Man, I am so excited, this team is playing great DEFENSE, right now. I know their offense is struggling, and they are not making the best on court decisions, but their defense has been a VERY pleasant surprise. They hold the Lakers to 74 points, and Vancouver to 78. What's next holding Portland to 80 (I HOPE !)? Oh man, Rudy is finally getting through to these guys. Defense wins games, boys and girls, and that is what makes us fans the most happy. My glass is half full tonight, for a change. DaDakota PS. Hakeem and Collier are complimenting each other quite well. ------------------ If Mankind evolved from Monkeys and Apes, then why are there still Monkeys and apes?
You noticed that too, huh? The Rockets are in the top 10 in defense through five games, which I expect will be even better once tonights performance is considered. I thought a lot of things would happen this year, the Rockets being on of the top defensive teams is not one of them. ------------------ Who would've thought Don Nelson would pass up Olumide Oyedeji not once, not twice, but thrice?
Yea, that has been the best surprise so far. I don't think anyone could have forecasted this. ------------------ Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
They still have lapses, but overall I am really enjoying watching the weakside help and the rotations. There's no better way to start a fastbreak than a turnover. I hope it's sinking in!!! ------------------ GATER
With such a young team,you would think that defense would be the last thing they think about,but I have to say that the Rocks are playing excellent D compared to last year.I think Shandon has done a tremendous job!! ------------------
That is very possible! Going back to last season, we've played well against the Blazers and with Hakeem, Collier and Kenny Thomas rebounding and playing good defense, I think we have a good chance, especially if the offense starts to heat up. ------------------ Only in America....do we use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: 'Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'.
Our defense has been great at stopping opponents when we need to, forcing turnovers, creating bad shots and rebounding. With our team getting more and more time together we should hit our peak at midseason. ------------------ MOO atheistalliance.org
Yes, it was surprising to see our defense stepped up to such a high level, especially against LA. Even the interior defense was good, albeit because of timely double teams. Actually, it surprised me almost as much as this POSITIVE thread from DaDakota!! WOO HOO, things are looking up in here now! Chemistry is a wonderful thing, and I hope it continues to get better. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
i've thought about starting a thread on this very topic. what no one seems to want to acknowledge is the aggressive defense francis and cuttino have been playing. yes, they occassionally get torched, but they are playing "fungus" (up in your jock) defense. steve jumped on fro-be bryant like stank on **** at the end of the 3rd quarter the other night. he is playing chest to chest defense, and i love it. maybe he and mobley have been practicing this chest to chest thing on their own. oops! wrong thread ------------------ Mobley and Francis ...are not the two best players on the team. - Rockeem 11/2/2000
Man, was I happy to see a thread title about the Rockets D today. Thank you DD, you are just mr. optimism, aren't you. I've been getting pumped about this season more and more since I heard Francis say the wolf ears thing in the preseason was about their defensive intensity. These guys are starting to play Rudyball and, if they buy into that philosophy lock, stock and barrel, they are going to do really well this year. The championship Rocks enjoyed their success in no small part thanks to the incredible team defense they played. Seems like all anyone wants to talk about is offense. That's alright, i guess - the primary goal of the game is to score more than your opponent. But we all know that when the offense is struggling, the game can still be won with defense. I think these guys get it! I'm not worried about offense because these young Rockets can put points on the board in bunches when they're fockassed. Rudy and gang will develop a system to exploit the skills these guys have. The future just keeps getting brighter. ------------------
I just like to see the teams committment to the defensive end. Also, don't over look the fact that Dream is in the middle again, causing hesitation by other teams guards, he is the all time shot blocking leader you know. DaDakota ------------------ If Mankind evolved from Monkeys and Apes, then why are there still Monkeys and apes?
