller size opponent is when the rest of the team drew their man to the other side of the court, so the guard can do one on one and post moves. But in JVG's system, Yao and our power forward are always gonna be there clogging the lanes, therefore most of times our opponent settled with a jumper, where the best you can do is to wave a hand in front of their face anyway. I think that's probably why Cat can defense Kobe and TMac well in those match ups. Probably same thing with JJ. On the other hand, quickness of our guard should be a much bigger factor, because with Yao in the paint, our opponents tend to do PnR more...
It's a disadvantage when teams ISO on us clear one side of the court so the other teams guards can post up on our smaller men. They've done that with Melo on JJ on the Dec. 26th game, and in past history the Lakers have done that on the Rockets. They haven't done it so much this year but then again the Lakers have been so injury prone lately that may be the answer why. So it is a defensive problem when the other teams guards are good post up players in ISO situations. They can be crucial mismatches during important stretches of the game when teams can take full advantage of them.
The only time I think size matters in guards is if they have an inside game, like Payton or Mark Jackson (back before he got old). For the most part, size is overrated except in your big men. And the Rockets got that covered.
I'll take a Magic Johnson or a LeBron James over a Muggsy Boggs anyday. Yes, size matters; especially when they have size, strength, and speed. Guards like Francis compensate with his incredible leaping ability, but he can't stay in the air, the tall guards can.
In this era of zone defense, you don't see much one on one iso anymore. SIze is in gaurds is overrated. If you have good help defense, then size would not be a problem. Good teams play good help defense. you saw it with 99/2003 spurs and the lakers teams, and also the Bulls teams.
Cat is shorter than Kobe, Pierce, Carter, and T-Mac, but that doesn't stop him from playing incredible 1 on 1 defense on them.
The thing that I don't understand is that Cat is considered to be tall for a pg at 6-4, but short for a two guard at 6-4
Yes, size does matter especially at the end of the game when every position counts. I want aguard that not only can blow by his man but also when he gets into the paint he can "rise" and shoot over folks. Kobe and McGrady do this alot. Lately I have also seen Posey do this as well. When our guards get into the middle that have to throw up a crazy shot or double clutch or shoot a fadeaway.
