Francis and Mobley have to be the worst defensive players in the league.

To most young players the offense comes first, learning to play defense is one of the last things they learn.

Hopefully quickly.

DaDakota

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I like how everyone forgets that the system Rudy uses has always made us vulnerable to guards having big nights. It's not weak defense from our guards- it's Rudy's system of not double teaming guards when they get hot, how they defend the pick and roll, etc. Rudy has always stressed not giving up the easy buckets, and therefore gives help defense down low constantly, many times leaving either no one or just one person to guard a very explosive guard. Mobley and Francis, and especially Mobley, have significantly made strides in their defense IMO. Also, I like how Shandon Anderson had quite a lot of time in the floor as well, yet he can never be held accountable.

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Now, how exactly can Rudy keep guys from making jump shots? It is one thing to prevent a layup, but another to stop a jumper.

The thing is that the guards aren't being torched so much as the team defense is struggling. One thing I noticed tonight was the slow rotations. A team like San Antonio can really exploit you if you don't rotate quickly off the double team.

They swing the ball around and find the open man in a very disciplined fashion. Our team defense is just slow to react. Most of that comes from a team being young and learning the ropes defensively.

By the way, most guards take 2 to 3 years to develop solid defensive games. Mobley played out of position for his first season and played well defensively. Besides, Anderson is their best defender and he even got run by Kobe.

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But that isn't the fault of the guard doing the defending. That is the fault of the team not rotating properly and not showing on the pick and roll.

Francis and Mobley are quick, but no one is THAT quick. The big man MUST show on the screen to give the guard time to get back, but that doesn't always happen. Also, when the ball is swung around the perimeter, the defense must rotate to cover the open man.

If I could fault them for anything, it is leaving their feet too soon. That is typical of young players, however. They want to use their athleticism on every play and they get caught in the air occassionally. Other than that, there isn't much they can do given the circumstances.

Now, if players repeatedly blow by them like they are standing still on an ISO, then you can worry. But, I just don't see that happening that often.

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Thanks Jeff, a voice of realism in this thread.

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I cant believe that nobody has yet to mention steve is something like 6th in the league in steals right now. Sure, his one on one defense still needs improving but you can already see in one year how he has improved his passing lane defense. Give him some time.

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I dont think its fair to squarely place the blame for the defensive woes on Cuttino Mobley and Steve Francis. This team is just not very good defensively as a team since the rotations are very slow resulting in shooters being left wide open. A reason for this imho starts with the poor interior defense. The perimeter defenders have to overcompensate for the poor interior defenders and thus perimeter shooters are being left wide open. The Spurs are one of the best at exploiting something like this and are able to convert on their perimeter opportunities as they average something like 40% from behind the arc as a team. The Rockets really need some help on the interior defense so that the guards dont have to overcompensate for this and that needs to start with Kelvin Cato.

Also, the communication on the pick and roll between the big men and the guards is not very good which sometimes ends up in opposing guards easily getting into the lane. Expecting young guards to step in front of the screen every time is asking a lot esp at this stage of their careers. Doing that on a consistent basis takes many years of practice and experience.

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[This message has been edited by MManal (edited December 27, 2000).]

 

I couldn't have said it better myself, MManal! -weak interior defense is the root of most evil

However, I do think that Steve and Cuttino are slow in getting around high picks, and tend to lose sense of where there opponent is.

One particular weakness that I notice is the poor pressure we apply on the double team. If you are either forced into a double team via a pick, or choose to double down low, it is imperative that you put extreme pressure on the ball handler making it hard for him to pass out. If the pressure is there, the outlet pass is usually slower and more looped, giving the defense time to rotate, or it can be intercepted or stolen. Teams do it to us all the time, and we are particularly vulnerable with the shorter guards - Moochie and Steve.

Time after time I see the opposiion get easy passes to the open man becuase of our lack of pressure.

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Good point, Steve's averaging 2.1 spg. I have no problem with Steve or Cuttino's one on one D because they have the footspeed to play adequate D, I do have a problem though with the way they play the pick and roll, and like Jeff said the rotations. The coaches need to let our big men come out and not let opposing teams guard turn the corner on those pick and roll's. The only player out there that knows where everybody should be on defensive rotations is Steve and that needs to change.

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